CHICAGO — Former President Barack Obama said Monday that he was "heartened" by the protests that erupted at airports all over the country in response to President Donald Trump's decision to ban entry to the U.S. for refugees and immigrants from predominately Muslim countries.
In an unprecedented statement coming 10 days after leaving office, Obama did not mention his successor by name. Typically, former presidents avoid weighing in on politics.
"The president fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion," according to the statement, dismissing attempts by some members of the Trump administration to liken the ban to actions taken by Obama.
Trump's order suspended entry of all refugees to the United States for 120 days, barred Syrian refugees indefinitely and blocked entry into the United States for 90 days for citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
The statement, issued by the former president's spokesman, noted that Obama urged Americans to be "the guardians of our democracy" in his farewell address, delivered at McCormick Place.
"Citizens exercising their constitutional right to assemble, organize and have their voices heard by their elected officials is exactly what we expect to see when American values are at stake."
On Sunday, Cardinal Blase Cupich said the ban would will be remembered as "a dark moment in U.S. history."
The ban has also been criticized by Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth as well as Democratic U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley and Jan Schakowsky.
Earlier on Monday, Obama endorsed 4th Ward Ald. Sophia King, who faces a special election to keep her seat on the City Council on Feb. 28.
