Wednesday, May 06, 2026

Powers The President Should Not Have? - Obama on Colbert

May 6, 2026

Stephen Colbert travels to Chicago to interview former President Barack Obama at the newly-completed Obama Presidential Center.

Watch as they discuss the president's love for Chicago, his long-term hopes for his legacy, and which presidential powers are ripe for abuse.

Keep watching for three more segments with President Obama and grab tickets to the Museum at the Obama Presidential Center starting May 6th.

Comments

Mr. Obama: TWO OF THE CORE PRINCIPLES OF A DEMOCRACY AND WE CAN SURVIVE A LOT.
BAD POLICY, FUNKY ELECTIONS. THERE'S A BUNCH OF STUFF THAT WE CAN OVERCOME.

WE CAN'T OVERCOME THE POLITICIZATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE AWESOME POWER OF THE STATE.

YOU CAN'T HAVE A SITUATION WHERE WHOEVER IS IN CHARGE STARTS USING THAT TO GO AFTER THEIR POLITICAL ENEMIES. REWARD THEIR FRIENDS.

ANOTHER POWER MAY BE I SAY, ALTHOUGH THIS IS IN THE CONSTITUTION, IT'S HARDER TO CHANGE. BUT MAYBE DON'T PARDON PEOPLE WHO HAVE GIVEN YOU A BUNCH OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS. OR INVESTED IN YOUR BUSINESSES.

RESTORING SOME SENSE OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT BEING INDEPENDENT AND MAKING JUDGMENTS ABOUT SPECIFIC CASES AND PROSECUTIONS.

I WOULD CONSULT WITH ERIC HOLDER, MY ATTORNEY GENERAL,
ALL THE TIME, AROUND BROAD POLICY ISSUES THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN WHO DO YOU CHARGE, WHAT CASE DO YOU BRING?

THE SECOND THING IS THE MILITARY. DON'T POLITICIZE OUR MILITARY.
PRESIDENT, YOU ARE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR DIRECTING OUR MILITARY.

BUT THERE HAD BEEN A WHOLE SERIES OF NORMS THAT WERE IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT YOU WEREN'T TRYING TO MAKE THAT MILITARY LOYAL TO YOU AS OPPOSED TO THE CONSTITUTION AND THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND MECHANISMS TO RESTORE THAT.

A GOOD POLICY THAT I'D LIKE TO SEE FOLLOWED IS THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SHOULDN'T HAVE A BUNCH OF SIDE HUSTLES.

COMPANIES IN FOREIGN ENTITIES GET ENMESHED IN.

Stephen: HOW MUCH OF THAT IS JUST JEALOUS THAT YOU DIDN'T THINK OF SELLING SNEAKERS. YOU WOULD HAVE THANKED COIN.

Mr. Obama: I THOUGHT THIS WAS A PRETTY OBVIOUS PRINCIPLE.

Stephen: I'M LOOKING FOR A NEW GIG SOON. A LOT OF PEOPLE TELL ME I SHOULD RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

Stephen: YOU HAVE THE HAIR.

Mr. Obama: FOR THE RECORD, I THINK IT'S A STUPID IDEA.

HOW DUMB DO YOU THINK IT IS FOR PEOPLE TO SAY THAT I SHOULD RUN FOR PRESIDENT? >>

Mr. Obama: WELL. YOU KNOW. THE BAR HAS CHANGED.

Stephen: THAT IS TRUE. AT TIMES SUBTERRANEAN. I DON'T HAVE TO LIMBO SO LOW.

Mr. Obama: PUT IT THIS WAY. I THINK THAT YOU COULD...
[LAUGHS] PERFORM SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER THAN SOME FOLKS WE'VE SEEN. [APPLAUSE] I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE.
Stephen: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS THAT AN ENDORSEMENT?

Mr. Obama: IT WAS NOT.

Stephen: WHEN WE COME BACK, I'LL ASK PRESIDENT OBAMA ABOUT ALIEN LIFE AND IF THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE.

#1 | Posted by Corky at 2026-05-06 08:44 PM

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