Sep 23

Here’s Why I’m Celebrating Banned Books Week

From the time I first learned to read, books have played an essential role in how I experience the world. Reading Toni Morrison as a college student — novels like The Bluest Eye and Song of Solomon — changed me. Discovering writers like Mark Twain or James Baldwin revealed something…

Books

3 min read

Sep 8

Our Statement on the Passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

From the day of her coronation 70 years ago — the first one ever televised — to this very moment, as countless tributes are being posted online in her honor, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has captivated the world. Today, Michelle and I join so many others who are celebrating…

2 min read

Our Statement on the Passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Sep 7

Back at the White: The Unveiling of Our Official Portraits

Remarks as delivered in The White House East Room with President Biden and First Lady Dr. Biden. Full event transcript is available here. PRESIDENT OBAMA: Are we ready? Yes? (Laughter.) Okay. There we go. (The portraits are unveiled.) (Applause.) Thank you so much. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. Thank you…

12 min read

Back at the White: The Unveiling of Our Official Portraits

Jul 26

My 2022 Summer Lists

Summer Reading List I’ve read a couple of great books this year and wanted to share some of my favorites so far. What have you been reading this summer? Sea of Tranquility — Emily St. John Mandel Why We’re Polarized — Ezra Klein The Candy House — Jennifer Egan A Little Devil in…

3 min read

Jul 8

My Statement on the Assassination of Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

I am shocked and saddened by the assassination of my friend and longtime partner Shinzo Abe in Japan. Former Prime Minister Abe was devoted to both the country he served and the extraordinary alliance between the United States and Japan. I will always remember the work we did to strengthen our alliance, the moving experience of traveling to Hiroshima and Pearl Harbor together, and the grace he and his wife Akie Abe showed to me and Michelle. Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the people of Japan who are very much in our thoughts at this painful moment.

1 min read

My Statement on the Assassination of Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Jun 15

My Statement on the 10th Anniversary of DACA

For all they have done for our nation, and all they will continue to do, DACA recipients and their families deserve better. Ten years ago, our nation strengthened its commitment to the principle that every American deserves a chance to build a better life here. Amid congressional gridlock and decades…

DACA

6 min read

Jun 10

My Remarks at the 2022 Copenhagen Democracy Summit

Today, I spoke at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit in Denmark to discuss the importance of a positive vision for democracy, and the promise of the next generation to chart a better course. Thank you. Thank you. Well, thank you, Sahra-Josephine, for that introduction, and the extraordinary work that you are…

39 min read

My Remarks at the 2022 Copenhagen Democracy Summit

May 16

Announcing the Voyager Scholarship for Students with a Passion for Public Service

In an increasingly globalized world, forging connections is more important than ever. We know that young leaders with a passion for public service will be the ones to bridge divides and set a better course for our future. And that means we need to do everything we can to nurture…

2 min read

Announcing the Voyager Scholarship for Students with a Passion for Public Service

May 3

My Statement with Michelle on the Draft Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade

Today, millions of Americans woke up fearing that their essential freedoms under the Constitution were at risk. If the Supreme Court ultimately decides to overturn the landmark case of Roe v. Wade, then it will not only reverse nearly 50 years of precedent — it will relegate the most intensely…

3 min read

My Statement with Michelle on the Draft Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade

Apr 21

Disinformation Is a Threat to Our Democracy

Tech platforms need to recognize that their decisions have an impact on every aspect of society. — Hello, Stanford. It is great to be in California and back in beautiful Palo Alto. Coming here always makes me want to go back to college, although an 18-year-old Barack Obama would not have gotten in. I got more serious, later. I want to thank the Cyber Policy Center here…

28 min read

Disinformation Is a Threat to Our Democracy