What did Obama know about the Trump–Russia probe? And when did he know it?

Former President Barack Obama has been at the center of declassified documents that reveal his involvement in key meetings regarding the opening of the Trump-Russia investigation. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe have released new documents shedding light on the origins of the original Trump-Russia probe at the FBI, known as “Crossfire Hurricane.”

President Donald Trump has accused Obama of being the mastermind behind the Russiagate narrative, a claim vehemently denied by the former president. In response to these allegations, Obama’s spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush stated that the claims were outrageous and a weak attempt at distraction. He also emphasized that the findings of the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee in 2020 affirmed that Russia did try to influence the 2016 election but did not manipulate any votes.

Declassified documents have revealed key meetings that Obama attended, including a briefing on August 3, 2016, where then-CIA Director John Brennan informed him about intelligence suggesting that Hillary Clinton was planning to connect Trump to Russia. Other officials present at the briefing included Vice President Joe Biden, FBI Director James Comey, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

The documents also shed light on the FBI’s opening of the Crossfire Hurricane probe on July 31, 2016, and the subsequent briefing to Obama. It was revealed that the CIA forwarded information to Comey and others with the subject line “Crossfire Hurricane.” The declassified documents also mentioned foreign sources allegedly connected to George Soros discussing the FBI’s probe into the Trump-Russia narrative.

Moreover, newly declassified documents from Director of National Intelligence Gabbard suggest that the Obama administration “manufactured and politicized intelligence” to create a narrative that Russia interfered in the 2016 election. Contrary to the narrative, the intelligence community consistently assessed that Russia was not trying to influence the election using cyber means.

Further declassified documents reveal a meeting on January 5, 2017, where then-FBI Director James Comey suggested that sensitive information related to Russia should not be shared with incoming National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. This meeting was documented in an email sent by then-National Security Adviser Susan Rice to herself, which was declassified in 2020.

The declassified documents provide valuable insights into the events surrounding the Trump-Russia investigation and the role of key officials, including former President Obama. The revelations raise questions about the handling of intelligence and the motivations behind the investigation.