Trump Revives ‘Obamagate’ Conspiracy on Moves by Grenell, Barr

Grenell declassified secret roster of ‘unmasking’ requests
Barr has moved from questioning to condemning the Russia probe

Donald Trump speaks to members of the media on May 14.
Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Chris Strohm

May 15, 2020 at 8:00 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Donald Trump has complained from the start of his presidency that Barack Obama and anti-Trump factions in the Justice Department and U.S. intelligence agencies misused their power to undermine him -- a conspiracy theory that’s not backed by evidence.

Now, Ric Grenell, Trump’s acting spy chief, and Attorney General William Barr have taken highly unusual steps that are prompting accusations they’re using the same agencies to protect Trump and bolster his “Obamagate” theory against Democrats in the months before the November election.