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Obama was an early opponent of the George W. Bush administration's [[2003 invasion of Iraq]].<ref>{{cite news |last = Strausberg |first = Chinta |date = September 26, 2002 |title = Opposition to war mounts |newspaper = Chicago Defender |page = 1 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-220062931.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511195931/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-220062931.html |url-status=dead |archive-date = May 11, 2011 |format = paid archive |access-date = February 3, 2008 }}</ref> On October 2, 2002, the day President Bush and Congress agreed on the [[Iraq Resolution|joint resolution]] authorizing the [[Iraq War]],<ref name="Rose Garden" /> Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicago [[Protests against the Iraq War|anti-Iraq War rally]],<ref name="Federal Plaza" /> and spoke out against the war.<ref name="spoke out" /> He addressed another anti-war rally in March 2003 and told the crowd "it's not too late" to stop the war.<ref name="stop the war" />
Obama was an early opponent of the George W. Bush administration's [[2003 invasion of Iraq]].<ref>{{cite news |last = Strausberg |first = Chinta |date = September 26, 2002 |title = Opposition to war mounts |newspaper = Chicago Defender |page = 1 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-220062931.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511195931/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-220062931.html |url-status=dead |archive-date = May 11, 2011 |format = paid archive |access-date = February 3, 2008 }}</ref> On October 2, 2002, the day President Bush and Congress agreed on the [[Iraq Resolution|joint resolution]] authorizing the [[Iraq War]],<ref name="Rose Garden" /> Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicago [[Protests against the Iraq War|anti-Iraq War rally]],<ref name="Federal Plaza" /> and spoke out against the war.<ref name="spoke out" /> He addressed another anti-war rally in March 2003 and told the crowd "it's not too late" to stop the war.<ref name="stop the war" />


Decisions by Republican incumbent [[Peter Fitzgerald (politician)|Peter Fitzgerald]] and his Democratic predecessor [[Carol Moseley Braun]] not to participate in the election resulted in wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving 15 candidates.<ref>{{cite news |last = Davey |first = Monica |date = March 7, 2004 |title = Closely watched Illinois Senate race attracts 7 candidates in millionaire range |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/07/politics/campaign/07ILLI.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416015834/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/07/politics/campaign/07ILLI.html|archive-date=April 16, 2009 |newspaper = [[The New York Times]] |page = 19 |access-date = April 13, 2008 }}</ref> In the March 2004 primary election, Obama won in an unexpected landslide—which overnight made him a rising star within the [[Democratic National Committee|national Democratic Party]], started speculation about a presidential future, and led to the reissue of his memoir, ''Dreams from My Father''.<ref name="future" /> In July 2004, Obama delivered [[2004 Democratic National Convention keynote address|the keynote address]] at the [[2004 Democratic National Convention]],<ref>{{cite news |last = Bernstein |first = David |date = June 2007 |title = The Speech |magazine = Chicago Magazine |url = http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2007/The-Speech |access-date = April 13, 2008 |archive-date = June 14, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080614213455/http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2007/The-Speech/ |url-status = live }}</ref> seen by nine million viewers. His speech was well received and elevated his status within the Democratic Party.<ref name="status" />
Decisions by Republican incumbent [[Peter Fitzgerald (politician)|Peter Fitzgerald]] and his Democratic predecessor [[Carol Moseley Braun]] not to participate in the election resulted in wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving 15 candidates.<ref>{{cite news |last = Davey |first = Monica |date = March 7, 2004 |title = Closely watched Illinois Senate race attracts 7 candidates in millionaire range |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/07/politics/campaign/07ILLI.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416015834/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/07/politics/campaign/07ILLI.html|archive-date=April 16, 2009 |newspaper = The New York Times |page = 19 |access-date = April 13, 2008 }}</ref> In the March 2004 primary election, Obama won in an unexpected landslide—which overnight made him a rising star within the [[Democratic National Committee|national Democratic Party]], started speculation about a presidential future, and led to the reissue of his memoir, ''Dreams from My Father''.<ref name="future" /> In July 2004, Obama delivered [[2004 Democratic National Convention keynote address|the keynote address]] at the [[2004 Democratic National Convention]],<ref>{{cite news |last = Bernstein |first = David |date = June 2007 |title = The Speech |magazine = Chicago Magazine |url = http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2007/The-Speech |access-date = April 13, 2008 |archive-date = June 14, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080614213455/http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2007/The-Speech/ |url-status = live }}</ref> seen by nine million viewers. His speech was well received and elevated his status within the Democratic Party.<ref name="status" />


Obama's expected opponent in the general election, Republican primary winner [[Jack Ryan (politician)|Jack Ryan]], withdrew from the race in June 2004.<ref>{{cite news |date = June 25, 2004 |title = Ryan drops out of Senate race in Illinois |publisher = CNN |url = http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/25/il.ryan/ |access-date = May 18, 2012 |archive-date = January 8, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180108042942/http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/25/il.ryan/ |url-status = live }}
Obama's expected opponent in the general election, Republican primary winner [[Jack Ryan (politician)|Jack Ryan]], withdrew from the race in June 2004.<ref>{{cite news |date = June 25, 2004 |title = Ryan drops out of Senate race in Illinois |publisher = CNN |url = http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/25/il.ryan/ |access-date = May 18, 2012 |archive-date = January 8, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180108042942/http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/25/il.ryan/ |url-status = live }}
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John McCain was nominated as the Republican candidate, and he selected [[Sarah Palin]] as his running mate. Obama and McCain engaged in three [[United States presidential election debates|presidential debates]] in September and October 2008.<ref name="presidential debates" /> On November 4, Obama won the presidency with 365 [[Electoral College (United States)|electoral votes]] to 173 received by McCain.<ref name="electoral votes" /> Obama won 52.9 percent of the [[Election|popular vote]] to McCain's 45.7 percent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html |title = General Election: McCain vs. Obama |access-date = February 20, 2009 |publisher = Real Clear Politics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217083055/http://www.realclearpolitics.com//epolls//2008//president//us//general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html |archive-date = February 17, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> He became the first African-American to be elected president.<ref name="FirstBlackPrez">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7709978.stm |title = Obama wins historic US election |publisher = BBC News |date = November 5, 2008 |access-date = November 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218083153/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7709978.stm |archive-date = December 18, 2008 |url-status=live }}
John McCain was nominated as the Republican candidate, and he selected [[Sarah Palin]] as his running mate. Obama and McCain engaged in three [[United States presidential election debates|presidential debates]] in September and October 2008.<ref name="presidential debates" /> On November 4, Obama won the presidency with 365 [[Electoral College (United States)|electoral votes]] to 173 received by McCain.<ref name="electoral votes" /> Obama won 52.9 percent of the [[Election|popular vote]] to McCain's 45.7 percent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html |title = General Election: McCain vs. Obama |access-date = February 20, 2009 |publisher = Real Clear Politics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217083055/http://www.realclearpolitics.com//epolls//2008//president//us//general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html |archive-date = February 17, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> He became the first African-American to be elected president.