Barack Obama began Friday as President of the United States, but as of around noon, he’s a private citizen just like the rest of us. Now, as he hands over power to President Donald Trump, Obama heads to Palm Springs, as other outgoing presidents have done before him. The reason? For Obama to finally get a break after eight years of working 24/7 to run our country, and for new President Trump to have space to get started.
According to The Los Angeles Times, Obama said that he will now enter into a period of reflection with his family.
“First, we’re going to take a little break. We’re finally going to get some sleep and take some time to be with our family, and just be still for a little bit. So we might not be online quite as much as you’re used to seeing us,” former first lady Michelle Obama said a video from the Obama Foundation.
And Obama’s not planning on playing a big role in politics for a while. Traditionally, former presidents give their successors time to do their own thing, and that’s exactly what Obama plans to do.
“President Obama is enormously grateful President Bush gave the president space to do his job when he took office, and he’ll do the same for President Trump. President Obama won’t weigh in on the day-to-day churn of Washington, but if there’s something that’s counter to what he believes America stands for, he might consider speaking out,” said Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Eventually, Obama will transition into his post-presidency career. In the Obama Foundation video, he talked about returning to his early community organizing roots in Chicago, where he’ll be building the Barack Obama Presidential Center. According to Obama, it will be “more than a library or a museum, it will be a living, working center for citizenship,” with projects all over the world.
“True democracy is a project that’s bigger than any one of us. It’s bigger than any one person, any one president, any one government. We look forward to joining you in that effort as fellow citizens,” Obama said in the video.
The coolest part? The Obamas want to hear your ideas for what the Presidential Center can work on—you can submit them here.