According to a recently released Inauguration Day letter to Donald Trump, former President Barack Obama described the presidency as “a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success.”
In the letter, published by CNN, Obama described presidents as just “temporary occupants” of the White House. “That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties that our forebears fought and bled for,” the former president wrote. “Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it’s up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.”
CNN reported that the letter was “Written out longhand on White House stationery and slipped into the top drawer of the Resolute Desk.”
The former commander in chief opened his letter by congratulating his successor “on a remarkable run.”
“Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure,” Obama wrote.
“This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don’t know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years.”
Obama noted that it is the president’s job to “build more ladders of success for every child and family that’s willing to work hard.”
He also encouraged Trump to “take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They’ll get you through the inevitable rough patches.”
Exiting presidents traditionally write letters to their successors. In 2009 Obama received a short note from former President George W. Bush, who congratulated him on the start of “a fantastic chapter in your life.”
In 2001 Bush received a letter from Bill Clinton.
“The burdens you now shoulder are great but often exaggerated,” Clinton wrote. “The sheer joy of doing what you believe is right is inexpressible.”
And in 1993 Clinton was given a note from George H.W. Bush.
“There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair,” George H.W. Bush wrote. “I’m not a very good one to give advice; but just don’t let the critics discourage you or push you off course.”
Meanwhile, around the same time Obama’s letter became public, Trump announced the end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.
Established in 2012,DACAprotects immigrants from deportation if they were brought to the United States by undocumented parents when they were under sixteen. DACA applicants must have been living in the country since at least June of 2007 and either be enrolled in school, have a high school diploma or equivalent or be an honorably discharged veteran. They cannot have been convicted of a felony, a “significant” misdemeanor or more than two other misdemeanors.
Nearly 800,000 people have obtained DACA status, according to the most recent statistics fromU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Read Obama’s full letter, as published by CNN:
Dear Mr. President
Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure.
This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don’t know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years.
First, we’ve both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky. It’s up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that’s willing to work hard.
Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It’s up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that’s expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend.
Third, we are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions — like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties — that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it’s up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.
And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They’ll get you through the inevitable rough patches.
Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can.
Good luck and Godspeed,
BO
