Obama Sends A Not So Subtle Message To Trump After Baton Rouge Police Shootings

Last updated on July 17th, 2023 at 07:12 pm

In a statement on the Baton Rouge police shootings, President Obama had a message for all Americans about rhetoric that divides, but without mentioning his name, Obama also appeared to be talking about Donald Trump.
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The President said, “We as a nation have to be loud and clear that nothing justifies attacks on law enforcement. Attacks on police are an attack on all of us. The rule of law that makes society possible.”

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Obama appeared to urge both parties to turn down the rhetoric at their conventions, “I know we’re about to enter a couple of weeks of political conventions where our political rhetoric tends to be more overheated than usual. And that is why it is so important that everyone regardless of race, or political party, or profession, regardless of what organizations you are a part of, everyone right now focus on words and actions that unite this country rather than divide it further. We don’t need inflammatory rhetoric. We don’t need careless accusations thrown around to score political points, or advance an agenda. We need to temper our words and open our hearts. All of us.”

President Obama was correct all Americans should tone down the divisive rhetoric, but it was hard to miss who the President was talking about. Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump has already tried to blame the Baton Rouge shootings on President Obama.

One look at the schedule for the Republican convention shows that Trump has no intention of taking President Obama’s advice. Trump has titled the first night of his convention, “Make America Safe Again.”

Obama’s words were wise, but Donald Trump thinks that he can sneak his way into the White House by tearing our nation apart. It was clear who Obama was directing part of his message at, and it is just as clear that Donald Trump is not going to listen.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association