He said that he has committed to President-Elect Trump that his administration would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as President Bush did for him. Because it’s up to all Americans to make sure that the government can help people meet the many challenges that the country still faces.
Obama said that democracy does not require uniformity. The US founders quarreled and compromised, and expected the future Americans to do the same. But the founders knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity, the idea that for all the people’s outward differences, Americans are all in it together; because Americans rise or fall as one.
The outgoing US President said that he is optimistic about the US than he was when he started. Because he knows that the work has not only helped so many Americans; it has inspired so many Americans, especially so many young people out there to believe they can make a difference; to hitch their wagon to something bigger than themselves.
He said that it has been the honor of his life to serve Americans and added that he won’t stop doing so. He promised to be there with everyone as a citizen, for all his days that remain.
Obama also called on Americans to believe not just in his ability to bring change but also everyone else’s.