President Calls for Prosecution, Citing Declassified Documents as Evidence of a "Treasonous Conspiracy"

Washington, D.C. – In a fiery Oval Office press conference on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, President Donald Trump accused former President Barack Obama of committing "treason" in connection to alleged efforts to undermine his 2016 presidential campaign. The remarks, made during a visit with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., mark a dramatic escalation in Trump's ongoing criticism of his predecessor, reigniting debates over the origins of the 2016 Russia investigation.

Trump's accusations stem from a recent report by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who released declassified documents on July 18, 2025, claiming they reveal a "treasonous conspiracy" by Obama administration officials. The documents, which include emails and memos from 2016, allege that Obama and senior officials, including former FBI Director James Comey, former CIA Director John Brennan, and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, manipulated intelligence to suggest Russian interference in the 2016 election to discredit Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton. Gabbard has called for a full criminal investigation by the Department of Justice, naming Obama and others as key figures in the alleged plot.

"Based on what I read, it would be President Obama. He started it," Trump declared, pointing to the documents as evidence. "He’s guilty, it’s not a question. This was treason, this was every word you can think of." Trump further claimed that Gabbard informed him of thousands more documents yet to be released, describing Obama as the "ringleader" of a coordinated effort to subvert his presidency.

The accusations have drawn sharp rebukes from Democratic leaders and former intelligence officials, who dismiss the claims as baseless and politically motivated. Representative Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, called Gabbard’s report “error-ridden” and accused her of rehashing “decade-old false claims” to distract from other controversies, including ongoing scrutiny over Jeffrey Epstein-related files. Himes emphasized that multiple investigations, including a three-year Senate Intelligence Committee probe, confirmed Russia’s aggressive efforts to influence the 2016 election, with no evidence of fabricated intelligence by the Obama administration.

Trump’s use of the term "treason" echoes earlier rhetoric from 2020, when he accused Obama of spying on his campaign without evidence, a claim debunked by the Justice Department’s Inspector General. Legal experts note that treason, as defined by the U.S. Constitution, involves levying war against the United States or aiding its enemies, a high bar not met by the allegations.

On social media platforms like X, Trump’s remarks have sparked polarized reactions. Supporters, including accounts like @lsferguson and @magajcs, praised the president’s boldness, with posts claiming he “caught Obama absolutely cold.” Critics, such as @thetonymichaels, warned that the rhetoric signals a dangerous shift toward authoritarianism, urging vigilance against political persecution.

The Department of Justice has not commented on Gabbard’s referrals, and Obama has not publicly responded to the allegations. As Trump’s second term progresses, the renewed focus on the 2016 election underscores his administration’s efforts to relitigate past controversies, even as it navigates new challenges. Whether these accusations lead to legal action or remain political fodder, they are certain to fuel further division in an already polarized nation.