Tuesday’s network morning shows cheered a statement from former President Obama blasting President Trump’s executive action on immigration and praising leftist protesters taking to the streets. Leading off NBC’s Today, fill-in co-host Hoda Kotb hailed: “In his first statement since leaving office, former President Obama is expressing support for the ongoing protests against Trump’s orders, saying they are exactly what he expects to see when American values are at stake.”

In the report that followed, correspondent Peter Alexander proclaimed: “Meanwhile, on the steps of the Supreme Court, Democrats vowed to stand their ground....And this morning, they've got big back up. Former President Obama, just days removed from office, weighing in, rejecting Trump's ban and ‘The notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion.’”

The reporter added: “Overnight, more rallies in the streets....Through an aide, Mr. Obama praised protestors, saying he’s ‘heartened’ by their engagement.”

At the top of ABC’s Good Morning America, co-host George Stephanopoulos announced: “Former President Obama steps forward, releases an unprecedented statement backing those protesting Trump's crackdown.” Turning to correspondent Cecilia Vega minutes later, he gushed: “...we saw that rebuke from former President Obama, who had said in his final press conference that he would speak out when he thought America's core values are at stake....And, Cecilia, so unusual for a former president to speak out this early in his successor's term.”

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Vega joined in fawning over the move: “It certainly is, George. It's only been 12 days since he’s left office, and he is now speaking out in strong terms....Former president Barack Obama stepping out of the post-presidency shadows and into the fray, speaking to those protesters and also taking a jab at his successor and that immigration crackdown.” She proceeded to recite Obama’s statement.

On CBS This Morning, co-host Norah O’Donnell promoted: “Opponents of the ban also received a boost from former President Obama.” Correspondent Nancy Cordes declared: “As more protests swept across the country, former President Barack Obama broke his silence. In a statement, his spokesman said, ‘The President fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion.’”

Here are excerpts of the January 31 coverage on the three morning shows: