Obama Breaks Ex-Presidential Norm
Barack Obama at the Clinton Global Initiative, 2013. Photo courtesy of The White House. Public domain.
Barack Obama isn't known for making waves post-presidency — until now. In a rare and pointed public appearance, the former president took aim at the Trump administration with a remark that landed like a thunderclap.
Rare Rebuke From a Former President
Speaking during a sit-down discussion at liberal arts school Hamilton College, Obama said, "That kind of behavior is contrary to the basic compact we have as Americans. Imagine if I had done any of this," according to USA TODAY.
Obama's criticisms focused on what he perceives as the erosion of democratic norms under the current Trump administration, although he did not mention the president by name.
According to NBC News, Obama continued, "Imagine if I had pulled Fox News' credentials from the White House press corps. It's unimaginable that the same parties that are silent now would have tolerated behavior like that from me or a whole bunch of my predecessors."
His comments referenced the Trump administration's controversial decision to cut major wire services like the Associated Press and Reuters from official events and rotate in smaller, ideologically aligned outlets instead.
Obama also criticized the administration's moves against higher education. Several colleges and universities, including Brown, Columbia, and Harvard, have had multimillion-dollar grant cancellations tied to the administration's campaign against what it refers to as "antisemitism," according to USA TODAY.
Reactions Roll In
Reactions to Obama's remarks have been mixed. Supporters hailed his candor and urgency.
Critics pointed to his own record with Fox News during his time in office, recalling a 2009 attempt to limit the network's access to White House interviews — though ultimately, that effort was scrapped under pressure from other media outlets.
Why Now?
Obama has mostly avoided direct political commentary since leaving office, only stepping in during critical election cycles. His Hamilton College comments mark a notable shift — signaling that he may see the current political climate as one of those inflection points where he feels compelled to speak up.
References: Obama on Trump: 'Imagine if I had done any of this' | 'Imagine if I had done any of this': Barack Obama reacts to Trump administration after tariff shocker | Obama slams Trump for yanking media out of WH pool — despite trying to cut Fox News access as president: 'Imagine if I had done any of this' | Obama says he is 'deeply concerned' with the Trump administration's targeting of students, journalists and law firms
