"My administration is the only thing between you [CEO's] and the pitchforks"

This quote by Barack Obama is an alerting to CEOs that his administration is the only thing standing between them and the public's anger. He is implying that if his administration fails to act to address the public's complaints, then the general public may take matters into their own hands. This is a reference to the "pitchforks" which is a metaphor for the public's anger and disappointment. Obama is warning the CEOs that if they do not do something about it to attend to the public's issues, then the general public might take matters into their own hands and revolt. This quote is a pointer to CEOs that they must take duty for their actions and be responsible to the general public. Obama is also reminding them that his administration is the only thing standing in between them and the public's anger, which they must act to deal with the public's grievances.