Jesse Jackson Jr. Rebukes Obama, Biden, and Harris for Turning His Father’s Funeral Into Anti-Trump Platform

The son of the late civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson delivered a pointed rebuke to several prominent Democrats after they used his father’s funeral as an opportunity to criticize the current President of the United States, Donald Trump.

Speaking Saturday during a private memorial gathering in Chicago, Jesse Jackson Jr. expressed frustration that political attacks had overshadowed what he believed should have been a solemn tribute to his father’s legacy.

“Yesterday, I listened for several hours to three United States presidents who do not know Jesse Jackson,” Jackson Jr. said.

His remarks appeared to take aim at former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as former Vice President Kamala Harris, all of whom spoke at the public funeral service. Jackson Jr. suggested that the tone of the speeches missed the essence of his father’s message and lifelong mission.

He also hinted that partisan political agendas have too often come at the expense of the communities many politicians claim to represent.

“[My father] maintained a tense relationship with the political order — not because the presidents were white or black – but the demands of our message, the demands of speaking for the least of these – those who are disinherited, the damned, the dispossessed, the disrespected,” Jackson Jr. said.

“[He] demanded not Democratic or Republican solutions, but demanded a consistent, prophetic voice that at no point in time ever sold us out as people,” he added.

Rev. Jesse Jackson passed away on Feb. 17 at the age of 84 after a long struggle with a neurodegenerative disease. His funeral was held Friday in Chicago, drawing a number of political figures from across the country.

In fact, Jackson Jr. had already urged attendees to avoid injecting politics into the memorial services. The day after his father’s passing, he publicly asked mourners to respect the occasion and refrain from partisan commentary.

“Do not bring your politics, out of respect to Rev. Jesse Jackson and the life that he lived, to these ongoing services. Come respectful, and come to say thank you,” he said.

“These ongoing services are welcome to all: Democrat, Republican, liberal, and conservative. Right-wing, left-wing. Because his life is broad enough to cover the full spectrum of what it means to be an American,” he added.

Despite that request, several speakers used their time at the podium to make veiled criticisms of President Trump and his administration.

Interestingly, former President Bill Clinton also delivered remarks at the service but avoided turning the occasion into a political critique.

Obama, however, used his speech to argue that the nation is experiencing ongoing political turmoil under the current administration.

“Each day, we’re told by those in high office to fear each other and to turn on each other, and that some Americans count more than others, and that some don’t even count at all,” he said, according to the New York Post.

“Everywhere we see greed and bigotry being celebrated, and bullying and mockery masquerading as strength. It’s hard to hope in those moments,” Obama added.

Former President Joe Biden struck a similar tone, saying “we’ve got an administration that doesn’t share any of the values that we have.”

Meanwhile, former Vice President Kamala Harris drew attention online for her remarks and demeanor during the event.

“Let me just start out by saying: I predicted a lot of what is happening right now,” she said in a Southern-style drawl.

“I’m not into saying I told you so, but we did see it coming,” she continued, before laughing during the speech.

For critics, the moment reinforced a broader concern that political leaders are increasingly willing to use nearly any public forum — even a funeral — to score partisan points.

Jackson Jr.’s comments underscored the tension between honoring a legacy rooted in unity and service and the modern political climate, where even memorials can quickly become stages for ideological battles.