Obama Calls Out Trump for Dividing Nation After Kirk Shooting/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former President Barack Obama said the U.S. is at “an inflection point” after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, warning that President Donald Trump has fueled division instead of unity. Obama called political violence a direct threat to democracy and urged vigilance as Trump expands executive actions. Trump’s White House fired back, accusing Obama of driving modern polarization.
Obama on Kirk’s Killing Quick Looks
- Obama: U.S. faces “inflection point” after Kirk’s assassination.
- Warned Trump has deepened national divides rather than healed them.
- Called political violence “anathema” to American democracy.
- Cited Charleston church massacre and 9/11 as moments of unity.
- Trump’s rhetoric calling opponents “vermin” condemned as “broader problem.”
- Trump’s White House blamed Obama as “architect of division.”
- Obama concerned over Trump’s National Guard deployments and ID checks.
- Praised Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s civility in response to Kirk’s death.
- Obama mourned Kirk despite strong political disagreements.
- Robinson, 22, charged with capital murder in Kirk’s killing.
Deep Look
Obama Calls for Unity After Kirk Assassination
ERIE, Pa. — Former President Barack Obama warned Tuesday that the U.S. is entering “a dangerous moment” in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, saying President Donald Trump has chosen to divide Americans rather than heal national wounds.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Jefferson Education Society, Obama urged Americans to reject political violence and defend the democratic process.
“The central premise of our democratic system is that we have to be able to disagree — sometimes fiercely — without resorting to violence,” Obama said, according to a transcript obtained by the Associated Press. “And when it happens, even if it’s someone on the other side of the argument, that’s a threat to all of us.”
Comparisons to Past Crises
Obama drew parallels to earlier moments of national tragedy. He recalled delivering the eulogy after the 2015 Charleston church shooting, when nine Black parishioners were murdered by a white supremacist. He also praised Republican President George W. Bush for seeking unity after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
In both cases, Obama said, leaders understood their duty was to remind Americans of “the ties that bind us together.” By contrast, he argued, Trump has seized on Kirk’s killing to escalate rhetoric against political rivals.
Condemning Trump’s Response
Obama criticized Trump and his aides for describing political opponents as “vermin” and “enemies,” calling such language a reflection of a “broader problem” in American politics.
Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, was a close Trump ally and key figure in mobilizing conservative youth and evangelical voters. Since his killing at Utah Valley University last week, Trump has vowed to crack down on what he calls the “radical left” and floated classifying some groups as domestic terrorists.
Obama said this approach weaponizes grief for political gain.
Trump White House Pushes Back
The Trump administration responded sharply to Obama’s comments. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson accused Obama of stoking division during his presidency.
“Obama used every opportunity to sow division and pit Americans against each other,” Jackson said in a statement. “More Americans felt Obama divided the country than felt he united it.”
Concerns Over Executive Power
Obama also voiced alarm over Trump’s recent deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., and reports of federal agents conducting ID checks in Los Angeles.
“What you’re seeing is the sense that through executive power, many of the guardrails and norms that I thought I had to abide by — that George Bush thought he had to abide by — suddenly no longer apply,” Obama said. “And that makes this a dangerous moment.”
Obama’s Personal Reflection
In the immediate aftermath of Kirk’s assassination, Obama and his wife, Michelle, posted condolences on X, writing: “This kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy.”
On Tuesday, Obama reiterated that while he disagreed with many of Kirk’s positions, that did not diminish the tragedy:
“That doesn’t negate the fact that what happened was a tragedy and that I mourn for him and his family.”
He also referenced the June murder of Minnesota Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, calling it another reminder that political violence crosses partisan lines.
Praise for Utah’s Republican Governor
Obama highlighted the response of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, who has urged civility in the wake of Kirk’s death.
Although Obama and Cox hold starkly different views on many issues, he said the governor’s tone was proof that Americans can “disagree while still honoring a basic code of public debate.”
The Broader Context
The former president’s remarks come as the nation confronts rising fears of political violence and democratic erosion. Experts say the assassination of Kirk — alongside other politically motivated attacks — underscores the risks of increasingly polarized rhetoric.
At the same time, the case against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old charged with Kirk’s murder, is beginning to unfold. Court documents show Robinson confessed in texts to his partner during the manhunt. He faces charges of capital murder, among others.
Inflection Point
Obama framed the current moment as an “inflection point” for the nation — a choice between entrenching divisions or recommitting to democratic norms.
“The question now,” Obama concluded, “is whether we have the courage to stand up for those norms, for the institutions that protect our democracy, and for the simple idea that political violence is unacceptable in America.”
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