Former President Barack Obama appeared on CBS's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on Tuesday, where he addressed concerns about presidential ethics and the independence of the Justice Department.

During the interview, Obama emphasized that presidents should maintain clear ethical standards while in office. "A good policy that I'd like to see followed is that the President of the United States shouldn't have a bunch of side hustles," Obama said, suggesting that occupants of the Oval Office should avoid potential conflicts of interest from outside business activities.

Obama also spoke about the proper relationship between the president and the attorney general, warning against allowing the nation's top prosecutor to become too closely aligned with the executive. "The attorney general is not the president's consigliere," Obama stated, using the Italian term for counselor or adviser, emphasizing the need for the Justice Department to maintain independence from political influence.

The comments come as the Department of Justice under President Trump has pursued various prosecutions, though Obama did not specifically reference current cases during his appearance. The former president's remarks touched on broader themes of executive power and institutional independence within the federal government.

The interview covered several aspects of current political dynamics and the Democratic Party, according to CBS News reporting. Obama's appearance on the late-night talk show provided a platform for him to share his perspective on contemporary political issues and governance standards.