On Thursday, former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris publicly addressed the current state of the nation under Donald Trump’s second presidential term, strongly criticising the administration’s recent actions. At Hamilton College, Obama expressed deep concern regarding Trump’s attempts to reshape the federal government, impose stricter immigration policies, and dampen dissent, stating, “So, this is the first time I’ve been speaking publicly for a while… I’ve been watching for a little bit.”
He highlighted the disparity in reactions to presidential behaviour, questioning how Trump’s actions, which he deemed unacceptable, would have been met with outrage had they been demonstrated by a previous administration. Obama specifically assessed Trump’s new tariff announcements, suggesting they are “not going to be good for America,” but expressed greater alarm over what he described as erosions of civil liberties, including government threats against universities for allowing free speech.
Harris, in separate comments at the Leading Women Defined Summit, remarked that Trump’s return to office has generated “a great sense of fear” among Americans. She noted that his recent actions were largely anticipated and that many organisations are succumbing to threats perceived as unconstitutional. Harris pointed out that fear can be contagious, but stressed the importance of courage as a counterforce, stating, “But I say this also, my dear friends, courage is also contagious.”
Recent developments under Trump’s administration include a deal with a law firm, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, promising over $100 million in pro bono legal services, demonstrating a trend where the White House collaborates with firms facing pressure for working with Trump’s political adversaries. Emhoff, the firm’s former second gentleman, commented on the essential need for legal professionals to defend democracy at this critical juncture.
Both Obama and Harris’s remarks underscore a broader concern about the state of democracy and the rights of individuals in the United States. Their statements reflect a mutual apprehension about the mounting pressures and implications of the current administration’s actions, while also calling for unity and courage in the face of adversity.