Former US President Barack Obama has condemned President Donald Trump’s recent moves, accusing the present administration of censoring the media, targeting political opponents, and jeopardising institutions that foster diversity and free expression.
Obama made the statements during a chat with Hamilton College President Steven Tepper, in which he expressed alarm about what he saw as troubling tendencies under Trump’s presidency.
He specifically criticised the White House’s decision to deny the Associated Press access to critical West Wing rooms after the news agency refused to use the term “Gulf of America”, following Trump’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico.
“It’s up to all of us to fix this,” Obama said, emphasising the role of ordinary citizens as central to the health of democracy. “Ordinary people are the most important people in a democracy.”
The former president also criticised the administration’s economic policies, citing newly imposed tariffs and the decrease or suspension of government financing for colleges that do not comply with new federal guidelines.
The Department of Education asked education officials across districts and states this week to ensure that they are not implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which are considered violations of anti-discrimination statutes.
Obama strongly opposed the proposal, warning of the repercussions for academic freedom and civil freedoms.
“I am deeply concerned with a federal government that threatens universities if they don’t give up students who are exercising their right to free speech,” he said.
In a stinging rebuke to what he called partisan silence, Obama claimed the same players who now refuse to speak out against Trump’s conduct would have responded differently if he or a previous Democratic president had done the same.
“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 stated. “Imagine if I had done any of this. I just want to be clear about this.”
Obama continued, “Imagine if I had pulled Fox News’ credentials from the White House press corps. You’re laughing, but this is what’s happening. Imagine if I had said to law firms that were representing parties that were upset with policies my administration had initiated, “You will not be allowed into government buildings.”
Obama also questioned the double standards in political discourse.
“It’s unimaginable that the same parties that are silent now would have tolerated behaviour like that from me, or a whole bunch of my predecessors,” he said.
Speaking on the issue of gun violence, Obama condemned the frequent shootings across the U.S. and called for tighter control on firearms.
