News Brief
Tulsi Gabbard Accuses Obama-Era Officials Of “Treasonous Conspiracy” To Undermine Trump Presidency In 2016
Former US president Barack Obama (Wikimedia Commons)
US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Friday (18 July) accused former president Barack Obama and senior members of his administration of orchestrating a coordinated campaign to discredit Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential victory, The Indian Express reported .
Gabbard Cites Declassified Documents, Demands DOJ Probe
In a statement accompanied by newly declassified documents, Gabbard alleged that top national security officials under Obama “manufactured" and politicised intelligence assessments related to Russian interference.
She claimed these actions were designed to “subvert the will of the American people.”
"These documents detail a treasonous conspiracy by officials at the highest levels of the Obama White House to subvert the will of the American people and try to usurp the President from fulfilling his mandate," she said.
Among those named were former DNI James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan, and former FBI Director James Comey.
According to Gabbard, intelligence assessments prior to and after the 2016 election concluded that Russia likely did not aim to alter the election outcome via cyber means.
Her office has referred the matter to the US Department of Justice, requesting a criminal investigation.
“No matter how powerful, every person involved in this conspiracy must be investigated and prosecuted,” Gabbard said.
Democrats Dismiss Claims as Politically Motivated
Democratic leaders and former intelligence officials rejected the allegations, calling them unsubstantiated and politically driven.
They pointed to prior bipartisan investigations, including by the Senate Intelligence Committee, which confirmed Russia’s attempts to influence the election but found no evidence that votes were changed or that Obama administration officials fabricated intelligence.
