A new report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), released Friday by Director Tulsi Gabbard, accuses senior members of the Obama administration of manufacturing and politicizing intelligence after the 2016 presidential election to undermine President Donald Trump.
The document, which Gabbard’s office describes as containing “overwhelming evidence,” alleges that former President Barack Obama and top national security officials deliberately laid the groundwork for what it calls a years-long campaign to delegitimize Trump’s presidency.
The report has sparked swift backlash from Obama’s office.
In a rare public response, Obama spokesman Patrick Rodenbush issued a strongly worded statement condemning the claims.
“Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response. But these claims are outrageous and merit one,” Rodenbush stated.
“These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.”
Gabbard’s report contends that high-ranking officials within the Obama administration weaponized the intelligence community in late 2016 and early 2017 to suggest that Trump’s campaign was working with Russian operatives.
It alleges that this intelligence was manipulated to give credence to what later became known as the