Barack Obama writes final 'thank you' letter to American people: 'I'll be right there with you'

Obama gave his farewell speech in Chicago, the birthplace of his fateful political career (Scott Olson/Getty)

On the final day of his presidency, Barack Obama sent a letter thanking Americans for the honour of serving in the White House Oval Office for eight years.

Tensions boiled among Americans following the narrow electoral college win of President-elect Donald Trump – who lost the popular vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton by some three million ballots.

In the scandal-ridden two months since Election Day, progressive Americans have looked to Mr Obama, the first black president for moral guidance and reassurance. His letter sent on the morning of his final day in office repeated his signature measured tone.

“I wanted to say one final thank you for the honour of serving as your 44th [president],” Mr Obama wrote. “Because all that I’ve learned in my time in office, I’ve learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.”

In his final press conference, Mr Obama made clear that he would take a much needed break from political life, embracing his return to the role of citizen, to write, to be a father, to be silent.

However, Mr Obama, who has been critical of Mr Trump’s temperamental unfitness to serve as president, said he would return to defend core American values.

“There’s a difference between that normal functioning of politics and certain issues or certain moments where I think our core values may be at stake,” he told reporters. He listed policies of “systematic discrimination”, voter suppression, “institutional efforts to silence dissent or the press”, and deporting undocumented immigrants brought here as children.

Mr Obama ended his letter reminding people that they have their work cut out for them as Mr Trump assumes office.

“I’ll be right there with you every step of the way,” he said.

“And when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word 'We.' 'We the People.' 'We shall overcome.'

“Yes, we can.”

Read the letter in full:

My fellow Americans,

It's a long-standing tradition for the sitting president of the United States to leave a parting letter in the Oval Office for the American elected to take his or her place. It's a letter meant to share what we know, what we've learned, and what small wisdom may help our successor bear the great responsibility that comes with the highest office in our land, and the leadership of the free world.

But before I leave my note for our 45th president, I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th. Because all that I've learned in my time in office, I've learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.

Throughout these eight years, you have been the source of goodness, resilience, and hope from which I've pulled strength. I've seen neighbors and communities take care of each other during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. I have mourned with grieving families searching for answers — and found grace in a Charleston church.

I've taken heart from the hope of young graduates and our newest military officers. I've seen our scientists help a paralyzed man regain his sense of touch, and wounded warriors once given up for dead walk again. I've seen Americans whose lives have been saved because they finally have access to medical care, and families whose lives have been changed because their marriages are recognized as equal to our own. I've seen the youngest of children remind us through their actions and through their generosity of our obligations to care for refugees, or work for peace, and, above all, to look out for each other.

I've seen you, the American people, in all your decency, determination, good humor, and kindness. And in your daily acts of citizenship, I've seen our future unfolding.

All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into that work — the joyous work of citizenship. Not just when there's an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime.

I'll be right there with you every step of the way.

And when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word 'We.' 'We the People.' 'We shall overcome.'

Yes, we can.

President Barack Obama