In a fiery and provocative statement, former US Congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard has called for a drastic purge of the American intelligence apparatus. Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022, is demanding the immediate revocation of security clearances for officials she claims weaponised the 'Russiagate' scandal against former President Donald Trump.
The controversial former lawmaker took to social media platform X to deliver her explosive broadside, accusing a 'corrupt deep state' of orchestrating a years-long campaign to subvert democracy and illegally sabotage Trump's presidency.
A Direct Accusation of a 'Criminal Conspiracy'
Gabbard's statement left no room for ambiguity. She explicitly labelled the Russiagate investigation—which probed potential links between the Trump campaign and Russia—a 'hoax' built on a foundation of lies. Her central allegation is that officials within the FBI, CIA, and other agencies engaged in a criminal conspiracy, abusing their power and security privileges to meddle in the highest levels of US politics.
'The individuals who pushed this hoax, spied on a presidential campaign, and lied to the American people and the FISA court to undermine President Trump must be held accountable,' Gabbard stated, referencing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court.
The Call for a Widespread Purge
Moving beyond mere criticism, Gabbard's call to action is severe. She is advocating for a systematic cleansing of the security establishment:
- Mass Revocation of Clearances: A widespread stripping of security access for anyone involved in the Russiagate probe.
- Legal Prosecution: She insists that those responsible should face criminal charges for their actions.
- Systemic Reform: Her demands imply a need for a top-down overhaul to prevent what she sees as a politicised 'deep state' from operating with impunity in the future.
Positioning Herself Against the Establishment
This latest outburst solidifies Gabbard's position as a fierce critic of the Washington establishment from the outside. Since her departure from the Democratic Party, she has frequently appeared on conservative media, positioning herself as a voice against bipartisan corruption and the unchecked power of intelligence agencies. Her rhetoric strongly aligns with that of Donald Trump and his base, who have long decried the Russiagate investigation as a politically motivated witch hunt.
The reaction to her proposal is predictably split along partisan lines, igniting a fresh debate about accountability, national security, and the politicisation of America's intelligence services.
