Former President Barack Obama’s remarks at the Obama Foundation’s Democracy Forum highlighted his deep concerns about the state of democracy in the U.S. following the 2024 election. He warned that if political factions attempt to solidify “a permanent grip on power” through undemocratic means—such as vote suppression, politicizing the military, or weaponizing the judicial and criminal justice systems—”a line has been crossed.”
Obama stressed that the true test of a democracy comes when it doesn’t deliver the outcomes we want, and the commitment to democratic principles is challenged. While many Americans, particularly Trump supporters, believe that the former president has been unfairly targeted by politically motivated legal actions, Obama called for a renewed dedication to pluralism, emphasizing the importance of finding ways to live alongside people with differing views.
He warned that failing to uphold democratic norms could lead to an erosion of democracy, where politicians and their followers resort to violating norms, targeting critics and opponents, and potentially even using violence to retain power. Obama highlighted the importance of “bridge building” and forging alliances across political divides to ensure lasting, positive change. He emphasized that pluralism is about recognizing that power in a democracy comes from coalition-building, and not about abandoning one’s convictions, but rather working with others to achieve common goals.
