House Republicans are calling for arrests following bombshell allegations that former President Barack Obama and his team sought to gin up intelligence to create a narrative of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
On “Sunday Morning Futures,” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) outlined just what crime may have been committed in response to what Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has dubbed a “treasonous conspiracy” by high-level officials to undermine President Donald Trump’s first term.
“There needs to be criminal prosecution and arrests,” Luna told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo. “Lying under oath, putting out a false intelligence report — that’s a violation of 18 U.S. Code 1001.”
Convictions could lead to several years in prison and financial penalties, Luna noted.
After calling for FISA reform, the congresswoman added, “There needs to be arrests. This is not partisan. This is simply illegal, what they did, and we’re simply upholding the law.”
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who is running to become Florida governor in the 2026 election, agreed with Luna during their joint appearance.
“There need to be arrests on this matter. People need to go to jail on this because this is about the republic,” Donalds said. “This is not about one president — it is about the presidency and the continuation of our country.”
Gabbard says that she has referred the documents she uncovered to the Department of Justice and FBI for a criminal referral, but it will be up to federal prosecutors to open up a case.
“There’s no question in my mind that this intelligence community assessment that President Obama ordered be published which contained a manufactured intelligence document — it’s worse than even politicization of intelligence,” Gabbard said during a “Sunday Morning Futures” interview of her own.
She continued, “It was manufactured intelligence that sought to achieve President Obama and his team’s objective, which was undermining President Trump’s presidency and subverting the will of the American people.”
Democrats have shrugged off the controversy.
“I actually hope that DOJ takes this to court. They won’t, because they know that the howls of laughter from that court will be heard in four time zones,” Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, said on X. “Watch for DOJ action. Not gonna happen. And when it doesn’t, I hope all the MAGA very online people ask why.”
