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pbmus

(13,141 posts)
6. .....
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 05:52 PM
Jul 2025

There is no definitive evidence that former President Barack Obama committed any treasonous act or was involved in a scandal that meets the legal definition of treason. However, recent allegations, primarily from President Donald Trump and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, have claimed that Obama and his administration engaged in a “treasonous conspiracy” related to the 2016 presidential election. These claims center on the assertion that Obama’s administration manipulated intelligence to falsely suggest Russian interference in the election to undermine Trump’s victory. Let’s break this down based on available information:

### Background of the Allegations
- **Tulsi Gabbard’s Report (July 2025)**: Gabbard, as Director of National Intelligence, released a declassified report alleging that Obama administration officials, including figures like James Clapper, John Brennan, and James Comey, “manufactured” intelligence to create a narrative of Russian interference in the 2016 election. The report claims this was part of a “years-long coup” to subvert Trump’s presidency. Gabbard has called for criminal investigations, including against Obama, and referred documents to the Department of Justice.[](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/18/tulsi-gabbard-obama-2016-election-russia)[](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/18/tulsi-gabbard-2016-election-investigation-00463779)[](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5409448-gabbard-alleges-obama-officials-manipulated-intelligence/)
- **Trump’s Statements**: Trump has publicly accused Obama of treason, claiming “irrefutable proof” that Obama led efforts to “steal” or “obfuscate” the 2016 election, often tying these allegations to the broader “Russia hoax” narrative. He has suggested Obama should face prosecution, though no concrete evidence has been presented to support these claims.[](https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/22/politics/trump-obama-treason-accusation-analysis)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-accuses-obama-treason-escalating-attacks-over-2016-russia-probe-2025-07-23/)[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/us/politics/trump-obama-clinton-epstein-treason.html)
- **Context of the Claims**: These allegations appear to be a revival of long-standing disputes over the 2016 election, where U.S. intelligence agencies concluded Russia conducted influence operations (e.g., social media campaigns, hacking Democratic emails) to favor Trump over Hillary Clinton. Gabbard’s report disputes this, focusing on a December 2016 intelligence assessment that found no evidence of Russian cyberattacks altering vote tallies, suggesting Obama’s team suppressed this to push a false narrative.[](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/obama-pushes-back-trumps-outrageous-bizarre-treason-claim-rcna220393)[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/22/donald-trump-accuses-barack-obama-of-treason-over-2016-election-claims)

### Counterarguments and Rebuttals
- **Obama’s Response**: Obama’s office issued a rare statement calling the allegations “bizarre,” “ridiculous,” and a “weak attempt at distraction.” It emphasized that the 2016 intelligence community’s findings, affirmed by a 2020 bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report (led by Marco Rubio), concluded Russia sought to influence the election but did not manipulate votes.[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/22/obama-response-trump-treason-claims/)[](https://time.com/7304820/trump-treason-obama-response-distraction-epstein-guilty-president-prosecution/)[](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/obama-trump-russiagate-tulsi-gabbard-treason-b2794134.html)
- **Democratic and Expert Criticism**: Democrats, including Rep. Jim Himes and Sen. Mark Warner, have dismissed Gabbard’s report as “baseless” and “politically motivated,” accusing her of misrepresenting intelligence. Experts, like former CIA analyst Fulton Armstrong, argue the report conflates distinct issues (e.g., influence campaigns vs. vote tampering) and manipulates ambiguities in intelligence assessments.[](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/22/obama-breaks-silence-trump)[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/us/politics/gabbard-obama-trump-russia.html)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/gabbards-unprecedented-claim-president-led-treasonous-conspiracy-rcna217151)
- **Established Findings**: The 2017 intelligence community assessment, the Mueller Report (2019), and the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report (2020) confirmed Russia’s interference through disinformation and hacking, though no evidence showed vote tallies were altered. These findings contradict Gabbard’s claim that the Obama administration fabricated the interference narrative.[](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/22/obama-breaks-silence-trump)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-accuses-obama-treason-escalating-attacks-over-2016-russia-probe-2025-07-23/)[](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/18/tulsi-gabbard-2016-election-investigation-00463779)

