Last spring the National Security Agency (NSA) identified what it described as an unusual telephone call between an individual linked to foreign intelligence and a person close to former President Donald Trump, according to whistleblower attorney Andrew Bakaj.
Allegations and Immediate Actions
Bakaj says the classified report was brought to the attention of Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard. Rather than allowing the NSA to follow routine distribution channels, Gabbard allegedly took a paper copy of the intelligence to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Within 24 hours, Bakaj says, Gabbard directed the NSA not to publish the report and ordered that the classified details be routed to her office.
Whistleblower Complaint and Inspector General Review
According to Bakaj, a whistleblower first contacted the intelligence community inspector general on April 17 and filed a formal complaint on May 21. Acting Intelligence Community Inspector General Tamara A. Johnson conducted a 14-day review and wrote on June 6 that "the Inspector General could not determine if the allegations appear credible," advising the whistleblower they could refer concerns to Congress after receiving DNI guidance because of the sensitivity of the material.
Responses, Redactions and Oversight
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) issued a statement to the press calling the reporting "false" and asserting that "every single action taken by DNI Gabbard was fully within her legal and statutory authority," adding that both a Biden-era and a Trump-appointed intelligence community inspector general previously found similar allegations baseless.
Members of Congress who receive the most sensitive briefings — the so-called "gang of eight" — were provided a heavily redacted version of the complaint for review this week and remain divided over both the credibility of the whistleblower and the legality of Gabbard's actions. Some Republican lawmakers defended Gabbard; several Democrats, including Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), questioned why Congress did not receive notice of the complaint sooner.
Procedural Concerns
Two attorneys and two former intelligence officials who reviewed the account told reporters they identified procedural anomalies that raise oversight questions. Lawmakers have also flagged the May appointment of Dennis Kirk — a top Gabbard adviser who previously worked in Trump administration circles — to a role in the inspector general's office as a potential conflict that could undermine watchdog independence.
Current Status
Much of the whistleblower complaint remains redacted; ODNI cited executive privilege for some of the redactions. Whistleblower counsel Bakaj has pressed Gabbard's office for guidance on transmitting the full report to Congress while protecting sensitive information and plans to seek unclassified briefings with intelligence committee members. Members of the gang of eight have separately requested the underlying NSA intelligence directly from the agency.
Note: Many details remain disputed or sealed. The account above summarizes allegations, official responses and oversight actions reported by the whistleblower's attorney and covered in press reporting.
