House Speaker Mike Johnson has said former President Barack Obama could face a subpoena in connection with newly declassified documents that accuse members of his administration of participating in a “treasonous conspiracy” during the 2016 presidential election.
The comments follow the release of more than 100 pages of documents by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The documents allege that key Obama-era officials manipulated and withheld intelligence about Russian interference, and Gabbard has formally referred the matter to the Department of Justice for potential criminal investigation.
Why It Matters
The escalating political battle underscores deepening partisan divides over the legacy of the Russia investigation and the credibility of U.S. intelligence institutions. Gabbard’s allegations have reignited calls among Trump-aligned Republicans to pursue legal accountability for figures in the previous administration.
Johnson: “No One Is Off Limits”
In a CBS News interview, Speaker Johnson said he supports issuing subpoenas and conducting depositions for any official named in the documents — including Obama.
“Of course,” Johnson said when asked about subpoenaing the former president. “We have a responsibility to follow the truth where it leads, in an unbiased way — the opposite of what that other team did. If former President Obama is uncomfortable, perhaps he shouldn’t have been involved. It’s our job to find the facts and hold people accountable.”
He emphasized that House Judiciary and Oversight committees, both controlled by Republicans, are actively reviewing the evidence.
Gabbard Refers Obama-Era Officials to DOJ
Gabbard’s referral includes prominent former officials such as former DNI James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan, and former FBI Director James Comey. In a statement, Gabbard said, “No matter how powerful, every person involved in this conspiracy must be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The DOJ has confirmed receipt of the referral but has not announced whether a formal investigation will be opened.
Legal Experts Push Back
Several legal analysts have dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani said, “There is no legal foundation to pursue treason charges or imprisonment against Obama. The Durham investigation already looked at these matters and produced no criminal findings. The statute of limitations has likely run out.”
Rahmani added that the claims serve more as “political theater” than viable legal cases, especially in light of a recent Supreme Court decision that shields former presidents from prosecution for official acts.
Critics See Distraction From Epstein Fallout
The renewed push to prosecute Obama also comes as former President Trump faces rising criticism from his own base over the unresolved Jeffrey Epstein scandal. During his 2024 campaign, Trump promised to release files related to Epstein. But a DOJ memo released earlier this month stated there is no “client list,” and no further charges are expected.
Some Trump allies, including Steve Bannon, have warned of political fallout if voters view this as another cover-up. “If this continues, we could lose 10 percent of the MAGA base. That’s enough to cost us the House and the presidency,” Bannon said.
What Others Are Saying
Speaker Johnson told CBS: “The people being called out now knew they were pushing a false narrative. They lied to the American people. There must be consequences — not just for the sake of President Trump, but for the integrity of our institutions.”
He added that the intelligence community’s credibility has been “seriously damaged,” and restoring faith in the DOJ and FBI should be a top priority.
Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, pushed back. “DNI Gabbard’s claims ignore our bipartisan findings. Russia did target U.S. election infrastructure and conduct influence operations in 2016 to help Trump. Every Democrat and Republican on the committee agreed on this,” he wrote on X.
The White House, through spokesperson Harrison Fields, defended the push for accountability. “The President is committed to exposing abuse of power and holding those responsible for targeting him and his supporters.”
What Happens Next
The Department of Justice has not confirmed whether it will pursue charges or subpoenas. However, House Republicans are expected to continue probing the declassified records, and committee chairs have signaled that further hearings and witness testimony could be on the horizon.
