Tulsi Gabbard Accuses Obama of Treasonous Conspiracy in 2016 Election Investigation

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In a recent press briefing, Tulsi Gabbard, the current Director of National Intelligence, intensified her allegations against former President Barack Obama, claiming he engaged in a “treasonous conspiracy” to fabricate intelligence reports suggesting that Russia aided Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. This sharp accusation has ignited significant debate and controversy, drawing responses from both the White House and Obama’s team.

Gabbard’s Claims Against Obama and Intelligence Officials

During a press conference at the White House, Gabbard characterized Obama and his intelligence team as orchestrators of a scheme to tarnish President Trump’s reputation. She contended that American intelligence agencies produced misleading assessments and ignored contradicting evidence that could have cleared Trump.

Key Points from Gabbard’s Statements:

• Manufactured Findings: Gabbard accused intelligence officials of relying on poor-quality sources to produce inflated claims.
• Suppression of Evidence: She asserted that critical information was deliberately withheld to advance these false narratives.
• Coup Allegations: Gabbard likened the actions of Obama and his associates to initiating a prolonged coup attempt against Trump.

“In doing so, they conspired to subvert the will of the American people who elected Donald Trump in November of 2016,” Gabbard stated, emphasizing the severity of her claims.

The Investigation into Russian Interference

Despite Gabbard’s accusations, previous investigations, including a special counsel probe, concluded that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to establish illegal collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. This probe distracted Trump’s presidency significantly during his first term, leaving him resentful over the inquiries.

Findings of the Special Counsel:

• Insufficient evidence of collusion
• Russian efforts identified, but no proof of manipulating electoral outcomes

The Trump administration’s narrative regarding a conspiracy from Obama’s team primarily relies on a December 2016 presidential daily brief which noted a lack of evidence for Russian interference supporting Trump.

Obama’s Counteractions

In response, Obama ordered a new intelligence review, which later confirmed that Russia had indeed attempted to influence the election. Gabbard, when asked about the implication of treason, stated:

“I’m leaving the criminal charges to the Department of Justice,” but referred to the situation as a “treasonous conspiracy.”

Reactions from the White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt supported Gabbard’s claims, arguing that Obama had taken extreme actions to undermine Trump’s presidency.

Leavitt’s Points:

• Obama’s actions were described as "nefarious" aimed at causing public discord.
• Trump wants accountability for those allegedly responsible for the investigation.

Leavitt explicitly pointed fingers at former intelligence officials like James Clapper, Andrew McCabe, and James Comey, suggesting they should face scrutiny for their roles.

Obama’s Team Responds

In response to the escalating accusations, Patrick Rodenbush, a spokesperson for Obama, issued a statement dismissing Gabbard’s claims as "ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction":

“Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes.”

Conclusion

This ongoing dispute underscores the divisive nature of the political landscape in the U.S. As the accusations of a "treasonous conspiracy" circulate, both sides seem entrenched in their narratives. With calls for accountability and investigations looming, the impact of these claims remains to be seen.

For a deeper understanding of the implications of Russian interference in the 2016 election, check out this comprehensive overview from The Atlantic.