Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accused Barack Obama of directing a coordinated intelligence effort to discredit Donald Trump. Speaker Mike Johnson responded that he has “no concern” about deposing the former president in the House’s ongoing probe.
Key Facts:
- Tulsi Gabbard alleged that Obama and top intelligence leaders manufactured a 2017 assessment to damage Trump.
- She named Obama, Comey, Brennan, and Clapper as key figures in the conspiracy and referred it to the DOJ.
- Speaker Mike Johnson affirmed he supports subpoenaing and deposing Obama if warranted.
- Johnson said there was no doubt the Russia collusion narrative was a hoax used to attack Trump.
- He emphasized the need to rebuild public trust in the justice system through accountability.
The Rest of The Story:
Tulsi Gabbard, now Director of National Intelligence, accused former President Obama of orchestrating a scheme to undermine Donald Trump’s presidency.
She claimed the intelligence community assessment released in early 2017 was a “manufactured” document with the goal of damaging Trump and deceiving the public.
“It was manufactured intelligence that sought to achieve President Obama and his team’s objective, which was undermining President Trump’s presidency,” she said in a Fox News interview.
The assessment in question has long been viewed skeptically by Trump allies, who argue it fueled the now-debunked Russia collusion narrative.
Gabbard’s claims implicate top Obama-era officials, including ex-FBI Director James Comey, former CIA Director John Brennan, and ex-DNI James Clapper.
Gabbard has referred the matter to the Department of Justice.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, speaking to CBN’s David Brody, said the matter was deeply troubling and “clearly” involved a scheme to smear Trump.
Johnson said he saw it firsthand while serving on the House Judiciary Committee and later on Trump’s impeachment defense teams.
“They perpetuated the lie on the American people,” Johnson stated.
Asked whether the House would subpoena Obama or others involved, Johnson replied without hesitation: “Of course.”
He dismissed concerns about deposing a former president, saying, “If it’s uncomfortable for him, he shouldn’t have been involved.”
He stressed the House will pursue the truth “in an unbiased fashion” and hold those responsible accountable.
JUST IN: Speaker Johnson tells me says he has no concern at all about bringing Former President Barack Obama in for a congressional deposition or subpoena over the newly declassified documents bombshell. "If it's uncomfortable for him, he shouldn't have been involved in… pic.twitter.com/hAeVHdYt4m
— David Brody (@DBrodyReports) July 22, 2025
Commentary:
There is no sugarcoating it—Obama needs to be called in and questioned under oath.
The Russia hoax wasn’t just a media narrative. It was a coordinated operation by top government officials, all seemingly under the watch—or direction—of the outgoing president.
If Obama gave the green light for a disinformation campaign to cripple his successor, we are in far deeper trouble than most Americans realize.
Let’s be blunt. If this were reversed—if Trump had pulled this against Biden—there would be wall-to-wall coverage, criminal referrals, and possibly indictments.
But here, we have a former president accused of tampering with the peaceful transfer of power and no handcuffs in sight.
The DOJ’s silence is deafening. And what if every witness, from Brennan to Obama, simply pleads the Fifth?
That’s a real possibility.
If that happens, what’s next? A shrug? A strongly worded memo?
That can’t be allowed. The public demands justice.
Without real consequences, this turns into yet another Beltway theater production with no ending and no accountability.
The rule of law isn’t a suggestion.
If government leaders can lie, collude, and weaponize the intelligence community against an incoming president and walk away unscathed, then we’ve crossed a dangerous line.
It sends a message that elections are meaningless if one party can sabotage the results from the shadows.
Obama shouldn’t just be deposed—he should be prosecuted if the evidence warrants it.
Will that happen? Given the current climate, it’s doubtful.
But make no mistake: anything short of serious action means our justice system is broken.
And if the American people lose faith in it for good, there’s no putting that genie back in the bottle.
The Bottom Line:
Speaker Mike Johnson says he’s ready to bring former President Obama in for questioning over his alleged role in the Russia collusion hoax.
Tulsi Gabbard has referred the matter to the DOJ, calling it a treasonous conspiracy.
The House is promising serious follow-through.
Whether that leads to prosecutions—or another Washington cover-up—remains to be seen.
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