Obama Warns the U.S. Is “Dangerously Close” to Autocracy Under Trump

Obama raises democratic alarm against Trump

“This is not democracy,” says Obama

He called for defending institutions

Former President Barack Obama warned that the United States is at a critical moment, on the verge of normalizing behaviors typical of authoritarian regimes.

In a rare public appearance this Tuesday in Hartford, Connecticut, the former president questioned the current administration’s commitment to democracy under Donald Trump.

“What we are seeing now is not consistent with American democracy. It’s consistent with autocracies,” said Obama.

His remarks come just days after the massive national “No Kings” protests, where many citizens expressed concern over the perceived authoritarian direction of the Republican-led government.

Obama Raises Democratic Alarm Against Trump

Obama warns Trump administration has ‘weak commitment’ to democracy https://t.co/3glxRbilYl

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) June 19, 2025

Obama did not mention Trump directly, but his criticisms were unambiguous:

“We are dangerously close to normalizing behaviors that we once considered incompatible with a liberal democracy.”

He compared the current U.S. situation to countries like Hungary under Viktor Orbán, where elections exist but without real checks and balances or guarantees of equal participation.

“We haven’t fully reached that point, but we are very close,” he warned.

Defending Civic Mobilization

Former President Obama warns the U.S. is «dangerously close» to slipping into an autocracy. @CapehartJ, @BasilSmiklePhD and @stuartpstevens join @ChrisJansing to share their analysis of the future of the Democratic Party amid this second Trump admin. https://t.co/jUVeHEQqu4

— MSNBC Reports (@MSNBC_reports) June 19, 2025

Obama praised recent peaceful protests and the commitment of civil society, but also warned that public officials from both parties must act decisively:

“There have to be people in government who say, ‘That can’t be done.’”

The former president also criticized the lack of leadership shown by some politicians and urged young people to stay impatient with injustice—but constructive in their approach:

“Change is a game of addition, not subtraction. We have to find common ground, even with those who don’t think like us.”

Why It Matters

Obama’s words serve as a direct warning about the democratic direction of the United States under Trump’s leadership.

Despite typically keeping a low profile, his intervention reinforces calls to protect democratic institutions and rebuild civic trust ahead of the 2026 elections.

This was highlighted by EFE.

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