In a striking and combative interview aired on August 1, US President Donald Trump accused his predecessor Barack Obama of being the “mastermind” behind the now-discredited Russiagate investigation, calling it “the biggest scandal in American history.” The remarks, made on Newsmax with host Rob Finnerty, came in response to recently declassified materials tied to Special Counsel John Durham’s 2023 report, which alleged a coordinated effort by top Democratic figures to fabricate links between Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and the Russian government.

The interview marks a significant escalation in Trump’s rhetoric, moving beyond his long-standing accusations against Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee to directly implicate Obama as an architect of the plot.

“We have it cold,” Trump told Finnerty, referring to the declassified annex released by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). “You could almost say that [Obama] was more of the mastermind. He heard what she was doing, and then he approved it – and not only approved it, he pushed it.”

Trump cited written documentation outlined in Durham’s supplemental findings, claiming it proves that Obama was not just aware of Clinton’s plan to fabricate allegations of Trump-Russia collusion, but that he also encouraged the effort. According to the former president, these findings confirm that the scandal was not the product of isolated partisan maneuvering, but of high-level coordination within the Obama administration.

The documents, declassified this week by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, point to a Clinton campaign strategy memo proposing the use of false narratives to link Trump with Russian interference efforts. These memos were reportedly shared with senior intelligence officials, including then-CIA Director John Brennan and President Obama. Durham’s report had already concluded that the FBI lacked sufficient evidence to launch the 2016 investigation but was pressured into action based on politically motivated intelligence.

Trump did not hold back when asked whether those involved should face criminal repercussions. “I think they should pay a price. By the way, it’s a very big price,” he said, characterizing the campaign as a “totally fake” conspiracy that caused irreparable harm not only to individuals but to the integrity of American democracy.

“This is one of the great scandals, I think, in the history of our country,” Trump emphasized. “I know it is.”

Despite the strong rhetoric, Trump was quick to clarify that he would not personally intervene in the legal process. Instead, he said the matter would fall under the jurisdiction of Attorney General Pam Bondi, whom he described as doing a “terrific job.” Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and Trump ally, was rumored to be among Trump’s top picks for high-level justice appointments should he return to office.

Trump also reflected on his controversial decision not to pursue charges against Hillary Clinton after his 2016 victory, despite chants of “lock her up” from his supporters. “I had her right under the sights, and I told the people, ‘Look, you can’t do this to a ex-president’s wife.’ And I let Hillary off the hook,” he said.

He added, “And then I come in, and they did the same thing to me. The difference is, they meant it.”

The comment suggests a growing sense of regret or reconsideration, with Trump now signaling a more aggressive stance toward accountability if given another term. His campaign has increasingly leaned into a narrative of political revenge and judicial reform, framing his past leniency as a mistake that emboldened his opponents.

The latest batch of declassified material also highlights the role of left-leaning NGOs and donors in shaping the Russiagate narrative. Notably, Trump and several GOP lawmakers have pointed fingers at George Soros and affiliated organizations, accusing them of working alongside Clinton operatives to plant stories in the media and funnel pressure onto the FBI.

“These people are sick,” Trump said in the Newsmax interview, describing the level of coordination between political campaigns, intelligence agencies, and the mainstream press. “They weaponized the government against an outsider who wasn’t supposed to win.”

According to the newly released documents, Clinton’s campaign staff not only discussed plans to use foreign interference allegations as a political weapon but also anticipated active cooperation from federal agencies. Durham’s earlier report had noted that the FBI, despite internal doubts, moved ahead with the Crossfire Hurricane investigation in July 2016, which eventually led to years of political turmoil and public distrust in intelligence agencies.

While critics have dismissed Trump’s claims as political theater, the declassified annex and Durham’s findings have reignited concerns about the politicization of law enforcement and intelligence communities.

Some legal experts argue that if Obama did indeed approve or push Clinton’s strategy-as Trump claims-it would raise serious constitutional questions. Others, however, contend that without a formal investigation into the conduct of Obama-era officials, such allegations remain politically charged speculation.

For Trump’s base, though, the implications are clear. The interview has already gone viral across conservative media, feeding into a broader narrative of systemic corruption and institutional bias. Trump’s supporters have taken to social media calling for a new round of investigations, with hashtags like #ObamaGate and #DurhamFiles trending on X (formerly Twitter).

As the 2024 election season intensifies, Trump appears to be laying the groundwork for a full-fledged offensive against what he calls the “deep state” and its Democratic allies. By directly accusing Obama of masterminding the Russiagate hoax, Trump is not just relitigating the past – he’s staking a claim on the moral and political high ground.

Whether or not new legal proceedings emerge from these revelations, the political impact is already significant. With trust in government institutions still wavering and public opinion polarized, Trump’s latest accusations ensure that Russiagate – far from being closed – remains a live wire in American political discourse.

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