These are the Rules and Guidelines All Ex-Presidents Live by

Former President Jimmy Carter famously broke the unspoken rule against criticizing successors by calling the George W. Bush administration the ‘worst in history’ in 2007; a statement he later clarified as being out of context. Theodore Roosevelt similarly criticized successors Taft and Wilson.

Carter’s bold proclamation served as a stark reminder of the fine line between voicing dissent and outright defiance in the political arena. It’s a cautionary tale that underscores the weight of presidential words and the ripple effects they can have on both public perception and political discourse.