Barack Obama recently shared some serious concerns about where the United States might be headed, especially if things keep moving in the direction they are under Donald Trump’s leadership.
Since leaving the White House in 2017, Obama has mostly stayed out of the public eye, only occasionally stepping in to comment on major issues. He’s criticized Trump before, especially over decisions like cutting funds to Harvard and introducing controversial trade policies. But this time, his warning was much more serious.
At a recent event in Hartford, Connecticut, Obama said he believes the U.S. is getting dangerously close to becoming an autocracy — a type of government where one person holds all the power and doesn’t have to answer to anyone else. In these types of governments, citizens don’t really get a say in the laws or how the country is run. Leaders aren’t held accountable by courts, voters, or the press, and elections often exist just for show rather than giving people real choice.
Obama said that many of the things being said and done by people currently in charge don’t match the principles of American democracy. He explained that for decades, Americans have believed in a system where everyone’s voice matters, where there are limits on power, and where no one is above the law. But now, he says, the U.S. is showing worrying signs of moving away from that and closer to systems seen in countries like Hungary, where leaders hold elections but still control most aspects of government unfairly.
He warned that although the U.S. hasn’t fully crossed the line into autocracy, it’s getting too close for comfort and that kind of behavior is starting to seem “normal,” which is very dangerous.
This warning comes at a time when people across the country have been protesting Trump’s actions. On June 14, thousands of protests took place in all 50 states under the banner of “No King,” rejecting what they see as authoritarian behavior, extreme wealth-driven politics, and the increasing use of military force in civilian matters. There have also been demonstrations against Trump’s support of immigration enforcement policies and the use of the National Guard to control protests.
Obama said he was encouraged to see people speaking up and trying to bring about change. But he also stressed that it’s not enough for citizens to protest people in government, from both political parties, need to stand up and defend democratic values too. Leaders, he said, must be willing to say “no” when someone tries to abuse power or break the rules.
Even with his serious warnings, Obama ended on a hopeful note. He said he still believes in change and still holds onto the message of hope that defined his presidency. He told young people especially that it’s okay even necessary to be angry about injustice and cruelty in the world. But, he added, real change doesn’t come from pushing people away. It comes from building bridges, finding common ground, and working together with those who may not agree on everything, but share some of the same goals.
He believes that when people take time to understand one another and work toward a shared goal, they begin to trust each other more. That kind of connection, he said, isn’t just the heart of democracy it’s the only real way forward for the country.
