n a recent interview on Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast, former President Barack Obama sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s domestic use of military forces and accused U.S.
institutions of yielding to political pressure. He warned that key democratic norms were being eroded, citing the deployment of National Guard troops in cities like Chicago and Portland as an alarming bypass of legal limits. Obama condemned the administration’s portrayal of urban crime as insurrection and said similar actions under his presidency would have sparked outrage from conservative media. He also faulted private institutions for compromising values under pressure, urging renewed commitment to inclusion, empathy, and impartial law enforcement. The White House defended its use of federal forces but did not address his remarks.