DNI Gabbard Says ‘Burn Bags’ Hold Files on 2020 Election Misconduct

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said investigators have recovered several bags of documents—so-called “burn bags” typically slated for destruction—that purportedly detail corruption tied to the 2020 presidential election, including what she called “the worst cases yet of weaponized intelligence.” Gabbard revealed the discovery during an exchange with President Donald Trump on 26 Aug., explaining that the files were found “tucked away in the back of safes in random offices.” She told the president she would brief him once the material had been catalogued and analyzed. According to Gabbard and allies who amplified her remarks, some of the documents could implicate former intelligence officials, including ex-CIA Director John Brennan and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, in efforts to conceal information about alleged election irregularities. Bloomberg could not independently verify the contents of the recovered files. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Brennan and Clapper did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Courts, state election authorities and federal agencies have repeatedly affirmed the integrity of the 2020 vote, finding no evidence of widespread fraud.