Donald Trump is once again setting political sparks flying — this time reviving his long-running feud with former President Barack Obama.
During a fiery Fox News interview on Sunday, Trump accused Obama of being the real threat to American democracy, claiming the former president “spied on” his 2016 campaign.
The former president didn’t hold back as he took aim at Obama’s recent comments about democracy being under threat.
“He says that all the time,” Trump told host Maria Bartiromo.
“But he’s the one who threatened it — by spying on my campaign. He knew it was illegal, but he did it anyway.”
Trump insisted that “dishonest people” helped orchestrate the surveillance and predicted they would eventually “be caught.”
The Old Allegations Resurface
Trump’s claims echo a familiar narrative he has pushed for years — that Democrats used federal agencies to monitor his campaign and undermine his presidency.
While these allegations have never been proven, they continue to fuel deep divisions in Washington.
Republicans in Congress have recently amplified similar accusations, insisting they were unfairly targeted by federal surveillance during investigations tied to the January 6 Capitol riot.
Democrats, meanwhile, have repeatedly dismissed the claims as unfounded political theater.
Republicans Accuse the FBI of Overreach
The tension escalated earlier this month when Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa and the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released a document that sent shockwaves through the political scene.
The file, published by Grassley, revealed that several Republican lawmakers — including Senators Lindsey Graham, Josh Hawley, Marsha Blackburn, and others — had been investigated as part of an FBI probe linked to the January 6 investigation.
Pennsylvania Representative Mike Kelly was also reportedly included.
The document, labeled “CAST Assistance,” detailed how the FBI used cellular data to track the lawmakers’ communications.
Dated September 27, 2023, the file suggests the surveillance extended well into President Biden’s term.
The Arctic Frost Investigation Explained
The surveillance ties back to a special counsel inquiry known as the Arctic Frost investigation, led by Jack Smith, which looked into both the Capitol riot and broader claims of election interference.
The new information raised eyebrows among conservatives, who argue the FBI overstepped its authority in monitoring sitting members of Congress.
Matt Taibbi’s Testimony Adds to the Fire
The debate over government surveillance deepened even further when independent journalist Matt Taibbi — known for his reporting on free speech and censorship — testified before Congress on September 30.
Taibbi’s testimony focused on the TSA’s “Quiet Skies” program, originally launched after 9/11 to identify potential national security threats.
But according to Taibbi, the program ended up targeting several U.S. lawmakers, including former Democratic congresswoman — and now Trump’s Director of National Intelligence — Tulsi Gabbard, as well as three unnamed Republican members of Congress.
Quiet Skies Program Shuttered
Following Taibbi’s revelations, the Quiet Skies program was quietly shut down earlier this year by the Trump administration.
Reports suggested it had been costing taxpayers around $200 million annually — yet failed to stop a single terrorist threat.
For Trump’s team, the closure was presented as proof of government waste and surveillance abuse.
For his critics, it was another example of Trump rewriting the narrative to suit his political battles.
What’s Next for Trump’s War of Words
With the 2024 election behind him but political tensions still high, Trump’s renewed attacks on Obama hint that old rivalries aren’t going anywhere.
His remarks continue to rally his base, especially as Republicans ramp up claims of government overreach and “weaponized” justice.
Whether this new round of allegations leads to action — or simply more political noise — remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear: Trump isn’t done fighting old wars, and Obama remains one of his favorite targets in the battle for the soul of American democracy.