Former US President Donald Trump has accused his predecessor Barack Obama of treason against the state. According to his words, Obama and his close associates attempted to influence the 2020 presidential elections.
"That was treason. They tried to steal the election. They tried to manipulate the election process. They did things that are hard to even imagine in other countries," Trump said in an interview with Germany's DW outlet. He called Obama a "chief criminal."
Trump based his accusations on a report prepared by National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard. The report states that the Obama administration "fabricated and politicized" information regarding Russia's interference in the 2016 elections.
"Russia neither had the intent nor the capability to disrupt US elections," Gabbard's report concludes.
However, CNN emphasized that Gabbard's report does not contradict previous investigations. According to them, Russia did indeed use methods such as disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks to discredit Hillary Clinton and influence voters. However, Russia did not attempt to directly alter election infrastructure or voting results.
Barack Obama's press secretary Patrick Rodenbush responded to Trump's statement as follows:
"Out of respect for the office of the presidency, we usually do not respond to such consistently foolish and false statements. But this time, the claims are so disgraceful and baseless that they cannot go unanswered."
He emphasized that "such ridiculous accusations have no basis, and Gabbard's report does not deny Russia's attempts to influence the 2016 elections."