<ref name="FirstBlackPrez">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7709978.stm |title = Obama wins historic US election |publisher = BBC News |date = November 5, 2008 |access-date = November 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218083153/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7709978.stm |archive-date = December 18, 2008 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite news |access-date = November 5, 2008 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/us/politics/05elect.html |title = Obama Elected President as Racial Barrier Falls |first = Adam |last = Nagourney |date = November 4, 2008 |work = The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209071842/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/us/politics/05elect.html |archive-date = December 9, 2008 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite news |access-date = November 5, 2008 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/us/politics/05elect.html |title = Obama Elected President as Racial Barrier Falls |first = Adam |last = Nagourney |date = November 4, 2008 |work = The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209071842/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/us/politics/05elect.html |archive-date = December 9, 2008 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite news |access-date = November 5, 2008 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/election.president/index.html |title = Obama: 'This is your victory' |publisher = CNN |date = November 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104231227/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/election.president/index.html |archive-date = November 4, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Obama delivered [[Barack Obama election victory speech, 2008|his victory speech]] before hundreds of thousands of supporters in Chicago's [[Grant Park (Chicago)|Grant Park]].<ref name=achangeisgoncome>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/us/politics/05text-obama.html|website=[[The New York Times]]|first=Barack|last=Obama|year=2008|title=Transcript of Senator Barack Obama's speech to supporters after the Feb. 5 nominating contests, as provided by Federal News Service|quote=Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.|access-date=June 21, 2023|archive-date=June 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621044712/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/us/politics/05text-obama.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="independent1">{{cite news |access-date = November 5, 2008 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/change-has-come-says-presidentelect-obama-992930.html |title = Change has come, says President-elect Obama |work = The Independent |location = London |date = November 5, 2008 |last = Johnson |first = Wesley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209055411/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/change-has-come-says-presidentelect-obama-992930.html |archive-date = December 9, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is one of the three United States senators moved directly from the U.S. Senate to the White House, the others being [[Warren G. Harding]] and [[John F. Kennedy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. Senate: Senators Who Became President|url=https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/senators_became_president.htm|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=senate.gov|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724012115/https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/senators_became_president.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{cite news |access-date = November 5, 2008 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/election.president/index.html |title = Obama: 'This is your victory' |publisher = CNN |date = November 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104231227/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/election.president/index.html |archive-date = November 4, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Obama delivered [[Barack Obama election victory speech, 2008|his victory speech]] before hundreds of thousands of supporters in Chicago's [[Grant Park (Chicago)|Grant Park]].<ref name=achangeisgoncome>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/us/politics/05text-obama.html|website=The New York Times|first=Barack|last=Obama|year=2008|title=Transcript of Senator Barack Obama's speech to supporters after the Feb. 5 nominating contests, as provided by Federal News Service|quote=Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.|access-date=June 21, 2023|archive-date=June 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621044712/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/us/politics/05text-obama.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="independent1">{{cite news |access-date = November 5, 2008 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/change-has-come-says-presidentelect-obama-992930.html |title = Change has come, says President-elect Obama |work = The Independent |location = London |date = November 5, 2008 |last = Johnson |first = Wesley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209055411/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/change-has-come-says-presidentelect-obama-992930.html |archive-date = December 9, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is one of the three United States senators moved directly from the U.S. Senate to the White House, the others being [[Warren G. Harding]] and [[John F. Kennedy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. Senate: Senators Who Became President|url=https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/senators_became_president.htm|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=senate.gov|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724012115/https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/senators_became_president.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>


===2012===
===2012===
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On April 4, 2011, Obama filed election papers with the [[Federal Election Commission]] and then announced his reelection campaign for 2012 in a video titled "It Begins with Us" that he posted on his website.<ref>{{cite news |title = Obama Begins Re-Election Facing New Political Challenges |url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/04/obama-launches-re-election-facing-new-political-challenges/ |date = April 4, 2011 |first = Michael D. |last = Shear |work = The New York Times (blog) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405205656/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/04/obama-launches-re-election-facing-new-political-challenges/ |archive-date = April 5, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Obama announces re-election bid |url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/04/04/Obama-announces-re-election-bid/UPI-95081301905800/?dailybrief |date = April 4, 2011 |work = [[United Press International]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510011832/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/04/04/Obama-announces-re-election-bid/UPI-95081301905800/?dailybrief |archive-date = May 10, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Obama Opens 2012 Campaign, With Eye on Money and Independent Voters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/05/us/politics/05obama.html |date = April 4, 2011 |first1 = Jeff |last1 = Zeleny |work = The New York Times |first2 = Jackie |last2 = Calmes |name-list-style = amp |access-date = April 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115021431/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/05/us/politics/05obama.html|archive-date=November 15, 2012 }}</ref> As the incumbent president, he ran virtually unopposed in the [[Democratic Party presidential primaries, 2012|Democratic Party presidential primaries]],<ref name="CNN-clinch1">{{cite news |url = http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/03/leading-presidential-candidate-to-clinch-nomination-tuesday/ |title = Leading presidential candidate to clinch nomination Tuesday |publisher = CNN (blog) |last = Yoon |first = Robert |date = April 3, 2012 |access-date = May 2, 2012 |archive-date = April 26, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120426082004/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/03/leading-presidential-candidate-to-clinch-nomination-tuesday/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> and on April 3, 2012, Obama secured the 2778 [[2012 Democratic National Convention|convention]] delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination.<ref name="CNN-clinch2">{{cite news |url = http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/03/breaking-obama-clinches-democratic-nomination/ |title = Obama clinches Democratic nomination |publisher = CNN (blog) |date = April 3, 2012 |access-date = April 3, 2012 |archive-date = April 4, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120404203415/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/03/breaking-obama-clinches-democratic-nomination/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> At the [[2012 Democratic National Convention|Democratic National Convention]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]], Obama and Joe Biden were formally nominated by former President Bill Clinton as the Democratic Party candidates for president and vice president in the general election. Their main opponents were Republicans [[Mitt Romney]], the former governor of Massachusetts, and Representative [[Paul Ryan]] of Wisconsin.<ref>{{cite news |last = Cohen |first = Tom |title = Clinton says Obama offers a better path forward for America |url = http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/05/politics/democratic-convention-wrap/index.html |publisher = CNN |date = September 6, 2012 |access-date = July 5, 2015 |archive-date = July 6, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150706115632/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/05/politics/democratic-convention-wrap/index.html |url-status = live }}</ref>
