Obama Denies Trump's Treason Allegations, Calls Claims Outrageous

President Donald Trump has accused former President Barack Obama of committing 'treason' and attempting to orchestrate a 'coup' following the 2016 election, based on an 11-page report by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard alleging a 'treasonous conspiracy' among Obama national security officials. Trump called for a criminal investigation and prosecution of Obama and his associates, claiming they tried to manipulate the election. In response, Obama’s office issued a rare and strong denial, describing the allegations as 'bizarre,' 'ridiculous,' and a 'weak attempt at distraction,' reaffirming the widely accepted conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election but did not manipulate votes. Obama’s spokesperson highlighted that these findings were supported by a 2020 bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report led by Marco Rubio. The Justice Department has announced the formation of a strike force to assess the evidence and determine next steps, though legal hurdles to prosecuting a sitting or former president remain significant. The dispute reflects ongoing tensions and grievances from Trump regarding the intelligence community's treatment of him surrounding the 2016 election.