(DCNF)—GWU law professor Jonathan Turley appeared on Fox News Tuesday to explain the timeline that led to the derailment of President Donald Trump’s first term.
Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard released declassified evidence showing that former President Barack Obama and his national security team “manufactured and politicized intelligence” following Trump’s 2016 victory. During an appearance on “The Ingraham Angle,” Turley noted the role of the media in perpetuating the narrative.
“It’s fascinating the response of the media with the Russian collusion narrative that was funded by the Hillary Clinton campaign secretly. They denied that they funded the Steele dossier. But they took that, didn’t question it. And it turns out that all these other people had heard about Hillary Clinton’s plan, but these reporters that got Pulitzers for this didn’t seem to bother to pursue those types of leads,” Turley said.
Turley said pivotal moments unfolded as early as July 2016, when CIA Director John Brennan briefed Obama on Hillary Clinton’s plan to fabricate a Russian collusion narrative.
“Laura, we’re finally seeing parts of the timeline filled in, and it’s creating a very damning picture. Remember, in July 2016, [then-CIA Director] John Brennan went to Obama and briefed him that Hillary Clinton was going to invent this Russian collusion theory to distract from her email scandal,” Turley told host Laura Ingraham. “And so that was back in July. And then we now know, because of recently declassified material, that months later, it was Brennan who intervened, overruled people at CIA, and put the Steele dossier, this infamous debunked report, into the assessment being used by the Obama White House at the very end of Obama’s term.”
Turley laid out how foreign sources were aware of the FBI’s involvement before the investigation was officially launched.
“That helped seed this whole Russian collusion investigation that the FBI then used to effectively derail the first term of President Trump. Now, what’s fascinating about this, Laura, is that they’re saying that this is coming from foreign sources that heard that the FBI was going to be part of this,” Turley said. “This is before the rollout, essentially, of this plan. This is the real Russian conspiracy. There wasn’t a Russian collusion conspiracy. This is that conspiracy of people that seeded this investigation and intentionally kept it going, even lying to the courts.”
In 2018, The New York Times and The Washington Post jointly received the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for their extensive coverage of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and its connections to the Trump campaign, despite doubts over the accuracy of certain claims.
The dossier played a key role in securing warrants to monitor Trump associates like Carter Page and has since been discredited. In October 2022, FBI analyst Brian Auten testified that the FBI offered Steele $1 million to verify the dossier, but he failed to do so.
In 2022, the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee faced fines from the Federal Election Commission for their involvement in promoting the discredited dossier, which was central to the collusion allegations. Senior intelligence officials also challenged key claims made by Brennan regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election, particularly his assertion that Russia sought to help Trump defeat Clinton.
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Safeguarding Your American Dream: Discover the Power of America First Healthcare
In today’s economy, healthcare costs remain one of the biggest threats to financial stability and family security. Americans work hard to build a better life, yet rising medical expenses can quickly erode savings, force tough trade-offs, and even push families toward debt or bankruptcy. Medical bills continue to rank as the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the United States, with millions facing underinsurance or unexpected out-of-pocket burdens that no one plans for. Many turn to government-run marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act, hoping for relief, only to discover that what appears affordable on paper often delivers higher long-term costs, limited real protection, and coverage that may not align with personal values or family needs.
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The allure of marketplace plans is easy to understand: open enrollment periods, premium tax credits for many households, and the promise of “comprehensive” benefits mandated by law. Yet recent data reveals a different reality, especially after the expiration of enhanced premium subsidies at the end of 2025. Enrollment for 2026 dropped by more than one million people compared to the prior year, with many shifting to lower-tier bronze plans to keep monthly premiums manageable.
These plans feature significantly higher deductibles—averaging around $7,500 nationally—and greater cost-sharing requirements. Families who once paid modest amounts after subsidies now face average premium increases of $65 or more per month, even as they accept plans that leave them responsible for thousands in upfront costs before meaningful coverage kicks in.
High deductibles create a dangerous barrier to care. Studies show that people in such plans are less likely to seek timely treatment for chronic conditions, attend preventive screenings, or fill necessary prescriptions. A seemingly minor illness or injury can balloon into major expenses when patients delay care until problems worsen. For a family of four, a single hospitalization, cancer diagnosis, or unexpected surgery can easily exceed the deductible, triggering coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums that still leave substantial bills. One recent analysis noted that some proposed changes could push family deductibles toward $31,000 in future years, further exposing households to financial risk.
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Values alignment represents another growing concern. Government-influenced plans operate within a framework shaped by federal mandates and political priorities that may not reflect conservative principles of limited government, personal freedom, and ethical stewardship. Families who want to direct their healthcare dollars toward providers and benefits that honor traditional values sometimes find marketplace options feel misaligned, forcing a compromise between affordability and conviction.
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Practical steps exist for anyone questioning their current coverage. Start with a no-obligation review of your existing policy to identify gaps—high deductibles, limited critical-care benefits, or escalating premiums. Compare total projected costs (premiums plus potential out-of-pocket expenses) rather than monthly premiums alone. Consider family health history, anticipated needs, and lifestyle priorities. Private agencies can present side-by-side options that include stronger wellness incentives, broader access, and plans built on shared values of self-reliance and freedom.
In an era when healthcare inflation continues to outpace general cost-of-living increases, relying solely on marketplace solutions carries growing risk. Families who proactively explore private alternatives frequently achieve meaningful savings while gaining peace of mind that their coverage truly works when needed most.
America First Healthcare makes this exploration straightforward through its free review process. Families and individuals receive personalized guidance to close coverage holes, reduce unnecessary expenses, and secure plans that align with conservative principles—protecting wallets, health, and the American Dream without government overreach. Many who complete a review discover they can enjoy better benefits for less, often saving up to 20% while gaining the customization and stability that marketplace plans struggle to deliver.
Ultimately, protecting your family’s future requires looking beyond the marketing of “affordable” government options. By understanding the long-term costs hidden in high deductibles, shifting coverage tiers, and values mismatches, Americans can make empowered choices. Private, values-driven insurance offers a smarter path—one that rewards diligence, supports wellness, and delivers real security. For those ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional marketplace plans, a simple review can reveal options designed to serve families, not bureaucracies. The American Dream thrives when individuals and families retain control over their healthcare decisions, and thoughtful private coverage plays a vital role in making that possible.