Donald Trump has accused Barack Obama of “treason” without providing any evidence to support the suggestion.
While discussing the investigation into the 2016 Trump campaign’s contacts with Russiawith CBN News, the US president insisted the former president’s administration had committed treason by “spying” on him.
When CBN’s David Brody asked what crime he believed would have potentially been committed, Mr Trump answered: “Treason.”
“They were spying on my campaign, I told you that a long time ago. It turns out I was right. Let’s see what happens to them now.”
“It’s treason,” he asserted.
There is no evidence that Mr Obama spied on Mr Trump’s campaign or committed any acts that reach the definition of treason.
The actual definition of the crime, which is punishable by death, is narrowly classified under the terms of “levying War against [the United States], or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.”
Mr Trump expressed anticipation for the results of US Attorney John Durham’s ongoing investigation into the origins of the Russia probe.
“I want to stay out of it because otherwise it’s going to look political,” Mr Trump said. “Let’s see what they come up with.”
Trump’s animosity against the two-year investigation into Russian interference in the president’s 2016 campaign, which led to his impeachment, has continued since it began in 2017.
In May Mr Trump coined his long-held belief that his predecessor, Mr Obama, facilitated a conspiracy among US intelligence officials and undermine his 2016 campaign and subsequent presidency, as “OBAMAGATE”.
This is also far from the first time Mr Trump has insinuated that his opponents are guilty of “treason”, having frequently thrown around the accusation without proof.
Last month the president again falsley accused Obama administration Justice Department officials of “treason” as the agency moved to drop all charges against his first national security adviser, retired Army General Michael Flynn.
“The Obama administration Justice Department was a disgrace,” the president said in the Oval Office. “It’s treason. It’s treason.”
The Independent has reached out to a Democratic strategist who works with Mr Obama’s office for comment.
