Obama Unleashes On Trump: ‘We’re Supposed To Stand Up To Bullies—Not Follow Them’

on December 5, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 05: Former president Barack Obama speaks to a gathering of more than 50 mayors and other guests during the North American Climate Summit on December 5, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The summit wa... CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 05: Former president Barack Obama speaks to a gathering of more than 50 mayors and other guests during the North American Climate Summit on December 5, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The summit was held to bring together leaders from the U.S., Canada and Mexico to commit their cities to addressing climate change at the local level. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) MORE LESS

In a climax of his speech, President Barack Obama unleashed a series of criticisms on President Donald Trump, saying that it “should not be Democratic or Republican” to call the press enemies of the people, or to pressure the FBI to punish political opponents.

Citing a recent Trump tweet where he suggested that Attorney General Jeff Sessions should not prosecute Republicans and threaten the midterms, Obama said, “[It should not be Democratic or Republican] to explicitly call on the attorney general to protect members of our own party from prosecution because an election happens to be coming up. I’m not making that up. That’s not hypothetical.”

In a moment of derision, he quiped: “We’re supposed to stand up to discrimination, and we’re sure as heck supposed to stand up clearly and unequivocally to Nazi sympathizers. How hard can that be? Saying that Nazis are bad?”

“We’re supposed to stand up to bullies,” he said, stony-faced. “Not follow them.”

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  1. Avatar for bodie1 bodie1 says:

    Two things that definitely need revision: the 12th and the 22nd amendments.

    I miss you.

  2. Avatar for marby marby says:

    This was President Obama at his best - calling out the GOP and challenging us to step up. After watching the Kavanaugh hearings for several days (Kavanaugh is a real danger to racial equality, women’s rights and many things we believe in), I need to hope that better times can be ahead. Thanks, Obama.

  3. Remember folks, “Better is good”

  4. Barack: “It’s 59 days to the midterms, we’ve got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark outside, and we’re wearing sunglasses.”

    Michelle: “Hit it!”

    (Apologies to Jake and Elwood)

  5. Remember all the anonymous Op-Ed’s about the unrelenting chaos in the Obama White House?

    Me neither…

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