In his final address as president, President Obama gave an emotional speech in Chicago where he mentioned some of his signature accomplishments as president.
“You were the change,” Obama said in front of a Chicago audience. “You answered people’s hopes, and because of you, by almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started.”
He ended his speech with a similar campaign echo: “Yes we can. Yes we did. Yes we can.”
Obama appeared to tear up while thanking his wife and family toward the end of his address, during which he touted the results of his tenure, noting the lower unemployment rate and millions of new recipients of health insurance covered under the Affordable Care Act, among other achievements.
But as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in 10 days, Obama warned of foreign and domestic threats to American democracy, raising the threats of terrorism, economic inequality, and climate change.
“A shrinking world, growing inequality, demographic change, and the specter of terrorism — these forces haven’t just tested our security and prosperity but our democracy as well,” Obama said. “And how we meet these challenges to our democracy will determine our ability to educate our kids, and create good jobs, and protect our homeland.”
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