Barack Obama gives first speech as private US citizen in eight years: 'This has always been about you'

‘All the amazing things that happened over these last 10 years are really just a testament to you’

Former President Barack Obama delivered his first speech after the inauguration of Donald Trump, touting his legacy and the power of hope amongst his supporters.

“I said before and I will say again, that when we started on this journey, we did so with an abiding faith in the American people and their ability – our ability – to join together and change the country in ways that would make life better for our kids and our grandkids,” he told staff and supporters at Joint Base Andrews. “That change didn't happen from the top down, but it happened from the bottom up.”

Mr Obama’s brief remarks stood in contrast to the cynical and jagged oration of his successor, who gave a nationalist stump speech after taking the oath of office.

“The establishment protected itself but not the citizens of our country,” Mr Trump, who failed to win a majority in the popular vote, said. “Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs. And while they celebrated in the nation's capital, there was little to celebrate all across our land.”

On the contrary, Mr Obama gave credit to Americans for their successes while in office – as the 44th president inherited a devastated economy and two wars at the start of his administration.

“You proved the power of hope. And throughout this process, Michelle and I, we’ve just been your frontmen and women. We have been the face, sometimes the voice, out front on the TV screen or in front of the microphone,” he said. “But this has never been about us. This has always been about you.

“All the amazing things that happened over these last 10 years are really just a testament to you.”

The transfer of power remained throughout the ceremonial day, even as Mr Trump campaigned on dismantling all of Mr Obama’s major policies passed during his two terms in office. Throughout that time, Mr Trump consistently questioned the legitimacy of Mr Obama’s presidency, launching a racist campaign in 2011 accusing the first black president of faking his US citizenship. The stunt is largely considered to be what thrust Mr Trump into mainstream politics.

The two exchanged pleasantries Friday morning. Reporters caught video that appeared to show Mr Obama slide a good luck note into the drawer of the Resolute desk just before he left the Oval Office one last time.

When the two first families posed for a photo, Mr Obama was even able to crack a joke.

“Now we can take the picture, I’m always on the left,” he said as the two couples arranged themselves for the picture.

After the inaugural ceremonies, Mr and Ms Obama boarded a military plane at Joint Base Andrews en route to Palm Springs, California, to take a break from the frenzied eight years in office.

“The President vowed to take his family to a destination that is warmer than Washington, DC, on Friday and Palm Springs fits the bill,” said former White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest in his final press briefing this week. “This is a community that the President has visited on a number of occasions as President of the United States.

“He and his family have enjoyed the time they've spent there in the past. And they’re looking forward to travelling there on Friday.”

Former Vice President Joe Biden – commonly known as “Amtrak Joe” – and his wife, Dr Jill Biden, departed Washington aboard a train from Union Station.

“This is the way I wanted to go home, the way I came,” he told reporters.

As the Obama family headed to warmer climates, tense protests erupted in the first moments of Donald Trump’s presidency. Reports showed some minor property damage as Metropolitan Police, donning riot gear, deployed flash bangs and pepper spray to disperse protesters.

The transfer of power to many Americans symbolised the loss of hope. But Mr Obama reassured his supporters that the end of his chapter does not mean the end of days or the end of progress in the US.

“This isn't a period, it's a comma, in the continuing story that is America,” he said.

“This has been the privilege of my life ... and I can’t wait to see what you do next, and I promise I’ll be right there with you.

“Yes we did. Yes we can.”