Years ago, Donald Trump tweeted that he hoped Russian dictator Vladimir Putin would become his  new best friend.  During the debates, he looked immensely sad as he said the words  he s not my best friend  when he was accused of being a Russian puppet. But now that Vladimir Putin has helped him get elected and Trump has taken to openly praising the Russian president on Twitter, it seems that they are finally ready to buy matching friendship bracelets and make it official.On Friday, Vladimir Putin announced that he would not immediately retaliate against the United States for expelling 35 suspected Russian intelligence agents. Putin, who personally directed an effort to hack Donald Trump s opposition in what the CIA has confirmed was a far-reaching effort to install Donald Trump as President, has been earning nothing but praise from The Donald, who says with a wink-and-a-nod that he totally knew nothing about anything that was happening and denies that Russia is responsible for the hacks.Putin says that instead, he will wait for Donald Trump to become President before he decides how to move forward   a fairly concrete sign that the two are working in collusion. At any point, Trump could say  no more!  At any point, he could be honest with the American people about their relationship and possibly even avoid prison time. Unfortunately, this is Donald Trump we re talking about, and he seems to be immune to scrutiny, prosecution, or anything else he deserves. Further steps toward the restoration of Russian-American relations will be built on the basis of the policy which the administration of President D. Trump will carry out, Putin said Friday.This is another time trump could have stepped up. He could have cemented his place as a strong President by telling Putin that he stands by the decision to expel 35 suspected spies. Instead, he sided with Russia yet again, praising his President for the  delay    something that will virtually ensure that Putin gets whatever he wants.Great move on delay (by V. Putin)   I always knew he was very smart!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2016Of course, The Internet does not take kindly to the incoming President praising Russian dictators, especially after spending years bashing our President:The Narcissist in Chief is now praising the dictator who hacked our election. @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/lAMx6XUGDX  Charles Johnson (@Green_Footballs) December 30, 2016@realDonaldTrump Trump sides with Russia against America. I knew it.  Mike Elgan (@MikeElgan) December 30, 2016@realDonaldTrump gives continuous praise to a dictator who kills journalists.  _( )_/  Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) December 30, 2016Keep acting like a foreign agent, @realDonaldTrump. We re already seeing discord in GOP congress over your un-American behavior. Keep going. https://t.co/XYrIjD1HTc  John Aravosis (@aravosis) December 30, 2016.@realDonaldTrump Don't you think it might be more appropriate for you to praise the American president instead of the Russian president?  Simon Hedlin (@simonhedlin) December 30, 2016@Qu33fyDUBBZ @realDonaldTrump His continuing and sweaty embrace of a murderous thug speaks volumes. About him. About his supporters.  HarleyPeyton (@HarleyPeyton) December 30, 2016.@realDonaldTrump Yeah we know, you love him: pic.twitter.com/ll0cKXiFME  Jordan Uhl (@JordanUhl) December 30, 2016@realDonaldTrump As usual, Russia comes first in the Trump administration  Matt Peterson (@mattbpete) December 30, 2016@realDonaldTrump Maybe you should take the intelligence briefing. They can do puppets if you give them a day's notice.  pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) December 30, 2016@realDonaldTrump You're sucking up to the guy who just made a mockery of the US election. Beyond embarrassing.  Letters of Note (@LettersOfNote) December 30, 2016@realDonaldTrump your tweets are going to get you fired (like a normal person) and it's going to be fucking hilarious  justin lew block (@JBlock49) December 30, 2016@realDonaldTrump You're supporting a Russian dictator for attacking America. Seriously what is wrong with you?  Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) December 30, 2016.@realDonaldTrump but who is your *favorite* journalist Putin had murdered?  Joe Berkowitz (@JoeBerkowitz) December 30, 2016@realDonaldTrump You two are so cute!  Jon Bershad (@JonBershad) December 30, 2016@realDonaldTrump why don't you just invite him to live with you at the White House already if you're so f*cking fascinated with him  Whitney Meyer (@itswhitneymeyer) December 30, 2016@realDonaldTrump can't wait for your treason trial, you walking cock puppet #article3section3  Roxanne Benjamin (@roxanne73) December 30, 2016@realDonaldTrump you think you're smart but you're just an insecure man-child trying to make the dad who disapproved of you proud.  Nat Love (@WittyHendrix) December 30, 2016@realDonaldTrump I am trying to find something good in you and the only thing I continue to see if how unfit you are to be President!  Smurfette (@dsmurf22) December 30, 2016@realDonaldTrump And they call it puppy love. It's love, folks.  Silvia Ramirez (@shoutthetruth2) December 30, 2016@realDonaldTrump YOU FUCKING TRAITOR  Boycott Trump SCION (@puppymnkey) December 30, 2016For years, conservatives have accused President Obama of treason every time he so much as sneezed. Under 18 U.S. Code   2381, treason is defined as such:Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.While nothing Obama has done has come close, isn t Trump s repeated praise of Putin   a man who personally oversaw an attack on our nation   giving  aid  and  comfort  within  the United States or elsewhere?  Isn t the fact that the Russian President s  delay  until his puppet was in office   a move Trump praised    adhering to  an enemy of the United States?I won t wish death on Trump, even if his actions call for it under our nation s laws. Death would give him an  easy out  and prevent him from learning what it s like to wake up every day staring at the cold walls of a prison cell.Featured image via Getty Images (Justin Sullivan)/screengrab