Former President Barack Obama signaled his support for the protests in response to President Trump's controversial immigration ban, his office said Monday in his first major statement since leaving the White House.
"President Obama is heartened by the level of engagement taking place in communities around the country. In his final official speech as President, he spoke about the important role of citizen and how all Americans have a responsibility to be the guardians of our democracy--not just during an election but every day," Kevin Lewis, Obama's spokesman, said.
"Citizens exercising their Constitutional right to assemble, organize and have their voices heard by their elected officials is exactly what we expect to see when American values are at stake."
With regard to comparisons to President Obama’s foreign policy decisions, as we’ve heard before, the President fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion," Lewis added.
Former presidents often give their replacements a wide berth in office, rarely weighing in to criticize their actions out of respect for the office.
While Obama served as a vocal critic to Trump on the campaign trail, he told reporters during a trip to Peru last November that he wanted to give Trump the chance to lead without Obama "popping off."
But Obama added that he wouldn't unilaterally remain quiet
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/316909-obama-heartened-by-protests-spokesman-says
"President Obama is heartened by the level of engagement taking place in communities around the country. In his final official speech as President, he spoke about the important role of citizen and how all Americans have a responsibility to be the guardians of our democracy--not just during an election but every day," Kevin Lewis, Obama's spokesman, said.
"Citizens exercising their Constitutional right to assemble, organize and have their voices heard by their elected officials is exactly what we expect to see when American values are at stake."
With regard to comparisons to President Obama’s foreign policy decisions, as we’ve heard before, the President fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion," Lewis added.
Former presidents often give their replacements a wide berth in office, rarely weighing in to criticize their actions out of respect for the office.
While Obama served as a vocal critic to Trump on the campaign trail, he told reporters during a trip to Peru last November that he wanted to give Trump the chance to lead without Obama "popping off."
But Obama added that he wouldn't unilaterally remain quiet
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/316909-obama-heartened-by-protests-spokesman-says
