Barack Obama: “We can't have politicians spending all their time trying to scare people.”

It is a basic principle of American democracy that the government can’t selectively target individuals simply because of their political beliefs or what they say.

The fact that any president, or any administration, is willing to engage in such transparent efforts to intimidate someone should outrage all Americans, regardless of how they feel about Congresswoman Omar’s political views.

The full weight of the federal government is being brought down on a law-abiding elected official because she has dared to criticize the president.

I think when we act on that basis, it doesn't always work out, but over time things do get better.