Holy Shit - Obama finally speaks out

[malaise]

Thanks Cory Booker - you woke them all up
————+
Barack Obama Says The ‘Silent’ Part Out Loud With ‘Unimaginable’ Trump https://www.huffpost.com/entry/obama-trump-universities-law-firms-hamilton-college-speech_n_67ef6831e4b0fe50ebd39bc8

Barack Obama didn’t need to name-drop Donald Trump on Thursday to take a swing at how conservatives treated his time in the Oval Office compared to the current president.
“It’s unimaginable that the same parties that are silent now would have tolerated behavior like that from me or a whole bunch of my predecessors,” said Obama as he reportedly drew applause in a speech at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York.

The former president — in a speech that attendees were barred from recording — was referring to the Trump administration’s attacks against law firms as well as funding threats toward universities, which have been fueled by claims that schools aren’t protecting Jewish students from antisemitism.
The speech was detailed by CNN Politics writer/editor David Wright in a thread on X, formerly Twitter.
Obama, per Wright’s rundown, continued, “Imagine if I had said to law firms that were representing parties that were upset with policies my administration had initiated that you will not be allowed into government buildings. We will punish you economically for dissenting from the [ACA] or the Iran Deal.”

[Demovictory9]

1. I think of the double standard often..what if Obama had orally sexed a mic?

Trump can do, say whatever

[malaise]

2. Double standard is mild

M$Greedia has facilitated this mess
They created this despicable mobster monster

[mdbl]

7. You mean the idiocracy wouldn't have cheered?

[Kali]

39. whining?

[Raven]

3. Trump is softening the country up for the day he has Mark Elias thrown into jail. Wait for it.

[Quakerfriend]

4. I fear you're right. And, this BS about going after

universities because they don’t protect Jewish students while Elon gives Nazi salutes & they display Nazi symbols at CPAC etc, etc.

[calimary]

40. I do, too.

VERY worried. We NEED Marc Elias to speak for us and get media coverage for saying what we're all feeling.

[Wednesdays]

22. Thrown into jail?

How about "disappeared"?
Along with several others.

[Justice matters.]

29. Well, thrown in jail "elsewhere" (without any Due Process).

El Salvador is like Russia's Siberia now?

[surfered]

5. Republicans are picking and choosing which parts of the Constitution they will follow,

Just like they do with their religion.

[erronis]

6. I think in the end they'll trash the whole thing,

just like they do with their holy book.

[BattleRow]

18. Cafeteria constitutionalists.

[AllaN01Bear]

21. ding. this.

[LittleGirl]

28. That would make an excellent protest sign

except too many words.

[Emile]

8. Who barred people from recording this?

[Attilatheblond]

13. Maybe someone who didn't want Obama's words to be re-arranged by AI to say things he didn't say?

[Conjuay]

44. his voice has been recorded enough times

that using ‘his own words’ against him can’t be be the reason.

[malaise]

16. Good question

Rec

[SalamanderSleeps]

9. Now then, President Obama has to get out front, and stay there.

Then, people will believe that the Democratic Party has really turned a corner, and is ready to push the GOP mafia into the ocean.

[markpkessinger]

24. Agreed . . .

. . . Somehow, "speaking out" in a speech that attendees are barred from recording doesn't really cut it.

[DENVERPOPS]

26. Agreed.............

I have been wondering for years, where Obama was, where Bill Clinton was, where Hillary Clinton was, and where Kamala Harris is...........Who else?????????

We in Colorado shouldn't be talking, we have Two Dem U.S. Senators that are never heard from and a couple of Dem U.S. House members not saying much if anything.........Also a Denver Dem Mayor who is a joke, and a "Dem" Governor that is pro corporations.......

[Danascot]

10. "The most important office in this democracy

is the citizen."

[BoRaGard]

11. Shaming the G.O.P. hypocrites -- It's what Jesus Would do

[wordstroken]

12. Good on Obama. It's about time! Now keep doing it.

[Dennis Donovan]

14. Syracuse.com: 'Do not get discouraged': Obama urges universities and law firms to stand up to Trump

Syracuse.com - (archived: https://archive.ph/eYYzh ) ‘Do not get discouraged’: Obama urges universities and law firms to stand up to Trump

Updated: Apr. 04, 2025, 6:52 a.m.|Published: Apr. 03, 2025, 9:26 p.m.

