Gabbard refers Obama to FBI, DOJ for prosecution; alleges ‘treasonous conspiracy’ over Russia narrative

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said July 23 that she has referred former President Barack Obama to the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) for prosecution, citing “irrefutable evidence” that he orchestrated a coordinated effort to fabricate intelligence undermining President Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory.

At a July 23 press conference, Gabbard claimed Obama directed the creation of the January 2017 Intelligence Community (IC) assessment that claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin helped Trump defeat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. She said the report directly contradicted earlier findings within the IC. 

"When you look at the intent behind creating a fake manufactured intelligence document,” Gabbard said, “the expressed intent can only be described as a year-long coup and a treasonous conspiracy against the American people.” 

Her remarks accompanied the release of a 44-page report declassified July 23. 

The report, produced by the House Intelligence Committee in 2020, details how senior Obama-era officials allegedly manipulated intelligence findings to push the Trump-Russia narrative. 

The July 23 release follows a batch of documents Gabbard declassified July 18. 

As CatholicVote previously reported, those records show that the IC repeatedly assessed in 2016 that Russia lacked both the intent and capability to alter US election outcomes — only to reverse course shortly before Trump’s inauguration.

On July 22, Trump accused Obama of treason in response to the July 18 documents that allege the Russia collusion narrative was fabricated. 

“The leader of the gang was Obama. Barack Hussein Obama,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “He's guilty. It’s not a question… This was treason.” 

The newly released documents also include allegations involving then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. 

During the July 23 press conference, Gabbard claimed the files contain evidence of “possible criminal acts” tied to Clinton’s 2016 campaign, including secret meetings with outside organizations and alleged misuse of State Department funds in exchange for political support. 

She also pointed to an excerpt from the files quoting internal Democratic National Committee emails that allegedly referenced Clinton’s “psycho-emotional problems” and a regimen of heavy tranquilizers.