Obama speaks out against use of National Guard to cope with crime in major cities
Tension between the current and former presidents is heating up as President Donald Trump attempts to wrestle control of safety in the nation’s capital away from the hands of lawbreakers.
Former President Barack Obama, however, believes that the president’s move to make safety a priority was the wrong one, calling what he sees a “dangerous trends” for Americans here at home, as The Daily Mail reported.
Trump took control of the Metropolitan Police Department, handing it over to the Department of Justice and Attorney General Pam Bondi for the foreseeable future, beginning on Aug. 11.
The former president claims not to weigh in on current presidential actions often, but in recent days, his takes have been getting more frequent, and this time, he says that the Trump administration has "put the liberties of all Americans at risk."
From Obama
Obama took to X, formerly Twitter, to cite an interview with New York Times Journalist Ezra Klein of “The Ezra Klein Show,” during which he spoke about what he considers a “threat” of the National Guard.
According to Obama, Trump’s threat to send the National Guard not only to D.C., but also to places like New York and Chicago, which is his hometown, is a huge problem.
"This interview, which is also available as a podcast, provides a useful overview of some of the dangerous trends we’ve been seeing in recent months regarding federalization and militarization of state and local police functions," Obama said in his post on X.
"The erosion of basic principles like due process and the expanding use of our military on domestic soil put the liberties of all Americans at risk and should concern Democrats and Republicans alike," he went on.
This interview, which is also available to listen to as a podcast, provides a useful overview of some of the dangerous trends we’ve been seeing in recent months regarding federalization and militarization of state and local police functions. https://t.co/yWDXDwD7mZ
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 28, 2025
This comes after Trump lauded the increase in arrests and gun convictions in the nation’s capital, and said there have been those from other major cities who would like to see the same treatment at their homes.
Public discourse surrounding the issue has been divided, while many citizens have spoken out saying they think this could serve as a positive change, those who stand against Trump, are vehemently against the idea.
White House Response
The White House had an immediate and firm reaction to the former president’s comments, saying that Obama didn’t have any place to be talking about this particular topic.
"Barack Hussein Obama has no room to talk after he weaponized his government against conservatives and his political opponents — notably President Trump by fueling the Russia hoax. President Trump is restoring integrity to all aspects of our government,” spokesperson Abigail Jackson said.
Trump wrote Thursday on Truth Social, referring to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, that "Governor Pritzker had 6 murders in Chicago this weekend. Twenty people were shot. But he doesn’t want to ask me for help. Can this be possible? The people are desperate for me to STOP THE CRIME, something the Democrats aren’t capable of doing. STAY TUNED!!!”