Obama departs Oval Office after leaving note for Trump

President Barack Obama gave a final wave to the nation as he gestured to the reporters who covered his historic presidency as he walked out of the Oval Office to greet successor.
Obama walked outside the Oval Office he occupied for eight years, just hours before he was to turn over power to President-elect Donald Trump, who has committed himself to repealing much of Obama's political legacy.
He attended to one last bit of business before leaving the historic office: penning a note for his successor – then leaving it in the desk which Trump will sit behind for the first time within hours.


The outgoing president could be seen putting a white envelope into the right-hand drawer of the Resolute desk, which is made from wood salvaged from a British Navy vessel and handed to then president Rutherford Hayes in 1880.

The note was visible in images taken from outside the Oval Office.
In doing so, Obama was following a tradition of providing encouragement for what has been called the toughest job in the world.

George H.W. Bush set the standard with a note to Bill Clinton after his own defeat where he said he and the nation were rooting for former Arkansas governor.
Obama has tried to set his own standard for a respectful transfer, refusing to sanction boycotters despite a bitter election, the defeat of his hand-picked successor, and charges of Russian interference.

The note, however, is not being disclosed – although previous notes have now been published, including the one Obama was sent by his predecessor George W Bush.
Stepping outside the office, Obama gave a wave while holding a solemn expression on his face, a famed Jasper Johns flag painting visible inside the glass paneled door.
He strode along the colonnade, walking casually along the side of the White House as he prepared to join First Lady Michelle Obama and Trump, along with incoming first lady Melania Trump.
The Trumps were at the White House for a traditional coffee between the outgoing and incoming first families.
'Congratulations,' Obama told his successor as the Trumps walked up the steps to the North Portico of the White House.
'You'll get used to the protocol,' Obama told them as the four posed for a picture.
Melania Trump presented Michelle Obama with a large gift box with the famed flue colors of Tiffany.

The store announced this week that had suffered losses, in part due to disruptions at the flagship 5th Avenue store related to police protection around Trump Tower.
When they were done, Obama gently put his hand on Melania Trump's back to guide her inside the historic White House her husband will now occupy. Melania Trump plans to live in New York with her son Barron while he finishes the school year.
The Obamas released a final video where they thanked the nation 'from the bottom of our hearts' for the 'privilege' of serving – and spoke of their plans for the future.
A hundred staffers are gearing up for a long day of work on Inauguration Day, as they embark on a frantic five-hour sprint to transform the White House into Trump's new home.
The Obamas are scheduled to leave the residence for the last time at 10:30am, setting off the clock for employees in charge of the country's highest-profile move.