President Obama spoke Wednesday at his final press conference as president.
It was the White House Press Corps’ last chance to get the president on the record with tough and thorough questions. It was their last chance to press him for clarity and details on his positions on issues both foreign and domestic.
They asked him about many things, including classified leaks, Israeli settlement, LGBT rights and racial discord.
Here are all the questions directed at the outgoing president Wednesday afternoon:
1. From Jeff mason, White House Correspondent for Reuters:
Are you concerned, Mr. President, that commuting Chelsea Manning’s sentence will send a message that leaking classified material will not generate a tough sentence to groups like WikiLeaks? How do you reconcile that in light of WikiLeaks’ connection to Russia’s hackings in last year’s election? And related to that, Julian Assange has now offered to come to the United States. Are you seeking that and will he be charged or arrested if he came here?
2. From Margaret Brennan, Foreign Affairs correspondent for CBS News:
The president-elect has said that he would consider lifting sanctions on Russia if they substantially reduce their nuclear stockpile. Given your own efforts at arms control, do you think that’s an effective strategy? Knowing this office and Mr. Trump, how would you advise his advisers to help him be effective when he deals with Vladimir Putin? And given your actions recently on Russia, do you think those sanctions should be viewed as leverage?
3. Kevin Corke, White House Correspondent for Fox News Channel:
You have been a strong supporter of the idea of a peaceful transfer of power, demonstrated not terribly far from here in the Rose Garden.
And yet, even as you and I speak, there are more than five dozen Democrats that are gong to boycott the inauguration of the incoming president. Do you support that and what message would you send to Democrats to better demonstrate the peaceful transfer of power?
And if I could follow, I wanted to ask you about your conversations with the president-elect. Previously, and without getting into too much of the personal side of it, I’m just curious: Were you able to use that opportunity to convince him to take a fresh look at some of the important ideas that you will leave this office with, um, maintaining some semblance of the Affordable Care Act, some idea of keeping Dreamers here in the country without fear of deportation? Were you able to use personal stories to try to convince him? And how successful were you?
4. Janet Rodríguez, White House Correspondent for Univision:
You have said that you would come back and fight for the Dreamers. You said that a couple of weeks ago. Are you fearful for the status of those Dreamers, the future of the young immigrants and all immigrants in this country with the new administration?
And what did you mean when you said you would come back? Would you lobby Congress? Maybe explore the political arena again? And if I may ask you a second question, why did you take action on ‘dry foot/wet foot’ a week ago?
5. Nadia Bilbassy-Charters, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent for Al Arabiya News Channel:
You have been criticized and even personally attacked for the U.N. Security Council resolution that considered Israeli settlements illegal and an obstacle to peace. Mr. Trump promised to move the embassy to Jerusalem. He appointed an ambassador that doesn’t believe in the two-state solution.
How worried are you about the U.S. leadership in the Arab world and beyond as an honest broker? Will this ignite a third intifada? Will this even protect Israel? And in retrospect, do you think that it should have held Israel more accountable like President Bush senior did with the loan guarantees?
6. Chris Johnson, Chief Political & White House Reporter for the Washington Blade:
On LGBT rights, we’ve seen a lot of achievements over the past eight years, including signing hate crime protection legislation, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal, marriage equality nationwide and assuring [trans] people feel visible and respected. How do you think LGBT rights will rank in terms of your accomplishments and your legacy? And how confident are you that Congress will endure or continue under the president-elect?
7. April Ryan, White House correspondent and Washington bureau chief for American Urban Radio Networks:
Long before today, you’ve been considered a rights president. Under your watch, people have said that you have expanded the rubber band of inclusion, and with the election and the incoming administration, people are saying the rubber band has recoiled, and maybe is even broken. And I’m thinking back to a time, on Air Force One, going to Selma, Ala., when you said your job was to close the gaps that remain. And with that, what gaps still remain when it comes to rights issues on the table? And also, what part will you play in fixing those gaps in your new life? And lastly, you are the first black president. Do you expect this country to see this again?
8. Christi Parsons, White House correspondent for the L.A. Times:
Thank you, Mr. President. It has been an honor. I have a personal question, because I know how much you like those. The first lady put the stakes of the 2016 election in very personal terms in a speech that resonated across the country. And she really spoke the concerns of a lot of women, LGBT folk, people of color, many others. And so I wonder now how you and the first lady are talking to your daughters about the meaning of this election, and how you interpret it for yourself and for them?
