Former President Barack Obama issued a rare public response after President Donald Trump accused him and members of his administration of committing “treason” by allegedly fabricating evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
In a statement released Tuesday, Obama’s office said:
“Out of respect for the office of the presidency, we usually refrain from responding to the constant misinformation coming from this White House. However, these accusations are outrageous, baseless, and a clear attempt to deflect from ongoing controversies.”
Trump Escalates Accusations
While hosting the president of the Philippines in the Oval Office, Trump claimed Obama was “the leader of the gang” behind what he described as a political conspiracy tied to the Russia investigation and the 2020 election. “He’s guilty. This was treason,” Trump told reporters.
The remarks came shortly after the release of a new report by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The report downplays Russian interference in 2016, citing internal Obama-era emails that suggest U.S. election systems weren’t physically hacked by Moscow. But critics argue this ignores the broader findings of U.S. intelligence agencies about cyberattacks, influence operations, and social media manipulation linked to the Kremlin.
Obama Team Pushes Back
Obama’s spokesperson, Patrick Rodenbush, dismissed the claims from both Trump and Gabbard, saying:
“Nothing in the recent report contradicts the well-established conclusion that Russia attempted to influence the 2016 election. This has been affirmed by multiple bipartisan investigations, including one led by Republican Senator Marco Rubio in 2020.”
Rodenbush added that while Russia didn’t directly change vote tallies, it waged a sweeping disinformation campaign through leaks and social media, aiming to boost Trump and undermine public confidence in the election.
A Pattern of Attacks
Trump also named several other figures during his Tuesday comments, including Hillary Clinton, former FBI Director James Comey, and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper — accusing them all of criminal conduct. None have been formally charged.
Obama has never faced any allegations of wrongdoing related to the Russia investigation. Moreover, a 2024 Supreme Court ruling established that former presidents are immune from prosecution for official acts taken while in office.
Legal Experts Weigh In
Under Article III of the U.S. Constitution, treason is narrowly defined as waging war against the U.S. or aiding its enemies — a bar legal experts say Trump’s accusations don’t meet.
“There have been fewer than 40 treason prosecutions in American history, and almost none resemble what Trump is describing,” said one constitutional scholar contacted by Newsweek.
Political Reactions
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson supported Trump’s remarks, saying in a CBS interview that “the people being called out were part of a coordinated campaign of lies” and that “accountability is necessary.”
DNI Gabbard echoed that sentiment during an appearance on Fox News, accusing Obama and his allies of “deflecting” and “clinging to a false narrative.”
What’s Next?
Although the Justice Department has not launched any investigation into Obama or other officials, Speaker Johnson has suggested Congress may pursue subpoenas.
For now, Obama’s team says it will not engage further unless facts warrant. “This is just another attempt to distract the American public from what really matters,” Rodenbush concluded.
