Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed a grand jury to review allegations of a criminal conspiracy connected to the investigation commonly referred to as “Russiagate,” which examined potential ties between Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and Russia.
The directive follows criminal referrals submitted to the Department of Justice by Tulsi Gabbard and John Ratcliffe. Those referrals were reportedly made after the declassification of intelligence documents that, according to officials involved in the review, raise questions about the origins of the Trump–Russia collusion narrative. The materials are said to reference actions by intelligence officials during the administration of former President Barack Obama and allegations that the narrative may have been influenced by political activity linked to the 2016 campaign of Hillary Clinton. The development was first reported by Fox News. Network correspondent David Spunt reported that Bondi signed a one-page order instructing an unnamed federal prosecutor to present evidence to a grand jury regarding claims of a coordinated effort to associate Trump with Russia during the 2016 election cycle.
According to the report, Fox News reviewed the signed directive, and a source familiar with the matter confirmed the existence of the order. While a spokesperson for the Department of Justice declined to comment on the specifics of the investigation, the report stated that Bondi is treating the referrals from Gabbard with significant concern and believes the allegations warrant further examination. The decision to convene a grand jury represents an early procedural step in the investigative process. Presenting evidence before a grand jury allows federal prosecutors to determine whether sufficient grounds exist to pursue formal charges. At this stage, no indictments have been issued and no criminal charges have been filed. Officials have also not disclosed which individuals may be under scrutiny or how broadly the investigation may extend. The review is expected to focus on whether any coordinated effort took place to influence the narrative surrounding Trump’s campaign or his first term in office.
