President Obama Pens Farewell Letter to the Nation

On the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration as 45th president of the United States, his predecessor Barack Obama has penned a farewell letter to the nation.

Posted on President Obama’s Medium account, the letter is in tone with most of Obama’s comments since Trump’s unexpected election day victory. Instead of focusing on the Democratic loss that puts his policies in danger, Obama’s farewell letter focuses on an optimistic view of the country, stressing how his experiences as commander-in-chief have made him a “better man.”

“You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.”: President Obama pens a final goodbye letter to his fellow Americans pic.twitter.com/5buRNzCtfG

— CNN (@CNN) January 19, 2017

Only in the final paragraph of Obama’s farewell letter does he even hint at opposition to Trump: “And when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We the People.’ ‘We shall overcome.”

This could be construed as a reference to the massive rallies and protests that will be happening inauguration weekend.

Obama’s farewell letter ends with a link to a sign-up page hosted by the Obama Foundation where Americans can enter their email address in order to “learn more about President and Mrs. Obama’s post-presidential work and to stay in touch.”

The full text of President Obama’s letter is below.

“My fellow Americans,
It’s a long-standing tradition for the sitting president of the United States to leave a parting letter in the Oval Office for the American elected to take his or her place. It’s a letter meant to share what we know, what we’ve learned, and what small wisdom may help our successor bear the great responsibility that comes with the highest office in our land, and the leadership of the free world.

But before I leave my note for our 45th president, I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th. Because all that I’ve learned in my time in office, I’ve learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.

Throughout these eight years, you have been the source of goodness, resilience, and hope from which I’ve pulled strength. I’ve seen neighbors and communities take care of each other during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. I have mourned with grieving families searching for answers — and found grace in a Charleston church.

I’ve taken heart from the hope of young graduates and our newest military officers. I’ve seen our scientists help a paralyzed man regain his sense of touch, and wounded warriors once given up for dead walk again. I’ve seen Americans whose lives have been saved because they finally have access to medical care, and families whose lives have been changed because their marriages are recognized as equal to our own. I’ve seen the youngest of children remind us through their actions and through their generosity of our obligations to care for refugees, or work for peace, and, above all, to look out for each other.

I’ve seen you, the American people, in all your decency, determination, good humor, and kindness. And in your daily acts of citizenship, I’ve seen our future unfolding.

All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into that work – the joyous work of citizenship. Not just when there’s an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime.

I’ll be right there with you every step of the way.

And when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We the People.’ ‘We shall overcome.’

Yes, we can.

President Barack Obama”