Speaking to the Connecticut Forum in Hartford, the former president called for institutions, law firms, universities, members of both parties and even Justice Department figures to make “uncomfortable” sacrifices to defend a democracy he argued is increasingly under fire in President Donald Trump’s second term.
But the kicker is "he suggested, without ever using Trump's name, that the US was 'dangerously close' to a more autocratic government." Blake continued
“What’s happening is that we now have a situation in which all of us are going to be tested in some way, and we are going to have to then decide what our commitments are,” Obama said, according to a transcript of his remarks provided by his office. "It will be uncomfortable for a time, but that's how you know it's a commitment- because you do it when it's hard, not just when it's easy, not just when it's trendy, not just when it's cool."
The former President could have added "although if there's a hip and fashionable affair to attend at the palatial mansion of a multi-billionaire donor, old school rap music for the cherry on top, don't pass it up." Yet, the always aware Obama
specifically cited how law firms that don’t cow to Trump will have to accept reduced billings — “which means you cannot remodel that kitchen in your house in the Hamptons this summer” — and businesses that resist the administration’s bullying may have to deal with retribution like politically oriented investigations or mergers being held up.
He even twice pointed to people who work in Trump’s Justice Department, painting them as a bulwark in upholding the Constitution in the face of the president’s threats.
It was a significant call for a broad-scale resistance from the most popular and significant Democratic figure of the 21st century. And it comes at an important time, as the grassroots have risen up in protest like they haven’t since the start of Trump’s first term, but as the party still faces a remarkable leadership vacuum.
Still
His appearance, however, was also somewhat discordant.
If you haven’t heard much about Obama’s comments, there’s a
reason for that. He chose to deliver them at an event at which audio and video
recordings were prohibited. If the idea was to disseminate this clarion call to
the broader public, it was a weird choice of venues.
Obama never uttered the word “Trump” once. Throughout his remarks, it was clear what he was talking about. But he opted for broad generalities rather than specifics about who and what are threatening democracy.
He did include winks and nods to what everyone likely knew he was talking about.
“I mean, if you follow regularly what is said by those who are in charge of the federal government right now, there is a weak commitment to … our understanding of how a liberal democracy is supposed to work,” Obama said.
He also warned about government being “captured by those who, let’s say, have a weak attachment to democracy.”
After some cheers and applause, Obama said, “Well, I don’t even think that’s a controversial statement at this point … It was a controversial statement; now it is self-acknowledged.”
But is it self-acknowledged? Perhaps in a room full of
people who would turn out to see Barack Obama.
Leibovich would agree. At nearly the end of this segment with Todd, he recognized
I mean, I do think that the problem with Obama has been how he has conducted his post-presidency to some degree is in addition to his absence from the ten-alarm fire we've lived, we're living through now, and were to some degree earlier is when he does come out in public, he does so in such a way that reinforces every worst stereotype of the modern Democratic party, which is wealthy, which is removed, which is not at all affected by Trump's America or like in- I mean, this is like, hey look, my new, I mean... such as anytime he's got a new playlist that comes out or a new- oh, here are my book recommendations.
Well, that's how it has always been with the risk-averse Barack Obama. He has the ability to speak and act with "a nod and a wink" understood by the people who agree with him and, fortuitously, largely ignored by those who don't. It has been a feature of his success, which overshadowed his embodiment of virtually everything voters now associate unhappily with the Democratic Party.
Nonetheless, he remains widely popular with Democrats at a time when rallying the base is a prerequisite for an effective strategy. Obama would have aided that significantly had he not figuratively gone fishing on Saturday, June 14, 2025. In his recent remarks, the ex-President displayed his tendency- disturbing, were Democrats not eager to ignore it- to avoid invoking the word "Trump."
Notwithstanding Chuck Todd's archaic perspective, Barack Obama doesn't go easy on the incumbent primarily because he's dedicated to "protocol." Obama knows the score, has paid attention to the last ten years, and almost surely realizes the "when they go low, we go high" strategy is grievously outdated.
It may be simply the common instinct, unfortunate but understandable, of people not to get involved.. However, it's inexcusable in a former President when our existence as a representative democracy is imperiled. More likely, the ex-President is afraid of the vitriol the incumbent will hurl at him if he directly criticizes him and/or fears Trump has something on him which would sully his reputation. In either case, Barack Obama is qualified to give the Democratic Party, and the democratic republic we've benefited from so long, a boost, and his resistance should be alarming.
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