Former President Barack Obama is speaking candidly about personal and political pressures as he takes on a more active public role during the presidency of Donald Trump.

In an interview published May 4 by The New Yorker, Obama said his increased political engagement has created tension in his marriage to former First Lady Michelle Obama.

“She wants to see her husband easing up and spending more time with her, enjoying what remains of our lives,” Obama said. “It does create a genuine tension in our household, and it frustrates her.”

Obama largely maintained a low profile during Trump’s first term, following the traditional norm that former presidents avoid directly criticizing their successors. Over time, however, he became more vocal.

Now, during Trump’s second administration, Obama has taken on a more prominent role, emerging as a leading critic and advocate for Democratic priorities.

“People aren’t looking at me in historical comparison to other presidents,” he said. “They don’t care about the fact that no other ex-president was the main surrogate for the party for four election cycles after they left office.”

Obama said he felt compelled to reengage politically due to what he described as Trump’s “recklessness,” citing policy differences including the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and efforts to alter the Affordable Care Act, a major policy achievement of his presidency.

His return to public life has been more extensive than he initially expected, he said, with increased appearances, messaging, and digital outreach.

Obama has also used social media to mobilize support for key issues, including recent redistricting efforts in Virginia. Posts encouraging voters to back a ballot measure on congressional maps generated significant engagement online.

“Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. But right now, they’re under attack. Several Republican-controlled states have redrawn their congressional maps to give themselves an unfair advantage in the midterm elections,” Obama wrote in a March 5 post.

Meanwhile, Michelle Obama has also remained active in public discourse through podcasts and media appearances, where she has voiced criticism of the current administration.

The former president has previously acknowledged strains in his marriage. In 2025, he said he had been “digging myself out of the hole I found myself in with Michelle,” referencing a period of tension that followed her absence from several high-profile events.

Despite those challenges, Obama continues to balance his renewed political engagement with personal life as he navigates a more visible post-presidency.

An Allegheny County man who is running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate has been arrested on allegations that he made threats against President Donald Trump and a member of Congress, according to federal authorities.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed that Raymond Chandler was taken into custody Friday morning in Pittsburgh with assistance from the United States Secret Service.

Court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania outline the alleged threats. According to an affidavit, Chandler left a voicemail on April 18 for an unidentified member of Congress that included violent language about harm to the lawmaker and their family.

Prosecutors say Chandler followed up on April 29 with another voicemail, in which he allegedly urged the recipient to assassinate the president. The filing also states that his messages included harsh personal criticisms of Trump.

Authorities say congressional staff ultimately contacted law enforcement as the messages escalated in tone and frequency, with threats also referencing members of Congress and immigration authorities.

Just hours before his arrest, Chandler reportedly posted a campaign video announcing his intention to challenge John Fetterman in the 2028 election. His campaign platform includes progressive policy positions such as higher taxes on billionaires, expanded social programs, regulation of major technology companies, and abolishing ICE.

Separately, federal prosecutors have brought charges against Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, in connection with an alleged attempted attack at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Allen faces charges including attempted assassination of the president, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and transporting a firearm across state lines.

“He attempted to assassinate the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine told the court. “We are asking the court to preventatively detain Mr. Allen.”

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said during a press conference that additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.

“But make no mistake, this was an attempted assassination of the President of the United States, with the defendant making clear what his intent was,” Pirro said. “And that intent was to bring down as many of the high ranking Cabinet officials as he could. This is the kind of situation that we cannot tolerate.”

The cases remain under investigation, and authorities have not indicated any connection between the two incidents.