Obama Says He Reserves Right to Confront Trump on Core Questions
- Outgoing president suggests he may remain involved in politics
- Obama’s predecessor, George W. Bush, never criticized him
President Barack Obama speaks on Nov. 20, 2016, in Lima.
Photographer: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
President Barack Obama said he intends to give President-elect Donald Trump space to lead the U.S. and set his own agenda but is reserving the right to reinsert himself into the public debate if he thinks core American values are at stake.
“As an American citizen who cares deeply about our country, if there are issues that have less to do with the specifics of some legislative proposal or battle, but go to core questions about our values and ideals, and if I think it’s necessary or helpful for me to defend those ideals, then I’ll examine it when it comes,” Obama said at a news conference in Lima, Peru, after a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders.