Washington, DC — February 6, 2026
The White House on Thursday said that the Donald Trump administration is reviewing claims related to Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential election.
Speaking during a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is examining whether Moscow played a role in influencing the election outcome.
White House Statement on Russia Probe
Addressing reporters, Leavitt remarked that members of the media, who for years have claimed Russia interfered in the 2016 election to assist Trump, should welcome the review.
“Given that many of you in this room have spent years saying Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump, you should be pleased that we finally have an administration that is looking into whether that actually happened,” Leavitt said.
She emphasized that the administration is committed to examining the issue thoroughly, without prejudice or preconceived conclusions.
Tulsi Gabbard’s Role and Intelligence Claims
The renewed focus follows remarks by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who previously argued that intelligence assessments alleging Russian interference were based on “fabricated intelligence.”
Gabbard’s comments have fueled fresh debate in Washington over the credibility of earlier intelligence findings and the political narratives surrounding the 2016 election.
Background
Allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US election have been a major point of political contention for nearly a decade, shaping investigations, congressional hearings, and public discourse. While earlier probes concluded that Russia attempted to influence the election, disagreements persist over the interpretation and validity of intelligence assessments.
The White House has not yet provided a timeline or details on how the current review will be conducted.
