Former President Barack Obama says that the United States is at “an inflection point” following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and that President Donald Trump has further divided the country rather than work to bring people together.
“There are no ifs, ands or buts about it: The central premise of our democratic system is that we have to be able to disagree and have sometimes really contentious debates without resorting to violence,” Obama said Tuesday night during an event in Erie, Pennsylvania, hosted by the Jefferson Education Society, according to a transcript obtained by The Associated Press.
“And when it happens to some, but even if you think they’re, quote, unquote, on the other side of the argument, that’s a threat to all of us,” he said. “And we have to be clear and forthright in condemning them.”
Obama has kept somewhat of a low profile in his post-presidency. Responding to a moderator’s questions Tuesday, he addressed Trump’s rhetoric after Kirk’s assassination, as well as other administrative actions.
The Democrat spoke about his own leadership following the 2015 slaying of nine Black parishioners at a Charleston, South Carolina, church, as well as Republican then-President George W. Bush’s actions following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He said he sees the role of a president in a crisis “to constantly remind us of the ties that bind us together.”
The sentiment among Trump and his aides following Kirk’s killing of calling political opponents “vermin, enemies … speaks to a broader problem,” Obama said.
Obama was a great president, but has a stain on his legacy as he did nothing to stop the GOP/Trump. He had the intel that Russia was meddling in US politics and did not publicly sound the alarm.
Did nothing to curb the entertainment show, Fox News, from spreading mis/disinformation.
Did nothing to address the dark money the NRA was receiving.
Obama played it too safely for fear of Republicans uniting even more, despite being stonewalled for nearly all judicial appointments/laws.
Yes, a black man being elected woke up the racists in this country and Republicans, with the help of Russia, capitalized on their fear. But in reality, Corporate Democrats are owned by the same masters as Republicans.
There’s another stain unfortunately. He watched Putin roll quietly into Crimea and did nothing about it. We are where we are because of the weak assed response that both he and Europe collectively gave to that annexation.