Obama defends his last decisions in office
Gives his support for free press, immigrants
President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he did not expect to weigh in on day-to-day policy debates after departing the White House this week. But he vowed to inject himself into the national debate if he senses an erosion of the nation’s “core values,” such as efforts to suppress the right to vote, stifle free speech or “round up” young undocumented immigrants.
He also defended the importance of the free press, and ultimately closed his presidency on a note of optimism.
Mr. Obama used his final news conference to defend some of his recent policy decisions, but with less than two days before he hands over power to President-elect Donald Trump, he also foreshadowed his political life after the presidency.
Asked whether he was concerned about the future of younger immigrants known as “dreamers” under Mr. Trump, who has vowed to deport those living here illegally, Mr. Obama said that “the notion that we would just arbitrarily or because of politics punish those kids, when they didn’t do anything wrong themselves, I think would be something that would merit me speaking out.”
Mr. Obama’s post-presidency has been the subject of increased speculation in the wake of Mr. Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton, who had been poised to assume the mantle as the leader of the Democratic Party and carry on many of Mr. Obama’s policies.
The president has expressed admiration for his predecessors, including Republican George W. Bush, who remained largely out of the political spotlight and allowed his administration the political space to pursue its agenda. He said Wednesday he plans to do some writing. presumably on his memoirs, and spend more time with his two daughters.
“I want to be quiet a little bit and not hear myself talk so darn much,” he said.
But many Democrats are hoping that Mr. Obama remains active in helping the party rebuild in the wake of its crushing loss of power in Washington, where both chambers of Congress are controlled by the GOP. Democrats have also lost considerable ground in state legislatures during Mr. Obama’s tenure.
Mr. Obama emphasized that he does not plan to run for another elective office.
Mr. Obama and the first lady are scheduled to fly to Palm Springs, Calif., for a vacation Friday afternoon. They are leaving the White House for a private residence in Washington’s Kalorama neighborhood while their younger daughter, Sasha, finishes her final 2½ years of high school.
The president chose to field questions from reporters in the White House briefing room, a location chosen by aides in part for its symbolism, showing the working press in proximity to those in power. Mr. Trump aides have alarmed reporters by suggesting that they could be moved out of the West Wing, with fewer chances to question senior officials.
And as if to reinforce his message that diversity is an essential part of the American identity, Mr. Obama called on journalists from a range of outlets, including Latino, LGBT, African-American and foreign outlets.
“America needs you, and our democracy needs you,” he told a standing-room-only crowd in the briefing room.
Also, Mr. Obama gently chided Mr. Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. might end its sanctions on Russia over Ukraine in exchange for nuclear stockpile reductions, saying it was in America’s interest to make sure “we don’t confuse why these sanctions have been imposed with a whole set of other issues.”
And, with Mr. Trump vowing to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a move that could further inflame tensions in the Middle East, Mr. Obama warned that when “sudden unilateral moves” are made in the region, the results can be explosive.
Mr. Obama also defended his decision to cut nearly three decades off convicted leaker Chelsea Manning’s prison term, a move Mr. Trump’s team has criticized. Mr. Obama said the former Army intelligence analyst had served a “tough prison sentence” already.
Mr. Obama said he remains upbeat despite Mr. Trump’s victory.
“At my core, I think we’re going to be OK,” he said. “We just have to fight for it. We have to work for it and not take it for granted.”