Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee joins Nicolle Wallace on Deadline White House with reaction to the baseless claims made by Donald Trump and his Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, alleging former President Barack Obama of treason in relation to the Russian Election interference investigation, all in an effort to distract from the Jeffrey Epstein story. For more context and news coverage of the most important stories of our day click here: https:
Here’s the latest on Obama’s sharp response:
A spokesperson for former President Barack Obama issued a rare and pointed rebuke to Donald Trump’s recent allegations—dubbing them “bizarre,” “ridiculous,” and “a weak attempt at distraction.” The statement emphasized:
- Obama’s office “does not normally dignify the constant nonsense,” but Trump’s claims were “outrageous enough to merit one.” Yahoo+11The Washington Post+11ABC News+11
- They reaffirmed that nothing in the newly declassified memos undermines the established conclusion: Russia influenced, but did not decisively manipulate, the 2016 election—aligning with findings from a bipartisan 2020 Senate Intelligence Committee report. The Washington Post+4The Washington Post+4The Guardian+4
🔍 Context & Implications
- Trump escalated his rhetoric—accusing Obama of “treason” and orchestrating a “coup” tied back to the 2016 Russia investigation. The Times
- But analysts and bipartisan intel reports, including Mueller and the Senate S-Intel Committee, have reinforced that Russia meddled, though there was no vote tampering. People.com+5The Washington Post+5The Washington Post+5
🧩 Why It Matters
Trump appears to be shifting the narrative away from mounting pressure over the DOJ’s handling of Epstein-related files and investigations, including the DOJ’s upcoming meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell.
- Republicans accuse Democrats of politicizing the Epstein files.
- Trump’s rhetoric places blame on Obama—seemingly to divert attention from public scrutiny of his administration. ABC News+6The Guardian+6The Times+6News.com.au+3The Guardian+3People.com+3
Obama’s response makes it clear: these claims are unfounded and meant to distract.
✅ Summary
| Element | What You Should Know |
|---|---|
| Obama’s stance | Called Trump’s claims “bizarre,” “ridiculous,” and “outrageous.” |
| Historical record | Continues to support the consensus: Russia interfered in 2016, but didn’t alter vote counts. |
| Strategic motive | Likely aimed at shifting focus away from Epstein-related scrutiny. |
Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into the intelligence memos, the Senate findings on Russia, or how this plays into the broader Epstein file controversy.
Related political fallout & coverage
Obama’s office: Trump administration’s treason claims are a ‘distraction’
Trump accuses Obama of treason in escalating attacks over 2016 Russia probe
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