Overview

• Barack Obama publicly criticized Donald Trump's administration for the first time since Trump's return to the presidency in January 2025.
• Obama expressed concern over the federal government's intimidation of universities, citing threats to free speech on campuses like Columbia University.
• Kamala Harris highlighted a growing climate of fear under the administration, emphasizing the need for courage to counteract it.
• Both leaders criticized the silence of political figures from both parties, calling for accountability and resistance to unconstitutional actions.
• Obama questioned the economic benefits of Trump's new tariffs and warned of broader threats to democratic norms and human rights.