On April 4, 2011, Obama filed election papers with the [[Federal Election Commission]] and then announced his reelection campaign for 2012 in a video titled "It Begins with Us" that he posted on his website.<ref>{{cite news |title = Obama Begins Re-Election Facing New Political Challenges |url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/04/obama-launches-re-election-facing-new-political-challenges/ |date = April 4, 2011 |first = Michael D. |last = Shear |work = The New York Times (blog) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405205656/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/04/obama-launches-re-election-facing-new-political-challenges/ |archive-date = April 5, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Obama announces re-election bid |url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/04/04/Obama-announces-re-election-bid/UPI-95081301905800/?dailybrief |date = April 4, 2011 |work = [[United Press International]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510011832/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/04/04/Obama-announces-re-election-bid/UPI-95081301905800/?dailybrief |archive-date = May 10, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Obama Opens 2012 Campaign, With Eye on Money and Independent Voters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/05/us/politics/05obama.html |date = April 4, 2011 |first1 = Jeff |last1 = Zeleny |work = The New York Times |first2 = Jackie |last2 = Calmes |name-list-style = amp |access-date = April 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115021431/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/05/us/politics/05obama.html|archive-date=November 15, 2012 }}</ref> As the incumbent president, he ran virtually unopposed in the [[Democratic Party presidential primaries, 2012|Democratic Party presidential primaries]],<ref name="CNN-clinch1">{{cite news |url = http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/03/leading-presidential-candidate-to-clinch-nomination-tuesday/ |title = Leading presidential candidate to clinch nomination Tuesday |publisher = CNN (blog) |last = Yoon |first = Robert |date = April 3, 2012 |access-date = May 2, 2012 |archive-date = April 26, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120426082004/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/03/leading-presidential-candidate-to-clinch-nomination-tuesday/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> and on April 3, 2012, Obama secured the 2778 [[2012 Democratic National Convention|convention]] delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination.<ref name="CNN-clinch2">{{cite news |url = http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/03/breaking-obama-clinches-democratic-nomination/ |title = Obama clinches Democratic nomination |publisher = CNN (blog) |date = April 3, 2012 |access-date = April 3, 2012 |archive-date = April 4, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120404203415/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/03/breaking-obama-clinches-democratic-nomination/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> At the [[2012 Democratic National Convention|Democratic National Convention]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]], Obama and Joe Biden were formally nominated by former President Bill Clinton as the Democratic Party candidates for president and vice president in the general election. Their main opponents were Republicans [[Mitt Romney]], the former governor of Massachusetts, and Representative [[Paul Ryan]] of Wisconsin.<ref>{{cite news |last = Cohen |first = Tom |title = Clinton says Obama offers a better path forward for America |url = http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/05/politics/democratic-convention-wrap/index.html |publisher = CNN |date = September 6, 2012 |access-date = July 5, 2015 |archive-date = July 6, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150706115632/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/05/politics/democratic-convention-wrap/index.html |url-status = live }}</ref>


On November 6, 2012, Obama won 332 electoral votes, exceeding the 270 required for him to be reelected as president.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lauter |first=David |title=Romney campaign gives up in Florida |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/la-pn-romney-concedes-florida-election-20121108,0,415187.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109020204/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/la-pn-romney-concedes-florida-election-20121108%2C0%2C415187.story |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=November 8, 2012 |access-date=July 5, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last = Barnes |first = Robert |title = Obama wins a second term as U.S. president |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/decision2012/after-grueling-campaign-polls-open-for-election-day-2012/2012/11/06/d1c24c98-2802-11e2-b4e0-346287b7e56c_story.html |newspaper = The Washington Post |date = November 6, 2012 |access-date = July 5, 2015 |archive-date = April 17, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150417162701/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/decision2012/after-grueling-campaign-polls-open-for-election-day-2012/2012/11/06/d1c24c98-2802-11e2-b4e0-346287b7e56c_story.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1 = Welch |first1 = William M. |last2 = Strauss |first2 = Gary |title = With win in critical battleground states, Obama wins second term |url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2012/11/06/election-day-obama-romney/1680933/ |newspaper = USA Today |date = November 7, 2012 |access-date = July 5, 2015 |archive-date = June 16, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150616201528/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2012/11/06/election-day-obama-romney/1680933/ |url-status = live }}</ref> With 51.1 percent of the popular vote,<ref name="FEC">{{cite web |url=http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2012/federalelections2012.pdf |title = Election Results for the U.S. President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives |publisher = [[Federal Elections Commission]] |author = FEC |date = July 2013 |access-date = August 20, 2013 |page = 5 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131002094824/http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2012/federalelections2012.pdf |archive-date = October 2, 2013 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Obama became the first Democratic president since [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] to win the [[List of United States presidential elections by popular vote margin|majority of the popular vote]] twice.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brownstein |first=Ronald |title=The U.S. has reached a demographic milestone—and it's not turning back |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/thenextamerica/demographics/the-u-s-has-reached-a-demographic-milestone-and-it-s-not-turning-back-20121109 |work=[[National Journal]] |date=November 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111231854/http://www.nationaljournal.com/thenextamerica/demographics/the-u-s-has-reached-a-demographic-milestone-and-it-s-not-turning-back-20121109 |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |access-date=July 5, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.thenation.com/blog/171178/obama-has-great-big-mandate-and-he-must-use-it |title = Obama's 3 Million Vote, Electoral College Landslide, Majority of States Mandate |last = Nichols |first = John |date = November 9, 2012 |work = The Nation |access-date = November 18, 2012 |archive-date = November 27, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121127235843/http://www.thenation.com/blog/171178/obama-has-great-big-mandate-and-he-must-use-it |url-status = live }}</ref> Obama addressed supporters and volunteers at Chicago's [[McCormick Place]] after his reelection and said: "Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual. You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties."<ref>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Kristen A.|title=Election 2012: President Obama gives victory speech in front of thousands in Chicago, 'I have never been more hopeful about America{{'-}}|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/president-obama-victory-speech-hopeful-america-article-1.1197895|access-date=November 8, 2012|newspaper=Daily News|location=New York|date=November 7, 2012|archive-date=November 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109073355/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/president-obama-victory-speech-hopeful-america-article-1.1197895|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYT20130121">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/us/politics/obama-inauguration-draws-hundreds-of-thousands.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121151143/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/us/politics/obama-inauguration-draws-hundreds-of-thousands.html |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Obama Offers Liberal Vision: 'We Must Act{{'-}}|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|first=Michael|last=Shear|date=January 21, 2013|access-date=July 10, 2013}}</ref>
