President Barack Obama gave a farewell speech Monday night urging Americans to take steps to protect democracy, despite increasing political division ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Trump.
“Only if all of us, regardless of party affiliation or particular interests, help restore the sense of common purpose, that we so badly need right now,” he said.During his final official address to the American people, he urged citizens to take action against economic inequality, growing racial tensions, and an increasing tendency for people to live in media and news “bubbles.”“You know that constant change has been America’s hallmark, that it is not something to fear but something to embrace,” he said. “You are willing to carry this hard work of democracy forward.”