President Donald J. Trump is once again escalating accusations against former President Barack Obama, this time claiming Obama was directly involved in criminal activity during the 2016 and 2020 election cycles.
Speaking to supporters Monday evening, President Trump referenced former Democratic congresswoman and 2024 independent VP candidate Tulsi Gabbard, who he said had exposed evidence linking Obama to what Trump called a “criminal conspiracy.”
“Tulsi Gabbard caught Obama RED HANDED,” Trump declared. “After what they did to me, it’s time to go after people. Obama has been caught DIRECTLY. His orders were on paper.”
“What they did in 2016 and 2020 is CRIMINAL at the highest level!”
Trump did not elaborate further on the alleged documents or what exactly Gabbard had uncovered, but his comments come amid growing calls from Republicans to reopen investigations into alleged intelligence abuses during the Obama administration.
Tulsi Gabbard, now a prominent Trump ally and rumored candidate for a cabinet position in his administration, has repeatedly accused federal agencies under Obama’s leadership—including the CIA, FBI, and DOJ—of abusing surveillance powers and interfering in elections.
Earlier this month, Gabbard called for a full declassification of FISA warrant applications and DOJ memos related to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation into Trump’s 2016 campaign. She also urged Congress to “hold everyone accountable, including the former president himself, if it’s proven he gave the green light.”
While Trump’s claims have yet to be independently verified or backed by newly released evidence, sources within the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees have suggested that classified documents reviewed in recent closed-door sessions may support aspects of Trump’s allegations.
Democrats dismissed the remarks as political retaliation. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) called Trump’s statement “unhinged” and accused the president of weaponizing the justice system to attack former political rivals.
The White House has not released any additional documentation publicly. However, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump “is committed to full transparency” and supports releasing any unclassified evidence “when the time is right.”
This is the latest in a series of intensified confrontations between Trump and former Obama administration officials, as GOP lawmakers and the Trump administration continue to challenge the origins and legality of the 2016–2020 investigations.
