Former US President Barack Obama said that he was "deeply concerned" about the policies promoted by current President Donald Trump during his second term.
On April 3 local time, when Obama delivered a speech at Hamilton College in New York State, he criticized the protectionist economic policies, measures to cut federal spending, crackdowns on immigrants, and the way the media was handled under the Trump administration.
He condemned the comprehensive tariffs imposed earlier this week by Trump on most US trade partners: "I don't think all of what we've just seen... will be good for America."
However, Obama emphasized that the tariffs were just one policy, and his "deeper concern" lay in the fact that the federal government had threatened universities to hand over students who exercised their freedom of speech. He was referring to actions taken against demonstrators supporting Palestine.
Obama pointed out that the pressure exerted by the Trump administration on law firms and the decision to ban an Associated Press reporter from entering the Oval Office reflected "a way of behaving that goes against the basic social contract we have as Americans."
"Imagine if I had canceled Fox News' press credentials with the White House press corps back then. It's unimaginable how those who remain silent today would react to similar actions taken by me or several former presidents," he said.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1828663120334084/
Disclaimer: The article only represents the author's personal views.