Many have wondered in the month since President-elect Trump won the election why current President Obama is not doing more to protect his legacy and ensure that the rights and freedoms Americans enjoy will not be altered under Trump’s presidency.
Rather than condemning Trump at every turn, Obama has tried to play nice and offer his assistance whenever possible. But apparently, Obama only plans to “play nice” for a little while longer.
Speaking with Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin in an interview for Vanity Fair, the president shared his views of the presidential transition and said that once he is no longer POTUS, he plans to create controversy and speak out against Trump when necessary.
Obama blamed the prestige of the presidency for his relative silence, saying that the institution provides significant restraints.
“There are institutional obligations I have to carry out that are important for a president of the United States to carry out, but may not always align with what I think would move the ball down the field on the issues that I care most deeply about.”
Traditionally, retired presidents try to stay out of the controversy and most often refrain from criticizing sitting presidents. If Obama is to be believed, he will not follow this tradition.
Obama has been heavily criticized for failed promises and refusal to act on some of the most important issues during his presidency. Though his leadership led to President Trump, we await eagerly what damage control he may do as a private citizen.
If he truly becomes the activist he says he might, it could do wonders for America’s future.
