Former President Barack Obama subtly knocked his successor, President Donald Trump on Thursday, while explaining the importance of taking in refugees and immigrants in need.
“In the eyes of God, a child on the other side of the border is no less worthy of love and compassion than my own child,” he said in Berlin during a conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Explaining the importance of humanitarian aid, Obama said that, “we have to recognize that everything that happens on the other side of the world affects us as well.... if there’s conflict, if there’s war, if there’s poverty, we can’t isolate ourselves, we can’t hide behind the wall.”
Other topics that that came up at Thursday’s event were defense spending, religion, and education― all issues that Trump and Obama tend to disagree on.
Contending that poor education policies breed inequality, Obama said that, “no county will be successful if it leaves half of its children... uneducated and on the sidelines. We have to think of them as all of our children. If Malia and Sasha are doing well but the majority of their peers are not, that’s gonna affect their lives in some damaging way.”
“The good news is that we know what to do, the bad news is that we haven’t convinced everybody of the necessity of doing it,” he added.
U.S. President Barack Obama kisses German Chancellor Angela Merkel as members of the Group of 20 prepare for the traditional family photo during the G20 leaders summit in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, Turkey, on Nov. 15, 2015.
Merkel (L) chats with Obama during the opening ceremony of the G20 Leaders Summit on Sept. 4 in Hangzhou, China.
Obama and German Merkel visit the IFM electronics stand at the Hannover Messe industrial trade fair on April 25 in Hanover, Germany.
Obama and Merkel tour Dresden's landmark, the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) on June 5, 2009, in Dresden, Germany.
Merkel speaks with Obama outside the Elmau castle in Kruen near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, on June 8, 2015.
Merkel and Obama take part in a tree-planting ceremony on the grounds of the Ise-Jingu Shrine in the city of Ise, in Mie prefecture on May 26 on the first day of the G7 leaders summit.
Merkel and Obama chat during the Outreach group photo on the second day of the summit of G7 nations at Schloss Elmau on June 8, 2015, near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
Merkel speaks with Obama during the opening ceremony of the G20 Leaders Summit at the Hangzhou International Expo Center on Sept. 4 in Hangzhou, China.
Obama and Merkel share a laugh as they tour the Hanover Industrial Fair in Hanover, central Germany, on April 25.
Obama, Merkel, and other world leaders pose for a family photo at the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China.
Obama and Merkel on the Pariser Platz in front of the Brandenburg Gate on June 19, 2013, in Berlin, Germany.
Obama waves during a welcome ceremony at Herrenhausen Palace accompanied by Merkel on Obama's first day of a two-day trip to Germany on April 24 in Hanover, Germany.
Merkel and Obama sign in a golden book in the "Gruenes Gewoelbe" (Green Vault) on June 5, 2009, in Dresden, Germany.
Obama and Merkel sit during the official opening ceremony of the Hanover Industrial Fair in Hanover, Germany, on April 24.
Obama meets with Merkel in the Oval Office on Nov. 3, 2009.
Merkel welcomes Obama during his run for president, on July 24, 2008, in Berlin.
Obama and Merkel stroll outside at the summit of G7 nations at Schloss Elmau on June 7, 2015, near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
All five of these hitters were drafted highly in fantasy baseball leagues. So far, they have not lived up to their ADPs — and that's an understatement. Scott Pianowski analyzes.
Affluent Americans may want to double-check how much of their bank deposits are protected by government-backed insurance. The rules governing trust accounts just changed.
Budgeting apps can help you keep track of your finances, stick to a spending plan and reach your money goals. These are the best budget-tracking apps available right now.
A sweeping White House move on China tariffs that is expected to be unveiled early next week "reflects lessons learned," according to a former official who was involved in the process.
An annual government report offered a glimmer of good news for Social Security and a jolt of good news for Medicare even as both programs continue to be on pace to run dry next decade.
