Obama warns of war, tariffs and corruption ahead of midterms in Ohio and Michigan
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Former President Barack Obama criticized President Donald Trump’s policies on Iran, trade and immigration while campaigning for Democratic candidates in Ohio and Michigan before the November 3 midterm elections.
Barack Obama addressed crowds in Cleveland, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan, urging voters to reject President Donald Trump’s policies ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. He said the president’s decision to engage in an "unnecessary war" with Iran has driven up fuel and diesel prices, citing attacks on U.S. bases and disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Obama defended the 2015 nuclear agreement that limited Iran’s nuclear program, arguing that diplomacy, not missile strikes, was needed.
"The current president chose to make a series of bad decisions, most importantly, he decided to start an unnecessary war that nobody asked for," Obama said in Ohio.
The former president also linked higher energy costs to Trump’s tariff policy, noting that tariffs raise prices for consumers by increasing the cost of imported components used in American-made goods. He questioned the administration’s trade dispute with Canada and highlighted the national debt, which he said has risen to $40 trillion.
"When you impose tariffs, consumers pay the tab," Obama said.
Obama accused the Trump administration of favoring wealthy Americans, pointing to a 2025 tax bill that extended tax cuts while reducing spending on programs such as Medicaid and food assistance. He also criticized recent White House renovation plans, describing them as excessive.
On immigration, Obama acknowledged the need for secure borders but condemned the use of masked agents and the detention of law-abiding citizens.
"I believe that we do need to make sure that our border is orderly and secure and that people who want to come here do so lawfully," he said.
In Ohio, Obama denounced a campaign ad by Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy that targeted the mother of Democratic opponent Amy Acton, calling the tactic a low-level political attack. In Michigan, he campaigned for Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson, praising their ties to the state and contrasting them with Republican opponent Mike Rogers’s support for the Iran war and trade policies.
Obama framed the midterm elections as a “circuit breaker” that could limit President Trump’s power during the remainder of his term.
"This election is our last best chance to at least rein in some of the foolishness of this administration," he said.
He warned that a culture of dishonesty and intimidation threatens democratic norms, urging voters to choose change.