\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Others ripped the former president for what they saw as blatant hypocrisy as he accused members of the Republican Party of doing things that Democrats have done when they are in power, such as \u201cweaponizing\u201d the Justice Department and \u201cpoliticizing\u201d the military.<\/p>\n
\u201cPluralism depends on everyone following a certain set of rules,\u201d Obama said during the speech. \u201cWhat happens when the other side has repeatedly and abundantly made clear they are not interested in playing by the rules?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are going to be times potentially when one side tries to stack the deck and lock in [pause] a permanent grip on power,\u201d Obama said at one point, as he appeared to realize in mid-sentence that he was treading closely to exposing himself and his party\u2019s future political plans.<\/p>\n
\u201cEither by actively suppressing votes, or politicizing the Armed Forces, or using the judiciary, criminal justice system to go after opponents,\u201d he continued. \u201cAnd pluralism does not call for us to just stand back and say, \u2018well, I\u2019m not sure that\u2019s OK,\u2019\u201d he continued. \u201cIn those circumstances, a line has been crossed, and we have to stand firm and speak out and organize.\u201d<\/p>\n