Obama’s ‘Russia Hoax’ role back in focus: Did he engineer fake intel to target Trump?

Will Obama Be Arrested?

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has released a newly declassified report alleging that former President Barack Obama and senior officials were involved in a "treasonous conspiracy" to undermine Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory by withholding key intelligence about potential Russian interference in the election.

She asserted that officials deliberately relied on the Steele dossier to imply Russian interference, despite doubts about its credibility. She is now calling for investigations and prosecutions, having submitted documents to the Justice Department to back her claims.

🧵 Americans will finally learn the truth about how in 2016, intelligence was politicized and weaponized by the most powerful people in the Obama Administration to lay the groundwork for what was essentially a years-long coup against President @realDonaldTrump, subverting the… pic.twitter.com/UQKKZ5c4Op

— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) July 18, 2025

Besides Obama, Gabbard has also named former DNI James Clapper, ex-CIA Director John Brennan, and former FBI Director James Comey, among others.

Gabbard demands investigation

In a public statement, Gabbard said, "the information we are releasing today clearly shows there was a treasonous conspiracy in 2016 committed by officials at the highest level of our government… No matter how powerful, every person involved in this conspiracy must be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Gabbard said she is submitting supporting documents to the Justice Department, including a partially redacted intelligence community assessment on cyber threats and classified memos from James Clapper’s office.

What is the 'Russian Hoax' memo? 

Documents released by Gabbard’s office include a memo titled “The Russia Hoax,” which references a December 9, 2016, meeting of Obama’s national security team. The memo alleges that intelligence officials leaked false information to the Washington Post about Russian cyber interference.

Treason, as defined by the US Constitution and federal law, involves levying war against the country or aiding its enemies. Conviction requires clear proof, including testimony from two witnesses to the same overt act or a confession.

President Trump has long described the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential collusion with his campaign as a “hoax,” frequently criticizing officials such as Brennan and Comey.

Democratic Representative Jim Himes condemned Gabbard’s claims as “baseless” and harmful, stating, “the IC leaders in 2016 understood that they took an oath to the Constitution, not President Trump. I wish Director Gabbard could say the same.”

In March, Trump signed a memo ordering the declassification of “all files related to Crossfire Hurricane,” the FBI’s probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) posted on X, “The Russia hoax was a political hit job manufactured by Obama officials and weaponized by intel agencies to take down President Trump. Accountability is long overdue!”