Did Tulsi Gabbard Just Blow Open an Obama-Era “Treason”?
Quick answer
Yes, the new Director of National Intelligence did hand the Justice Department a stack of de-classified files and label it a “treasonous conspiracy.” No, James Comey, Barack Obama or anyone else has been charged, indicted, or even officially investigated—at least not yet.
Below is what’s real, what’s rumor and why the story is far from over.
1. The Friday File Dump No One Saw Coming
At 9:07 a.m. on July 18, Tulsi Gabbard—just five months into her job as America’s spy-chief—posted a 73-page dossier on the DNI website. The former congresswoman wrote that senior Obama officials “manipulated intelligence to frame the incoming Trump team as Russian assets.” She promised the “full trove” was already en-route to the Justice Department so prosecutors could decide on criminal referrals.
Verified facts
- Gabbard became Director of National Intelligence on Feb 12 2025. ✔︎ (NPR)
- She publicly de-classified and posted the documents on July 18 2025. ✔︎ (DNI press release)
- She used the exact phrase “treasonous conspiracy.” ✔︎
Still uncertain
- Independent experts have not authenticated the files.
- Key portions are heavily redacted; some pages appear to be draft talking points rather than finished intelligence.
“These records speak for themselves,” Gabbard told reporters.
Critics immediately replied, “That’s the problem—we can’t be sure they’re speaking truth.”
2. The Three Names in the Crosshairs
Gabbard singled out:
- James Clapper – Former Director of National Intelligence
- John Brennan – Former CIA Director
- James Comey – Former FBI Director
She claims the trio “selectively cherry-picked or altered” Russia intel to undermine President-elect Trump in 2016.
Correction to the viral story:
The original article said Comey “might face criminal prosecution.” In reality, no charges or even an announced probe exist. Criminal referrals are only recommendations; DOJ can ignore them, and most 2016-era offenses are brushing up against—or past—the statute of limitations.
3. Did #ArrestObama Really Trend?
TMZ swore the hashtag #arrestObama shot up Twitter’s charts. Independent trend trackers can’t confirm it. Treat it as unverified internet noise for now.
4. The Political Earthquake—Or a Fault Line of Old Debates?
Remember, two bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee reports (2020, 2021) already concluded:
- Russia did interfere in 2016.
- The January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment was “sound.”
Gabbard’s dump directly contradicts that record. Senators Mark Warner (D) and even some Republicans called her move “reckless” and “politically timed.”
5. A Bad Week for the Comey Household
As father James was thrust back into the headlines, daughter Maurene Comey—a high-profile federal prosecutor—was fired on July 16. Her team failed to secure sex-trafficking or racketeering convictions against Sean “Diddy” Combs, though jurors did find him guilty on two lesser Mann Act counts. ✔︎ (ABC News)
6. Why Timing Matters
Gabbard’s revelation landed while the Trump White House was facing bipartisan outrage for clamping down on the still-mysterious “Epstein files.” The coincidence fueled suspicions—especially online—that her move was designed to divert media oxygen.
7. What Happens Next?
Possibilities, ranked from most to least likely:
- DOJ quietly reviews, then shelves the referral—citing expired statutes or insufficient evidence.
- Congress demands hearings, turning the documents into cable-news fodder for months.
- A special counsel is appointed (unlikely without bipartisan pressure).
- Actual indictments of former officials. Extremely rare, but not impossible.
8. What We Still Don’t Know
- Are the documents genuine final intel products or half-baked draft memos?
- Who inside the intel community verified or disputed Gabbard’s conclusions before release?
- Will DOJ state publicly whether it’s even opening a file?
Bottom Line
Yes, Tulsi Gabbard threw a political grenade.
No, the shrapnel hasn’t hit anyone—yet.
Until independent analysts vet the files and the Justice Department signals its next move, talk of “treason” or imminent handcuffs remains speculation. Stay tuned; the story could fizzle like so many “Russia-gate” spinoffs—or, if the documents hold up, 2025 may become the year a former U.S. president’s team faced unprecedented legal peril.
Either way, daylight and documentation—not hashtags—will decide who’s right.