Fact Check: Is Barack Obama at risk of being arrested over Trump’s ‘Russia hoax’ claims?
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has increased his attacks on former President Barack Obama after Tulsi Gabbard released declassified documents about the so-called “Russia hoax.” The claims have led to a wave of online rumors, with some people on social media calling for Obama to be arrested. Tensions rose when White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested Obama’s actions could be seen as treason, which caused more speculation that he had been, or could soon be, arrested.
Claim: Barack Obama is at risk after Trump's claims of 'Russia hoax'
Here it is:
— 🇺🇸RealRobert🇺🇸 (@Real_RobN) March 29, 2026
A decade in the making!
This is: United States Press Secretary Karoline Claire Leavitt:
“Now, nearly ten years later, thanks to the declassification of documents by the Director of National Intelligence, @DNIGabbard, the truth has finally come to light — and it… pic.twitter.com/X7Aa6VrohX
Allegations against former President Barack Obama became more serious after Tulsi Gabbard, the National Intelligence director, released declassified documents claiming he was behind the “Russia hoax”—the Democrats’ claims that Trump had ties to Russia before the 2016 election.
Following these claims, Trump intensified his attacks on Obama, and many of his MAGA supporters on social media began calling for Obama’s arrest for treason.
Newsmax issues a public demand for the arrest of Barack Obama and others, including Hillary Clinton, over alleged involvement in a plan targeting the U.S. government and the will of the American people.pic.twitter.com/WJgfiOCl0f
— Brandon Straka #WalkAway (@BrandonStraka) March 22, 2026
Hundreds of posts pushed this idea, and even Newsmax aired a segment where a guest suggested he should be arrested. One social media user wrote, "Exactly! Arrest Obama!"
Another commenter added, "Arrest and put Obama in jail"
A user worried, "Too bad we don't have a Justice System to arrest Obama."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Obama’s actions could be seen as treason, while Gabbard accused him and the former CIA director of orchestrating a “treasonous conspiracy.”
Fact Check: Legal action against Obama only after DOJ's approval
The claims about Obama and the “Russia hoax” are just allegations and not proven crimes. In July 2025, Tulsi Gabbard released declassified documents claiming that the Obama administration used false intelligence, based on the discredited Steele dossier, to make it look like Russia helped Trump win over Hillary Clinton.
She called it a “prolonged coup” and accused Obama of treason. Gabbard sent the evidence to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and called it “irrefutable” during White House briefings.
However, the DOJ reviewed the documents and found there was not enough evidence to press charges, citing the statute of limitations. The claims were also judged not to provide any new criminal proof.
As of March 2026, no charges have been filed against Obama or other officials, such as John Brennan or James Clapper. News outlets such as CNN and USA Today also criticized Gabbard’s claims, calling them misleading and saying they do not change the main findings of the 2017 intelligence report. Rumors on social media and statements by political figures like Karoline Leavitt cannot trigger an arrest; legal action requires credible evidence and DOJ approval.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
