Why Obama and Kamala Harris both agree Donald Trump is leading presidency with 'fear'

Considering Barack Obama and Kamala Harris associate themselves with the same political party, it's hardly surprising they are in agreement regarding their thoughts on Donald Trump.

But the former president and vice president have both expressed their feelings that Trump is leading presidency with 'fear' - but why is that?

The 47th POTUS announced a 10 percent ‘baseline’ tax would apply globally - with higher rates for a 60-strong country list dubbed as Trump’s ‘worst offenders’.

The new tariffs came during a White House Rose Garden Address on Wednesday (April 2) in what Trump dubbed ‘Liberation Day’ for the United States.

Obama and Harris have largely remained quiet since election day, but they have both been speaking in recent days about Trump.

Obama supporting Harris' presidential bid prior to the election (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

In a speech at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, on Thursday (April 3), Obama said: "Look, I don't think what we just witnessed in terms of economic policy and tariffs is going to be good for America, but that's a specific policy. I'm more deeply concerned with a federal government that threatens universities if they don't give up students who are exercising their right to free speech.

"I am more troubled by the idea that a White House can say to law firms, 'If you represent parties that we don't like, we're going to pull all our business or bar you from representing people effectively.' That kind of behavior is contrary to the basic compact we have as Americans."

Harris, who fought against Trump in the 2024 US presidential race, was also heard speaking on Thursday - suggesting the White House is contributing to a 'sense of fear'.

"What has changed is that there is a sense of fear that has been taking hold in our country, and I understand it," the Democrat politician said.

Obama and Harris have both been speaking about Trump (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

"But we're seeing people stay quiet. We are seeing organizations stay quiet. We are seeing those who are capitulating to clearly unconstitutional threats, and these are the things that we are witnessing each day in these last few months in our country."

Harris continued: "When one person, when a few stand with the courage, that is the courage exhibited by the leaders in this room every day.

“To have the courage to say I feel fear, the courage to say what is happening is wrong, the courage to say that there is a way that we must chart to get through this.

“Understanding our power in the democracy that we still have if we hold on to it.

“Courage is contagious.”