The FBI has opened an investigation into possible leaks of classified information tied to Democratic members or staff on the Senate Intelligence Committee, according to reports citing sources familiar with the matter.
The probe reportedly stems in part from a criminal referral submitted by the National Security Agency concerning the disclosure of information from a classified overseas intercept, Just The News reported.
According to the report, the referral involved media coverage published during the confirmation process for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The reporting referenced an intercepted conversation involving two Hezbollah figures discussing Gabbard’s 2017 trip to Syria.
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A report in The New York Times stated that some interpreted a reference to “the big guy” in the intercept as suggesting Gabbard had met with a senior Hezbollah leader. Gabbard strongly denied that claim.
Sources said the NSA later concluded that while the published information did accurately reference material from one of its intercepts, Gabbard had not actually met with Hezbollah leadership.
Investigators reportedly identified possible leakers among Democratic staff members on the Senate Intelligence Committee who had access to the intercept before details appeared publicly.
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The criminal referral was reportedly submitted last summer but did not gain traction inside the Justice Department for months. According to the report, FBI Director Kash Patel only became aware of the matter several weeks ago.
Since then, FBI counterintelligence and criminal investigators have reportedly expanded the inquiry to examine additional possible leaks and communications with media outlets connected to Democratic committee staff.
The investigation is part of a broader Trump administration effort targeting leaks of classified information. Over the past 15 months, several leak-related cases have been pursued by federal authorities.
🚨THIS IS HUGE: FBI PROBING SENATE INTEL DEMS@jsolomonReports says the FBI is investigating whether Senate Intelligence Committee Democrats leaked classified NSA intel involving Tulsi Gabbard. Solomon says, “when Kash Patel found out… he opened up a criminal investigation,”… pic.twitter.com/SlpVQ89GXM
— Real America’s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) May 8, 2026
Those cases have included investigations involving former government officials and military personnel accused of improperly sharing sensitive information with journalists or other outside parties.
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The Senate Intelligence Committee has faced scrutiny over leaks in the past. In 2018, former Senate Intelligence Committee security director James Wolfe pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during an investigation into disclosures of nonpublic information to a reporter.
CORRUPTION AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL‼️
Kash Patel has opened up a criminal investigation of Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee for leaking HIGHLY classified NSA intelligence more than a year ago that mentioned DNI Tulsi Gabbard.
Not only did they leak the intelligence,… pic.twitter.com/On30aSWH80
— RealAF Patriot (@RealAF_Patriot) May 8, 2026
FBI probing Senate Intel Democrats for possible classified leaks, spurred by NSA criminal referral https://t.co/vIYj9Cd573
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) May 8, 2026
🚨 THIS IS HUGE: FBI Investigating Senate Intel Democrats
The FBI is probing whether Senate Intelligence Committee Democrats leaked classified NSA intelligence involving Tulsi Gabbard.
According to @js.reports, when Kash Patel discovered it, he immediately opened a criminal… pic.twitter.com/oiBuHxTgcz
— GRANDPA’s FREE ADVICE (@GOP_is_Gutless) May 9, 2026
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“When @FBIDirectorKash Patel found out… he opened up a criminal investigation,l”@jsolomonReports says the FBI is investigating whether Senate Intelligence Committee Democrats leaked classified NSA intel involving Tulsi Gabbard. pic.twitter.com/FyPiJsBiv1
— Just the News (@JustTheNews) May 8, 2026
No charges have been announced in the current investigation, and it remains unclear whether prosecutors will ultimately pursue criminal cases connected to the reported leaks.
The FBI and Justice Department have not publicly commented on the specifics of the inquiry. Senate Intelligence Committee Democrats also have not publicly addressed the allegations.
The investigation is likely to intensify ongoing political disputes in Washington surrounding classified information, intelligence oversight and the relationship between lawmakers and the press.
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