In an emerging scandal that's likely to send shockwaves through the intelligence community, a report has disclosed that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and several foreign intelligence agencies unlawfully targeted 26 associates of Donald Trump before the controversial 2016 Russia collusion claims.

The investigative report, detailed extensively by the New York Post, alleges that the CIA, in conjunction with foreign intelligence agencies, conducted illegal surveillance of individuals linked to Trump's 2016 campaign.

These revelations, if substantiated, could potentially expose a significant breach of protocols within the intelligence community. The report indicates that the alleged surveillance took place prior to the widely publicized claims of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, which have been the subject of numerous investigations and much political debate.

The identities of the 26 Trump associates that were allegedly targeted have not yet been released. The exact nature of the surveillance and the reasons behind it are also currently unclear.

The CIA, along with implicated foreign intelligence agencies, could face severe backlash and calls for accountability if the allegations prove true. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the ongoing discussions about the role of intelligence agencies in political processes.

This breaking story is expected to unfold in the coming days as more details emerge.