Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Barack Obama

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Barack Obama.

Barack Obama, the 44th U.S. President (2009-2017), was the first African American to hold the office. A Democrat, he previously served as a U.S. Senator for Illinois (2005-2008) and an Illinois State Senator (1997-2004). His presidency was marked by significant policy changes and challenges both domestically and internationally.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1973: United Nations Security Council Resolution

In 2011, Obama ordered the military intervention in Libya to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973.

August 2007: Obama addresses questions about being 'black enough'

In August 2007, expressing puzzlement over questions about whether he is "black enough", Obama told a meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists that "we're still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong."

July 2009: Launch of Priority Enforcement Program

In July 2009, Barack Obama launched the Priority Enforcement Program, an immigration enforcement program that had been pioneered by George W. Bush.

March 31, 2010: Obama Ends Ban on Oil and Gas Drilling Along East Coast and Northern Alaska Coast

On March 31, 2010, prior to the oil spill, Barack Obama ended a ban on oil and gas drilling along the majority of the East Coast of the United States and along the coast of northern Alaska in an effort to win support for an energy and climate bill and to reduce foreign imports of oil and gas.

April 20, 2010: Offshore Drilling Rig Explosion in Gulf of Mexico

On April 20, 2010, an explosion destroyed an offshore drilling rig at the Macondo Prospect in the Gulf of Mexico, causing a major sustained oil leak. Obama visited the Gulf, announced a federal investigation, and formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards.

2011: Withdrawal from Iraq

Following the 2011 withdrawal from Iraq, Obama ordered military intervention in Iraq after gains made by ISIL.

2011: Renewal of the Patriot Act

In 2011, Barack Obama signed a four-year renewal of the Patriot Act.

2011: Drone Strike Killing of Anwar al-Awlaki

In 2011, Obama ordered a drone strike in Yemen that killed Anwar al-Awlaki, an American imam suspected of Al-Qaeda involvement, sparking controversy over due process. al-Awlaki became the first U.S. citizen to be targeted and killed by a U.S. drone strike.

2011: Military Intervention in Libya

In 2011, Obama ordered the military intervention in Libya to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973.

June 28, 2012: Supreme Court Upholds ACA Individual Mandate

On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5–4 vote in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius that the ACA's individual mandate was constitutional under Congress's taxing authority.

January 16, 2013: Obama's Gun Control Proposals

On January 16, 2013, one month after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Barack Obama signed 23 executive orders and outlined a series of sweeping proposals regarding gun control. He urged Congress to reintroduce an expired ban on military-style assault weapons, impose limits on ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, introduce background checks on all gun sales, pass a ban on possession and sale of armor-piercing bullets, introduce harsher penalties for gun-traffickers, especially unlicensed dealers who buy arms for criminals and approving the appointment of the head of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the first time since 2006.

2013: Global Surveillance Disclosures

Following the 2013 global surveillance disclosures by whistleblower Edward Snowden, Barack Obama condemned the leak as unpatriotic, but called for increased restrictions on the National Security Agency (NSA) to address violations of privacy.

2014: Obama Discusses Racial Disadvantages

By 2014, Barack Obama began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups, sparked by events such as the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.

February 24, 2015: Obama Vetoes Keystone XL Pipeline Bill

On February 24, 2015, Barack Obama vetoed a bill that would have authorized the Keystone XL pipeline. It was the third veto of his presidency and his first major veto.

June 2015: Supreme Court Upholds ACA Subsidies

In June 2015, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in King v. Burwell that subsidies to help individuals and families purchase health insurance were authorized for those doing so on both the federal exchange and state exchanges, not only those purchasing plans "established by the State", as the statute reads.

2015: Criticism of Iran Nuclear Deal

In 2015, Obama was criticized for advocating and signing the Iran Nuclear Deal, with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it "dangerous."

January 5, 2016: New Executive Actions on Gun Control

On January 5, 2016, Barack Obama announced new executive actions extending background check requirements to more gun sellers.

March 2016: Gallup Poll on Race Relations

In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried "a great deal" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll since 2001.

December 23, 2016: United States Abstains from UN Resolution Condemning Israeli Settlements

On December 23, 2016, under the Obama administration, the United States abstained from United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlement building in the occupied Palestinian territories.

2016: Sanctions Against Russia

In 2016, Obama initiated sanctions against Russia following Russian interference in the U.S. elections.

2016: Interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election

In 2016, Russia interfered in the U.S. presidential election.

2016: U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries

In 2016, the last year of Barack Obama's presidency, the U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries.

January 5, 2017: US House of Representatives Condemns UN Resolution

On January 5, 2017, the United States House of Representatives voted 342–80 to condemn the UN Resolution.

January 6, 2017: Israel Withdraws Dues from UN

On January 6, 2017, the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues from the UN, which totaled $6 million, in response to the US abstention from Resolution 2334.

October 2023: Obama comments on the Gaza war

In October 2023, during the Gaza war, Obama declared that Israel must dismantle Hamas and warned Israel that its actions could "harden Palestinian attitudes for generations" and weaken international support for Israel.

February 2026: Obama decries racist meme posted by Trump

In February 2026, after Trump posted a racist meme of him and his wife, Obama decried the post, criticized the lack of decorum and the conduct of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.