The FBI has opened a criminal investigation into possible leaks of classified information involving Democratic staff members on the Senate Intelligence Committee, according to reports citing sources familiar with the matter.
The probe stems from a National Security Agency criminal referral concerning the disclosure of classified information from an overseas intercept. The leaked material surfaced during the confirmation process for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and referenced an intercepted conversation between two Hezbollah figures.
🚨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
What Triggered the Investigation
The intercepted conversation discussed Gabbard’s 2017 trip to Syria. Some reports suggested a reference to “the big guy” in the intercept implied Gabbard had met with senior Hezbollah leadership, a claim she strongly denied.
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
The NSA later concluded that while the published information accurately referenced material from its intercept, Gabbard had not actually met with Hezbollah leaders. Investigators identified possible leakers among Democratic staff members on the committee who had access to the intercept before details appeared publicly.
FBI probing Senate Intel Democrats for possible classified leaks, spurred by NSA criminal referral https://t.co/vIYj9Cd573
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) May 8, 2026
The NSA submitted its criminal referral last summer, but the matter did not gain traction inside the Justice Department for months. FBI Director Kash Patel became aware of the investigation several weeks ago.
🚨 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
Scope of the Probe
Since learning of the matter, FBI counterintelligence and criminal investigators have 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.
“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
Federal authorities have pursued several leak-related cases over the past 15 months involving former government officials and military personnel accused of improperly sharing sensitive information. The Senate Intelligence Committee has faced scrutiny over leaks previously, including the 2018 case of former security director James Wolfe, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during an investigation into disclosures of nonpublic information to a reporter.
Current Status
No charges have been announced in the current investigation. 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 specifics of the inquiry. Senate Intelligence Committee Democrats have not publicly addressed the allegations.
This story has been updated. CNN’s reporting team contributed to this report.