### Legal Definition of Treason
- Treason, as defined by the U.S. Constitution (Article III, Section 3) and 18 U.S.C. § 2381, involves levying war against the U.S. or providing aid and comfort to its enemies, requiring clear intent and tangible acts with two witnesses or a confession in open court. Legal experts, such as those cited in TIME, argue that disagreements over intelligence assessments do not meet this threshold, calling the accusations “silly.”[](https://time.com/7304820/trump-treason-obama-response-distraction-epstein-guilty-president-prosecution/)[](https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/obama-to-face-treason-charges-over-2016-russia-collusion-hoax-tulsi-gabbard-drops-bombshell-amid-traitor-reports-101752871973625.html)
- Even if Obama directed a misleading assessment (which is unproven), this would not legally constitute treason, as it does not involve waging war or aiding enemies. Any prosecution would also face challenges due to presidential immunity for official acts, as noted by a recent Supreme Court ruling.[](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/24/justice-department-obama-2016-election)

### Context and Motives
- **Distraction from Epstein Scandal**: Multiple sources suggest Trump and Gabbard’s focus on Obama may be an attempt to divert attention from scrutiny over Trump’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, which has frustrated his base.[](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cedgqnp897lo)[](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-obama-accusations-barack-obama-treason-2102486)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/gabbards-unprecedented-claim-president-led-treasonous-conspiracy-rcna217151)
- **Political Retribution**: Trump’s history of targeting political opponents, including revoking security clearances and investigating perceived enemies, frames these accusations as part of a broader campaign of retribution.[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/us/politics/trump-obama-clinton-epstein-treason.html)[](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/25/trump-says-obama-committed-treason-this-is-alice-in-wonderland-style-justice)
- **Social Media Amplification**: Posts on X and other platforms have amplified these claims, with some calling for Obama’s prosecution or even execution. However, these reflect sentiment rather than evidence and have been criticized for fueling extremist rhetoric.[](


)[](https://www.newsweek.com/barack-obama-trump-treason-arrest-russia-death-threats-2102949)[](
)

### Critical Analysis
The allegations rely heavily on Gabbard’s interpretation of declassified documents, which critics argue misrepresent or cherry-pick data to fit a narrative. No major investigation, including special counsel John Durham’s three-year probe, found evidence of a criminal conspiracy by Obama’s administration. The timing of these claims, amid Trump’s Epstein-related controversies, suggests a political motive rather than a substantive legal case. The lack of concrete evidence and the dismissal by bipartisan and expert sources undermine the credibility of the “treason” narrative.

### Conclusion
There is no verified evidence supporting claims that Obama committed treason or orchestrated a scandal related to the 2016 election. The accusations stem from a contentious report by Tulsi Gabbard, amplified by Trump, but are contradicted by established investigations and widely criticized as baseless or politically driven. They appear to serve as a distraction from other controversies rather than a grounded legal or factual case. For further details on Gabbard’s report or DOJ actions, you could monitor updates from primary sources like the Department of Justice or reputable news outlets.[](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/22/obama-breaks-silence-trump)[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/22/obama-response-trump-treason-claims/)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-accuses-obama-treason-escalating-attacks-over-2016-russia-probe-2025-07-23/)