On November 6, 2012, Obama won 332 electoral votes, exceeding the 270 required for him to be reelected as president.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lauter |first=David |title=Romney campaign gives up in Florida |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/la-pn-romney-concedes-florida-election-20121108,0,415187.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109020204/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/la-pn-romney-concedes-florida-election-20121108%2C0%2C415187.story |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=November 8, 2012 |access-date=July 5, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last = Barnes |first = Robert |title = Obama wins a second term as U.S. president |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/decision2012/after-grueling-campaign-polls-open-for-election-day-2012/2012/11/06/d1c24c98-2802-11e2-b4e0-346287b7e56c_story.html |newspaper = The Washington Post |date = November 6, 2012 |access-date = July 5, 2015 |archive-date = April 17, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150417162701/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/decision2012/after-grueling-campaign-polls-open-for-election-day-2012/2012/11/06/d1c24c98-2802-11e2-b4e0-346287b7e56c_story.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1 = Welch |first1 = William M. |last2 = Strauss |first2 = Gary |title = With win in critical battleground states, Obama wins second term |url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2012/11/06/election-day-obama-romney/1680933/ |newspaper = USA Today |date = November 7, 2012 |access-date = July 5, 2015 |archive-date = June 16, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150616201528/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2012/11/06/election-day-obama-romney/1680933/ |url-status = live }}</ref> With 51.1 percent of the popular vote,<ref name="FEC">{{cite web |url=http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2012/federalelections2012.pdf |title = Election Results for the U.S. President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives |publisher = [[Federal Elections Commission]] |author = FEC |date = July 2013 |access-date = August 20, 2013 |page = 5 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131002094824/http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2012/federalelections2012.pdf |archive-date = October 2, 2013 |url-status = dead }}</ref> Obama became the first Democratic president since [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] to win the [[List of United States presidential elections by popular vote margin|majority of the popular vote]] twice.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brownstein |first=Ronald |title=The U.S. has reached a demographic milestone—and it's not turning back |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/thenextamerica/demographics/the-u-s-has-reached-a-demographic-milestone-and-it-s-not-turning-back-20121109 |work=[[National Journal]] |date=November 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111231854/http://www.nationaljournal.com/thenextamerica/demographics/the-u-s-has-reached-a-demographic-milestone-and-it-s-not-turning-back-20121109 |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |access-date=July 5, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.thenation.com/blog/171178/obama-has-great-big-mandate-and-he-must-use-it |title = Obama's 3 Million Vote, Electoral College Landslide, Majority of States Mandate |last = Nichols |first = John |date = November 9, 2012 |work = The Nation |access-date = November 18, 2012 |archive-date = November 27, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121127235843/http://www.thenation.com/blog/171178/obama-has-great-big-mandate-and-he-must-use-it |url-status = live }}</ref> Obama addressed supporters and volunteers at Chicago's [[McCormick Place]] after his reelection and said: "Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual. You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties."<ref>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Kristen A.|title=Election 2012: President Obama gives victory speech in front of thousands in Chicago, 'I have never been more hopeful about America{{'-}}|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/president-obama-victory-speech-hopeful-america-article-1.1197895|access-date=November 8, 2012|newspaper=Daily News|location=New York|date=November 7, 2012|archive-date=November 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109073355/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/president-obama-victory-speech-hopeful-america-article-1.1197895|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYT20130121">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/us/politics/obama-inauguration-draws-hundreds-of-thousands.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121151143/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/us/politics/obama-inauguration-draws-hundreds-of-thousands.html |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Obama Offers Liberal Vision: 'We Must Act{{'-}}|newspaper=The New York Times|first=Michael|last=Shear|date=January 21, 2013|access-date=July 10, 2013}}</ref>


==Presidency (2009–2017)==
==Presidency (2009–2017)==
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In his speeches as president, Obama did not make more overt references to race relations than his predecessors,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dyson |first1=Michael Eric |title=The Black Presidency: Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in America |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-544-38766-9 |page=275|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Gillion |first=Daniel Q. |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/governing-with-words/5D4F713A016401E3FC3922C66D371FF2 |title=Governing with Words |date=2016 |isbn=978-1-316-41229-9 |language=en |doi=10.1017/CBO9781316412299 |access-date=June 5, 2019 |archive-date=August 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810185603/https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/governing-with-words/5D4F713A016401E3FC3922C66D371FF2 |url-status=live }}</ref> but according to one study, he implemented stronger policy action on behalf of African-Americans than any president since the Nixon era.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Butler |first1=Bennett |last2=Mendelberg |first2=Tali |last3=Haines |first3=Pavielle E. |date=2019 |title="I'm Not the President of Black America": Rhetorical versus Policy Representation |journal=Perspectives on Politics |language=en |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=1038–1058 |doi=10.1017/S1537592719000963 |issn=1537-5927 |doi-access=free| publisher=Cambridge University Press}}</ref>
In his speeches as president, Obama did not make more overt references to race relations than his predecessors,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dyson |first1=Michael Eric |title=The Black Presidency: Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in America |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-544-38766-9 |page=275|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Gillion |first=Daniel Q. |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/governing-with-words/5D4F713A016401E3FC3922C66D371FF2 |title=Governing with Words |date=2016 |isbn=978-1-316-41229-9 |language=en |doi=10.1017/CBO9781316412299 |access-date=June 5, 2019 |archive-date=August 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810185603/https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/governing-with-words/5D4F713A016401E3FC3922C66D371FF2 |url-status=live }}</ref> but according to one study, he implemented stronger policy action on behalf of African-Americans than any president since the Nixon era.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Butler |first1=Bennett |last2=Mendelberg |first2=Tali |last3=Haines |first3=Pavielle E. |date=2019 |title="I'm Not the President of Black America": Rhetorical versus Policy Representation |journal=Perspectives on Politics |language=en |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=1038–1058 |doi=10.1017/S1537592719000963 |issn=1537-5927 |doi-access=free| publisher=Cambridge University Press}}</ref>


Following Obama's election, many pondered the existence of a "[[post-racial America]]".<ref name="wrodgers">{{cite news |last1=Rodgers |first1=Walter |date=January 5, 2010 |title=A year into Obama's presidency, is America postracial? |work=The Christian Science Monitor |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Walter-Rodgers/2010/0105/A-year-into-Obama-s-presidency-is-America-postracial |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117065412/http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Walter-Rodgers/2010/0105/A-year-into-Obama-s-presidency-is-America-postracial |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="shearalcindor1">{{cite news |last1=Shear |first1=Michael |last2=Alcindor |first2=Yamiche |date=January 14, 2017 |title=Jolted by Deaths, Obama Found His Voice on Race |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/14/us/politics/obama-presidency-race.html |access-date=January 17, 2017 |archive-date=January 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116205805/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/14/us/politics/obama-presidency-race.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, lingering racial tensions quickly became apparent,<ref name="wrodgers" /><ref name="ccil2">{{cite news |last1=Cillizza |first1=Chris |date=August 14, 2014 |title=President Obama's vision of post-racial America faces another stress test with Ferguson |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/08/14/president-obamas-desire-to-reshape-race-relations-runs-into-stark-realities/ |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033531/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/08/14/president-obamas-desire-to-reshape-race-relations-runs-into-stark-realities/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and many African-Americans expressed outrage over what they saw as an intense racial animosity directed at Obama.