Obama criticizes Trump
Former US President Barack Obama has expressed his deep concerns regarding the policies implemented by the current leader, Donald Trump, since the beginning of his second term. While speaking at Hamilton College in New York State on Thursday,...
TroibNews 
Former US President Barack Obama has expressed his deep concerns regarding the policies implemented by the current leader, Donald Trump, since the beginning of his second term.
While speaking at Hamilton College in New York State on Thursday, Obama criticized various aspects of the Trump administration, including its protectionist economic policies, efforts to manage federal spending, the crackdown on immigration, and its treatment of the media.
He specifically addressed the sweeping tariffs imposed by Trump earlier this week on most US trading partners, stating, “I do not think what we just witnessed… is going to be good for America.”
The 63-year-old Democrat emphasized that the tariffs represent just one facet of a broader concern, expressing that he is “more deeply concerned with a federal government that threatens universities if they don't give up students who are exercising their right to free speech,” in reference to actions taken against pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
Obama also highlighted the administration’s pressure on law firms and the barring of AP journalists from the Oval Office as indicative of "a kind of behavior [that] is contrary to the basic compact we have as Americans." He reflected, “Imagine if I had pulled Fox News’ credentials from the White House press corps. It is unimaginable that the same parties that are silent now would have tolerated behavior like that from me or a whole bunch of my predecessors.”
He wrapped up his remarks by noting that “history zigs and zags and there are times of conflict and there are times of stupidity and there are times of danger.”
In contrast, Trump had previously criticized Obama during the height of the race for the White House last year, labeling the former president “a jerk” and accusing him of dividing the country by campaigning for then-Democratic contender Kamala Harris.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
While speaking at Hamilton College in New York State on Thursday, Obama criticized various aspects of the Trump administration, including its protectionist economic policies, efforts to manage federal spending, the crackdown on immigration, and its treatment of the media.
He specifically addressed the sweeping tariffs imposed by Trump earlier this week on most US trading partners, stating, “I do not think what we just witnessed… is going to be good for America.”
The 63-year-old Democrat emphasized that the tariffs represent just one facet of a broader concern, expressing that he is “more deeply concerned with a federal government that threatens universities if they don't give up students who are exercising their right to free speech,” in reference to actions taken against pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
Obama also highlighted the administration’s pressure on law firms and the barring of AP journalists from the Oval Office as indicative of "a kind of behavior [that] is contrary to the basic compact we have as Americans." He reflected, “Imagine if I had pulled Fox News’ credentials from the White House press corps. It is unimaginable that the same parties that are silent now would have tolerated behavior like that from me or a whole bunch of my predecessors.”
He wrapped up his remarks by noting that “history zigs and zags and there are times of conflict and there are times of stupidity and there are times of danger.”
In contrast, Trump had previously criticized Obama during the height of the race for the White House last year, labeling the former president “a jerk” and accusing him of dividing the country by campaigning for then-Democratic contender Kamala Harris.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
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