The 10 most badass moments of Obama’s presidency show exactly why so many will miss him
After eight years, President Barack Obama's term in the Oval Office is finally coming to an end. And throughout the ups and downs of Obama's historic presidency, there's one thing that has become overwhelmingly clear: Our president is a badass.
Here are 10 of President Obama's most badass moments that we'll miss when he leaves the White House:
1. When he killed Bin Laden
If there's only one badass thing that Obama did during his presidency, it has to be when he led the operation to take out al-Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden in 2011. The act has been a source of pride for Obama throughout his presidency: "If you doubt America's commitment — or mine — to see that justice is done," Obama said in his 2016 State of the Union address, "just ask Osama bin Laden."
2. When he wasn't afraid to heckle his critics
As the true badass he is, Obama isn't afraid to respond to his critics. During his 2015 State of the Union address, Obama shut down Republicans who sarcastically applauded the line "I have no campaigns left to run" with a simple ad-libbed quip: "I know, because I won both of them."
3. When he fought for equality
LGBTQ Americans have had a lot to celebrate during Obama's presidency, who declared in May 2016 the "simple truth that LGBT rights are human rights." Just some of the historic strides that have been made during Obama's tenure include the legalization of marriage equality nationwide; the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell; the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the designation of the Stonewall Inn as the first national monument representing the struggle for LGBTQ rights.
4. When he responded to Trump's birther claims
Long before his presidential campaign, Donald Trump's political reign began in 2011, when he questioned the legitimacy of Obama's status as a native-born American. Of course, Obama took these attacks in stride: In addition to releasing his long-form birth certificate to put the "fake issue" aside, Obama addressed Trump's claims directly at the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner, where he decided to go one step further and release his "birth video."
Spoiler alert: It looks a lot like The Lion King.
5. When he signed Obamacare into law
One of the crowning achievements of Obama's presidency is the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which has brought health insurance to 16.4 million previously uninsured Americans since its passage, in spite of constant attacks from Republicans. Obama's determination to provide basic needs like affordable healthcare to citizens in the face of overwhelming adversity certainly makes him a badass in our books.
6. When he busted out a tune
If there's one thing we've learned about Obama during his presidency, it's that the man is not afraid to carry a tune. While President Obama's musical performances have famously included taking on Al Green and "Amazing Grace," perhaps his best performance came in 2012, when Obama joined B.B. King, Mick Jagger and a host of other musicians at a White House concert celebrating the blues to sing a few bars of "Sweet Home Chicago."
7. When he used his executive powers
When faced with a gridlocked Congress who seemingly can't get anything passed, Obama has been quick to use his own executive powers to ensure that progress is made. In 2014, Obama responded to Congress' incapability to get a bill passed on immigration reform by announcing that he would use his own executive actions to make whatever progress on immigration that he could without the help of Congress.
In an address to the American people about the matter, Obama offered one simple, badass message to his critics in Congress:
"And to those members of Congress who question my authority to make our immigration system work better, or question the wisdom of me acting where Congress has failed, I have one answer: Pass a bill."
8. When he went on Between Two Ferns
During his presidency, Obama has not been one to shy away from making the pop culture rounds, with appearances that range from slow jamming the news with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots to talking with Marc Maron on his WTF Podcast. But perhaps the most badass appearance Obama made was when he verbally sparred with Zach Galifianakis on the webseries Between Two Ferns.
"If I ran a third time it would be sorta like doing a third Hangover movie," Obama quipped to Galifianakis. "Didn't really work out very well, did it?"
9. When he commended the women's soccer team
If there's another thing that makes a true badass, it's being able to call out others for being one, too. In the wake of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team's 2015 World Cup win, Obama offered the perfect congratulation. "This team taught all America's children," Obama said in an address, "that playing like a girl means you're a badass."
10. Finally: When He dropped the mic
"And with that, I just have two more words to say: Obama out."
