January 1, Deja Vu: Obama Returns to the White House

Former President Barack Obama made his first appearance at the White House for the first time since leaving office.

It’s an honor to welcome my friend President @BarackObama back to the White House. I look forward to discussing the big step we’re announcing today that would expand coverage under the Affordable Care Act for families and lower health care costs for hardworking Americans. pic.twitter.com/FkLnkB96Jt

— President Biden (@POTUS) April 5, 2022

“It is good to be back in the White House. It’s been awhile,” Obama said. “I confess, I heard some changes have been made by the current president since I was last here.”

“Apparently, Secret Service agents have to wear aviator glasses now,” he continued, referencing the shades that Biden is known to wear. “The Navy mess has been replaced by a Baskin Robbins. And there’s a cat running around.”

Obama gave remarks alongside President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in the East Room, touting the Affordable Care Act and receiving a standing ovation from Congress members, administration officials, and other attendees.

“I know how discouraged people can get with Washington. Democrats, Republicans, independents. Everybody feels frustrated sometimes about what takes place in this town. Progress feels way to slow sometimes,” Obama said. “Victories are often incomplete and in a country as big and diverse as ours, consensus never comes easily.

“But what the affordable care act shows is if you are driven by the core idea that together we can improve the lives of this generation and the next, and if you’re persistent, if you stay with it and are willing to work through the obstacles and the criticism and continually improve where you fall short, you can make America better.”

The Hill noted that Obama is still one the most popular Democrats, and his appearance comes amid Biden’s fledgling approval ratings.

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Obama joins Biden for first White House appearance since 2017