Obama waves goodbye to White House: 'We're off on a quick vacation'

Barack Obama has said goodbye to supporters in Washington DC and revealed he is taking a holiday after handing over power to newly-inaugurated US President Donald Trump.

Mr Obama and his family were escorted by President Trump and Vice President Pence to the east steps of Capitol Hill, where they departed US Congress in a helicopter.

Former vice president Joe Biden and his family, who were also escorted by Mr Trump and Mr Pence, were taken away in a motorcade.

After arriving at Fort Andrews military base, Mr Obama and his family were set to fly on to Palm Springs, California.

He thanked members of his staff at the base, telling them they had "proved the power of hope" by believing in him when he became the 44th president.

He said: "It wasn't blind optimism that drove you to do all this work, it wasn't naivety, it wasn't willful ignorance to all the challenges that America faces, it was hope, hope in the face of uncertainty.

"You proved the power of hope. This has never been about us, it has always been about you."

Writing on his old Twitter account, Mr Obama said he would soon be returning to work.

He wrote: "Hi everybody! Back to the original handle. Is this thing still



on?

"Michelle and I are off on a quick vacation, then we'll get back to work."

And Mrs Obama tweeted: "After an extraordinary 8 years, I'll be taking a little break. Will be back before you know it to work with you on the issues we care about."

Earlier, Mr Obama left a personal note for his successor in the Oval Office - a customary gesture for an outgoing president.

Hours before that chapter ended, Mr Obama posted a message on Twitter saying it had been "the honour of my life to serve you".

He added: "You made me a better leader and a better man. I won't stop; I'll be right there with you as a citizen, inspired by your voices of truth and justice, good humour, and love."

Referencing the wave of optimism that preceded his first term as president, he added: "I'm still asking you to believe - not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours.

"I believe in change because I believe in you."

As they said goodbye to members of the White House residence staff, Mr Obama and his wife Michelle were presented with two US flags that were flown atop of the building.

One of the flags was raised on the first day of Mr Obama's presidency, while the other was flown on his final morning in charge.