Tulsi Gabbard, currently serving as the Director of National Intelligence, has made headlines by publicly calling for the prosecution of former President Barack Obama and senior national security officials from his administration. In a declassified report released on July 18, 2025, Gabbard accuses the Obama administration of orchestrating a “treasonous conspiracy” aimed at undermining Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential victory. Gabbard alleges that Obama and top officials manipulated intelligence, including the controversial Steele dossier, to create the appearance that Russia had interfered in the election, while knowing that evidence for this claim was weak.

Gabbard’s memo specifically names key figures such as former DNI James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan, former Secretary of State John Kerry, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, and FBI Director James Comey among those accused of participating in the alleged conspiracy. The memo references a December 9, 2016, meeting at the Obama White House, where senior intelligence and security officials purportedly discussed leaking and politicizing intelligence regarding Russian interference, despite previous assessments indicating that Russia lacked the capability to significantly influence the election through cyber means.

Emphasizing the gravity of her claims, Gabbard has announced her office will hand over all related documentation, including intelligence assessments and classified memos, to the Department of Justice for criminal referral. She insists this is not a partisan issue but one that threatens the core of the American democratic process. Gabbard maintains that no matter how high-ranking, every individual involved should face a full investigation and, if appropriate, prosecution to the fullest extent of the law to safeguard the integrity of future elections and restore public trust in the government.

The allegations have provoked swift denials and pushback from Democratic leaders and many intelligence community veterans, who criticize Gabbard’s report as politically motivated and lacking in substantive evidence. Meanwhile, Trump and his supporters have rallied around Gabbard’s findings, framing them as vindication of their long-standing claims of a “Russia Hoax.” The Justice Department has declined to comment on whether it will pursue any criminal investigations based on the material submitted, and key figures named in the memo, including Clapper, Brennan, and Comey, have not responded publicly to the accusations.