During the Connecticut Forum on June 17, former President Barack Obama warned that the U.S. is “dangerously close” to autocracy, criticizing Donald Trump’s leadership and the current administration’s anti-democratic tendencies. He expressed concern over the erosion of democratic norms, citing the response to anti-ICE protests and a weakening of checks and balances.

Obama emphasized that autocracy involves unchecked power held by a single leader, with diminished roles for courts, media, and citizens—conditions he believes America is approaching. While referencing authoritarian trends in countries like Hungary, he urged bipartisan resistance and a stronger defense of democratic institutions. Encouraging civic engagement, especially among youth, Obama called for coalition-building and unity, saying, “Change is a game of addition, not subtraction.” His remarks followed the nationwide “No Kings” protests, which he praised while calling for more action from elected officials. Critics, however, noted that Obama’s administration deported more people annually than Trump’s, adding complexity to his stance on civil liberties and democracy.