<ref name="jblake">{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=John |date=July 1, 2016 |title=What black America won't miss about Obama |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/30/politics/why-black-america-may-be-relieved-to-see-obama-go/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003024730/https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/30/politics/why-black-america-may-be-relieved-to-see-obama-go/ |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |website=[[CNN]]}}</ref> The [[Trial of George Zimmerman|acquittal]] of [[George Zimmerman]] following the [[killing of Trayvon Martin]] sparked national outrage, leading to Obama giving a speech in which he said that "Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago."<ref name="ccilliza">{{cite news |last1=Cillizza |first1=Chris |date=July 19, 2013 |title=President Obama's remarkably personal speech on Trayvon Martin and race in America |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2013/07/19/president-obamas-remarkably-personal-speech-on-trayvon-martin-and-race-in-america/ |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022902/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2013/07/19/president-obamas-remarkably-personal-speech-on-trayvon-martin-and-race-in-america/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The shooting of [[Shooting of Michael Brown|Michael Brown]] in [[Ferguson, Missouri]] [[Ferguson unrest|sparked a wave of protests]].<ref name="capeheart2">{{cite news |last1=Capeheart |first1=Jonathan |date=February 27, 2015 |title=From Trayvon Martin to 'black lives matter' |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2015/02/27/from-trayvon-martin-to-black-lives-matter/ |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117013956/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2015/02/27/from-trayvon-martin-to-black-lives-matter/ |url-status=live }}</ref> These and other events led to the birth of the [[Black Lives Matter]] movement, which campaigns against violence and [[Institutional racism|systemic racism]] toward [[black people]].<ref name="capeheart2" /> Though Obama entered office reluctant to talk about race, by 2014 he began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups.<ref name="pbacon">{{cite news |last1=Bacon |first1=Perry Jr. |date=January 3, 2015 |title=In Wake of Police Shootings, Obama Speaks More Bluntly About Race |publisher=NBC |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/barack-obama/wake-police-shootings-obama-speaks-more-bluntly-about-race-n278616 |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151111003526/http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/barack-obama/wake-police-shootings-obama-speaks-more-bluntly-about-race-n278616 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Following Obama's election, many pondered the existence of a "[[post-racial America]]".<ref name="wrodgers">{{cite news |last1=Rodgers |first1=Walter |date=January 5, 2010 |title=A year into Obama's presidency, is America postracial? |work=The Christian Science Monitor |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Walter-Rodgers/2010/0105/A-year-into-Obama-s-presidency-is-America-postracial |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117065412/http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Walter-Rodgers/2010/0105/A-year-into-Obama-s-presidency-is-America-postracial |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="shearalcindor1">{{cite news |last1=Shear |first1=Michael |last2=Alcindor |first2=Yamiche |date=January 14, 2017 |title=Jolted by Deaths, Obama Found His Voice on Race |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/14/us/politics/obama-presidency-race.html |access-date=January 17, 2017 |archive-date=January 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116205805/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/14/us/politics/obama-presidency-race.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, lingering racial tensions quickly became apparent,<ref name="wrodgers" /><ref name="ccil2">{{cite news |last1=Cillizza |first1=Chris |date=August 14, 2014 |title=President Obama's vision of post-racial America faces another stress test with Ferguson |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/08/14/president-obamas-desire-to-reshape-race-relations-runs-into-stark-realities/ |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033531/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/08/14/president-obamas-desire-to-reshape-race-relations-runs-into-stark-realities/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and many African-Americans expressed outrage over what they saw as an intense racial animosity directed at Obama.<ref name="jblake">{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=John |date=July 1, 2016 |title=What black America won't miss about Obama |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/30/politics/why-black-america-may-be-relieved-to-see-obama-go/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003024730/https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/30/politics/why-black-america-may-be-relieved-to-see-obama-go/ |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |website=[[CNN]]}}</ref> The [[Trial of George Zimmerman|acquittal]] of [[George Zimmerman]] following the [[killing of Trayvon Martin]] sparked national outrage, leading to Obama giving a speech in which he said that "Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago."<ref name="ccilliza">{{cite news |last1=Cillizza |first1=Chris |date=July 19, 2013 |title=President Obama's remarkably personal speech on Trayvon Martin and race in America |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2013/07/19/president-obamas-remarkably-personal-speech-on-trayvon-martin-and-race-in-america/ |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022902/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2013/07/19/president-obamas-remarkably-personal-speech-on-trayvon-martin-and-race-in-america/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The shooting of [[Shooting of Michael Brown|Michael Brown]] in [[Ferguson, Missouri]] [[Ferguson unrest|sparked a wave of protests]].<ref name="capeheart2">{{cite news |last1=Capeheart |first1=Jonathan |date=February 27, 2015 |title=From Trayvon Martin to 'black lives matter' |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2015/02/27/from-trayvon-martin-to-black-lives-matter/ |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117013956/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2015/02/27/from-trayvon-martin-to-black-lives-matter/ |url-status=live }}</ref> These and other events led to the birth of the [[Black Lives Matter]] movement, which campaigns against violence and [[Institutional racism|systemic racism]] toward [[black people]].<ref name="capeheart2" /> Though Obama entered office reluctant to talk about race, by 2014 he began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups.<ref name="pbacon">{{cite news |last1=Bacon |first1=Perry Jr. |date=January 3, 2015 |title=In Wake of Police Shootings, Obama Speaks More Bluntly About Race |publisher=NBC |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/barack-obama/wake-police-shootings-obama-speaks-more-bluntly-about-race-n278616 |access-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-date=November 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151111003526/http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/barack-obama/wake-police-shootings-obama-speaks-more-bluntly-about-race-n278616 |url-status=live }}</ref>


Several incidents during Obama's presidency generated disapproval from the African-American community and with law enforcement, and Obama sought to build trust between law enforcement officials and civil rights activists, with mixed results. Some in law enforcement criticized Obama's condemnation of racial bias after incidents in which police action led to the death of African-American men, while some racial justice activists criticized Obama's expressions of empathy for the police.<ref name="bridgethedivide">{{cite news |last1=Hirschfield Davis |first1=Julie |date=July 13, 2016 |title=Obama Urges Civil Rights Activists and Police to Bridge Divide |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/14/us/politics/tensions-between-police-and-blacks-are-likely-to-worsen-obama-says.html |access-date=July 23, 2016 |archive-date=July 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718174834/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/14/us/politics/tensions-between-police-and-blacks-are-likely-to-worsen-obama-says.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried "a great deal" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll since 2001.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 11, 2016 |title=U.S. Worries About Race Relations Reach a New High |publisher=Gallup |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/190574/worries-race-relations-reach-new-high.aspx?g_source=race%20obama&g_medium=search&g_campaign=tiles |access-date=December 5, 2016 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220044735/http://www.gallup.com/poll/190574/worries-race-relations-reach-new-high.aspx?g_source=race%20obama&g_medium=search&g_campaign=tiles |url-status=live }}</ref>
