Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has referred two key figures tied to the 2019 impeachment of President Donald Trump to the Justice Department for potential criminal investigation, according to multiple reports.

An Office of the Director of National Intelligence spokesperson confirmed that a referral was made involving one or more former intelligence officials connected to the impeachment process. However, specific charges have not been detailed.

The reported referrals target the original impeachment whistleblower and former Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson. The action comes after Gabbard declassified documents that she says raise concerns about how the whistleblower complaint was handled.

According to the released materials, the whistleblower may have provided misleading information or demonstrated potential bias. At the same time, Atkinson is accused of withholding key details from Congress during the early stages of the impeachment proceedings.

The 2019 impeachment centered on a phone call between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which led to Trump being impeached by the House before later being acquitted in the Senate.

Gabbard has argued that the whistleblower process was improperly used and contributed to what she described as a politically driven effort against the president. Supporters of the referral say it reflects a push for accountability surrounding one of the most consequential political events of Trump’s first term.

The Justice Department will ultimately decide whether to pursue charges. Legal experts note that criminal referrals can prompt formal review but do not guarantee prosecution.

Critics, including some Democratic lawmakers such as Jim Himes, have raised concerns that the move could be politically motivated and may deter future whistleblowers from coming forward.

The development adds a new dimension to ongoing debates over transparency, oversight, and the role of intelligence agencies in high-profile political matters.