Former US President Barack Obama has criticised President Donald Trump’s administration over what he described as chaos, corruption and incompetence, urging voters to support Democratic candidates in the November 3 midterm elections.
Addressing a campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio, on Saturday, Obama accused the administration of poor leadership and called on voters to demand change at the polls.
“After two years of chaos and cruelty and corruption and incompetence, the likes of which we have not seen in the modern era, you get a chance to say, ‘Enough is enough,’” he said. “We are voting for change right here in Ohio.”
The 65-year-old Democrat also blamed Trump’s administration for the rising cost of living, a major concern among voters amid increasing fuel prices.
“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.
With early voting already underway in Ohio, Obama encouraged residents to cast their ballots without delay.
“Don’t procrastinate, don’t equivocate,” he urged voters.
Obama remains popular among Democratic supporters, and the party is seeking to capitalise on his influence to strengthen its candidates’ chances in the crucial elections, which will determine control of Congress.
In Ohio, former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown is seeking a return to the Senate in a contest against incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted. The governorship race will feature Democratic candidate Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who contested the 2024 presidential election.
Polls in Ohio indicate a narrow advantage for Democrats in both contests, although the races are expected to be closely fought.
At the national level, opinion polls suggest Democrats have a chance of regaining control of the House of Representatives, while the Senate race is expected to be more competitive.
Following his appearance in Cleveland, Obama is scheduled to travel to Michigan on Saturday evening for another rally in Detroit, where he will campaign alongside Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
Although Democrats currently hold both of Michigan’s Senate seats, El-Sayed, who represents the party’s left wing, faces a tight contest against Republican candidate Mike Rogers.
Enough is enough: Obama laments alleged chaos, cruelty under Trump