# Is Barack Obama legally or traditionally prohibited from protesting what Trump does? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 6, 2016, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barack-obama-legally-or-traditionally-prohibited-from-protesting-what-trump-does/774000 "2016-12-06T07:13:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barack-obama-legally-or-traditionally-prohibited-from-protesting-what-trump-does/774000/41 "2016-12-07T13:52:01Z")
> [@XT](#): > > You do realize that none of those guys were the ex-President, right? Now, if Bush II had done all that you’d have a point. But he didn’t. I don’t see Obama breaking the trend either, though honestly I wish he would. I give thanks every day that these ruffians were never president. As long as he keeps it to policy, I don’t see the objection. “I think it is a mistake to invade India because of tweet that hurt feelings in the White House” is perfectly reasonable criticism. “OMG DEATH PANELS!” is not. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barack-obama-legally-or-traditionally-prohibited-from-protesting-what-trump-does/774000/42 "2016-12-07T14:55:30Z")
The whole premise of the OP is utterly demented: regardless of Obama’s actions and stances after Trump is president, which I’m certain would be limited to urbane pomposity… Why the hell would matters regarding the pipeline protest change in the least ? It is Obama’s government now harassing the protesters, if the new Trump government continues Obama’s policies, are those policies suddenly wicked because it’s Trump doing what Obama did ? Wouldn’t Obama be a disgusting hypocrite for protesting his own policies ? And if he _wanted_ the protesters to win, he could arrange that before the transition. ---
**Author:** ![Some\_Call\_Me.Tim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Some\_Call\_Me.Tim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Some_Call_Me.Tim)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barack-obama-legally-or-traditionally-prohibited-from-protesting-what-trump-does/774000/43 "2016-12-07T18:54:04Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I suppose arguably, Taft had the most significant post-presidential career. I can’t offhand think of an ex-president who was a significant embarrassment, at least in the modern era. LBJ’s post-administration haircut was a tad funky, I guess. Depending on definitions, I think Grover Cleveland had the most significant career after becoming an ex-president. He was elected President! ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barack-obama-legally-or-traditionally-prohibited-from-protesting-what-trump-does/774000/44 "2016-12-08T01:46:01Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > I’m thinking after the transfer of power has occurred, Jan. 21st, or so. > > A week later, Barack and Michelle show up, arms linked with the Dakota Access Pipeline protesters… Dear God, if my prayers for world peace are unrealistic make this happen instead. And if you have time, try to work Madonna into it somehow. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barack-obama-legally-or-traditionally-prohibited-from-protesting-what-trump-does/774000/45 "2016-12-08T08:25:49Z")
> [@Some\_Call\_Me.Tim](#): > > Depending on definitions, I think Grover Cleveland had the most significant career after becoming an ex-president. He was elected President! When Obama described Hilary Clinton as the most qualified candidate ever, he clearly wasn’t remembering the guy who held the job before and probably still had his own set of keys. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barack-obama-legally-or-traditionally-prohibited-from-protesting-what-trump-does/774000/46 "2016-12-08T14:41:34Z")
> [@Evan\_Drake](#): > > Why the hell would matters regarding the pipeline protest change in the least ? It is Obama’s government now harassing the protesters, if the new Trump government continues Obama’s policies, are those policies suddenly wicked because it’s Trump doing what Obama did ? Wouldn’t Obama be a disgusting hypocrite for protesting his own policies ? Huh? The federal government isn’t harassing anyone at Standing Rock. Crowd/riot control operations are being conducted by the state and local governments and private security. The only federal agency involved is the Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for the construction permitting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barack-obama-legally-or-traditionally-prohibited-from-protesting-what-trump-does/774000.md?page=2)