Trump Threatens Obama Prosecution of Treason Over Russia Probe/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump accused former President Obama of “treason” for allegedly orchestrating the Russia investigation. He praised DNI Tulsi Gabbard for declassifying documents he claims prove a conspiracy. Intelligence experts, however, say the documents don’t alter core findings that Russia interfered in 2016 to help Trump.
Trump Russia Accusations Quick Looks
- Trump claims Obama led a “treasonous conspiracy” involving the Russia investigation
- Declares it’s “time to go after people” over 2016 probe
- Calls Obama the “ringleader” of a failed coup attempt
- DNI Tulsi Gabbard declassified intelligence documents supporting the claim
- White House press secretary praises Gabbard’s actions
- Criminal referrals to DOJ threatened against Obama-era officials
- Experts say claims misrepresent intelligence community’s findings
- 2017 intel assessment confirmed Russian interference to help Trump
- GOP-led 2020 Senate report upheld conclusions of Russian influence
- Trump shares memes showing Obama officials in prison garb
Deep Look: Trump Accuses Obama of Treason in Escalating Russia Probe Rhetoric
WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 22, 2025 — President Donald Trump intensified his attacks on former President Barack Obama on Tuesday, accusing him of leading a treasonous conspiracy tied to the Russia investigation and vowing to seek prosecution of those involved.
Speaking from the Oval Office while hosting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.:
Trump declared: “Whether it’s right or wrong, it’s time to go after people.” He alleged that Obama was the central figure behind a covert effort to undermine the 2016 election and his presidency.
“They caught President Obama absolutely cold,” Trump said. “This is like proof, irrefutable proof that Obama was seditious, that Obama led, was trying to lead a coup.”
He labeled Obama the “ringleader” of what he called a fabricated intelligence narrative that falsely suggested Russian interference aimed at helping Trump win the 2016 presidential election.
Gabbard Releases Declassified Docs
Trump’s explosive accusations were fueled by the recent release of declassified intelligence documents by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman turned Trump ally, claimed the documents revealed a “treasonous conspiracy” among senior Obama administration officials.
Speaking publicly, Gabbard said she intended to refer some of those officials to the Department of Justice for potential prosecution. She did not name specific individuals but framed the actions as part of a “deep-state” effort to derail Trump’s presidency before it began.
“This is a clear abuse of intelligence,” Gabbard stated. “What happened was not just political — it was criminal.”
A criminal referral does not guarantee an investigation or prosecution by the DOJ, but Gabbard’s move has been embraced by the Trump administration as a symbol of vindication.
White House Echoes Charges
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt endorsed Gabbard’s release of the documents, calling it “huge news” and praising her for proving that Trump and his supporters were right all along.
“Millions of Americans saw through the lies from day one,” Leavitt said on The Ruthless Podcast. “Now we have the evidence, thanks to Tulsi Gabbard.”
Trump, for his part, reposted memes over the weekend featuring Obama and former officials like John Brennan, James Clapper, and Hillary Clinton in orange prison jumpsuits, fueling speculation about possible future indictments.
Experts Dispute Claims
Despite the administration’s aggressive messaging, intelligence experts and congressional sources say the declassified documents do not support Trump’s narrative. According to a 2020 Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee report, the original 2017 intelligence community assessment—that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump and hurt Hillary Clinton—remains valid.
Analysts say the Trump administration is conflating intelligence findings with partisan theories, and the documents released by Gabbard offer no new evidence to invalidate the assessment.
“There’s a lot of smoke here, but no fire,” one congressional aide familiar with the 2020 GOP probe told CNN. “The documents don’t change the basic facts that Russia interfered—and it benefited Trump.”
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has not independently verified Gabbard’s interpretation of the documents, which are now the subject of political scrutiny rather than bipartisan review.
Legal and Political Fallout
While Trump’s comments about “going after people” may rally his base, legal experts say accusations of treason are difficult to prove and rarely used in modern U.S. jurisprudence.
Trump’s push for legal accountability mirrors his broader second-term strategy of targeting political rivals, especially those involved in the Russia investigation, which he has long branded a “hoax.”
Whether the Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi will act on any referrals remains unclear. Bondi has so far declined to comment on any prospective investigations involving Obama-era officials.
Meanwhile, critics warn that Trump’s framing of political opposition as criminal threatens the foundational norms of American democracy.
“Weaponizing the justice system to pursue personal political vendettas sets a dangerous precedent,” said former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance. “It erodes trust in both law enforcement and electoral outcomes.”
Looking Forward
With the 2026 midterms approaching, the Trump administration appears poised to keep the Russia investigation in the political spotlight, especially as Trump teases future action against Obama-era figures.
Though most experts agree that the intelligence conclusions of Russian interference remain intact, Trump’s escalating rhetoric ensures that the partisan battles over 2016 will continue to dominate the national conversation.
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