WASHINGTON —

Former President Barack Obama made a surprise appearance Thursday at a progressive event in Washington, telling the crowd that American voters are rejecting the Trump agenda and offering hope that divisions within the Democratic party can be bridged.

"We had a good night on Tuesday," Obama told the crowds that erupted in loud cheers as he began speaking at a taping event for the podcast "Pod Save America."

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"It was a good reminder that the American people are paying attention," he said. "They don't want cruelty. They are not looking for people on the top trying to entrench themselves in power."

The victories of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani , a democratic social

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