White House accuses Obama of plotting 'years long coup' against Trump
America's top intelligence officer has accused former US President Barack Obama, without evidence, of plotting a 'years-long' coup against Donald Trump.
Director of National Intelligance Tulsi Gabbard made the extraordinary allegation over claims that Russia intervened in the 2016 election in Trump's favour.
She was speaking at a White House briefing on Wednesday, just hours after she made public a declassified report from House Republicans, that was produced during the first presidential administration.
'The implications of this are far-reaching and have to do with the integrity of our Democratic republic,' she told reporters on Wednesday.
'It has to do with an outgoing president taking action to manufacture intelligence to undermine and usurp the will of the American people in that election and launch what would be a years-long coup against the incoming President of the United States, Donald Trump.'
Democrats say the claims amount to a desperate attempt to deflect and distract from the Epstein story, given new life after the discovery of images showing Trump and Epstein together in the 1990s.
Gabbard also posted about her claims on social media, with an image of a board which was seen at the briefing, labelled 'The Creation of The Russian Hoax'.
The report does not dispute the intelligence community's assessment that Russia interfered in the election.
However, Gabbard says undermines the long-settled conclusion that Russia tried to help Trump beat Hillary Clinton for the presidency nearly a decade ago.
The release of the report, as Trump is facing backlash from elements of his base over the handling of records from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, is part of an ongoing effort by the Trump administration to rewrite the history of Russian election interference.
Gabbard lashed out during lengthy remarks at specific members of the Obama administration.
'President Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Brennan, James Clapper, James Comey and others, including their mouthpieces in the media, knowingly lied as they repeated the contrived narrative that was created in this January 2017 intelligence community assessment with high confidence, as though it were fact.'
Asked what action Trump wanted to be taken against Obama, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'He wanted the American people to see the truth, and now he wants those who perpetuated these lies and this scandal to be held accountable.
'As for what accountability looks like, as the director said, it's in the Department of Justice's hands, and we trust them to move this ball forward.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
10 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Donald Trump in Scotland: Hundreds protest outside US consulate against US president visit
Demonstrations were held while the US President was golfing at Turnberry Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hundreds of people gathered outside the US consulate in Edinburgh on Saturday to protest against the visit of US President Donald Trump to Scotland, while a separate demonstration was held in Aberdeen. Protesters took to the streets with homemade signs and flags in opposition to the US President visit to Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Protesters turned out with homemade signs and flags | The Scotsman Fiona McMillan, who attended the Edinburgh protest with her eight-year-old son and four-year-old daughter, said she 'hates' the fact Donald Trump has come to Scotland. Ms McMillan's son carried a sign saying "Go home Trump" | The Scotsman She is the daughter of an immigrant and was pregnant with her son when Mr Trump first came to power. She said his presidency has made her deeply worried about her children's future. 'It's really important to stand up to Trump. I hope that John Swinney will have a word with him about a few things, but I think world leaders are too scared to say anything,' she said. Kara Bickley, 52, also attended the protest with her daughters. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm here protesting because of the erosion of women's rights, reproductive rights, the environment, and the need to protect our children. It's the everyday erosion of stuff that really matters,' she said. Ms Bickley attended the protest with her friend, their husbands, and her two daughters. | The Scotsman She said she sees 'no reason' why the First Minister should meet with Mr Trump during his time in Scotland, especially while the President is on a private golf trip. 'Why are we spending all this money?' she said. Another protester, Julie-Ann Laidlaw, said: 'There's just so much to be horrified about. We can't just stand back and let this happen.' Ms Laidlaw's sign was one of many referencing the late comedian Janey Godley's infamous protest | The Scotsman As a comedy producer, Ms Laidlaw worked with the late comedian Janey Godley - who famously protested at Trump's golf course during one of his previous visits to the UK. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Godley died from cancer last year at the age of 63, but Ms Laidlaw said if she was here she would be 'shouting the loudest,'. 'I'm here on Janey's behalf,' she said. READ MORE: No warm welcome for Trump at Aberdeen protest Danielle Solof, from New Jersey, said as an American in Scotland, she 'can't seem to escape' Mr Trump. 'When I was growing up, I wanted to be a diplomat. I wanted to represent the country and do good work abroad, representing peace, justice and freedom. And I feel he is the complete opposite of all of that,' she said. Ms Solof said Mr Trump "doesn't respect the rule of law" and thinks everything "should just bend to his own will" | The Scotsman She is bringing a show to the Fringe in August about 'breaking up' with her home country. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She said whether the First Minister should meet with Trump is a 'tricky question'. 'I think given Trump's personality, I think bad things could happen to the First Minister if he doesn't meet with him, and to Scotland. He will retaliate and punish them in some way,' she said. Many gathered to protest against the war in the Middle East, with some people banging pots and pans near the doorstep of the consulate denouncing the urgent hunger crisis in Gaza. 'It's just unthinkable. It's just so distressing. It's like every single day of our lives we're being traumatised knowing that this is going on,' said one protester, Simon Whatley, a designer and artist from Dalkeith.
