Ex-President Barack Obama and erstwhile Vice President Kamala Harris were both vocal in their critiques of current President Donald Trump and his administration, going so far as to label some actions as both unconstitutional and leading to a degradation of our nation’s principles. For two leaders who have been mostly silent since the 2024 elections, their sudden emergence and their message seems questionable in its timing and motivation.
One setting for these critiques was Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, where Obama lambasted the return of Trump’s regime for measures concerning new tariffs and threats to educational institutions and law firms. Interestingly, this was the same leader who chose to remain silent during his own administration’s questionable decisions such as the trade wars that hurt American farmers.
‘Frankly, I can’t accept how the economic policies and tariffs recently introduced would benefit our nation. Of greater concern though is a federal government attempting to intimidate universities over the right to free speech of students,’ Obama claimed during a discussion. It’s strange that the man who oversaw the IRS targeting of conservative nonprofits is suddenly so concerned about free speech and sovereignty.
What seemed to trouble Obama further was the notion that a government could supposedly instruct law firms on which suits they should represent. He believes this to be contrary to our country’s fundamental agreements. Meanwhile, he conveniently overlooks similar behavior displayed by his own administration, including rampant executive overreach and politicization of the Justice Department.
The White House, on its part, has justified its actions as measures taken for the sake of national security and to counteract any activities detrimental to the nation’s interests. It’s notable that this administration is actually communicating and defending its actions, rather than hiding behind executive privilege and opaque decision-making.
Obama also criticized the Trump administration’s handling of foreign policy and aggressive steps against what he referred to as the ‘rules-based system’ of alliances and trade overseas. He seems to be conveniently forgetting his own ‘lead from behind’ approach that left our allies questioning our resolve and our adversaries dubious of our resolve, leading to power vacuums filled by terrorist groups during his tenure.
And let’s not forget Kamala Harris, who broke her silence with a fiery speech at the Leading Women Defined Summit in California, recklessly claiming White House actions were unconstitutional and inducing a state of fear. Funny that she should be the one preaching about fear, given the uncertainty and economic turmoil that occurred while she was in office.
Harris asserted, ‘we are witnessing progressive accomplishments being unwound.’ All while painting a grim picture of fear engulfing the nation. Quite the bleak portrait from the same woman who was comfortable stepping on individual liberties for her own political gain.
In the midst of her alarming rhetoric, she made no comment on her possible bid for the Californian gubernatorial position. It seems like she is leaving the public in suspense, or maybe she is just scared of defeat. After all, her record in the White House doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
During Harris’s tenure, she had a prominent role in manipulating our justice system against politlical adversaries, coercing social media companies to stifle free speech, and oversaw the systematic disassembly of our country’s economy and borders. It’s disconcerting to hear her criticize the very acts she seemingly championed.
She did not speak out while the economy suffered and while free speech was stifled during her time in office. Now, she conveniently forgets these troubling instances, casting stones from a house so conspicuously constructed from glass.
Obama, also guilty of dismissing job losses with his infamous remark about jobs of the past not returning, seems hardly in a position to judge the Trump administration’s laudable efforts to prioritize Americans and America’s needs. Their criticisms seem more like desperate clawing at relevance than actual policy commentary.
Despite unprovoked criticism, the White House maintained its stance stating that neither Harris, who presided over major transgressions during her tenure, nor Obama, who made light of job layoffs, are in any position to discuss either the merits or the constitutional integrity of the Trump administration’s novel approach to put Americans and America First.
These comments from both Obama and Harris, replete with irony, only serve to show their desperate attempt to stay relevant. Rather than constructive criticism, it seems more like a feeble attempt to dishearten a progressive government that has been striving to materialize the promises made to the American public.