Former President Barack Obama chastised the nation’s leaders for how they have responded to the coronavirus pandemic.
He did so while delivering a virtual commencement speech on Saturday to thousands of graduates at historically black colleges and universities.
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“More than anything, this pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing,” Obama said. “A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge.”
“If the world’s going to get better, it’s going to be up to you. With everything suddenly feeling like it’s up for grabs, this is your time to seize the initiative,” he continued. “Nobody can tell you anymore that you should be waiting your turn. Nobody can tell you anymore ‘this is how it’s always been done.’ More than ever, this is your moment — your generation’s world to shape.”
Obama also noted the “disproportionate impact of COVID-19” on the black community, and touched on racial inequality in reference to Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old unarmed black man who was fatally shot while jogging in Georgia.
Obama did not mention President Trump by name, but his speech comes a week after he privately criticized his successor in remarks to alumni from his administration. He called the Trump administration’s handling of the health crisis “an absolute chaotic disaster.”
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany defended Trump’s response to the pandemic, which has been associated with more than 88,000 deaths in the United States and has hurt the economy.
“President Trump’s unprecedented coronavirus response has saved lives,” she said in a statement Saturday. “His early travel restrictions and quarantines protected the American public while his Paycheck Protection Program and direct payments to Americans got needed economic relief to our country.”
“Moreover, President Trump directed the greatest mobilization of the private sector since World War II to fill the stockpile left depleted by his predecessor,” McEnany added. “As we look to the future, we have the President who ushered in the hottest economy in modern history ready to do it a second time.”
In a second virtual speech, this one to the nation’s high school seniors Saturday evening, Obama encouraged each graduate to “ground yourself in values that last, like honesty, hard work, responsibility, fairness, generosity, respect for others.” He also took a swipe at the “so-called grown-ups” in positions of power.
“Doing what feels good, what’s convenient, what’s easy — that’s how little kids think. Unfortunately, a lot of so-called grown-ups, including some with fancy titles and important jobs, still think that way — which is why things are so screwed up,” he said.
Trump accused Obama and officials from his administration last week of being part of a plot to damage his presidency in a controversy that has become known as “Obamagate,” spurred by new revelations about the Russia investigation.