Daily Mirror
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Lone protester slams Donald Trump at golf course with brutal Scottish insult
Matt Halliday from Stranraer said he was disappointed more people hadn't shown up to Trump's golf course - while hundreds protested in Edinburgh and Aberdeen A lone protester braved the massive police presence at Donald Trump's golf course to protest against his visit to Scotland. Trump enjoyed a morning round of golf with the protection of thousands of British police officers - while protests against his trip to Scotland raged elsewhere. The US President is staying at Turnberry until Monday before heading off to his other golf resort in Aberdeen. Tomorrow he'll hold a meeting with EU chief Ursula Von Der Leyen, before sitting down with Keir Starmer on Monday. During the meeting, they're expected to discuss the fine points of the trade deal Mr Starmer agreed with President Trump in May. But while it's expected to be an informal session, they'll also discuss heavier topics - including work to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump was seen playing golf on Saturday morning, and was shuttled around the course in a 15-strong motorcade of golf buggies. He wore a white USA baseball cap, and waved at photographers gathered outside the course's fence. The sole protester at Turnberry - Matt Halliday, 55, from Stranraer - came to Turnberry today bearing two placards. One featured a picture of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, and another of a set of bagpipes. The message read: "TRUMP GO HOME: The only "blowhard" pumped up windbags that we want to listen to are these bad boys". The second placard was much less family friendly. "I'm here to show my displeasure at Trump being here," he told the Mirror. "I just find him morally repugnant. I see what he's doing in the states, rolling back civil rights for women and minorities, folk getting lifted from their houses, medicaid getting taken away - and he comes here and thinks he's got the authority to pontificate to us. "Because he wants us to do the same, and he'll try and bully us through tariffs and trade - similar to Canada which he wants to make the 51st state. "That's what's coming for us if we don't stand up to him." Protests raged in Edinburgh and Aberdeen today, with thousands expressing their displeasure at Trump's arrival. In Aberdeen, the group that gathered in the city centre were seen waving banners with anti-Trump slogans - with one demonstrator even dressed as the president with a large papier mache head. As speeches ended at the rally, chants of "Trump Trump Trump, out out out" could be heard, along with "Donald, Donald, hear us shout, all of Scotland wants you out". But the winding roads and windswept beaches of South Ayrshire, where Turnberry sits, remained calm and quiet. Mr Halliday suggested people had been put off by the enormous operation Police Scotland have put in place to protect President Trump - complete with a no-fly zone, a ground exclusion zone stretching for miles around the resort, snipers and as many as 5,000 officers reported to be policing the area. And the operation is much bigger than locals have seen during previous visits. "It's supposedly a private visit, and I've seen figures from £5 million to £14 million for Police Scotland, Mr Halliday said. "That's coming out of their budget. If you saw the convoy of 27 cars last night, there were even Scottish Ambulances at the back. And folk can't get them. It's madness." Get Donald Trump updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the world attempts to keep up with Trump's antics, the Mirror has launched its very own US Politics WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news from across the pond. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Mr Halliday said he was "very" disappointed to have arrived in Turnberry to find no other protesters - but he said he thought most people had gone to Edinburgh instead. Mr Halliday said he was "very" disappointed to have arrived in Turnberry to find no other protesters - but he said he thought most people had gone to the Edinburgh rally instead. Another man from Glasgow, who did not want to be named, said they were surprised people had not come to protest in Turnberry itself - and were dismayed that the huge police presence had been used to put people off. 'Especially since it's - apart from a couple of meetings - it's a holiday, it's a private visit,' he said. 'The resources that have been diverted from other places to protect him. It's mad.' One participant joined the Edinburgh rally against Donald Trump while wearing a Handmaid costume from the Margaret Atwood novel. Louise Brown, a healthcare worker, said she had travelled from Newcastle to the Scottish capital to protest the President's visit. She said: "He's a convicted felon - eroding women's rights, trans rights, gay right, immigration rights. There's too much to list. "I know he loves Scotland because of his mother. He doesn't normally care about protests but maybe he might care a little bit about one in Scotland, I don't know." She said there was more anger towards Trump following his first inauguration in 2017, but added: "Especially after those immigration ICE raids, I think the anger has now come back. "Because he's even worse than he was the first time."
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Trump International golf contest to receive £180,000 from Scottish Government
First Minister John Swinney is to meet with the US President while he is in Scotland over the next four days. Swinney said the funding will 'further enhance Aberdeenshire's reputation as a leading golfing destination'. READ MORE: Donald Trump claims immigration is 'killing Europe' during Scotland visit The Scottish Government are in 'advanced negotiations' over the money, which is to go towards the 2025 Nexo Championship, previously the Scottish Championship, which will be held at Trump International this August. Announcing the plans, Swinney said: 'I welcome the Nexo Championship being held at the Trump International Golf Links this August. 'Scotland has long been recognised as a world-class host of major events. Golf and golf events are a key part of our national identity, supporting communities, driving economic growth, contributing to environmental sustainability across the country and promoting Scotland through global profile. 'The [[Scottish Government]] recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy. 'As the home of golf, we have a long-standing track record of support and I am proud this funding will further enhance Aberdeenshire's reputation as a leading golfing destination and I am hopeful of securing further golfing events in future years.' The US President is expected to travel to Trump International in Aberdeenshire on Monday. Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie has hit out at the First Minister for the promise of public cash for President Trump's golf resort. He likened that to Swinney announcing he is 'handing some pocket money to the school bully basically with £180,000 to support a golf tournament at the Menie estate'. After Trump again criticised the 'windmills' used in green energy project when he touched down in Scotland, Harvie said: 'He's attacking our renewables industry once again, one of the success stories of Scotland, and he is trying to attack and undermine it. 'That is after having trashed part of our natural environment on the Aberdeenshire coast to build his golf resort.' The Green MSP spoke out as he joined hundreds of other anti-Trump protesters at a demonstration in the Scottish capital. Trump flew into Prestwick Airport last night and has been pictured playing golf at his Turnberry resort in Ayrshire on Saturday morning. He is expected to meet with Swinney during his trip, along with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Earlier this month, Swinney said, it is in the interests of the country that he meets US President as he had an 'obligation' to 'protect and promote' Scotland. He said there would be an opportunity during his meeting to discuss tariffs, Gaza and Ukraine.
