Obama Talks Trump, More in Final Press Conference

He calls the presidency an 'amazing experience'
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jan 18, 2017 3:03 PM CST
Obama Holds Final White House Press Conference
President Barack Obama smiles during his final presidential news conference, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

After opening with a joke about his infamous tan suit, Barack Obama delved into a wide array of issues during the final press conference of his presidency Wednesday, the AP reports. He said he expects to see a woman president, a Latino president, a Jewish president, a Hindu president, and "a whole bunch of mixed up presidents ... that nobody really knows what to call" in the future. The president touched on the expansion of LGBT rights, which he doesn't think are reversible and of which he "could not be prouder." But he warned that the "moment may be passing" for a two-state solution to the Israeli and Palestinian conflict, which he characterizes as a "volatile environment."

Obama said that after he leaves office on Friday he wants to take time to process the "amazing experience" his family has gone through, taking time to write and spend time with his wife and daughters. He said he has had "cordial" talks with Donald Trump, but he's under no illusions that they share many policy goals. He did call on Trump's administration to stop big countries from "bullying" smaller countries, using sanctions on Russia over its incursion of Ukraine as an example. Addressing the Chelsea Manning situation, Obama said commuting her sentence was "entirely appropriate" and that "justice has been served." Finally, Obama thanked the press and encouraged them to continue asking "tough questions." (More Barack Obama stories.)

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