Without evidence, Trump accuses the Obama administration of treason

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Donald Trump, after opinion polls at a time of protests against racism and an increase in coronavirus cases, lashed out at the administration of Barack Obama, the first black president of the country, with an unfounded accusation of treason. .

The indictment, presented without evidence in an interview Monday, was the Republican president’s latest effort to tarnish Obama, a popular Democrat whom Trump has attacked for years, including the false suggestion that he was not born in the United States.

Trump follows alleged Democratic candidate Joe Biden, who was Obama’s vice president, by 13 percentage points ahead of the November 3 presidential election.

Under Trump, the United States Department of Justice is reviewing an investigation that found foreign interference in the 2016 election that it won. He previously accused Obama of spying on his campaign, but not treason.

When asked what crime the espionage might have committed, Trump told the Christian Broadcasting Network: “It is treason. Look, when I came out a long time ago, I said that they had been spying on our campaign … Let’s see what happens to them now. ”

“(William) Barr is doing a great job as attorney general, let’s see what comes to mind,” he said. Barr has said he does not expect Obama or Biden to be charged.

Representatives for Obama, who was scheduled to appear at a virtual fundraiser with Biden on Tuesday, said they had no comment on Trump’s accusation.

US intelligence agencies concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to boost Trump’s candidacy. The 21-month investigation of former special adviser Robert Mueller documented a Russian propaganda and piracy campaign to harm Trump’s Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. Mueller also documented numerous contacts between Trump campaign figures and the Russians.