Trump Accuses Obama of ‘Treason’ as Supporters Demand Prosecutions

President Trump accused Wednesday former President Barack Obama of “treason” in connection with the 2016 Russia investigation, prompting prominent supporters to demand arrests.

During an Oval Office event, Trump stated, “Whether it’s right or wrong, it’s time to go after people,” and alleged that Obama manufactured the “Russia hoax.” In response, a representative from Obama’s office described the claims as “outrageous” and “bizarre.”

The accusations come as the Trump administration takes action related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The Justice Department has requested a federal court to unseal grand jury testimony from Epstein’s case, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is seeking a meeting with Epstein’s convicted accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. This week, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also accused former Obama-era intelligence officials of a “treasonous conspiracy” regarding their role in the Russia investigation.

Some of Trump’s allies have warned that failure to secure prosecutions could have consequences. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) posted that if the administration makes claims of “deep state treasonous crimes” but does not “take down every enemy of The People,” then “the base will turn and there’s no going back.” Steve Bannon stated that after Trump’s accusation, “The accused must be indicted, must be prosecuted, must be incarcerated when found guilty,” calling a failure to do so “devastating to the MAGA movement and the nation.”

The developments have surfaced amid divisions between the president and some supporters over the administration’s handling of the Epstein case. Trump has reportedly framed documents potentially linking him to Epstein as a “hoax” connected to the Russia investigation, viewing both as part of a years-long “witch hunt.”

Podcaster Tim Pool suggested that while Trump’s most loyal supporters will likely remain with him, other voters in his coalition “will boo him and condemn him if he backs out on the Epstein and the [Russia] stuff.” Conversely, influencer CJ Pearson said, “the MAGA movement trusts this president deeply, emphatically, and deservedly so,” when asked how the base would react if no arrests were made.

The Justice Department is seeking to redact “personal identifying information” and victim information from the Epstein grand jury documents it has requested to be unsealed.