Barack Obama

Trump to reverse school transgender bathroom rules

Critics had called Mr Obama's guidance government overreach which threatened other students' privacy and safety.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Mr Trump firmly believed "this is a states' rights issue".

"I would expect further guidance to come out on that today," he told a news conference.

Though the Obama-era order will be rescinded, anti-bullying safeguards are expected to remain in place, the AP news agency reported, citing a government official.

Obama's parting words

"At my core I think we're going to be OK," Obama said as he concluded his final news conference at the White House. "We just have to fight for it, work for it, and not take it for granted."

"I know that you will help us do that," he told reporters assembled in the White House briefing room.

If the message was still hopeful, it was a sharp downgrade from the grand visions of progressive change that propelled Obama to the presidency eight years ago.

Chelsea Manning decision: Obama says justice was served

He told his final news conference that "justice has been served".

Manning was sentenced to 35 years for leaking diplomatic cables to the group, one of the largest breaches of classified material in US history.

The commutation of her sentence has been attacked by Republicans as sending the wrong message.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said the move set a "dangerous precedent".

The 29-year-old transgender US Army private, born Bradley Manning, leaked documents to Wikileaks in 2010.

She will be freed on 17 May but had been scheduled to be released in 2045.

Obama commutes Chelsea Manning sentence

The 29-year-old transgender US Army private, born Bradley Manning, will be freed on 17 May instead of her scheduled 2045 release.

She was sentenced to 35 years in 2013 for her role in leaking diplomatic cables to the anti-secrecy group.

The leak was one of the largest breaches of classified material in US history.

The White House had suggested in recent days it was open to commuting Manning's sentence.

Tearful Joe Biden awarded freedom medal by Obama

Mr Obama praised his vice-president for his "faith in your fellow Americans, for your love of country and your lifetime of service".

The award comes as both men prepare to leave office when Donald Trump is inaugurated on 20 January.

Mr Biden has said he plans to stay active in Democratic Party politics.

 

'No inkling'

A visibly emotional Joe Biden stood by as Mr Obama heaped praise on what he called the "best possible choice, not just for me, but for the American people".

Why Sasha didn't attend Obama's speech

First lady Michelle Obama put her arm around Malia as the President spoke Tuesday evening.

"Malia," Obama said, gesturing to his eldest daughter, "...and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women."

"You are smart and you are beautiful but more importantly, you are kind and you are thoughtful -- and you are full of passion. And bore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. "

"Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad," he said.

Obama offers optimism -- and warnings -- in farewell address

His voice at moments catching with emotion, Obama recounted a presidency that saw setbacks as well as successes. Admitting candidly that political discourse has soured under his watch, Obama demanded that Americans renew efforts at reconciliation.

"Democracy does not require uniformity," Obama said. "Our founders quarreled and compromised, and expected us to do the same. But they knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity -- the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one."

Barack Obama delivers farewell address in Chicago

He said he wanted to return to "where it all started" for him and First Lady Michelle Obama, instead of delivering the speech from the White House.

The country's first black president, now 55, was first elected in 2008 on a progressive message of hope and change.

His successor, President-elect Donald Trump, has vowed to undo some of Mr Obama's signature policy achievements.

Mr Trump will be sworn into office on 20 January.

Trump election: US presidency is not a family business, says Obama

     

In an interview with ABC News, Mr Obama said that Mr Trump must "respect" US institutions.

"After you have been sworn in," he said, "you are now in charge of the largest organisation on Earth".

He warned that there was a difference between governing and campaigning.

"There are world capitals and financial markets and people all around the world who take really seriously what he [Mr Trump] says," Mr Obama said.

9 last-minute Obama moves

He's scaled up his executive power moves in a bid to solidify some of his legacy items before Donald Trump takes office. Many of his actions won't be easily reversed. Here's a look at what Obama's done since Election Day, and what he's expected to do in the coming weeks.

1. Russia sanctions