Steele Dossier Scandal: Obama Officials Probed Trump with Unverified Rumor

In a stunning revelation, the controversial Steele dossier, funded by Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the DNC, was used to spark the 2016 Trump-Russia investigation and brief President-elect Donald Trump, despite top Obama-era officials knowing it was unverified internet rumor. This document, penned by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, alleged ties between Trump and Russia, yet lacked credible evidence.

Declassified notes from former CIA Director John Brennan reveal he briefed President Barack Obama in July 2016 about a Clinton campaign plan to vilify Trump by linking him to Russian interference. Present at this meeting were then-Vice President Joe Biden, FBI Director James Comey, and other top officials. Despite this knowledge, Comey and Brennan proceeded to brief Trump on the dossier at Trump Tower in January 2017, raising questions about their motives.

Now, both Brennan and Comey face criminal investigations for potential wrongdoing, including possible false statements to Congress. A recent CIA review criticized the inclusion of the dossier in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), noting it undermined the report’s credibility due to procedural anomalies and politicization. Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe referred evidence of Brennan’s actions to the FBI, calling for accountability.

The dossier’s role extended beyond the ICA, influencing controversial FISA warrants against Trump campaign aide Carter Page, which were later found to contain significant inaccuracies. Special Counsel John Durham’s probe highlighted the FBI’s failure to act on warnings that Clinton’s campaign sought to manipulate the bureau for political gain. As the investigations into Brennan and Comey unfold, the public awaits answers on how unverified claims shaped a pivotal moment in U.S. political history.