Several incidents during Obama's presidency generated disapproval from the African-American community and with law enforcement, and Obama sought to build trust between law enforcement officials and civil rights activists, with mixed results. Some in law enforcement criticized Obama's condemnation of racial bias after incidents in which police action led to the death of African-American men, while some racial justice activists criticized Obama's expressions of empathy for the police.<ref name="bridgethedivide">{{cite news |last1=Hirschfield Davis |first1=Julie |date=July 13, 2016 |title=Obama Urges Civil Rights Activists and Police to Bridge Divide |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/14/us/politics/tensions-between-police-and-blacks-are-likely-to-worsen-obama-says.html |access-date=July 23, 2016 |archive-date=July 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718174834/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/14/us/politics/tensions-between-police-and-blacks-are-likely-to-worsen-obama-says.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried "a great deal" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll since 2001.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 11, 2016 |title=U.S. Worries About Race Relations Reach a New High |publisher=Gallup |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/190574/worries-race-relations-reach-new-high.aspx?g_source=race%20obama&g_medium=search&g_campaign=tiles |access-date=December 5, 2016 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220044735/http://www.gallup.com/poll/190574/worries-race-relations-reach-new-high.aspx?g_source=race%20obama&g_medium=search&g_campaign=tiles |url-status=live }}</ref>


====LGBT rights====
====LGBT rights====
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Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal on May 22, 2018, to produce docu-series, documentaries and features for [[Netflix]] under the Obamas' newly formed production company, [[Higher Ground Productions]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Obamas Sign Deal With Netflix, Form 'Higher Ground Productions' |first=Scott |last=Neuman |date=May 22, 2018 |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/05/22/613246456/obamas-sign-content-deal-with-netlfix-form-higher-ground-productions |publisher=NPR |access-date=September 17, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Hunter |title=The Obamas Will Produce Movies and Shows for Netflix |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/05/the-obamas-will-produce-movies-and-shows-for-netflix.html |website=Vulture |access-date=September 17, 2018 |date=May 21, 2018 }}</ref> Higher Ground's first film, ''[[American Factory]]'', won the [[Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/13/entertainment/barack-and-michelle-obama-oscars/index.html|title=Barack and Michelle Obama's production company scores first Oscar nomination|last=Gonzalez|first=Sandra|date=January 13, 2020|work=CNN|access-date=January 21, 2020}}</ref> On October 24, a pipe bomb addressed to Obama was intercepted by the Secret Service. It was one of several pipe-bombs that had been [[October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts|mailed out to Democratic lawmakers and officials]].<ref name="auto2">{{cite news|last=Pitofsky|first=Marina|title=Suspicious packages sent to Clintons, Obamas, CNN: What we know so far|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/10/24/suspicious-packages-delivered-clintons-obamas-cnn-what-we-know/1749205002/|newspaper=USA Today|date=October 24, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024161609/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/10/24/suspicious-packages-delivered-clintons-obamas-cnn-what-we-know/1749205002/|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, Barack and Michelle Obama bought a home on [[Martha's Vineyard]] from [[Wyc Grousbeck]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lukpat |first=Alyssa |date=December 5, 2019 |title=Obamas reportedly buy Martha's Vineyard waterfront estate for $11.75 million |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/12/05/obamas-reportedly-buy-martha-vineyard-waterfront-estate-for-million/LeCI83nodDf735zneVfYKM/story.html |work=The Boston Globe}}</ref> On October 29, Obama criticized "[[woke]]ness" and [[Cancel culture|call-out culture]] at the Obama Foundation's annual summit.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 30, 2019|title=Barack Obama challenges 'woke' culture|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50239261|access-date=October 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Rueb|first1=Emily S.|last2=Taylor|first2=Derrick Bryson|date=October 31, 2019|title=Obama on Call-Out Culture: 'That's Not Activism'|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/us/politics/obama-woke-cancel-culture.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031174003/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/us/politics/obama-woke-cancel-culture.html |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=October 4, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal on May 22, 2018, to produce docu-series, documentaries and features for [[Netflix]] under the Obamas' newly formed production company, [[Higher Ground Productions]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Obamas Sign Deal With Netflix, Form 'Higher Ground Productions' |first=Scott |last=Neuman |date=May 22, 2018 |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/05/22/613246456/obamas-sign-content-deal-with-netlfix-form-higher-ground-productions |publisher=NPR |access-date=September 17, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Hunter |title=The Obamas Will Produce Movies and Shows for Netflix |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/05/the-obamas-will-produce-movies-and-shows-for-netflix.html |website=Vulture |access-date=September 17, 2018 |date=May 21, 2018 }}</ref> Higher Ground's first film, ''[[American Factory]]'', won the [[Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/13/entertainment/barack-and-michelle-obama-oscars/index.html|title=Barack and Michelle Obama's production company scores first Oscar nomination|last=Gonzalez|first=Sandra|date=January 13, 2020|work=CNN|access-date=January 21, 2020}}</ref> On October 24, a pipe bomb addressed to Obama was intercepted by the Secret Service. It was one of several pipe-bombs that had been [[October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts|mailed out to Democratic lawmakers and officials]].<ref name="auto2">{{cite news|last=Pitofsky|first=Marina|title=Suspicious packages sent to Clintons, Obamas, CNN: What we know so far|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/10/24/suspicious-packages-delivered-clintons-obamas-cnn-what-we-know/1749205002/|newspaper=USA Today|date=October 24, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024161609/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/10/24/suspicious-packages-delivered-clintons-obamas-cnn-what-we-know/1749205002/|archive-date=October 24, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, Barack and Michelle Obama bought a home on [[Martha's Vineyard]] from [[Wyc Grousbeck]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lukpat |first=Alyssa |date=December 5, 2019 |title=Obamas reportedly buy Martha's Vineyard waterfront estate for $11.75 million |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/12/05/obamas-reportedly-buy-martha-vineyard-waterfront-estate-for-million/LeCI83nodDf735zneVfYKM/story.html |work=The Boston Globe}}</ref> On October 29, Obama criticized "[[woke]]ness" and [[Cancel culture|call-out culture]] at the Obama Foundation's annual summit.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 30, 2019|title=Barack Obama challenges 'woke' culture|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50239261|access-date=October 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Rueb|first1=Emily S.|last2=Taylor|first2=Derrick Bryson|date=October 31, 2019|title=Obama on Call-Out Culture: 'That's Not Activism'|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/us/politics/obama-woke-cancel-culture.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031174003/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/us/politics/obama-woke-cancel-culture.html |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=October 4, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


Obama was reluctant to make an endorsement in the [[2020 Democratic presidential primaries]] because he wanted to position himself to unify the party, regardless of the nominee.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=John Fritze and David |title='Voters themselves must pick': Why Barack Obama isn't endorsing Joe Biden or anyone else for president |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/02/27/why-obama-wont-endorse-biden-south-carolina-super-tuesday-nears/4890693002/ |website=USA Today |access-date=March 18, 2022}}</ref> On April 14, 2020, Obama endorsed Biden, the presumptive nominee, for president in [[2020 United States presidential election|the presidential election]], stating that he has "all the qualities we need in a president right now."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Astor |first1=Maggie |last2=Glueck |first2=Katie |title=Barack Obama Endorses Joe Biden for President |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/politics/obama-endorses-biden.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414145003/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/politics/obama-endorses-biden.html |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |work=The New York Times |date=April 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Obama endorses Joe Biden for president|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-52287456|access-date=March 6, 2021}}</ref> In May, Obama criticized President Trump for [[Trump administration communication during the COVID-19 pandemic|his handling]] of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]], calling his response to the crisis "an absolute chaotic disaster", and stating that the consequences of the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump presidency]] have been "our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before."