I read elsewhere that by the end of his days, Obama had 30-40 people approved to read the Presidential daily intelligence briefing, which is unprecedented.
It included the FISA approved research and wire-tapping of Trump, so that the effect was that one of those dozens of underlings could then leak and spin to the press about “Russia Collusion,” and Obama could claim it had nothing to do with him.
That sounds like his normal MO.
He says something to make others think they have permission to act, so he does not have to do anything.
Like when thy killed Bin Laden- he had CANCELLED 3 attempts before, and so Lean Panetta asked him under what circumstances would they be able to get him- and then Panetta made sure those circumstances happened, and then only called in Obama from the golf course when it was underway and too late to stop it.
I even heard that he still tried to, but Panetta threatened to go public and expose him if he did.