Obama Delivers Rebuke of Trump at Jesse Jackson Funeral

Former president criticizes current administration without naming names

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Barack Obama used the pulpit at Jesse Jackson's funeral in Chicago to deliver a sharp public rebuke of Donald Trump's presidency, warning of threats to democratic institutions and leaders who urge Americans "to fear each other, and to turn on each other." Obama praised Jackson as someone who pushed the country toward "a harder path" and urged Americans to be "messengers of hope." Other Democratic heavyweights, including Joe Biden and Bill Clinton, also attended the service for the 84-year-old civil rights leader and former presidential candidate.

Why it matters

Obama's remarks at the high-profile funeral represent a continuation of his criticism of the Trump administration, which he has largely avoided since leaving office. The speech highlights the deep partisan divide in the country and the ongoing battle over the direction of the Democratic Party and the nation's democratic norms.

The details

In his eulogy, Obama warned that "every day we wake up to some new assault on our democratic institutions," citing threats to the rule of law and "offense to common decency." He also criticized leaders who urge Americans "to fear each other, and to turn on each other," though he never mentioned Trump by name. Obama also made clear he has no interest in a third term as president, despite previous suggestions from Trump that he would "love" to serve for a third term.

  • The funeral for civil rights leader Jesse Jackson took place on Friday, March 7, 2026.

The players

Barack Obama

The 44th President of the United States, who delivered a sharp rebuke of the Trump administration during his eulogy at Jesse Jackson's funeral.

Jesse Jackson

A civil rights leader and former presidential candidate who died in February 2026 at the age of 84.

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, whose administration was criticized by Obama during the funeral without being named directly.

Joe Biden

The 46th President of the United States and a Democratic heavyweight who attended the funeral.

Bill Clinton

The 42nd President of the United States and a Democratic heavyweight who attended the funeral.

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What they’re saying

“We are living in a time when it can be hard to hope. Everywhere we see greed and bigotry being celebrated and bullying and [mockery] masquerading as strength.”

— Barack Obama, Former President (The Hill)

“Nah, see, I believe in the Constitution.”

— Barack Obama, Former President (Newsweek)

“He knew who we were at our best.”

— Joe Biden, President (The Hill)

What’s next

The speech delivered by Obama at the funeral is likely to further inflame tensions between the former president and the current administration, potentially leading to more public clashes and political maneuvering ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

The takeaway

Obama's remarks at Jesse Jackson's funeral underscore the deep partisan divide in the country and the ongoing battle over the direction of the Democratic Party and the nation's democratic norms. The former president's willingness to directly criticize the current administration, without naming names, highlights his continued role as a prominent voice in the opposition to Trump-era policies and rhetoric.