Obama On Muslim Ban: “American Values Are At Stake”
Former President Barack Obama has been compelled to speak out against the current Donald Trump Administration just ten days after leaving office. Trump’s recent (probably unconstitutional) executive order to ban all travel into America from seven Muslim-majority has caused the country to erupt in mass protests, which has “heartened” Obama. Obama’s spokesperson Kevin Lewis gave the statement,
“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.
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.”
With Trump in the White House and a Republican-controlled Congress engaging in civil society is the only way to make progress. Normally a president falls silent after leaving office to allow their successor to lead. These are not normal times. Thank you, President Obama, for continuing to lead and inspire in your new political role of citizen.
