Former President Barack Obama’s office pushed back Monday night after the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), led by Tulsi Gabbard, released a report concluding that Obama and his senior officials orchestrated a politicized intelligence campaign to undermine President Donald Trump following his 2016 election victory.
The ODNI report, made public Friday, found “overwhelming evidence” that Obama and his national security cabinet “manufactured and politicized intelligence” to create the now-debunked Trump-Russia collusion narrative—which became the basis for years of investigations and media attacks on the incoming president.
“This was essentially a years-long coup against President Trump,” Gabbard’s office stated in the report summary.
Obama Camp Responds with Denial
Patrick Rodenbush, a spokesman for Obama, released a statement calling the report “outrageous” and “bizarre.”
“These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction,” he said.
“Nothing in the document undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election.”
Rodenbush cited the 2020 findings of the Senate Intelligence Committee, then chaired by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), which claimed Russia aimed to interfere in the election but stopped short of alleging vote manipulation.
Trump: “He’s Guilty… This Is Treason”
President Trump responded forcefully to the Obama team’s denial.
“He’s guilty. It’s not a question,” Trump told reporters from the Oval Office.
“They tried to steal the election… this was treason. This was every word you can think of.”
Trump also emphasized that Obama wasn’t merely part of a group effort—but the leader.
“The leader of the gang was Obama. Barack Hussein Obama. He’s GUILTY,” Trump declared.
“I Let Hillary Off. But Now It’s Time.”
Trump further reflected on his 2017 decision not to pursue criminal charges against Hillary Clinton, despite her email server scandal and mounting pressure from his base at the time.
“I let her off the hook. And I’m very happy I did,” Trump said.
But he added that after enduring relentless political attacks, secret investigations, and attempts to remove him from office, the gloves are now off.
“After what they did to me… it’s time to go after people.”
Trump said documents now show Obama’s signature and direct involvement in authorizing actions against the Trump campaign and administration:
“His orders are on the paper. The papers are signed.”
