Former President Barack Obama recently pointed out what he sees as a double standard when it comes to how his actions during his presidency would have been viewed compared to President Donald Trump’s. Speaking at an event at Hamilton College on Thursday, Obama remarked, “Imagine if I had done any of this.” He went on to suggest that if he had behaved similarly to Trump in his first few months in office, there would have been public outrage, and the same people who are silent now would not have tolerated it.
Obama specifically criticized Trump for using the power of the presidency to pressure private institutions into aligning with his political views. He gave an example: “Imagine if I had told law firms that were representing parties upset with my policies, ‘You won’t be allowed in government buildings,’” Obama said. “We’d punish you economically for disagreeing with things like Obamacare or the Iran Deal.” He added that this kind of behavior undermines the basic principles Americans stand for.
The former president also expressed concern about Trump’s administration targeting American universities, especially when it comes to students exercising their right to free speech. “I’m more deeply concerned about that,” Obama said.
In addition, Obama commented on Trump’s recent tariff announcements, saying he doesn’t think they will benefit America. However, his primary worry is what he sees as the Trump administration’s growing infringement on the rights of American citizens.
Since taking office, President Trump has used executive power to push through changes that align with his political agenda, including rolling back diversity and inclusion measures, limiting transgender rights, and reducing the size of federal agencies. Democrats and advocacy groups, led by Elon Musk and his administration’s DOGE agency, have condemned many of Trump’s actions as unconstitutional.
Obama had previously warned voters about what a second term under Trump might look like, referencing a conservative blueprint known as Project 2025.
