Former DNI Gabbard Accused of Hiding Whistleblower Report

Whistleblower lawyer says Gabbard failed to share classified complaint about Trump associate's contact with foreign intelligence

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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A new report alleges that former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was informed of a whistleblower complaint last spring about a call between someone associated with foreign intelligence and an individual close to former President Donald Trump. According to the whistleblower's lawyer, Gabbard took a paper copy of the memo to the White House but then instructed the NSA to send the highly classified details to her office instead of publishing them. The whistleblower later filed a formal complaint, accusing Gabbard of hiding the information in a safe for 'political purposes.' Gabbard has denied 'hiding' the information and claims she was following proper security protocols.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about potential political interference in the handling of sensitive intelligence information and the protection of whistleblowers. It also highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the intelligence community, as well as questions about Gabbard's motivations and actions as the former top U.S. intelligence official.

The details

According to the whistleblower's lawyer, the National Security Agency detected an 'unusual call' last spring between someone associated with foreign intelligence and an individual close to former President Trump. When Gabbard was informed, she took a paper copy of the memo to the White House Chief of Staff but then instructed the NSA to send the highly classified details to her office instead of publishing them. The whistleblower later filed a formal complaint accusing Gabbard of refusing to share the 'highly classified intelligence report' for 'political purposes.' The inspector general at the time dismissed the complaint, but the whistleblower's lawyer says he was not informed that the complaint could be taken to Congress.

  • In the spring of 2025, the NSA detected an 'unusual call' between someone associated with foreign intelligence and an individual close to former President Trump.
  • On April 17, 2025, the whistleblower first contacted the office of the intelligence community inspector general about the burying of the highly classified materials.
  • On May 21, 2025, the whistleblower filed a formal complaint.
  • In June 2025, the inspector general dismissed the complaint, saying she 'could not determine if the allegations appear credible.'
  • The complaint did not become known to Congress until November 2025.

The players

Tulsi Gabbard

The former Director of National Intelligence who was accused of hiding a whistleblower complaint about a call between someone associated with foreign intelligence and an individual close to former President Trump.

Andrew P. Bakaj

The whistleblower's attorney who was briefed on the sensitive phone call and says his client first contacted the office of the intelligence community inspector general about the burying of the highly classified materials.

Tamara Johnson

The inspector general at the time who dismissed the whistleblower's complaint, saying she 'could not determine if the allegations appear credible.'

Christopher Fox

The current inspector general who also dismissed the whistleblower's complaint.

Mark Warner

The top Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee who Gabbard accused of perpetuating the narrative that she 'hid' the information.

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What they’re saying

“Every single action taken by DNI Gabbard was fully within her legal and statutory authority.”

— Olivia Coleman, DNI press secretary (The Daily Beast)

“If the DNI did not provide security guidance by Friday, then I would share an unclassified briefing with the House and Senate intelligence committees on Feb. 9.”

— Andrew P. Bakaj, Whistleblower's attorney (The Daily Beast)

What’s next

The whistleblower's attorney has threatened to share an unclassified briefing with Congress on February 9th if the DNI does not provide security guidance on how the whistleblower can submit the complaint to lawmakers.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the intelligence community and the Trump administration, as well as the challenges of balancing national security concerns with transparency and whistleblower protections. It raises questions about potential political interference in the handling of sensitive information and the need for robust oversight mechanisms to ensure the integrity of the intelligence process.