Obama rallies for Whitmer and Michigan Democrats in Detroit

DETROIT (WJBK) - Former President Barack Obama says the character of the United States “is on the ballot” in the first midterm election since President Donald Trump took office.

Campaigning at a Detroit high school for Michigan Democrats on Friday, Obama told a crowd of thousands that the “only check on bad behavior is you and your vote.”

He criticized Trump and policies enacted by the Republican-led Congress and said while he supports Democrats’ agenda, “there’s something bigger at stake” in the coming election. He pointed to Trump’s lies and said he was concerned about threats to the freedom of the press and groups of people being targeted based on what they look like.

Earlier Friday, Obama visited Milwaukee to urge people to vote for Democrats in Wisconsin.