FIVE THINGS ABOUT OBAMA’S LETTER

1 A PARTING NOTE

On Inauguration Day, in one of his final acts as president, Barack Obama left a letter to Donald Trump, welcoming him to the White House. For months, the contents of the parting letter remained private — until Sunday, when CNN published the message in full, reportedly obtained from someone Trump showed it to at the White House.

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DEMOCRACY AT STAKE In the letter, Obama leaves his successor with “a few reflections from the past 8 years,” broken down into four points, before extending an offer to help in any way possible. Obama reminded Trump they are both “just temporary occupants of this office” and that, in many ways, the strength of U.S. democracy would rest on Trump’s shoulders. “That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions.”

3 TAKE A BREAK

Obama encouraged Trump to carve out time to spend with friends and family, who would help him get through “the inevitable rough patches” of the presidency. “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.”

4 A PRESIDENTIAL TRADITION

It has become tradition for the outgoing president to leave a letter to his successor in the Oval Office. In 2009, George W. Bush wrote to Obama: “There will be trying moments. The critics will rage. Your ‘friends’ will disappoint you... But, you will have an Almighty God to comfort you, a family who loves you, and a country that is pulling for you, including me.”

5 CRITIQUE AND PRAISE

Former senator Rick Santorum, R-Pa. told CNN the introduction was “politically correct.” “He didn’t congratulate him on his victory; he congratulated him on his run.” Rep. Barbara Lee, DCalif., described Obama’s letter as “gracious.” “It was especially magnanimous of President Obama given the fact that Donald Trump led the birther movement in an effort to delegitimize our first African-American president.”