'Has undone his own presidency': John Kerry says Trump failed while trying to undo Obama

Former Secretary of State John Kerry criticized Trump's Iran memorandum, saying key issues, including Iran's enriched uranium, remained unresolved
Former Secretary of State John Kerry argued President Donald Trump failed to undo former President Barack Obama's legacy and instead damaged the achievements of his own presidency (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Former Secretary of State John Kerry argued President Donald Trump failed to undo former President Barack Obama's legacy and instead damaged the achievements of his own presidency (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: The continued criticism of Trump’s Iran deal doesn't appear to stop anytime soon, as, in the latest addition to the list of critics, former Secretary of State John Kerry argued that President Donald Trump “has undone his own” presidency while failing in his attempt to undo former President Barack Obama’s accomplishments.

John Kerry made the statement during the latest episode of  MS NOW’s 'The Last Word' on Wednesday, June 24, trashing Trump’s memorandum of understanding with Iran.

John Kerry links Trump's Iran policy to Obama-era reversal

John Kerry criticized the Trump administration's memorandum of understanding with Iran, saying key issues — including the fate of Iran’s stockpile of enriched nuclear material — remain unresolved despite the agreement.

John Kerry (United States Department of State)
John Kerry accused Trump of rushing the United States into what he described as a 'war of choice' without exhausting diplomatic options first (United States Department of State)

Kerry also accused Trump of rushing the United States into what he described as a “war of choice” without exhausting diplomatic options first.

“It is patently clear to everybody and anybody who looks at this closely that the president never did that. There was a rush to war here,” Kerry said, arguing that the conflict has damaged America’s credibility abroad and created long-term consequences for US standing on the global stage.

The former secretary of state said Trump spent years trying to undo Obama-era accomplishments, particularly the Iran nuclear agreement that Trump withdrew from during his first term.



“This was sort of a — it was an Obama accomplishment,” Kerry said. “And, as we all know, that has motivated a lot of action by President Trump to sort of undo the Obama presidency.”

“But I think he’s undone his own,” Kerry added, pointing to the administration’s military actions and what he described as a loss of credibility both at home and abroad.

Former President Barack Obama reacts to remarks by former first lady Michelle Obama during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Kerry said Trump's actions have been driven in part by efforts to undo Obama's legacy (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

US-Iran memorandum calls for immediate ceasefire

President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum of understanding outlining terms aimed at ending the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, according to US and Iranian officials.

The agreement establishes an immediate halt to military operations, creates a framework for future nuclear negotiations, and links sanctions relief to Iran’s compliance with future commitments.

Trump confirmed the signing on Wednesday, June 17, while attending the G7 summit in France, while Iranian officials said the agreement had already entered into effect.

U.S. President Donald Trump, center, speaks as he is flanked by, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, left, and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a media conference at the end of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
President Donald Trump speaks as he is flanked by Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a media conference at the end of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Wednesday, June 17, 2026 (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

According to US officials, the memorandum declares an intent to bring about an “immediate and permanent termination of military operations” in the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

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