/snip/

But Obama said while he disapproved of new tariffs that sparked the stock selloff, he was more worried about Trump’s attacks on American values.

“I’m more concerned with a federal government that threatens universities if they don’t give up students who are exercising their rights to free speech,” Obama said, without ever citing Trump by name. “The idea that they can say to law firms that if you represent parties we don’t like we’re going to pull all our business is contrary to the basic compact we have as Americans.”

Trump, a Republican first elected after Obama’s two terms, has threatened to withhold billions in federal funds from universities unless they change their policies on diversity and student protests. He has also revoked security clearances for lawyers in liberal law firms.

Obama urged universities, law firms and citizens to fight back.

“If you’re a law firm being threatened, you might have to say, ‘We might lose some business because we stand for a principle,‘” the Democratic former president said. “If you are a university you might have to say, ‘We stand up for what we believe in and we’ll pay our researchers for a while from our endowment.‘”

/snip

[Prairie_Seagull]

15. Few if any have the dynamism of this man.

Like many of us I was waiting, figured it would happen, didn't know when.

Thanks Mr. President.

[IronLionZion]

17. Obama has class, Trump is just an ass

The Obama and Biden administrations used thoughtful analysis for their policies. The Trump administration clearly puts no effort or thought whatsoever. We can all see it.

[paleotn]

19. Well said as usual

God I miss that man.

What I don’t get is the Jewish student bit with Donny. Many, maybe most, of his followers are old school antisemitic. Why would they give a shit? Hate Palestinians more I guess? Then again I’m assuming they think about what they do and why they do it. Not much thinking going on with that bunch of ingrates.

[Justice matters.]

30. I guess the felon's wet dream of a failing casino in Gaza needs...

war-criminal bibi's approval?

Just speculating.

[maxrandb]

20. President Obama is right, but he is "WRONG"!

I don't need to imagine what would happen, because his own party and voters would, rightfully, stand against him.

That is quite different than the monster we are currently dealing with.

[Martin68]

23. Long live the MAGA double standard, the only standard they know.

[markpkessinger]

25. Fine so far as it goes . . .

. . . but I think he needs to do more than "speak out" in a speech attendees are barred from recording.

[RockCreek]

32. agree.

[flashman13]

27. I'm sorry, but one unrecoreded long overdue speech doesn't cut the mustard.

[RockCreek]

31. this

[J-9]

33. Prez Obama could shut down

all that 3rd term talk. If came out strong saying that he would run, just bring it, Repubs would say it's unconstitutional. I know they are trying to bend it to fit the orange ahole and not Obama. But if he were loud about it and got folks riled up, that dumb talk would cease.

[thought crime]

35. Call Orange Adolf's bluff

[FakeNoose]

37. No Chump hasn't revoked Secret Service protection for Obama or any other former President

"Did Donald Trump revoke the Secret Service Protection for Barack Obama and his family? Here's the truth"

No paywall link: https://archive.ph/leStO

Chump DID revoke protection to Joe Biden's adult children, that was just announced a couple weeks ago.
"Trump to end Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden"

NBC News Link: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-end-secret-service-protection-hunter-ashley-biden-rcna196826

[Figarosmom]

38. Someone filmed it

Because I saw part of it when I was scrolling through youtubes earlier.

[Rhiannon12866]

41. Parts of it were broadcast on PBS NewsHour, MSNBC, CNN and the networks:

WATCH: 'It's up to all of us to fix this,' Obama says about democracy - PBS NewsHour
https://democraticunderground.com/132145679

[malaise]

42. Thanks

[Rhiannon12866]

43. You're more than welcome!

And the thing that struck me was that he spoke at my college! We had numerous speakers when I was there, but never a president! I wonder where it was held, or if there was room for alumni! I can imagine that the place was packed!!!