Hamilton, New York — Former U.S. President Barack Obama delivered a stinging critique of political double standards during a private speech at Hamilton College on Thursday, pointedly contrasting the scrutiny he faced in office with the leniency shown to Donald Trump — all without ever mentioning his successor by name.
Addressing an audience that was barred from recording the event, Obama drew sharp comparisons between the treatment of his administration and the behavior now being tolerated from Trump, whose second-term policies and rhetoric continue to stir debate nationwide.
“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,” Obama said, reportedly drawing applause, according to CNN Politics editor David Wright, who shared a detailed account of the speech via X (formerly Twitter).
Obama’s remarks centered on actions by the Trump administration targeting universities and law firms perceived to be sympathetic to pro-Palestinian students or dissenting voices. The Biden-Trump contrast took shape as Obama referenced federal threats to cut funding to schools allegedly not doing enough to combat antisemitism — an issue fueling growing political tensions on campuses across America.
“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,” Obama noted, pointing out how such actions would have led to widespread outrage during his presidency.
He further referenced past controversies — like the viral backlash to his choice of a tan suit in 2014 — as trivial compared to Trump’s pattern of undermining press freedoms and international relations, such as barring HuffPost from the White House press pool and threatening tariffs that rattled markets just hours before Obama’s speech.
Though careful not to mention Trump directly, Obama’s concerns were clear: a White House willing to silence dissent, attack the independence of the legal profession, and threaten institutions of higher learning marks a dangerous turn for American democracy.
“The idea that a White House can say to law firms, if you represent parties that we don’t like, we’re going to pull all our business… that kind of behavior is contrary to the basic compact we have as Americans,” he added.
While Obama reserved his strongest criticism for federal overreach, he also expressed concern over the chilling effect on free speech, especially among student activists and marginalized voices. He warned against setting dangerous precedents that could outlast any one administration.
His message, delivered in a climate of increasing political polarization, sought to remind Americans of the foundational principles of democracy, accountability, and equal treatment — values he suggested are being selectively upheld today.
The speech comes as former President Trump faces growing criticism for his tariff strategies and press restrictions, just months into his second term. Critics, including financial pundit Jim Cramer, have warned that the latest tariff push could backfire both economically and politically.
As global eyes remain fixed on America’s unfolding political drama, Obama’s speech is likely to resonate not only with his base but also with citizens and leaders abroad who continue to weigh the global implications of U.S. leadership under Trump.
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-MSN
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