In his eulogy of the late civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), former President Barack Obama compared President Trump's crackdown on protesters in Portland to the actions of segregationist Alabama Governor George Wallace, known for his advocacy of Jim Crow laws in opposition of the civil rights movement.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 30: Former President Barack Obama gives the eulogy at the funeral service ... [+] 
Obama began his speech effusively praising Lewis as Martin Luther King's "greatest disciple," recounting his civil rights activism and declaring, "America was built by John Lewises" saying, "He as much as anyone has brought this country closer to our highest ideals."
Later in his speech, Obama made direct comparisons between today with the height of the civil rights movement, stating, "George Wallace may be gone, but we can witness our federal government sending agents to use tear gas and batons against peaceful demonstrators."
Obama then turned to a critique of voting obstacles, saying there are still "those in power who are doing their darndest to discourage people from voting."
The ex-president took aim at officials who have closed polling locations, instituted voter ID laws, and "undermined the postal service,"-another reference to Trump-calling for a number of voting reforms including automatic voter registration, voting rights for felons, Election Day as a national holiday and expanded early voting.
"If all this takes eliminating the filibuster, another Jim Crow relic... then that's what we should do," Obama added, echoing a growing sentiment among Democrats against the Senate rule allowing a minority of senators to block legislation.
Lewis, a freedom rider and civil rights icon, was honored on Thursday by a slew of prominent political and civil rights figures at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. was a pastor. Among those paying their respects included Obama, former Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and King's daughter Rev. Bernice King.
Trump has had a contentious and largely negative relationship with both Obama and Lewis. In 2017, Trump tweeted that Lewis should "spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart." Trump issued a brief statement on Lewis' death saying he was "saddened" to hear of his passing and that he and first lady Melania Trump "send our prayers to he and his family."
"No, I won't be going, no," Trump said when asked by reporters on Tuesday if he would be attending Lewis' funeral alongside the three living former presidents. Trump did not visit Lewis' body when he laid in state at the U.S. capitol.
I am a news desk reporter covering politics and the 2020 election. I have previously worked for MSNBC and Chronogram Magazine. I attended Vassar College and the London
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