Tulsi Gabbard slams Barack Obama’s ‘complicit’ Russia collusion response as ‘absolute failure’

Tulsi Gabbard accused Barack Obama of orchestrating 'treasonous conspiracy' linked to the Russia collusion narrative targeting Donald Trump
UPDATED JUL 27, 2025
Tulsi Gabbard launched a political attack squarely at former President Barack Obama (Getty Images)
Tulsi Gabbard launched a political attack squarely at former President Barack Obama (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard just lobbed a political grenade at former President Barack Obama’s feet.

Appearing on 'Fox & Friends' on Saturday, July 26, Gabbard accused the former president of orchestrating, or failing to stop, what she called a “treasonous conspiracy” tied to the Russia collusion narrative that haunted President Donald Trump’s first tenure from day one.

“The treasonous conspiracy that we have now released to the American people, the complicity, the deflection, and the silence of politicians, of the mainstream media, and of those directly implicated in this speaks volumes,” Gabbard declared.

According to her, the intelligence Obama signed off on wasn’t just flawed but downright criminal. 

Donald Trump calls Barack Obama ‘leader of the gang’ in explosive Oval Office remarks

Donald Trump, 79, called for criminal charges against Barack Obama for allegedly greenlighting an intelligence report that pinned Russia for election interference to help him win in 2016.

“After what they did to me, whether it’s right or wrong, it’s time to go after people. Obama has been caught directly,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “If you look at those papers, they have them stone cold, and it was President Obama… the leader of the gang was President Obama, Barack Hussein Obama. Have you heard of him?”

The “papers” in question were documents declassified last week by Tulsi Gabbard herself.

“It’s criminal at the highest level. It would be President Obama, he started it. And [Joe] Biden was there with him, and [then-FBI Director James] Comey was there, and [then-Director of National Intelligence] James Clapper — the whole group was there, and [then-CIA Director John] Brennan," Trump said.

“He’s guilty … This was treason, this was every word you could think of. They tried to steal the election. They tried to obfuscate the election," the president added.



 

Obama's team wasn’t exactly thrilled with being labeled the “leader of the gang.” In a rare rebuttal, Obama spokesman Patrick Rodenbush responded with a statement slamming the accusations.

“Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response,” Rodenbush began.

“But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction,” he said, calling attention to Trump’s ongoing Epstein-related woes. “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.” 

Tulsi Gabbard calls Barack Obama’s response a ‘dodge,’ files criminal referral

Tulsi Gabbard wasn’t buying it. Speaking on Fox, she called Barack Obama’s team’s response just another dodge. 

“President Obama’s very carefully worded response that came from his office, again, deflects away from addressing any of the truth that was revealed,” she said. “They would have to admit and actually address the details of their complicity in this or their absolute failure in conducting the most basic responsibilities of, again, asking, where is this intelligence coming from?”

It’s not just talk. Gabbard officially sent a criminal referral against Obama to Attorney General Pam Bondi on July 25. 

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) walks with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi (L) during a visit to the Justice Department March 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. As he has used the department to punish enemies, Trump is expected to deliver what the White House calls a law-and-order speech and outline steps he will take to counter “weaponization” of the department. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump walks with Attorney General Pam Bondi during a visit to the Justice Department on March 14, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Donald Trump, meanwhile, reminded everyone that his presidency began under siege, thanks to the same Russia investigation now under the spotlight. The Mueller Report ultimately found no evidence of collusion between Trump and Russia.

“Look, he’s guilty. It’s not a question,” Trump said of Obama. “This is like proof, irrefutable proof that Obama was seditious, that Obama led, was trying to lead a coup, and it was with Hillary Clinton, with all these other people, but Obama headed it up.”

“This was treason. This was every word you can think of," he added.

Donald Trump dodges Jeffrey Epstein questions, redirects focus to Barack Obama allegations

As questions around the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and Ghislaine Maxwell's potential testimony continue to swirl, Donald Trump isn’t happy about the media’s focus on his past ties to the convicted s*x offender.

Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate and alleged recruiter-in-chief, is reportedly being sought for a fresh interview by the Justice Department. This comes just weeks after Pam Bondi herself attempted to halt further investigation into the issue.

When pressed on the Epstein files situation, Trump did not hide his frustration with the narrative. “You ought to take a look at that [Obama allegation] and stop talking about nonsense,” he told the press.

Portrait of American financier Jeffrey Epstein (left) and real estate developer Donald Trump as they pose together at the Mar-a-Lago estate, Palm Beach, Florida, 1997. (Photo by Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)
Portrait of American financier Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump as they pose together at the Mar-a-Lago estate, Palm Beach, Florida, 1997 (Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)

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.

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