Trump Removes Obama’s Portrait From Public View Amid Possible Jail Time for Former President

President Donald Trump has relocated former President Barack Obama’s official White House portrait to the top of the Grand Staircase, an area typically off-limits to visitors, according to a CNN report citing a photograph of the new placement. The move comes after Trump previously replaced the portrait in April with an image showing the aftermath of the July 2024 assassination attempt he survived.

The relocation follows Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s July 18 disclosure of documents alleging Obama’s national security team “manufactured and politicized intelligence” in what she called a “years-long coup” against Trump. Gabbard has referred Obama to the Justice Department for possible criminal charges over the so-called “Russiagate” probe.

Special Counsel John Durham’s 2023 report found the FBI “could not corroborate” claims in the Steele Dossier used to obtain surveillance warrants on Trump associates. Recent months have also seen criminal investigations opened into former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey for alleged false statements to Congress.

Obama has not publicly commented on the portrait’s move or the latest allegations.