Obama’s Parting Words: I Think We Are All Going to Be Okay
Obama is set to leave office on Friday when he will be succeeded by Republican President-elect Donald Trump.
- Barack Obama said that his relations with Donald Trump are cordial
- He also said he continues to be worried about Israel-Palestine
- Obama called out for “constructive relationship” between US and Russia
- The President also commented on Chelsea Manning commuting and WikiLeaks
- Obama also touched upon Cuba, LGBT issues and voter fraud in the US
Barack Obama Addressed His Last Press Conference as US President
Barack Obama addressed his final press conference as the president of the United States of America on Wednesday at the White House.
Obama is set to leave office on Friday when he will be succeeded by Republican President-elect Donald Trump.
The press conference came just a day after Barack Obama shortened the prison sentence of Chelsea Manning, the former US military intelligence official who was responsible for a 2010 leak of classified materials to anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks, the biggest breach of the kind in US history.
Claims of Voter Fraud in the US Elections Are "Fake News"
The President said that the claims of voter fraud in the US elections are "fake news," and that the country is the only democracy that makes it harder for its citizens to vote.
In his final presidential news conference, Obama refered to election fraud claims repeatedly raised by Donald Trump during his campaign. He didn't use his successor's name, but said that the accusations have been "disproved."
Obama also said that there is an "ugly history" behind restrictive voting that traces back to the era of slavery.
Obama's Relationship with Trump
Commenting on his relationship with Donald Trump, the President said,
He said that he has given his best advice to Trump, along with counsels on both domestic and international issues. Obama, however, said that there wouldn’t be “enormous overlap” between his policies and those of Trump.
He also added that once the President-elect understands the complexities of providing health care to everyone, it “ may lead him to some of the same conclusions that I arrived at once I got here”.
Obama avoided a question on whether he supports about 50 House Democrats planning to boycott Trump's inauguration, while stating that he will be there along with outgoing First Lady Michelle Obama.
Will There Ever Be Another Black President?
When a reporter raised this question, Obama replied,
Couldn't Be Prouder of the Country's Stand on LGBT Issues
President Obama said that he doesn't think the expansion of LGBT rights in the US is reversible.
He said that society's attitudes have changed too much to turn back the clock on these issues.
Obama added that there's still more work to be done on the subject, but that acceptance by young people like his daughters has made a difference.
He gave credit to individuals and couples, who he said were courageous in saying "this is who I am and I'm proud of it."
That, he said, helped open people's minds and hearts, and the legal system eventually caught up.
I Continue to Be Worried About Israel-Palestine: Obama
Obama said that he continues to be worried that the "status quo is unsustainable" in Israel. He said that his administration has tried to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution because he does not "see an alternative to it."
The US’ decision to allow the United Nation's most powerful body to criticise Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem has been condemned by President-elect Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu.
Obama said that the President-elect "will have his own policy" and that is his administration's prerogative. The President called the situation in Israel "a volatile environment."
Policy on Cuba
Barack Obama said that the US underwent "a fundamental shift" in its relationship with Cuba.
He added that treating Cuban migrants differently "didn't make sense" in this day and age and that it should not make a difference whether migrants come to the US by land or by foot.
Obama announced last week that he is ending a longstanding immigration policy that allows any Cuban who makes it to the US soil, to stay and become a legal resident.
He said that opening up bilateral relations with Cuba would ultimately lead to a "serious improvement" in commerce and trade relations with the country.
Constructive Relations with Russia in Best Interest of All: Obama
Obama said that it would best serve American and global interests if we don’t confuse impositon of Ukraine sanctions with a whole set of other issues. The sanctions were placed because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014.
He also said that he was prepared to go further on nuclear issues with Russia, but it has been unwilling to negotiate.
Obama called on the next administration to lead by example and work to prevent big countries from "bullying" smaller countries.
He further said that implementing sanctions on Russia following its incursion of Ukraine is a "good example of the vital role" America must play in advocating for and enforcing basic rights around the world.
Commuting Her Sentence Was Entirely Appropriate: Obama
Kicking off the press conference with a question on Chelsea Manning’s sentence, Obama said:
Malia and Sasha Disappointed in the Outcome of Presidential Election
President Barack Obama said that his daughters do not intend to pursue a future in politics — thanks to the influence of his wife Michelle. However, he said that the girls "could not help but be patriotic" given the environment where they have grown up.
Obama said that his daughters — 18-year-old Malia and 15-year-old Sasha — were disappointed in the outcome of the presidential election. Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton, who had been Obama's Secretary of State.
He said he and his wife try to teach their daughters resilience and concluded by saying, “They don’t mope”.
In My Core I Think We Are All Going to Be Okay: Obama
President Obama concluded the press conference by saying he believes they will all be okay in the long run.
What Next for President Obama?
The US President said that after he leaves office on Friday he wants to take time to process the "amazing experience" his family has gone through.
He said he wants to make sure that Michelle, his wife of 24 years, is willing to "re-up" and put up with him a little bit longer.
Obama and his family will head for vacation in Palm Springs, California, after Donald Trump is sworn in as President.
The White House has not said how long they will stay in California before they return to a rented home in Washington, until their younger daughter Sasha completes high school.
(With inputs from AP, Reuters)
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