In a recent appearance on Real America’s Voice, investigative journalist John Solomon claimed that former President Barack Obama could now be compelled to testify before a grand jury regarding actions taken during his presidency. According to Solomon, Obama would be required to testify under oath and cannot invoke the Fifth Amendment due to protections previously granted by presidential immunity. However, if Obama were to lie while testifying as a private citizen, Solomon argued, he could forfeit that immunity.
Solomon pointed specifically to a January 5, 2017, White House meeting in which Obama allegedly oversaw discussions about how to pursue legal action against incoming National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. At the time, the FBI had reportedly cleared Flynn of any wrongdoing. Solomon claims that during the meeting, senior officials devised a plan to lure Flynn into an interview, catch him in a lie, and prosecute him for making false statements.
According to Solomon, this tactic was later acknowledged by former FBI Director James Comey and supported by legal filings. He suggests that Obama, who presided over the meeting, could now be placed in a similar legal position—compelled to testify truthfully about the meeting and potentially facing consequences if he is found to have lied.
Solomon referenced recent court rulings expanding presidential immunity for official acts, but he argued that these protections do not extend to false statements made by a former president as a private citizen. If Obama were to misrepresent his conduct during sworn testimony, that act could nullify his immunity and open the door to prosecution.
Meanwhile, Democrats are urging Obama to remain out of the spotlight as Trump allies, including former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, continue to release documents they claim show Obama’s administration tried to interfere in the 2016 election. Former President Trump has seized on the issue, calling Obama “guilty” and accusing him of treason, escalating the political stakes.