<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 20, 2020|title=DNC 2020: Obama blasts Trump's 'reality show' presidency|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-53844037|access-date=March 6, 2021}}</ref> On November 17, Obama's presidential memoir, ''[[A Promised Land]]'', was released.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Elizabeth A. |title=Obama's Memoir 'A Promised Land' Coming in November |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 17, 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/17/books/obama-memoir-a-promised-land.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917101005/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/17/books/obama-memoir-a-promised-land.html |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Adichie|first=Chimamanda Ngozi|date=November 12, 2020|title=Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on Barack Obama's 'A Promised Land'|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/12/books/review/barack-obama-a-promised-land.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112144007/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/12/books/review/barack-obama-a-promised-land.html |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=November 17, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Carras|first=Christi|date=September 17, 2020|title=Barack Obama's new memoir will arrive right after the presidential election|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2020-09-17/barack-obama-book-memoir-a-promised-land|access-date=November 17, 2020|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>
Obama was reluctant to make an endorsement in the [[2020 Democratic presidential primaries]] because he wanted to position himself to unify the party, regardless of the nominee.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=John Fritze and David |title='Voters themselves must pick': Why Barack Obama isn't endorsing Joe Biden or anyone else for president |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/02/27/why-obama-wont-endorse-biden-south-carolina-super-tuesday-nears/4890693002/ |website=USA Today |access-date=March 18, 2022}}</ref> On April 14, 2020, Obama endorsed Biden, the presumptive nominee, for president in [[2020 United States presidential election|the presidential election]], stating that he has "all the qualities we need in a president right now."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Astor |first1=Maggie |last2=Glueck |first2=Katie |title=Barack Obama Endorses Joe Biden for President |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/politics/obama-endorses-biden.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414145003/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/politics/obama-endorses-biden.html |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |work=The New York Times |date=April 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Obama endorses Joe Biden for president|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-52287456|access-date=March 6, 2021}}</ref> In May, Obama criticized President Trump for [[Trump administration communication during the COVID-19 pandemic|his handling]] of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]], calling his response to the crisis "an absolute chaotic disaster", and stating that the consequences of the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump presidency]] have been "our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before."<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 20, 2020|title=DNC 2020: Obama blasts Trump's 'reality show' presidency|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-53844037|access-date=March 6, 2021}}</ref> On November 17, Obama's presidential memoir, ''[[A Promised Land]]'', was released.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Elizabeth A. |title=Obama's Memoir 'A Promised Land' Coming in November |work=The New York Times |date=September 17, 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/17/books/obama-memoir-a-promised-land.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917101005/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/17/books/obama-memoir-a-promised-land.html |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |issn=0362-4331 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Adichie|first=Chimamanda Ngozi|date=November 12, 2020|title=Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on Barack Obama's 'A Promised Land'|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/12/books/review/barack-obama-a-promised-land.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112144007/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/12/books/review/barack-obama-a-promised-land.html |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=November 17, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Carras|first=Christi|date=September 17, 2020|title=Barack Obama's new memoir will arrive right after the presidential election|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2020-09-17/barack-obama-book-memoir-a-promised-land|access-date=November 17, 2020|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>


In February 2021, Obama and musician [[Bruce Springsteen]] started a podcast called ''[[Renegades: Born in the USA]]'' where the two talk about "their backgrounds, music and their 'enduring love of America.{{'"}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gabbatt |first1=Adam |title=Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen team up for new podcast |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/22/barack-obama-bruce-springsteen-podcast-renegades-born-usa |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=March 24, 2021 |date=February 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sisario |first1=Ben |title=Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen: The Latest Podcast Duo |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/22/arts/obama-springsteen-podcast-spotify.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/22/arts/obama-springsteen-podcast-spotify.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=February 22, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Later that year, Regina Hicks had signed a deal with [[Netflix]], in a venture with his and Michelle's Higher Ground to develop comedy projects.<ref>{{cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=December 8, 2021|title='Upshaws' Co-Creator Regina Hicks Sets Netflix Overall Deal, to Develop Comedy Series With Obamas' Higher Ground|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/upshaws-regina-hicks-netflix-overall-deal-obamas-higher-ground-1235129305/|access-date=December 9, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>
In February 2021, Obama and musician [[Bruce Springsteen]] started a podcast called ''[[Renegades: Born in the USA]]'' where the two talk about "their backgrounds, music and their 'enduring love of America.{{'"}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gabbatt |first1=Adam |title=Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen team up for new podcast |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/22/barack-obama-bruce-springsteen-podcast-renegades-born-usa |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=March 24, 2021 |date=February 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sisario |first1=Ben |title=Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen: The Latest Podcast Duo |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/22/arts/obama-springsteen-podcast-spotify.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/22/arts/obama-springsteen-podcast-spotify.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=February 22, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Later that year, Regina Hicks had signed a deal with [[Netflix]], in a venture with his and Michelle's Higher Ground to develop comedy projects.<ref>{{cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=December 8, 2021|title='Upshaws' Co-Creator Regina Hicks Sets Netflix Overall Deal, to Develop Comedy Series With Obamas' Higher Ground|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/upshaws-regina-hicks-netflix-overall-deal-obamas-higher-ground-1235129305/|access-date=December 9, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>
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In 2009, Obama signed into law the [[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010]], which contained in it the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the first addition to existing federal hate crime law in the United States since Democratic President Bill Clinton signed into law the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996. The act expanded [[Hate crime laws in the United States|existing federal hate crime laws in the United States]], and made it a federal crime to assault people based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bowman |first=Quinn |date=October 28, 2009 |title=Obama Signs Measure to Widen Hate Crimes Law |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/politics-july-dec09-hatecrime_10-28 |access-date=November 8, 2022 |work=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us}}</ref>
