President Donald Trump has leveled serious accusations against former President Barack Obama, claiming he committed “treason” in connection with the Russia investigation and the 2020 election. The explosive remarks come as Trump faces growing criticism from his supporters over how his administration handled the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump said that while he initially chose not to pursue criminal charges against Hillary Clinton after his 2016 victory, he now believes it’s time to go after political enemies.
“After what they did to me—right or wrong—it’s time to go after people,” Trump said, naming Obama, former FBI Director James Comey, and former CIA Director John Brennan as part of a group he claims unlawfully conspired against him.
Newsweek has reached out to Obama’s office for comment.
Why Now?
Trump’s accusations follow a newly released report by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who alleged that Obama and top members of his administration “manufactured intelligence” in 2016 to falsely suggest Trump colluded with Russia. Gabbard claimed this was part of a long-term effort to undermine his presidency and announced she would refer those involved to the Department of Justice for prosecution.
Critics say Trump and Gabbard are trying to shift focus away from renewed public interest in the sealed Epstein files and questions about the Trump administration’s connections to the case.
What Trump Said
In his remarks, Trump called Obama “the leader of the gang” behind the Russia probe and efforts to delegitimize the 2020 election, claiming the plot was devised in the very Oval Office where he was speaking.
“This was treason,” Trump declared, accusing Obama-era officials of leaking false intelligence to the media about Russian election interference in 2016 as part of a broader conspiracy.
Trump also revived his long-standing habit of referring to his predecessor as “Barack Hussein Obama”—a rhetorical move he has used for years to cast doubt on Obama’s background and intentions.
The Russiagate Context
“Russiagate” refers to the investigations into whether Trump and his campaign colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 election. Although no criminal conspiracy was proven, several Trump aides were convicted on related charges. In 2023, Special Counsel John Durham concluded the FBI should not have opened the original probe, citing unverified intelligence.
Despite Durham’s findings, the Senate Intelligence Committee—chaired by Republicans and Democrats—unanimously concluded that Russia did interfere in the 2016 election and did so in a way meant to help Trump.
Responses and Reactions
Gabbard, now serving as Director of National Intelligence, defended her actions in a Friday press release, saying:
“This is not a partisan issue. It is a matter of national integrity. Our investigation shows clear evidence of a treasonous conspiracy to undermine the will of the American people.”
Legal experts, however, are skeptical. Former federal prosecutor Peter Zeidenberg called the threats against Obama “nonsense,” citing a lack of evidence and the expiration of the statute of limitations.
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, responded on X:
“It seems DNI Gabbard is unaware that the bipartisan Senate report reaffirmed Russia’s effort to interfere in our election. These facts were verified by every member of the committee—Democrat and Republican alike.”
What Comes Next?
So far, the Department of Justice has not indicated whether it plans to act on Gabbard’s criminal referrals. House Speaker Mike Johnson has suggested he would support a subpoena for Obama if the issue escalates further.
While Trump’s remarks electrify his base, they have also drawn criticism as a political stunt meant to distract from other controversies. Whether the Justice Department will treat these accusations seriously remains to be seen.
