After 8 years of being our president the time has come for President Barack Obama to check off the last few things on his to-do list. With less than 2 week left till President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration Obama is working on securing his legacy and ensuring that there are people left in the White house who share the same beliefs as him. In an interview with David Alexrod Obama stated, “I think over the next 45 days, what I can say is, `Here's how I would do it if I were sticking around,’ but I'm not sticking around.” While crafting a major farewell speech is a huge part of Obama's final responsibilities there are many others that may be a little bit harder to execute.
Since 2009 Obama has made efforts to enact criminal justice legislation, which included sentencing reforms. Even though this legislation died out during the recent election year according to Real Clear Politics by using his clemency powers Obama has shortened the sentences of more than 1,000 offenders. He continues making this a priority by planning last minute commutations and pardons for inmates given harsh sentences for drug crimes. While more prominent offenders like Edward Snowden are also asking for leniency Obama's final acts of clemency are expected to focus on drug offenders.
Obama's administration is also working to secure laws and programs that Trump and other Republicans have vowed to remove. Last Wednesday Obama had plans to travel to the Capitol and meet with his party's lawmakers, likely to discuss a strategy that will protect the Affordable Care Act. Another project that Trump's advisers will probably re-evaluate includes the creation of the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute, which will focus on developing techniques for repairing and replacing cells and tissues. Obama also created the Council of Community Solutions which focuses on supporting young people who are not connected with education and employment. Even though Trump has promised to purge Obamas's determinations this may be an advisory group that he has to keep. Considering it would be contradictory to eradicate a group that is focused on helping citizens that Trump says he represents.
In regards to the environment Obama has worked to secure the safety of certain lands and oceans. In Utah he has protected 1.35 million acres considered sacred by Native Americans. Over in Nevada he preserved more than 300,000 acres that were deemed ecologically fragile land. Both of these acts have upset Republicans who planned to use these lands for commercial use or energy exploration. His administration is also working hard to finish up regulations in regards to the Dakota Access Pipeline that Obama hopes can be completed in the final days. When it comes to protecting our waters Obama has put certain U.S.-owned waters and 31 Atlantic Ocean canyons "indefinitely" off-limits for future oil and gas leases.
In addition to all of his final president duties Obama will also prepare to become a private citizen for the first time in two decades.
While some may think that the transition from president to citizen should be handled differently it is obvious that Barack Obama will always fight hard for what he wants. Here is a man who continues to work for the American people at a point when most people would expect him to stop trying. I look forward to seeing how he will decide to continue his work for our country.
