Obamagate Controversy: Trump 'Surprised’ AG Barr Won't Pursue Criminal Investigations Into Obama, Biden

President Trump said Monday that he was “surprised” by comments from Attorney General William Barr that the Department of Justice will not pursue a criminal investigation into former President Barack Obama or former Vice President Joe Biden.

Trump has made a vague and unsubstantiated claim that Obama attempted to sabotage his administration by framing officials such as former National Security Michael Flynn, dubbing the theory “Obamagate.”

“I think if it was me, they would do it. I think for them, maybe they’re not going to,” Trump told reporters. “I’m surprised because Obama knew everything that was happening.”

“I think it’s just a continuation of a double standard. I am surprised by it,” he continued.

U.S. Attorney John Durham is currently reviewing the origins of the Trump-Russia investigation. Barr said Monday he does not expect Durham's investigation will lead to a criminal investigation of Obama or Biden.

Barr also criticized the use of criminal investigations as a “political weapon.”

"This is not good for our political life and it's not good for the criminal justice system," Barr continued. "As long as I'm attorney general, the criminal justice system will not be used for partisan political ends. This is especially true for the upcoming elections in November."

Trump has been unable to point out which specific crime he believes Obama has committed.

“Obamagate —it’s been going on for a long time,” Trump said, when asked about specific charges against Obama. “It’s been going on from before I even got elected, and it’s a disgrace that it happened, and if you look at what’s gone on, and if you look at now, all this information that’s being released — and from what I understand, that’s only the beginning — some terrible things happened, and it should never be allowed to happen in our country again."

Trump’s promotion of the “Obamagate” controversy comes as Obama criticized Trump for his leadership during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak in a leaked audio clip. Obama characterized Trump’s response to the crisis as an "absolute chaotic disaster."

Trump has frequently promoted conspiracy theories about Obama, spreading a rumor that Obama was possibly not born in the United States. He has also claimed that Obama wiretapped his phone at his Trump Tower office during the 2016 presidential campaign.