Barack Obama boards helicopter and says final goodbye to American people

Patrick Grafton-Green20 January 2017

Barack Obama has waved goodbye to the American people after eight years as US president, leaving Capitol Hill in a Marine helicopter with his wife Michelle.

The helicopter circled Washington DC before heading to Joint Base Andrews, where Mr Obama will get one last ride on his presidential plane – no longer called Air Force One.

His final hours as President have been spent welcoming his replacement, Donald Trump, to the White House.

President Trump was sworn in on Friday, becoming the 45th President of the United States.

Barack Obama leaves for Joint Base Andrews
AP

It’s not clear what Mr Obama will do now, with former First Lady Mrs Obama saying: "First, we're going to take a little break.

"We're finally going to get some sleep and take some time to be with our family, and just be still for a little bit.

"So we might not be online quite as much as you're used to seeing us."

The Obama Family Album - In pictures

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Last year Mr Obama stated he had no plans to retire from political life.

He said: "I'll go back to doing the kinds of work that I was doing before, just trying to find ways to help people.

"Help young people get educations, and help people get jobs, and try to bring businesses into neighborhoods that don't have enough businesses. That's the kind of work that I really love to do."

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