Latest news with #treason
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. Graham Calls For ‘Investigation' Into Obama — Playing Into Trump's Epstein Distraction
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he is not calling for the 'prosecution' of former President Barack Obama but does want an 'investigation' after President Donald Trump accused Obama of committing treason. While appearing Sunday on NBC's 'Meet the Press' host Kristen Welker asked Graham directly if he thinks Obama committed treason. 'I'm not alleging he committed treason, but I am saying it bothers me, it's disturbing that this is new information,' Graham replied.'... I'm not calling for prosecution against President Obama for treason. But I am calling for an investigation.' Graham's comments came after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday declassified documents that she said could implicate members of the Obama administration for 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election. Last week, President Donald Trump accused his predecessor of committing treason and rigging the 2016 election. Trump abruptly pivoted to calling out Obama after reporters in the Oval Office asked him about Jeffrey Epstein. Obama's office issued a rare rebuke of Trump's 'bizarre' claims, calling the world leader's attack 'a weak attempt at distraction.' The Trump administration has faced scrutiny over the controversy surrounding disgraced financier and sex offender Epstein. The criticism ramped up after the Department of Justice and FBI released a two-page memo earlier this month. The memo said their Epstein investigation determined that there was no evidence Epstein was murdered in prison or had a 'client list' of powerful people he could potentially blackmail. Since the memo's release, both Republicans and Democrats have called on the Trump administration to release more information. 'Well, I think somebody needs to look at what we found,' Graham continued. 'The intel committee looked at the matter. And they said in 2017, the intelligence analysis of 2017 showing that Russia was trying to interfere in our election was real. They didn't achieve their goal. But what she found, Ms. Gabbard, is that in 2016, the intelligence community told President Obama, 'There's no evidence that Russia was involved in trying to change the outcome of the election.' 'And he supposedly told a group of people, 'Keep looking.' And the analysis changed. So what we're looking at is, what role did Obama play in 2016 to change the narrative that resulted in 2017?' Graham went on to say that the 'best way to handle this' is to create a special counsel. 'If there is evidence of a crime being committed or suspected evidence of a crime being committed, create a special counsel to look at it. I think that's the best way to go,' he added. Watch Graham's appearance on 'Meet the Press' here. Related... Lindsey Graham Says Trump Pardoning Jan. 6 Rioters 'Sent The Wrong Signal' Sen. Lindsey Graham Says Trump's Rare Rebuke Of Dictator Is 'Spot On' 'Disgusting': Lindsey Graham Called Out Over 'Ugly, Evil' Message On Social Media
Fox News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Lindsey Graham spars with NBC host over Tulsi Gabbard's Russia-Gate claims
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., clashed with NBC 'Meet the Press' Host Kristen Welker over Tulsi Gabbard's 'treason' allegations against Obama.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gabbard Accuses Obama of Treason for Peddling ‘Russia Hoax'
Donald Trump's intel chief Tulsi Gabbard stood in the White House briefing room on Wednesday and accused members of the Obama administration of a 'years-long coup' against the president. The director of national intelligence accused the former president of directing the creation of a 'false' intelligence assessment nearly a decade ago on 2016 Russian election interference, which found it was done to help Trump. 'They manufactured findings from shoddy sources, they suppressed evidence and credible intelligence that disproved their false claims,' Gabbard declared. 'They conspired to undermine the will of the American people.' Earlier on Wednesday, Gabbard announced she had declassified the GOP House report on Russian interference in the 2016 election at Trump's direction. It was the latest in a series of documents released by the DNI as she accuses Obama officials of 'treasonous conspiracy' and a 'years-long coup' against Trump. Gabbard said she had referred all documents to the Justice Department and FBI to investigate criminal implications, but she said the 'evidence' points directly to the former president. When asked directly if she believed Obama committed treason, she left it to the Justice Department, but she repeated her claim it was 'treasonous conspiracy.' There have been multiple investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, which concluded that Russia did carry out an effort to interfere in the election. The House majority report Gabbard released on Wednesday, which stemmed from the Republican