President Donald Trump called on the Department of Justice Tuesday to pursue criminal charges against former President Barack Obama, alleging he orchestrated a 2016 intelligence assessment that claimed Russian interference aimed to help Trump win the presidency.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump referred to recently aired claims involving declassified documents released by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. He described Obama’s alleged involvement as “criminal at the highest level.”
“It would be President Obama — he started it,” Trump said. He also implicated President Joe Biden, former FBI Director James Comey, former CIA Director John Brennan, and other top officials, calling their actions “treason” and part of an effort to “steal the election.”
The Justice Department has not commented on Trump’s remarks. The original intelligence assessment concluded in early 2017 that Russia interfered in the election to sow discord and help Trump, a finding affirmed by multiple intelligence agencies.
