The U.S. Department of Justice, under President Donald Trump, has launched a federal grand jury investigation into former Obama administration officials. The inquiry will examine whether former CIA Director John Brennan, FBI Director James Comey, and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper conspired to fabricate the Trump-Russia investigation during Trump’s first term.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that the investigation is proceeding under a recent Supreme Court ruling granting presidents immunity for ‘official acts.’ President Trump has publicly named former President Barack Obama in connection with the probe, accusing him of wrongdoing and calling for legal action. “Look, he’s guilty. It’s not a question,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “This was treason. It’s time to go after people.”
Obama’s spokesperson dismissed the allegations, calling them “bizarre” and “a weak attempt at distraction.” The former president has not indicated any plans to run for public office again.
The investigation comes amid the release of a new Daily Mail/J.L. Partners poll showing that in a hypothetical 2028 matchup, Obama would lead Trump 52% to 41%, outside the survey’s margin of error. The poll found Obama ahead among several key demographics, including Hispanic voters (73%), Black voters (68%), and independents (50%). No other Democratic figure polled as strongly against Trump. He narrowly leads in hypothetical races against both Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton.
Although the 22nd Amendment limits presidents to two terms, Trump has at times suggested there may be ways to seek a third term. He has pointed to scenarios involving Vice President J.D. Vance potentially assuming office and later returning it to him, while some allies have proposed eliminating presidential term limits altogether.
Trump has previously criticized Obama over policy disagreements and the origins of the Russia investigation. His political career gained momentum in part through questioning Obama’s birthplace, a claim that was widely debunked. According to Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen, the former president’s differences with Obama have long been both political and personal.
The current DOJ investigation marks the first time a former U.S. president has faced a potential federal inquiry initiated by a successor. While supporters say the probe is a legitimate effort to examine past government conduct, critics contend it risks setting a precedent for politically motivated investigations between administrations.
