Former President Barack Obama has faulted some recent actions of President Donald Trump, accusing the United States government of muzzling the media and targeting political opponents and their associates.

In a conversation with Hamilton College President Steven Tepper, Obama stated that it’s up to all Americans “to fix this,” identifying the ordinary citizens as the most important people in democracy.

Obama condemned the White House’s decision to revoke The Associated Press’s access to key West Wing spaces over the news agency’s refusal to use the “Gulf of America” term after Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico.

The two-term leader also criticized the Republican administration’s new tariffs, and the suspension or reduction of federal funding for universities that fail to comply with policies.

The Department of Education, this week, ordered education chiefs in school districts and states to certify that they are not using diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, regarded as a violation of the anti-discrimination law.

Obama said he was “deeply concerned with a federal government that threatens universities if they don’t give up students who are exercising their right to free speech.”

Expressing disappointment at the attitude of certain “parties,” Obama said despite all that is going on, entities that ought to challenge Trump are quiet but would have spoken out if he or another predecessor was in office.

“I don’t think what we just witnessed in terms of economic policy and tariffs is going to be good for America, but that’s a specific policy,” the ex-president posited.

“I am more troubled by the idea that a White House can say to law firms, ‘If you represent parties that we don’t like, we’re going to pull all our business or bar you from representing people effectively'”, he said.

Obama described the behavior as “contrary to the basic compact we have as Americans,” adding “Imagine if I had done any of this. I just want to be clear about this.”

“Imagine if I had pulled Fox News’ credentials from the White House press corps. You’re laughing, but this is what’s happening,” he told the audience.

“Imagine if I had said to law firms that were representing parties that were upset with policies my administration had initiated, that you will not be allowed into government buildings,” he added.

Obama further imagined the reaction if his administration punished people “economically for dissenting from the Affordable Care Act,” or “ferret out students who protest against my policies.”

“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,” said the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

On gun-related violence, Obama condemned the routine shootings and killings across the country, emphasizing that firearm possession should be for hunting, sport, personal and family protection.

“I don’t understand what we’re doing in allowing semiautomatic weapons in people’s hands. But I could not persuade enough of the country and certainly enough of Congress to prioritize that,” he recalled.

On life outside the White House, the former president said he’s working on the Obama Foundation which trains the next generation of leaders in the U.S. and around the world, and also finishing his presidential memoirs.

zero8zero:
Trump will be impeached again and this time around, it will be supported by the Senate. And he will be thrown out of office.

PressMyButton:

Very likely if he continues this way, Trump reminds me of a certain candidate that said he gets advice from a mad man, it seems Trump is sharing the same mad man with the person.

zero8zero:

My belle

zero8zero:
Trump will be impeached again and this time around, it will be supported by the Senate. And he will be thrown out of office.

PressMyButton:

Seriously, the Republican will rather another President than heading to the polls already defeated in four years. Some powerful Republican senators have been calling him out and asking him to reverse it.

PressMyButton:

Very likely if he continues this way, Trump reminds me of a certain candidate that said he gets advice from a mad man, it seems Trump is sharing the same mad man with the person.

Rexymania:
You was evil too bro

GeneralPula:

But not at the expense of America economy..

PressMyButton:

Very likely if he continues this way, Trump reminds me of a certain candidate that said he gets advice from a mad man, it seems Trump is sharing the same mad man with the person.

Rexymania:


American economy was worse under Biden

zero8zero:
Trump will be impeached again and this time around, it will be supported by the Senate. And he will be thrown out of office.

zero8zero:
Trump will be impeached again and this time around, it will be supported by the Senate. And he will be thrown out of office.

PressMyButton:

Very likely if he continues this way, Trump reminds me of a certain candidate that said he gets advice from a mad man, it seems Trump is sharing the same mad man with the person.

femisplash:
First of, Obama is black, he wouldn't have dared coming close to a thought of it. Meanwhile, Obama was addressing the fact that Trump is replacing the fundamental parts of US democracy with anti-democratic mannerism. Like a lady who overlooked an abusive man who physically assaulted her in a relationship, so did Americans to Trump who incited a large number of his followers to evade the Capitol Hill and pissed on sacred democratic institution.
When thousands of Americans streamed onto the major cities protesting against Trump's policies, clutching flags and placards, Trump was at his Florida resort playing golf - any mind reader would insinuate him giving a middle finger to the protesters, 12hours after, he hasn't responded to the protest.
Putting it in a proper perspective, Trump's decision to impose tariffs is driven by the hell of amount of money the US is going to generate, it's mouth-watering. However, he's not thinking about what the US will lose. By thorough consideration, the losses will easily erode any drop of gains.
I am therefore sticking out my neck and predicting Trump is going to fold and eventually going to reverse himself. My prediction is hinged on two facts - Firstly, Trump was declared bankrupt a record of four times - such an individual has no infinitesimal idea about driving a robustly challenging economy of a big country like the US. Secondly, By antecedents, during his first time, his tariffs war with China achieved no substantial results, matter of fact, it affected his second term reelection as a section of very essential productive sector were mostly affected by China's retaliatory measures. If Trump couldn't succeed against China, how will he succeed against an influential coalition of European giants. France/ Europe are going to unveil the first part of its reciprocity this week.
Within Trump's circle, Trump and Elon Musk are beginning to drift apart in policy opinions with Musk disagreeing with Trump's tariffs plan.
Lots of events are going to unfold in the coming weeks, will be interesting to watch how Trump swims through the tide.

PressMyButton:

Seriously, the Republican will rather another President than heading to the polls already defeated in four years. Some powerful Republican senators have been calling him out and asking him to reverse it.

saphiere:
Give it to a woman since you all are clueless on how to run the affairs of a country.