Top Republicans are demanding answers about Barack Obama’s role in the alleged Russia collusion hoax targeting Trump. Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina want a special counsel to dig into newly declassified documents revealing how Obama’s team handled intelligence about Russia’s 2016 election meddling. Trump has called Obama’s actions “treason,” claiming the ex-president’s officials knowingly pushed false claims to smear him. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard recently released evidence she says proves Obama’s team peddled fake stories about Trump and Russia.
But not everyone in Trump’s corner supports this move. Fox News pundit Andrew McCarthy shot down the special counsel push, arguing it’s unnecessary and impossible. He reminded Americans that the Supreme Court recently ruled presidents can’t be prosecuted for actions done while in office—even if we don’t like them. McCarthy called the “treason” accusations overblown and said Obama’s decisions to investigate Russian interference looked into legitimate threats, not personal attacks.
Cornyn, facing a tough primary challenge from Attorney General Ken Paxton, escalated his rhetoric. Though he’s acknowledged Russian interference in the past, he now claims Obama “manipulated intelligence” to hurt Trump. By pushing for an investigation, Cornyn appears to balance his GOP base’s demands with his own political survival.
The DOJ has already responded—sort of. Attorney General Pam Bondi formed a “strike force” to review Gabbard’s declassified documents, but senators want a special counsel to guarantee independence. They argue career DOJ officials might shield Obama’s allies, though critics say that’s just more deep state fearmongering.
Trump himself seems conflicted. Despite supporters urging action, he told reporters Obama “owes me big” for the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling. When pressed about a special counsel, Trump hinted the DOJ could handle it without outside help.
This drama plays into a larger conservative gripe: double standards. Why investigate Trump’s allies but not Obama’s? Pro-Trump media laps up the story, drawing parallels to how Trump faced a Mueller probe for similar claims. Meanwhile, mainstream outlets dismiss it as a distraction or an attempt to divert from Trump’s own legal battles.
The real battle may be in Congress. With no presidential immunity workaround, any investigation faces a dead end. Republicans might shift to holding hearings or releasing more declassified intel to embarrass Obama. One thing’s clear: the Russia collusion narrative—which once targeted Trump—now fuels calls to punish his predecessor, exposing deep divides over political accountability.