Recommendations

7 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Trying to say Epstein's sweetheart deal was Obama Blue Full Moon Jul 2025 #1
Well, there was the Tan Suit debacle... NewDayOranges Jul 2025 #2
Yup. This. Just awful NewHendoLib Jul 2025 #13
Don't forget he loved his wife and his daughters, and he never had a combover dem4decades Jul 2025 #14
Yes, we Mustn't Forget the Grey Poupon SCANDLE!!!1!11!!! electric_blue68 Jul 2025 #15
My favorite! But did I miss the pearlnecklace one? What was that all about? CTyankee Jul 2025 #38
Oh...no. The pearl necklace was A Metaphor.... electric_blue68 Jul 2025 #45
There was also the "mom jeans" scandal. johnnyfins Jul 2025 #16
A bike helmet! The horror!!!1! tanyev Jul 2025 #26
What about the time he took his wife out on a date?!? In NEW YORK CITY!!1! NBachers Jul 2025 #29
How dared they?! yardwork Jul 2025 #67
There's nothng there. Pitiful Gabbard is just trying to get back in trump's good graces... brush Jul 2025 #3
There was that brown suit and presidenting while black EdmondDantes_ Jul 2025 #4
Exactly. Presiding while Black. All the rest is bullshit. B.See Jul 2025 #24
Being REELECTED was the Real "Crrime"!.... electric_blue68 Jul 2025 #42
Recall that on the very inauguration of B.See Jul 2025 #50
Oh, yeahhh, right! Your mentioning reminds me of reading about that, TY! electric_blue68 Jul 2025 #57
I don't think this can even be discussed without breaking multiple ToS... WarGamer Jul 2025 #5
..... pbmus Jul 2025 #6
her allegation is as pockmarked as her Shellback Squid Jul 2025 #20
Great job pbmus, thanks. Brenda Jul 2025 #23
Good reply... Septua Jul 2025 #25
Thanks. cachukis Jul 2025 #47
Obama made a joke about Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner VMA131Marine Jul 2025 #7
Bingo. Bully's pride wounded to the core. usonian Jul 2025 #10
This....all along.... nt sprinkleeninow Jul 2025 #33
drumpf has size envy JoseBalow Jul 2025 #8
notamushroom Shellback Squid Jul 2025 #18
Maybe he can SHARPIE it up. B.See Jul 2025 #28
Trump also had nicer weather for his inauguration. Norrrm Jul 2025 #21
🤣🤣🤣🤣 underpants Jul 2025 #30
Lies, stupidity, deflection, bad faith, and distraction in a nutshell. still-prayin4rain Jul 2025 #9
Gabbard's memo supposedly laying out Obama's "treasonous conspiracy" Wiz Imp Jul 2025 #12
Yeah, all's fair in love, war and politics... Septua Jul 2025 #27
Trump mob knows their magas never read beyond a headline Attilatheblond Jul 2025 #53
She's shameless. I literally feel second hand embarrassment watching her tell these ridiculous lies. still-prayin4rain Jul 2025 #59
Not only shameless and despicable, but totally incompetent as well. Wiz Imp Jul 2025 #62
Obama is intelligent. Trump is stupid. Donald hates that. 2MuchNoise Jul 2025 #11
Tan Suit, unforgivable! Shellback Squid Jul 2025 #17
The evil tan suit Norrrm Jul 2025 #22
Well, Dinesh tweeted it so it MUST be true. johnnyfins Jul 2025 #19
Obama's sins: Handsome, sexy, debonaire, intelligent, well spoken, kind, wonderful public servant. Irish_Dem Jul 2025 #31
And let's not forget our gracious first lady, Michelle. CTyankee Jul 2025 #44
Who went to law school and became a lawyer. Irish_Dem Jul 2025 #49
Did Melanoma even GO to college (much less an Ivy League one)? CTyankee Jul 2025 #51
She lies in her bio and pretends to have a college degree. Irish_Dem Jul 2025 #52
She probably flunked out... CTyankee Jul 2025 #54
Gold diggers only need to learn basic math. Irish_Dem Jul 2025 #55
He had the audacity... sheshe2 Jul 2025 #32
The act of being Black while louis-t Jul 2025 #34
He was competent and knew what he was doing. greatauntoftriplets Jul 2025 #35
Plus, He Had 8 Years To Pull Off A Massive Grift ProfessorGAC Jul 2025 #37
Yeah, an honest politician! greatauntoftriplets Jul 2025 #48
Recommended. H2O Man Jul 2025 #36
I am so outraged at this. There are no words Joinfortmill Jul 2025 #39
Pretty much the same grievances since 2017, but Tulsi now says they constitute treason. Eugene Jul 2025 #40
Got elected while being black.... yourout Jul 2025 #41
He's had not an ounce of credibility since the birthergate nonsense and he's just recycling the same crap unblock Jul 2025 #43
Was that when Paul McCartney came to the White House and sang "Michelle, la belle." CTyankee Jul 2025 #46
this is all that is public w/respect to it that I am aware of cadoman Jul 2025 #56
A serious problem with all of news media and even here... bullimiami Jul 2025 #58
Here's a summary as I understand the allegations: snot Jul 2025 #60
Simple, to start he is a black man, republianmushroom Jul 2025 #61
Nothing - Epstein Files JustAnotherGen Jul 2025 #63
i heard he wore beige once. pansypoo53219 Jul 2025 #64
He was a BLACK Democrat who got elected president, TWICE... Jack Valentino Jul 2025 #65
The first time was a candle. Only the second time was a s'candle. DFW Jul 2025 #66
It's a beginning. Kid Berwyn Jul 2025 #68
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