Former President Barack Obama has issued a warning about the future of American democracy, warning that the country is "dangerously close" to normalizing behaviors "consistent with autocracies."

“If you regularly follow what those in charge of the federal government today say, there’s a weak commitment to what we understood—and not just my generation, at least since World War II—about how a liberal democracy should work,” Obama said.

“What we’re seeing right now… is not consistent with American democracy,” he added.

“It’s consistent with autocracies. It’s consistent with Orbán’s Hungary. It’s consistent with places that hold elections but otherwise don’t observe what we consider a fair system where everyone’s voice matters, where people have a seat at the table, where there are checks and balances, and where no one is above the law. We’re not quite there yet, but I think we’re dangerously close to normalizing this kind of behavior.”

Just days after millions of Americans demonstrated against Trump in nationwide “No Kings” protests, Obama praised the resilience of people outside the government, but emphasized that elected officials must do more to protect American institutions.

“There also have to be people in government from both parties who say, 'Well, no, you can't do that,'” the former president said.

The event marked a relatively rare public appearance for Obama, who has largely avoided the spotlight since leaving office.

The former president told attendees he remains hopeful that American democracy will prevail. He also offered advice to young people on how to bring about change.

“I remain optimistic; I remain hopeful. … However, I suppose what they need to hear most when I talk to these young people is: It's important to be impatient in the face of injustice and cruelty, and there's a healthy indignation we should show at what's happening right now, both here and around the world. But if you want to make change, it's about adding, not subtracting, which means finding ways to come to terms with those who don't agree on everything, but do agree on some things.” Obama said the only way to protect the future of democracy—and the United States—is for the American people to work together. “When people come together, get to know each other, and then work on a common project, you have what Lincoln called 'better angels.' People begin to recognize each other and to trust each other, and that's not just the foundation of democracy, but the foundation of our long-term salvation.”