Obama Slams Trump’s Tactics, Urges Americans to Defend Democracy/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former President Barack Obama strongly criticized Donald Trump’s latest actions, warning that democratic values are under threat. Speaking at Hamilton College, Obama urged universities, citizens, and law firms to resist government intimidation. He cited the administration’s crackdown on dissent and threats to cut federal funding as dangerous precedents.
Obama’s Critique of Trump – Quick Looks
- Calls out the Trump White House for threatening universities over student speech and diversity programs
- Warns Americans may need to “possibly sacrifice” to defend democratic norms
- Cautions against political retaliation, including revoking security clearances and cutting federal contracts
- Mentions funding pulled from Columbia, threats to Harvard and Brown amid protests over Gaza
- Highlights double standards in press freedom, citing AP exclusion over refusal to rename the Gulf
- Criticizes administration orders punishing law firms tied to Trump prosecution or opponents
- Says it’s time to act, not just speak, on free speech and civic engagement
- Notes chilling effect on immigrants, including reported arrests of students for pro-Palestine activism
Obama Slams Trump’s Tactics, Urges Americans to Defend Democracy
Deep Look
CLINTON, NY — In his sharpest public rebuke of the Trump administration since leaving office, Barack Obama delivered a powerful defense of free speech, academic independence, and democratic values during a speech at Hamilton College this week. He warned that “intimidation from government” is escalating and urged Americans to resist — even if it means sacrifice.
“It’s not enough just to say you’re for something,” Obama said. “You may actually have to do something.”
Without naming Trump directly, Obama condemned tactics used by the White House that include pulling security clearances, canceling federal contracts tied to political opponents, and threatening elite universities with massive cuts to federal funding.
He pointed to Columbia University, which recently lost $400 million in grants before agreeing to new campus protest restrictions amid accusations of antisemitism during pro-Palestine demonstrations. Reports also indicate that the Trump administration may block $510 million to Brown University, while imposing strict conditions on Harvard, such as eliminating diversity and inclusion programs and banning masks during protests.
“Imagine If I Had Done Any of This”
In a pointed remark that drew applause, Obama said:
“Imagine if I had pulled Fox News’ credentials from the White House press corps.”
He referenced reports that the Associated Press was barred from Trump administration events after refusing to adopt the name “Gulf of America” over the historically recognized Gulf of Mexico.
Obama emphasized the inconsistency in public response, asking why such actions are tolerated now when they would have sparked outrage under his administration.
Defending Academic Integrity
Obama directly addressed the pressure facing universities:
“If you are a university, you may have to figure out, ‘Are we, in fact, doing things right? Have we violated the law or our values?’”
“If not, and you’re just being intimidated, well — that’s why we got this big endowment.”
He called out the administration’s attempts to force compliance through financial pressure, particularly in response to student protests connected to the war in Gaza.
Notably, Obama avoided wading directly into the Israel-Palestine conflict but underscored that civil liberties and protest rights must be protected.
Law Firms, Retaliation, and Immigration Tactics
Obama also criticized executive orders targeting law firms whose attorneys had represented political opponents of the administration or been involved in earlier legal actions against Trump.
“It’s unimaginable the same parties that are silent now would have tolerated behavior like that from me,” he said.
Immigration enforcement was also a focus. Obama highlighted reports of international students being arrested and facing deportation over campus protests, particularly those expressing pro-Palestinian views. In at least one case, a student sued after agents attempted arrest without university knowledge.
“We Must Fix This”
Framing his message as a call to civic action, Obama said that preserving democracy is no longer a passive act.
“It’s up to all of us to fix this,” he said. “From the ordinary person who says, ‘No, that’s not right,’ to the institutions that must stand up.”
Obama’s comments came just months after Trump returned to office and just days after Trump imposed sweeping tariffs, provoking global backlash and economic turmoil — issues Obama briefly touched on as symptomatic of deeper shifts in democratic norms.
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