Obama Criticizes Trump's Social Media Post and Immigration Crackdown

On February 15, 2026, former President Barack Obama publicly condemned a social media post shared by then-President Donald Trump that depicted the Obamas as apes, labeling it as racist. Obama criticized the content of the video and called attention to its offensive nature. Additionally, he criticized the conduct of federal agents, particularly those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), during their operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This operation, known as Operation Metro Surge, involved the deployment of federal agents and led to over 4,000 arrests. Obama's criticism highlighted concerns about the tactics and behavior of federal immigration enforcement in the city. The event brought attention to issues of race, law enforcement practices, and the political climate surrounding these incidents.