'Plot to Take Down Trump': Obama-Era Officials Face Criminal Inquiry Over Alleged 2016 Smear Campaign

A political storm erupted in Washington after US Attorney General Pam Bondi authorised federal prosecutors to present evidence to a grand jury over allegations that senior Obama-era officials sought to undermine Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

The move, first reported by CNN citing a source familiar with the matter, follows a referral from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. In July, Gabbard declassified a batch of intelligence documents which she claims cast doubt on the Obama administration's conclusion that Russia attempted to help Trump beat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.

The BBC reported that the decision could lead to subpoenas and possible indictments against figures including former CIA Director John Brennan and ex-FBI chief James Comey. Both men have repeatedly denied wrongdoing and accused Trump's allies of trying to rewrite history through the justice system.

Criminal Inquiry into Alleged 2016 Smear Campaign

On 2 August 2025, the Department of Justice confirmed that a Washington, D.C. grand jury is reviewing the origins of the now-discredited Trump–Russia collusion claims.

The investigation, authorised by Bondi, will determine whether officials in power at the time knowingly pushed unverified intelligence to damage Trump's candidacy. The inquiry is focusing on whether those former officials may have crossed legal lines in efforts to tie Trump's team to Moscow in the final stretch of the election campaign.

Central to the probe are declassified internal communications alleging discussions between intelligence officials about briefing the media on unverified reports, including efforts to circulate the infamous Steele dossier, a document later discredited, that accused Trump of collusion with the Kremlin.

What Triggered the Probe?

According to CNN and the BBC, these internal exchanges suggest the dossier was used to justify secret surveillance on Trump aide Carter Page under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The decision to pursue the warrant is now being reassessed by investigators to determine whether there was political intent behind it.

Who Might Be Implicated?

While no specific names have been officially confirmed, speculation is swirling around senior Obama-era figures including ex-FBI Director James Comey, former CIA Director John Brennan and ex-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. All have publicly defended their actions during the 2016 election and maintain that they followed proper procedures.

Former President Barack Obama himself is not under investigation, according to current reporting. However, the probe could renew scrutiny over how intelligence decisions were handled under his leadership in the politically charged months before the election.

What Are the Allegations?

Supporters of the inquiry argue that the intelligence community was weaponised to undermine Trump's campaign. They claim false or unverified claims were deliberately leaked to the press to fuel a damaging narrative, one that dogged Trump's presidency for years.

Critics of the current investigation warn that it could be politically motivated in its own right. Legal scholars have voiced concern that this could open the door to further politicisation of America's law enforcement agencies.

How Has Trump Responded?

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump praised the investigation as 'a long overdue reckoning'. He accused his political opponents of trying to 'rig an election with lies and corruption', adding that the damage done to public trust in American institutions 'has yet to be fully understood'.

What Happens Now?

The grand jury is expected to meet several times in the coming weeks. Special Counsel Breyer has not provided a specific timeline, but officials close to the case say it could be months before any charges are filed. Sensitive materials, including classified records, are reportedly being reviewed behind closed doors.

Why It Matters

The inquiry strikes at the heart of long-standing tensions over intelligence, political interference and media influence. If wrongdoing is proven, it could reshape public understanding of the events that led to one of the most controversial investigations in modern US politics.

Whether the case results in charges or not, it is already reopening fierce debate over how far political actors and institutions should go in pursuit of their objectives during an election season.

What is the Steele Dossier?

The Steele dossier is a compilation of memos written in 2016 by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele. Commissioned by a private research firm working for Trump's political opponents, the dossier contained a series of unverified claims about Trump's alleged ties to Russia, including salacious personal allegations.

While some elements were corroborated, many others were debunked or remained unproven. Critics of the dossier say it was used improperly to justify surveillance warrants against Trump campaign figures. Supporters argue it was a legitimate piece of opposition research that should not be dismissed entirely.

What is a Grand Jury and How Does it Work?

A grand jury is a panel of citizens tasked with deciding whether there is enough evidence to bring criminal charges. Unlike a trial jury, it does not determine guilt or innocence. Instead, it hears evidence presented by prosecutors in secret proceedings.

If the grand jury finds probable cause, it can issue an indictment, which formally charges someone with a crime. In politically charged cases like this, the process can take months, and the evidence remains sealed unless charges are brought.