Fact Check: Is Kash Patel planning to file criminal charges against Barack Obama over 'Russiagate'?

WASHINGTON, DC: A social media claim has gone viral, asserting that FBI Director Kash Patel is preparing sweeping federal RICO charges against former President Barack Obama and more than 30 Obama‑era officials for their alleged roles in the Russiagate investigation. The post also references a Southern District of Florida grand jury, Judge Aileen Cannon, and predictions of indictments by early May 2026. Let's fact-check the claim.

Claim: Kash Patel is preparing to announce criminal charges against Obama

A post on X shared by Joshua Hall claimed that Kash Patel is preparing to announce federal criminal charges against Barack Obama. According to the post, “FBI Director Kash Patel is reportedly preparing to formally announce FEDERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES against DISGRACED former President Barack Obama and DOZENS of other key individuals who were involved in the planning and execution of Russiagate in the aftermath of the 2016 election."

The post added that a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida is reportedly being empaneled to hear testimony, with indictments “expected to begin dropping by early May AT THE LATEST.”

It also alleged that more than 30 former Obama administration officials are cooperating with federal authorities to build a case against Obama, claiming he “attempted to lead a coup to take down his successor, President Trump.”

The post then speculated on the presiding judge, stating, “The Honorable Aileen Cannon is rumored to be the federal judge who will be presiding over this HISTORIC RICO CRIMINAL CASE involving a former President, which is terrible news for Obama and his band of DEEP STATE THUGS. Buckle up, patriots... THE STORM IS COMING and we are about to witness THE POLITICAL TRIAL OF THE CENTURY!"

Fact Check: False, no official report that Kash Patel will charge Obama

The claim that Kash Patel is planning criminal charges against  Obama over Russiagate is false. There is no official information to support it. Importantly, there is no credible evidence that Obama has been arrested, charged, or is about to face federal crimes related to the 2016 Russia investigation.

As of late March 2026, no federal charges have been filed against Obama or any Obama-era officials for Russiagate. The Department of Justice and the FBI have not announced any charges or upcoming indictments. Viral posts online claiming arrests or imminent charges are therefore false and unverified.

The false claims appeared after Patel started online investigations into past Russia-related cases and other matters. These were internal or exploratory inquiries, not formal charges against Obama.

Some allegations against Obama gained attention after Tulsi Gabbard, the National Intelligence Director, released declassified documents suggesting he was involved in what she called the “Russia hoax”, claims that Democrats made about Trump’s alleged ties to Russia before the 2016 election. These claims are allegations only and do not prove that any crime occurred.