U.S. President Donald Trump has accused his predecessor, Barack Obama, of “treason” and called for his prosecution, citing a controversial new report alleging manipulation of intelligence related to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
The claims stem from criminal referrals sent by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to the Justice Department, based on a report released Friday. Gabbard alleged that Obama administration officials fabricated intelligence to justify what she described as a “years-long coup” against Trump.
Despite the assertions, multiple investigations conducted between 2019 and 2023—including bipartisan congressional reviews and federal probes—have consistently affirmed that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to benefit Trump’s campaign.
Asked during a press event with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos whom the Justice Department should hold accountable, Trump said, “It would be President Obama. He started it.”
Trump also accused then-Vice President Joe Biden, former FBI Director James Comey, ex-DNI James Clapper, and former CIA Director John Brennan of participating in a conspiracy. He referred to Obama as the “leader of the gang” and reiterated claims of treason.
The accusations come amid renewed scrutiny over Trump’s social media activity, including criticism for sharing an AI-generated video depicting Obama’s arrest.
A 2020 bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report led by Republican Senator Marco Rubio concluded that the Trump campaign actively sought to benefit from Russian intelligence leaks aimed at damaging Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
“The Russian intelligence services’ assault on the 2016 U.S. electoral process—and Trump’s campaign participation—represents one of the most serious counterintelligence threats in modern American history,” the committee wrote.
