Barack Obama has intensified his criticism of Donald Trump, breaking from his earlier approach of largely sidestepping direct confrontations with his successor. The former president issued a stark warning about what he called the “dangerous trend” of the federalization and militarization of state and local law enforcement since Trump’s return to office in January.
“The erosion of basic principles like due process and the expanding use of our military on domestic soil puts the liberties of all Americans at risk, and should concern Democrats and Republicans alike,” Obama, 64, wrote in a post on X.
He also shared an interview conducted by New York Times columnist Ezra Klein with journalist Radley Balko, titled “Trump Is Building His Own Paramilitary Force.” Obama described the interview and accompanying podcast as a valuable overview of what he sees as troubling developments in recent months.
Balko, who has long studied the militarization of police under Trump, argued the president is abusing his authority to construct what amounts to a personal army. He pointed to the federal takeover of law enforcement in Washington, D.C., and the deployment of thousands of California National Guard troops to Los Angeles during protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids as clear examples.
“What we’re seeing now are the tactics, operations, and policies that, over the last 20 years, I refrained, or tried to restrain myself, from warning about because it would sound too unhinged,” Balko told Klein. “So what we’re seeing is this massive increase in aggressiveness and brutality — in response to a crisis that is completely of Trump’s own making.”
Obama has become increasingly vocal in recent months after years of staying mostly outside the political spotlight. On Wednesday, he paused his tradition of sharing an annual summer playlist, explaining on Instagram that he was stepping back because of “everything going on.” In July, he issued a rare public rebuke, condemning what he called the “constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House.”
Beyond his criticisms of Trump, Obama has also spoken out on voting rights and gerrymandering. On Thursday, he voiced support for California Governor Gavin Newsom’s efforts to challenge redistricting in Texas. “Republicans are trying to redraw congressional district lines to keep their grip on Congress in the midterms and beyond,” he wrote on X. “Voters should pick their politicians, not the other way around.”
Obama’s renewed activism has struck a chord with many. One user on X captured the mood of his supporters, writing, “I know I speak for a lot of people when I say that we could really use your voice in the public sphere more often.”