Obama has hinted that he is going to speak up if he opposes the changes that president-select Trump makes while in office.
“As an American citizen who cares deeply about our country, if there are issues that have less to do with the specifics of some legislative proposal or battle or go to core questions about our values and ideals, and if I think that it’s necessary or helpful for me to defend those ideals, I’ll examine it when it comes,” said Obama in a press conference in Lima, Peru.
He also mentioned that Bush “could not have been more gracious” to him when he entered office.
“I want to be respectful of the office and give the president-elect an opportunity to put forward his platform and his arguments without somebody popping off in every instance,” said Obama.
But, then he was quick to give Trump a backhanded criticism.
“What I can guarantee is that reality will force him to adjust how he approaches many of these issues,” said Obama. “That’s just the way this office works.”
He then alluded to some of the challenges Trump plans to tackle when in office, specifically the Trans Pacific Partnership.
“There are going to be tensions that arise, probably around trade more than anything else, because the president-elect campaigned on looking at every trade policy and potentially reversing those,” said Obama. “How you campaign isn’t always how you govern. Sometimes, when you campaign, you’re trying to stir up passions. When you’re governing, you’re trying to think of, ‘How do I make this work?”
Prior to Trump’s election, Obama said the Republican candidate was “unfit” for office, while heavily criticizing many of his policy proposals.
Although Obama was quick to change his tune after Trump was elected, he has been giving subtle little jabs here and there.
He also has suggested that after he leaves office, he may not be as cooperative.
“I’m going to be constrained in what I do with all of you until I am again a private citizen,” said Obama to the liberal group, Organizing for Action, reports The New York Times.
So what are Obama’s plans when he hands over the reins to Trump when he is inaugurated on January 20th? We have predicted he will play a bigger role in the Black Live Matter movement.
“My intention is to, certainly for the next 2 months, just finish my job,” said Obama. “And then after that, to take Michelle on vacation, get some rest, spend time with my girls, and do some writing, do some thinking.”
However, Obama plans to stay nearby and has purchased a D.C. home. Will he stay in the political sphere?
“Obama leaves office in January. He faces extraordinary pressure from fellow Democrats, many of whom are protesting Trump’s election and are concerned that his Republican successor will implement promises from his campaign to deport undocumented immigrants en masse, bar immigration from Muslim countries and encourage aggressive policing and intelligence activities,” writes Newsmax.
Editor’s note: Every President has give his successor the courtesy of keeping out of his politics. Just like every President except Obama has taken responsibility for his administration, rather than blaming any of the country’s woes on his predecessor. Is it any wonder the country is divided and the currents of attitude are to blame someone else for your problems?