Former President Barack Obama’s spokesperson has dismissed Donald Trump’s accusations of treason and insurrection against Obama as “bizarre” and “ridiculous.”
Obama’s Office Calls Claims “Absurdity and Disinformation”
Patrick Rodenbush, spokesperson for the former president, stated, “Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office normally does not dignify the continuous absurdity and disinformation flowing from this White House with a response. But these claims are wild enough to warrant one. These bizarre accusations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.”
Trump’s Allegations and Focus on 2016 Election Interference
Earlier, Trump declared his intention to “go after people” for what he alleges were efforts to interfere with the 2016 election, by claiming Russia was seeking to influence the outcome. Multiple comprehensive investigations have concluded that Russia did attempt to meddle in the election in Trump’s favor.
“Whether it’s right or wrong, it’s time to go after people,” Trump said in the Oval Office, where he was hosting the President of the Philippines.
Trump insisted that Obama was guilty of crimes for what he termed his role in weaponizing intelligence, calling the former Democratic president the “leader” of the alleged plot. He appeared to be referencing declassified information released last week by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, which she claimed was evidence of a “treasonous plot” by high-ranking Obama administration officials to manufacture the idea that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election.
Obama’s Representative Reaffirms 2017 Intelligence Findings
Obama’s representative stated that nothing in the recently released documents suggests that a 2017 intelligence report on the matter was incorrect.
“Nothing in the document released last week undermines the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election, but did not successfully manipulate any votes. These findings were confirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio,” Rodenbush affirmed.
