Some Republican lawmakers on Sunday platformed the administration's recent claims that Obama-era officials waged a Russia-related conspiracy against President Trump — but stopped short of endorsing the president's allegations of "treason.

A spokesman for former President Barack Obama issued on Tuesday a rare rebuke of President Trump, calling Mr. Trump’s pledge to use the Justice Department to go after his predecessor for treason “ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.”

Trump called unabating interest in sex offender Jeffrey Epstein a “witch hunt” and insisted that it’s his predecessor who deserves more scrutiny.