The former United States President to his hometown, Chicago, for an invite-only event where he gave a speech aimed at encouraging the next generation of leaders.
His first since handing over the reins to billionaire Donald Trump, the two-term president seemingly referenced his replacement during the speech, held at the University of Chicago, United States/
The 55-year-old outlined there is more than unites people than divides us, as he delivered a speech which drew on his own personal life and younger years.
The former president said: “One thing I’m absolutely convinced of is that, yes we confront a whole range of challenges from economic inequality and lack of opportunity, to a criminal justice system that too often is skewed in ways which are unproductive, climate change to issues related to violence.
“All those problems are serious, they’re daunting but they’re not insoluble.
“What is preventing us from tackling them and making more progress really has to do with our politics in our civic life.”
And without mentioning President Donald Trump by name, he seemingly referenced the fresh direction the White House is taking.
The former president Obama continued to state that : “It has to do with the fact that things like political gerrymandering, our parties have moved further and further apart.
“And it’s harder and harder to find common ground because of money in politics, special interests dominate the debates in Washington in ways which don’t match up with with the road of majority of Americans feel.
Stepping back into the public eye on Monday Barack Obama was dressed casually in a shirt and no tie in what is the first of a series of planned public and private engagements.
Ahead of the speech, which fell on Mr Trump’s 100th day in office, Mr Obama’s office said: “This event is part of President Obama’s post-presidency goal to encourage and support the next generation of leaders driven by strengthening communities around the country and the world.”
Mr Obama has faced the prospect of his flagship policy, Obamacare, being ‘replaced and repealed’ by the Trump administration.
The current president has repeatedly criticised the programme and has vowed to scrap it, but has faced considerable hurdles.House Speaker Paul Ryan pulled the Obamacare repeal bill in March, a huge embarrassment for Mr Trump has faced a series of setbacks over his policies, including his travel ban.
Without mentioning Mr Trump by name, he seemingly referenced the fresh direction the White House Mr Obama’s restrained speech is in stark contrast to Mr Trump, who has frequently name-checked his predecessor in hi infamous tweets.In March he tweeted: “Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my “wires tapped” in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism.
“How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon / Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!”
More to follow
