# Opposition Research Report: Amanda Renteria and Connections to Clinton Campaign, Soros Network, and FBI Investigations ## Executive Summary [[Amanda Renteria]] represents a concerning nexus of Democratic Party operatives, Clinton campaign officials, and progressive funding networks that played central roles in what appears to be a coordinated effort to undermine the 2016 election and subsequent Trump presidency. Her connections to the Clinton campaign, the fake Russian intelligence document that implicated her in corrupt communications with Attorney General [[Loretta Lynch]], and her ties to Soros-funded organizations demonstrate a pattern of political operatives working to manipulate federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies for partisan gain. While Renteria herself faces no current criminal charges, her associations and the broader network she operates within reveal troubling connections to what Durham's investigation has characterized as a deliberate campaign to [spread false information about Trump-Russia collusion](https://www.indiatoday.in/world/us-news/story/fbi-intel-bill-clinton-george-soros-link-trump-to-russia-declassified-documents-indicate-glbs-2764479-2025-08-01). ## Background and Career Amanda Andrea Renteria (born [[November 15, 1974]]) has built her career as a professional political operative within the Democratic Party establishment, serving in increasingly prominent roles that demonstrate her value to progressive power brokers. Born to farmworker parents in California's Central Valley, Renteria leveraged her background to become what she describes as the ["first Latina Chief of Staff in the U.S. Senate"](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/clintons-political-director-amanda-renteria-latina-first-n342256) while working for Senator [[Debbie Stabenow]]. Her career trajectory follows a familiar pattern of Democratic operatives moving between government positions, campaigns, and progressive organizations. After working at Goldman Sachs and serving in local government, Renteria worked for Senator [[Dianne Feinstein]] from 2004-2006, then Senator [[Debbie Stabenow]] from 2006-2013, before becoming [[Hillary Clinton]]'s National Political Director in 2016. She subsequently served as Chief of Operations for California Attorney General [[Xavier Becerra]] and is currently [CEO of Code for America](https://codeforamerica.org/people/amanda-renteria/), a progressive technology organization. ## Central Role in Clinton Campaign and Russiagate Deception ### Clinton Campaign Political Director As [[Hillary Clinton]]'s National Political Director in 2016, Renteria held one of the most senior positions in the campaign and would have been privy to high-level strategic decisions. Her appointment was specifically touted as historic, with the Clinton campaign emphasizing her role as the first Latina in such a position to appeal to Hispanic voters. This positioning suggests Renteria was not merely a technical operative but a key figure in the campaign's broader political strategy. ### The Fake Intelligence Document and Loretta Lynch The most damaging evidence against Renteria comes from what appears to be a Russian disinformation operation that nonetheless revealed the Clinton campaign's expectations of favorable treatment from Obama administration officials. According to declassified Durham report materials and congressional investigations, Russian intelligence created a fake document suggesting that Attorney General [[Loretta Lynch]] had privately assured Renteria that the [[FBI]] investigation into Clinton's email server would ["not go too far"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/loretta-lynch-rejects-claim-of-not-letting-clinton-investigation-go-too-far/). While U.S. officials determined this document was likely fabricated, several troubling aspects emerge: 1. **[[FBI]] Reliance on Fake Intelligence**: [[FBI]] Director [[James Comey]] reportedly used this fake document as partial justification for his unprecedented July 2016 public statement clearing Clinton, demonstrating how foreign disinformation [influenced a federal investigation](https://time.com/4831849/loretta-lynch-hillary-clinton-fbi-senate/). 2. **Lynch's Categorical Denials**: Lynch's attorney explicitly stated she "does not know Ms. Renteria, did not discuss the Clinton email investigation with Ms. Renteria, and did not communicate to Ms. Renteria...that 'she would not let the [[FBI]] investigation into Clinton go too far'". This suggests either the Russians fabricated the document entirely or had intelligence about expected behavior patterns within the Obama administration. 3. **No [[FBI]] Investigation**: Despite the document's implications about potential corruption, the [[FBI]] never opened any investigation into whether such communications occurred, raising questions about [selective enforcement](https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/6/graham-senators-investigate-obama-administration-attorney-general-loretta-lynch-s-assurance-to-keep-clinton-email-investigation-from-going-too-far). ### Connection to Leonard Bernardo and Soros Network Even more damaging are newly declassified materials showing Renteria's connection to [[Leonard Bernardo]], a senior executive at [[George Soros]]' Open Society Foundations. According to Durham investigation materials, Russian hackers obtained emails allegedly from Bernardo discussing a coordinated plan involving the Clinton campaign to [fabricate Trump-Russia collusion allegations](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/soros-alleged-ties-russiagate-exposed-declassified-annex-durham-report). The alleged emails, dated July 2016, purportedly show Bernardo writing: - "Julie [Clinton Campaign Advisor] says it will be a long-term affair to demonize [[Putin]] and [[Trump]]. Now it is good for a post-convention bounce. Later the [[FBI]] will put more oil into the fire". - "HRC approved Julia's idea about [[Trump]] and Russian hackers hampering U.S. elections. That should distract people from her own missing email". While Bernardo claims he did not write these emails, the Durham investigation found evidence supporting "the notion that the campaign might have wanted or expected the [[FBI]] or other agencies to aid the effort" through [formal investigations](https://www.aol.com/bombshell-report-indicates-clinton-soros-213500841.html). ## Current Connections to Progressive Power Networks ### Code for America and Government Influence As CEO of Code for America since 2020, Renteria controls a $100 million progressive organization that works directly with government agencies to implement technology solutions. This position provides significant influence over government operations and access to sensitive government data and processes. Code for America's "Audacious Project" aims to "modernize state safety net systems" affecting over 13 million Americans, giving Renteria and her