The Obama Years

On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama became the first African American President of the United States. In the first two years of his administration, he appointed two Supreme Court justices, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. He also received the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for his promotion of nuclear non-proliferation and outreach to the Muslim world. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $787 billion stimulus package, passed as soon as Obama entered office. It was a follow-up to President Bush’s Troubled Asset Relief Program of 2008. The plan later spurred the formation of the Tea Party. In 2010 Obama offered his signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare” as others called it. It was a dramatic expansion of healthcare coverage throughout America.

President Obama oversaw military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria while in office. He authorized the operation that killed Osama bin Laden in May of 2011. After two years of negotiations, he signed a nuclear deal with Iran, which sent $1.7 billion of seized Iranian assets back to Iran for guarantees it would not produce nuclear weapons. In 2015, Obama worked with Pope Francis to open diplomatic relations with the Cuban government. To deal with the financial crisis of 2007-8, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Consumer Protection Act was passed. It rewrote financial regulations to help avert the “Great Depression”. In 2016, Obama signed the Paris Climate Agreement. He had an approval rating of 68% upon entering office and 60% when he left.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama share a moment on a freight elevator with Secret Service agents on the way to an Inaugural ball in Washington D.C., January 20, 2009. (Credit: Pete Sousa/White House)

The 2009 Nobel Peace Price was awarded to President Barack Obama in Oslo, Norway on December 10, 2009. He received the award for his promotion of nuclear non-proliferation and his outreach to the Muslim world. (Credit: Pete Sousa/White House)

Two days after the December 14, 2012 shooting spree at Sandy Hook Elementary School, President Barack Obama reacts to the deaths of 20 children and 6 adults at the hands of a lone shooter with an assault style rifle. (Credit: White House)

Young Jacob Philadelphia, son of National Security staffer Carlton Philadelphia, asks President Barack Obama if his hair is the same as Jacob’s. The president graciously lets Jacob find out. (Credit: Pete Sousa / White House)

Operating in one of the smaller situation rooms in the White House, members of the National Security team watch as an unmanned drone operates over Osama bin Laden’s compound, just before Seal Team Six enters and kills him. (Credit: Pete Sousa/White House) (Credit: Erik Draper)

On a trip to Afghanistan on May 1, 2012, President Barack Obama traveled to Bagram Air Base to visit with U.S. troops and thank them for their sacrifice. The president also wanted to convince the Afghan government to take more responsibility for the war so more American soldiers could return home. (Credit: Pete Sousa / White House)

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