investigation, found there was a Russian effort to influence the election but disputed the intelligence assessment that it was done to help Trump. However, the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee investigation found Russia sought to influence the 2016 election to undermine U.S. elections and help Trump. Asked if the previous investigations missed something or if she believed it was covered up, Gabbard responded simply, 'Look at the evidence and you will know the truth.' Critics of the Trump administration have accused Gabbard of making her explosive allegations to distract from fallout over Jeffrey Epstein. The president also brought up Gabbard's accusations himself on Tuesday when asked about the Epstein case. Trump accusing Obama of treason on Tuesday prompted a rare statement from Obama's office calling the allegations 'bizarre' and a 'weak attempt at distraction.' While the timing of Gabbard's accusations has raised questions, the DNI could not speak to why her claims did not come to light sooner, including during Trump's first term. 'I can't speak to what happened there,' Gabbard said when asked why her info was not declassified when Trump served as president from 2017 to 2021. She suggested members of his first administration worked to undermine him. While Gabbard referred documents to the Justice Department, it is not clear where the allegations will go from here. The Supreme Court last July ruled that former presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts as president. That decision stemmed from the case against Trump in connection with his actions regarding the attack at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Despite presidents being found to have immunity, the White House suggested Trump wants action to be taken against the Obama administration. 'He wants to see all those who perpetuated this fraud against our country, who betrayed our country and the Constitution to be thoroughly investigated and held accountable,' said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Trump says his own legal victory could protect Obama
Donald Trump admitted his own Supreme Court victory granting 'presidential immunity' means it's unlikely Barack Obama will be charged with treason over his handling of the 'Russia hoax.' Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released a declassified report allegedly implicating Obama and his administration of 2016 election interference that accused Trump of colluding with Moscow. Trump has accused Obama of treason, while Obama issued a statement denying any allegations. Even if Obama were to be in trouble, the Supreme Court ruled in a monumental 2024 decision that the President of the United States has immunity from prosecution for official acts in office, in a case argued by lawyers on Trump's behalf. Trump was asked if 'presidential immunity' would apply to Obama before his trip to Scotland on Friday and the president didn't deny it, going as far as to say he'd done his predecessor a favor. 'He has done criminal acts, no question about it. But he has immunity and it probably helps him a lot. He owes me big. Obama owes me big,' Trump said. The ex-president's team argued in late 2023 that Trump, and any president, must have absolute immunity from prosecution over actions taken while in office or it could impair important decision-making. The 6-3 decision split along the court's ideological lines ensures that Trump will not face another blockbuster trial anytime soon — with the case sent back to a lower court to determine what is considered his 'official' versus 'unofficial' acts. Trump celebrated the decision, writing on Truth Social: 'Big win for our constitution and democracy. Proud to be an American!' A new report released by DNI Gabbard accused Obama of being behind a 'treasonous conspiracy' to fabricate what Trump repeatedly calls the Russia 'hoax' to bring him down. Gabbard made a series of criminal referrals to Pam Bondi's Justice Department and the agency is reportedly considering the request. Obama spoke out about the case via his spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush earlier this week, refuting many of the accusations circling around him. 'The bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction. Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes,' Rodenbush noted. 'These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio,' Rodenbush concluded. Regardless, GOP leadership in both the House and Senate are pursuing investigations into members of the Biden and Obama administrations as they fend off clamoring calls for transparency in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal enveloping the Trump administration. Democrats have portrayed the reintroduction of the 'Russian hoax' saga as a way for the Trump Administration to distract from the demands around Epstein. The president pointed the finger at Obama for trying to 'head a coup' with acolytes like former FBI Director James Comey and former DNI Director James Clapper doing his dirty work. Trump also called the Steele report, which examined his campaign's ties to Russia, as 'all lies' and a 'fabrication.' The Mueller Report found that while Russia did interfere in the 2016 election, the Trump campaign did not conspire or coordinate with the Russian government, despite at least 140 contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian nationals. Trump was asked earlier this week who the Justice Department should investigate following the report's release for a potential criminal referral. He didn't hesitate to name Obama and top members of his security team. 