Fact Check: Obama is secretly running the country through a shadow government.

Fact Check: "Obama is secretly running the country through a shadow government."

What We Know

The claim that former President Barack Obama is running a "shadow government" to undermine the current administration has been circulated primarily by political figures and conspiracy theorists. This specific accusation was notably made by Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Mike Kelly during a speech in March 2017, where he suggested that Obama remained in Washington, D.C., for the sole purpose of orchestrating a shadow government to disrupt the new GOP agenda (AP News). However, Kelly later retracted this statement, clarifying that he does not believe Obama is personally operating a shadow government (AP News).

Obama and his family have stated that their decision to stay in Washington was to allow their youngest daughter, Sasha, to finish high school, a reason supported by the fact that he has office space provided by the General Services Administration, a standard benefit for former presidents (Politifact).

Additionally, the notion of a "shadow government" has roots in various conspiracy theories that have surrounded Obama since his presidency, including the infamous birther movement, which falsely questioned his citizenship and legitimacy as president (Wikipedia).

Analysis

The initial claim made by Congressman Kelly reflects a broader trend of conspiracy theories that have emerged around Obama, particularly among certain factions of the Republican Party. The retraction of his statement indicates a recognition of the lack of evidence supporting the claim that Obama is actively undermining the current administration through clandestine means.

The sources that support the claim of a "shadow government" often lack credible evidence and are typically disseminated through partisan channels or fringe theorists. For instance, the birther movement, which questioned Obama's birthplace and citizenship, has been widely discredited and characterized as racially motivated (Wikipedia).

Moreover, the reliability of sources promoting the idea of a shadow government is often questionable. Many of these claims are based on speculation or anecdotal evidence rather than factual reporting. For example, a viral post that attributed the shadow government claim to conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer was also debunked, demonstrating that misinformation can easily spread without factual basis (USA Today).

In evaluating the credibility of the sources, it is essential to note that reputable news outlets and fact-checking organizations have consistently found no evidence to support the existence of a shadow government operated by Obama or any former president (FactCheck.org, USA Today).

Conclusion

The claim that Barack Obama is secretly running the country through a shadow government is False. The assertion lacks credible evidence and has been publicly retracted by the individual who initially made it. Furthermore, the context surrounding this claim is steeped in conspiracy theories that have been widely discredited. The reasons for Obama's continued presence in Washington are well-documented and relate to his family's needs rather than any political machinations.