Former US President Barack Obama said he was “very concerned” with the actions and administration of US President Donald Trump, and criticized the targeting of universities and economic decisions and the imposition of customs duties.
“I am more concern than a federal government that threatens universities if it does not reveal the names of students who exercise their right to freedom of expression,” NBC quoted Obama as saying during a speech at Hamilton College in New York.
Obama explained that he is concerned about the White House, which targets law firms that defend ideas or parties that differ with him, indicating that the administration has punished the media.
Trump signed executive orders that punish major laws and lawyers, which angered within the legal society. The White House also prevented the Associated Press from covering its refusal to refer to the Gulf of Mexico in the name of the Gulf of America.
“This type of behavior contradicts the basic agreement that we have as Americans,” Obama said, and pointed out that the Republicans would have been angry if he had done similar acts as president.
“Imagine if you had withdrawn Fox News credentials from the White House press team, it cannot be imagined that the same parties that are silent now would have tolerated such behavior from me or from many of my respondents.”
He continued, “I do not say this from my party. This is related to something more valuable, which is: Who are we as a country? What are the values that we defend?”
Without mentioning him by name during his statements, Obama criticized Trump, and said, “I do not think that what we have just witnessed regarding economic policy and customs duties will be good for America.”
The former president concluded his speech by saying, “History is zigzag and swings. There are times of conflict, and there are times of foolishness and there are times of danger.”
He stressed that the current situation does not mean losing hope, and addressed the attendees, “Do not despair. I know that things are somewhat crazy now, but we will be fine.”