In 2009, Obama signed into law the [[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010]], which contained in it the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the first addition to existing federal hate crime law in the United States since Democratic President Bill Clinton signed into law the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996. The act expanded [[Hate crime laws in the United States|existing federal hate crime laws in the United States]], and made it a federal crime to assault people based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bowman |first=Quinn |date=October 28, 2009 |title=Obama Signs Measure to Widen Hate Crimes Law |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/politics-july-dec09-hatecrime_10-28 |access-date=November 8, 2022 |work=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us}}</ref>


As president, Obama advanced LGBT rights.<ref>{{cite news |last=Crary |first=David |date=January 4, 2017 |url=https://apnews.com/b94c8697ab2148199ca3d1b6137a9c20/lgbt-activists-view-obama-staunch-champion-their-cause |title=LGBT activists view Obama as staunch champion of their cause |work=Associated Press }}</ref> In 2010, he signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act, which brought an end to "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the U.S. armed forces that banned open service from [[LGBT]] people; the law went into effect the following year.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bumiller |first=Elisabeth |date=July 22, 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/23/us/23military.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723235727/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/23/us/23military.html |archive-date=July 23, 2011 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Obama Ends 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] }}</ref> In 2016, his administration brought an end to the ban on [[transgender]] people serving openly in the U.S. armed forces.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pentagon Says Transgender Troops Can Now Serve Openly|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/06/30/484192442/pentagon-says-transgender-troops-can-now-serve-openly|date=June 30, 2016|last=Kennedy|first=Kennedy|work=The Two-Way|publisher=[[NPR]]}}</ref><ref name=TransBan1 /> A [[Gallup poll]], taken in the final days of Obama's term, showed that 68 percent of Americans believed the U.S. had made progress on LGBT rights during Obama's eight years in office.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Michael |last1=Smith |first2=Frank |last2=Newport |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/201683/americans-assess-progress-obama.aspx |title=Americans Assess Progress Under Obama |publisher=The Gallup Organization |date=January 9, 2017 }}</ref>
As president, Obama advanced LGBT rights.<ref>{{cite news |last=Crary |first=David |date=January 4, 2017 |url=https://apnews.com/b94c8697ab2148199ca3d1b6137a9c20/lgbt-activists-view-obama-staunch-champion-their-cause |title=LGBT activists view Obama as staunch champion of their cause |work=Associated Press }}</ref> In 2010, he signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act, which brought an end to "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the U.S. armed forces that banned open service from [[LGBT]] people; the law went into effect the following year.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bumiller |first=Elisabeth |date=July 22, 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/23/us/23military.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723235727/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/23/us/23military.html |archive-date=July 23, 2011 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Obama Ends 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy |newspaper=The New York Times }}</ref> In 2016, his administration brought an end to the ban on [[transgender]] people serving openly in the U.S. armed forces.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pentagon Says Transgender Troops Can Now Serve Openly|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/06/30/484192442/pentagon-says-transgender-troops-can-now-serve-openly|date=June 30, 2016|last=Kennedy|first=Kennedy|work=The Two-Way|publisher=[[NPR]]}}</ref><ref name=TransBan1 /> A [[Gallup poll]], taken in the final days of Obama's term, showed that 68 percent of Americans believed the U.S. had made progress on LGBT rights during Obama's eight years in office.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Michael |last1=Smith |first2=Frank |last2=Newport |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/201683/americans-assess-progress-obama.aspx |title=Americans Assess Progress Under Obama |publisher=The Gallup Organization |date=January 9, 2017 }}</ref>


Obama substantially escalated the use of [[drone strikes]] against suspected militants and terrorists associated with al-Qaeda and the [[Taliban]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Zenko|first=Micah |date=January 12, 2016 |title= Obama's Embrace of Drone Strikes Will Be a Lasting Legacy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/01/12/reflecting-on-obamas-presidency/obamas-embrace-of-drone-strikes-will-be-a-lasting-legacy|work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date= March 2, 2019}}</ref> In 2016, the last year of his presidency, the U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries.<ref>{{cite news |last=Grandin|first=Greg |date=January 15, 2017 |title= Why Did the US Drop 26,171 Bombs on the World Last Year?|url=https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/why-did-the-us-dropped-26171-bombs-on-the-world-last-year/tnamp/|work=[[The Nation]] |author-link=Greg Grandin|access-date= January 11, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Agerholm|first=Harriet |date=January 19, 2017 |title=Map shows where President Barack Obama dropped his 20,000 bombs|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-president-barack-obama-bomb-map-drone-wars-strikes-20000-pakistan-middle-east-afghanistan-a7534851.html|work=The Independent |access-date=January 11, 2018}}</ref> Obama left about 8,400 U.S. troops in [[Afghanistan]], 5,262 in Iraq, 503 in Syria, 133 in Pakistan, 106 in Somalia, seven in Yemen, and two in Libya at the end of his presidency.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Parsons|first1=Christi|last2=Hennigan|first2=W. J.|title=President Obama, who hoped to sow peace, instead led the nation in war|url=https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-na-pol-obama-at-war/ |work=Los Angeles Times|date=January 13, 2017}}</ref>
Obama substantially escalated the use of [[drone strikes]] against suspected militants and terrorists associated with al-Qaeda and the [[Taliban]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Zenko|first=Micah |date=January 12, 2016 |title= Obama's Embrace of Drone Strikes Will Be a Lasting Legacy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/01/12/reflecting-on-obamas-presidency/obamas-embrace-of-drone-strikes-will-be-a-lasting-legacy|work=The New York Times |access-date= March 2, 2019}}</ref> In 2016, the last year of his presidency, the U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries.<ref>{{cite news |last=Grandin|first=Greg |date=January 15, 2017 |title= Why Did the US Drop 26,171 Bombs on the World Last Year?|url=https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/why-did-the-us-dropped-26171-bombs-on-the-world-last-year/tnamp/|work=[[The Nation]] |author-link=Greg Grandin|access-date= January 11, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Agerholm|first=Harriet |date=January 19, 2017 |title=Map shows where President Barack Obama dropped his 20,000 bombs|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-president-barack-obama-bomb-map-drone-wars-strikes-20000-pakistan-middle-east-afghanistan-a7534851.html|work=The Independent |access-date=January 11, 2018}}</ref> Obama left about 8,400 U.S. troops in [[Afghanistan]], 5,262 in Iraq, 503 in Syria, 133 in Pakistan, 106 in Somalia, seven in Yemen, and two in Libya at the end of his presidency.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Parsons|first1=Christi|last2=Hennigan|first2=W. J.|title=President Obama, who hoped to sow peace, instead led the nation in war|url=https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-na-pol-obama-at-war/ |work=Los Angeles Times|date=January 13, 2017}}</ref>


According to [[Pew Research Center]] and [[United States Bureau of Justice Statistics]], from December 31, 2009, to December 31, 2015, inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody declined by five percent. This is the largest decline in sentenced inmates in U.S. federal custody since Democratic President [[Jimmy Carter]]. By contrast, the federal prison population increased significantly under presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gramlich|first1=John|title=Federal prison population fell during Obama's term, reversing recent trend|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/01/05/federal-prison-population-fell-during-obamas-term-reversing-recent-trend/ |publisher=Pew Research Center|date=January 5, 2017}}</ref>
According to [[Pew Research Center]] and [[United States Bureau of Justice Statistics]], from December 31, 2009, to December 31, 2015, inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody declined by five percent. This is the largest decline in sentenced inmates in U.S. federal custody since Democratic President [[Jimmy Carter]]. By contrast, the federal prison population increased significantly under presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gramlich|first1=John|title=Federal prison population fell during Obama's term, reversing recent trend|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/01/05/federal-prison-population-fell-during-obamas-term-reversing-recent-trend/ |publisher=Pew Research Center|date=January 5, 2017}}</ref>
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