Tulsi Gabbard calls for Obama to be prosecuted for 'treasonous' 2016 election Russian interference claims

WASHINGTON, DC: National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard has called for former President Barack Obama and former senior US national security officials to be prosecuted as she accused them of a "treasonous conspiracy" to show that President Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential election win was due to Russian interference.

In a newly declassified report, Gabbard, on Friday, July 18, alleged that the officials "manipulated and withheld" key intelligence from the public related to the possibility of Russian interference in the election.

Tulsi Gabbard calls for Barack Obama to be prosecuted and accuses him of 'treasonous conspiracy'

Tulsi Gabbard said Barack Obama and senior officials in his administration had "[laid] the groundwork for … a years-long coup" against Donald Trump after his win over Hillary Clinton by "manufacturing intelligence" to suggest that Russia had tried to influence the election.

She further claimed that it included using a dossier prepared by a British intelligence analyst, Christopher Steele, that they knew to be unreliable.

However, the post-election intelligence estimates contrasted with findings reached before the election, and showed that Russia probably was not trying to interfere. 

Gabbard added in comments calling for prosecutions, "The information we are releasing today clearly shows there was a treasonous conspiracy in 2016 committed by officials at the highest level of our government."

"Their goal was to subvert the will of the American people and enact what was essentially a years-long coup with the objective of trying to usurp the President from fulfilling the mandate bestowed upon him by the American people," she mentioned.

Gabbard also stated, "No matter how powerful, every person involved in this conspiracy must be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, to ensure nothing like this ever happens again. The American people’s faith and trust in our democratic republic and therefore the future of our nation depends on it."

The former Democratic member of Congress added that she was passing documents supporting her case to the Department of Justice.

It included a partially redacted intelligence community assessment from the Obama administration on cyber threats to the 2016 election and a series of earlier classified memos — some from the office of James Clapper, who served as the former president's director of National Intelligence.

Meanwhile, Clapper is one of several officials named by Gabbard as implicated in the alleged conspiracy.

Others accused by Gabbard are John Brennan, the former CIA director, John Kerry, the then-secretary of state, Susan Rice, the national security adviser at the time, and Andrew McCabe, the then-deputy FBI director.

Internet divided as Tulsi Gabbard calls for Barack Obama to be prosecuted

People on the internet stayed divided and shared mixed reactions as Tulsi Gabbard called for former President Barack Obama and former senior US national security officials to be prosecuted as she accused them of a "treasonous conspiracy" to show Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential election win was due to Russian interference.

People online were skeptical whether Gabbard's accusations would amount to anything at this point, while some commented on the current political climate, where lawsuits have suddenly gotten very popular.

A user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Hold them all accountable," while one added, "Friday night news dump. Poly market should place a wager, there is ZERO chance you will be talking about this in 90 days."

A person stated, "Presidents are immune from prosecution when acting within their article 2 powers," whereas someone else mentioned, "Arrest Them All."

One more wrote, "Meh. It’s all just for show as usual," while another tweeted, "I bet all of these people including the Clintons are freaking out. Justice is coming."

"None of it matters if people don't go to jail," an individual wrote, with another saying, "Let’s go Tulsi! No wonder they fought her confirmation so hard! Woman has TRUE GRIT!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.