Former President Barack Obama said he has transitioned from “player to coach” since leaving office, seeking to encourage the next generation of leaders while maintaining a quieter life with his family.Obama told ABC News in a segment that aired Wednesday that his goal after leaving office was to mimic George Washington by serving as president and then “going back home.”“My goal was to, you know, look at the example of our first president, George Washington,” he said. “I don’t have a horse to get on, but he kind of said, ‘Alright, I’ve done my stint, and now I’m going back home.’”
Since leaving office, Obama has dipped in and out of politics.
The former president has campaigned with Democratic candidates and pushed back on the current administration, including condemning President Donald Trump for reposting a video portraying him and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes.
Most recently, Barack Obama criticized the Trump administration’s peace deal to end the Iran war, arguing it’s “doubtful” the agreement will differ significantly from the 2015 nuclear deal.
While the former president said he intended to leave the political arena, during his final news conference as president in 2017, Obama said he would speak out when “core values” are at stake, and it would “merit him speaking out.”