'It would be President Obama – who started it – and Biden was there with him, and [James] Comey was there, and [James] Clapper, the whole group was there,' Trump responded. At another point, Trump said Attorney General Pam Bondi should 'act' on the matter – while also indicating it was at her discretion. 'We have a very competent, very good, very loyal to our country person in Pam Bondi – very respected. And she – it's going to be her decision,' Trump said. Trump repeated calls to prosecute a wide circle of former Democratic officials come after he posted AI-generated video images of Obama being arrested and thrown in jail wearing an orange jumpsuit. Trump accused his rivals of organizing a failed 'coup' in 2016, when he defeated Hillary Clinton and captured the White House. Trump has hammered his rivals for what he calls 'no collusion' ever since the release of the Mueller report, even though Mueller himself never used that phrase. His comments come six months into his second term, following a campaign where he both vowed 'retribution' but also said he would allow law enforcement officials to make their own decisions on who to charge.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
DR Congo tries ex-president Joseph Kabila in absentia for treason
Former Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila went on trial in absentia Friday on charges including treason over his alleged support for Rwanda-backed militants. The trial of Kabila, who returned to live in Goma in May this year, began on Friday at a military court in the Gombe district of the capital Kinshasa. The former president faces charges of plotting to overthrow the government of President Felix Tshisekedi – which could result in a death sentence – as well as homicide, torture and rape linked to the anti-government force M23. Other charges include "taking part in an insurrection movement", "crime against the peace and safety of humanity" and "forcible occupation of the city of Goma". Kabila denies the charges, did not appear at the hearing and has asked to be tried in absentia. He returned to Goma in May, following two years of self-imposed exile in South Africa, after M23 rebels took control of the city in January. According to the charge sheet, seen by France's AFP news agency, Kabila allegedly helped form the Congo River Alliance (AFC) – the M23's political wing. He's accused of colluding with Rwanda to try to "overthrow by force the power established by law". Kabila's successor, President Tshisekedi, has branded him the brains behind the rebel movement, which has seized swathes of the resource-rich Congolese east with Rwanda's help. The militia and the government signed a pledge in July to seek a permanent ceasefire. Congo Hold-Up: on the trail of Joseph Kabila's mystery company 'Political' trial Emmanuel Shadari, secretary-general of Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), dismissed the trial as "political" arguing it would "divide the Congolese people" during peace negotiations. The proceeding "is anything but a fair trial. With a justice system that is not independent, the conviction is already decided – the rest is theatre, a ridiculous staging," Shadari said. Deputy Justice Minister Samuel Mbemba told reporters at the hearing: "The courts do not negotiate, they will do their work independently." M23 and AFC leaders deny any affiliation with the former president. Benjamin Mbonimpa, the groups' executive secretary, said that the government should not "label him an AFC/M23 member" just because he had come to the city. He branded the trial part of a "malevolent strategy" against the ex-president. Kabila, 54, who ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019, has rejected the trial as "arbitrary" and accused the judiciary of acting as "an instrument of oppression". The Senate lifted his immunity as senator for life to allow the case to proceed. Former DR Congo president Kabila loses immunity over alleged M23 rebel ties The hearing was adjourned after several hours to 31 July, following a request by prosecutors for extra time to review documents. Eastern DRC has endured armed conflict for decades, with violence escalating since M23's resurgence in 2021. Rwanda denies military support for the group, though UN experts say its army has played a "critical" role in M23's operations. The DRC lifted a moratorium on the death penalty last year but no judicial executions have been carried out since. From 1960 to present day, 11 dates that explain the conflict in the DRC (with newswires)
