Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper confirmed during a CNN appearance this week that he has retained legal counsel in response to recent developments surrounding the intelligence community’s handling of the 2016 Russia investigation.

Clapper’s comments came during an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, as pressure mounts following a wave of document releases and criminal referrals issued by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Gabbard, speaking at the White House last week, referred former President Barack Obama and senior members of his administration to the Department of Justice for potential criminal investigation related to what she described as the “manufacturing” of the intelligence community’s assessment on Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Asked by Collins whether he is concerned about possible prosecution by the Trump administration, Clapper acknowledged the legal threat and defended the intelligence community’s work.

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“I don’t know of an intelligence product that was more scrutinized, more investigated than that product was by numerous people,” Clapper said.

“It’s very disconcerting, it really is, and I take seriously when the President of the United States accuses me of being a participant in a treasonous conspiracy, which is ridiculous.”

Clapper did not deny that he has secured legal representation in light of recent developments.

While maintaining his position that no wrongdoing occurred, his acknowledgment of legal preparation signals that key figures involved in the original intelligence assessments are preparing for possible legal proceedings.

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The declassified documents released by Gabbard reportedly show that intelligence officials were aware of conflicting conclusions within the intelligence community about the extent of Russian election interference but presented a unified assessment in early 2017.

Gabbard stated that former President Obama and his national security team deliberately directed the creation of an intelligence product that did not reflect the consensus of analysts at the time.

Following Gabbard’s release of documents and public statements, the Department of Justice announced the formation of a Strike Force to review the materials and determine whether any crimes were committed in the process of producing the assessment.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the DOJ would "leave no stone unturned" in its investigation and confirmed ongoing cooperation with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

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Clapper served as Director of National Intelligence under President Obama from 2010 to 2017.

In that role, he oversaw the coordination of all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies.

His name has repeatedly surfaced in connection with early efforts to investigate Donald Trump and members of his campaign team for alleged ties to Russia — allegations that were later debunked following years of congressional and special counsel investigations.

In 2017, Clapper publicly stated on CNN that he believed then-President Trump could be considered an “asset” of Russian President Vladimir Putin — a statement that fueled years of media coverage and public suspicion.

As the DOJ begins its investigation into the origins of the intelligence assessment and whether any laws were violated, figures like Clapper are expected to face increased scrutiny.

Gabbard has indicated more whistleblowers are coming forward, and additional referrals to DOJ may follow.

The Strike Force is expected to begin reviewing the submitted evidence immediately.

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