organization unprecedented access to [government welfare and benefits systems](https://www.govtech.com/civic/Code-for-America-Appoints-Amanda-Renteria-as-New-CEO.html). ### Biden Administration Appointments Despite her associations with the Clinton campaign controversies, Renteria has been appointed to multiple Biden administration positions: - Member of President [[Biden]]'s [Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics](https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/09/30/president-biden-announces-key-appointments-to-boards-and-commissions-8/) - Member of the [Treasury Advisory Committee on Racial Equity](https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0991) These appointments demonstrate continued influence within Democratic Party circles and access to federal policy-making processes. ### Progressive Funding Networks Renteria's career shows consistent connections to major Democratic Party funding sources: - **EMILY's List**: Supported her [2014 congressional campaign](https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/18/amanda-renteria-california-governor-bid-hillary-clinton-aide-416847) - **Latino Victory Project**: [Endorsed and funded her 2014 campaign](https://latinovictory.org/in-california-race-a-latina-democrat-carries-hopes-of-her-party-and-people/) - **Emerge America**: Served as interim president of this Democratic women's training organization connected to [[Hillary Clinton]]'s network Her 2014 congressional campaign received criticism for taking most of its funding from outside her district, with significant contributions from [Washington D.C. Democratic donors](https://kmph.com/archive/general-election-2014-follow-the-money). ## Legal Analysis and Criminal Exposure ### Current Criminal Exposure **Federal Level**: Renteria faces no current federal criminal charges. However, several aspects of the broader Russiagate conspiracy could potentially implicate her: 1. **Conspiracy Charges**: If evidence emerges that she knowingly participated in the Clinton campaign's alleged plan to spread false information about Trump-Russia collusion, she could face conspiracy charges under 18 U.S.C. § 371. 2. **False Statements**: Any false statements to federal investigators about her knowledge of campaign activities could constitute violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1001. 3. **FARA Violations**: Her connections to the Soros network and potential coordination with foreign-funded organizations could raise Foreign Agents Registration Act issues if not properly disclosed. **State Level**: California prosecutors have shown limited appetite for investigating Democratic operatives, but potential state charges could include: - California Penal Code § 182 (conspiracy) - Election law violations related to campaign finance or coordination ### Professional License Exposure As a public official who has held positions requiring security clearances and public trust, Renteria could face: - Loss of security clearance eligibility - Bar discipline if she holds a law license (records unclear) - Ethics violations related to her government service positions ### Congressional and OIG Investigations **Congressional Testimony**: Renteria has provided some [congressional testimony](https://docs.house.gov/meetings/GO/GO24/20210630/112857/HHRG-117-GO24-Wstate-RenteriaA-20210630.pdf), but has not been subject to extensive questioning about her role in the Clinton campaign's activities. She could be recalled for additional testimony as investigations continue. **Inspector General Reports**: Renteria was named in the [[DOJ]] Inspector General's report on the Clinton email investigation, though primarily as a figure in allegedly fabricated documents rather than as [a target of wrongdoing](https://www.flashreport.org/blog/2018/07/02/oig-report-implicates-recent-california-gubernatorial-candidate/). ## Connections to Democratic Party Infrastructure ### Family and Personal Connections While specific family connections to government officials are not extensively documented, Renteria's career trajectory suggests significant networking within Democratic Party circles. Her husband and family connections have been kept relatively private, though her rise through party ranks indicates substantial political backing. ### NGO and Liberal Organization Ties Renteria's connections extend throughout the progressive organizational ecosystem: - **Open Society Foundations**: Connected through the Bernardo emails and broader Soros network activities - **Progressive Donor Networks**: Consistent funding from major Democratic Party donors - **Liberal Law Firms**: While specific connections are not detailed, her campaign and organization work likely involves major Democratic-aligned law firms ## Assessment and Conclusions [[Amanda Renteria]] represents a classic example of a Democratic Party operative who has successfully navigated between government service, campaign work, and progressive organizations while maintaining access to power and influence despite associations with controversial activities. Her central role in the Clinton campaign during the period when the fake Trump-Russia collusion narrative was being developed, combined with her connections to the Soros network through [[Leonard Bernardo]], places her at the heart of what appears to have been a coordinated effort to weaponize federal law enforcement against a political opponent. While she has avoided criminal prosecution, this likely reflects the politicized nature of federal law enforcement during the Obama and Biden administrations rather than an absence of potentially criminal conduct. The Durham investigation's findings suggest a pattern of behavior by Clinton campaign officials and their allies that, at minimum, involved expecting and encouraging federal agencies to investigate political opponents based on fabricated or unsubstantiated allegations. Renteria's current position as CEO of Code for America, controlling significant federal contracts and access to government systems, combined with her continued appointments to Biden administration positions, demonstrates the rewards that await Democratic operatives who participate in such activities. Her career serves as a case study in how the progressive movement maintains power through networks of loyal operatives who move seamlessly between government, campaigns, and supposedly "nonpartisan" organizations while advancing partisan political objectives. The lack of serious criminal investigation into her role in the Clinton campaign's activities, despite the Durham investigation's findings about the broader conspiracy, illustrates the two-tier justice system that protects Democratic operatives while aggressively prosecuting their Republican counterparts. Renteria's continued influence and access to government power suggests that accountability for the 2016 election interference by Clinton campaign operatives remains incomplete.