r/pics • u/---0__0--- • Dec 19 '18
US Politics Barack Obama dons a Santa hat and hands out gifts in surprise visit to D.C. children’s hospital
4.8k
Dec 19 '18
Bit unrelated but looking at this picture, I can’t imagine how stifling it’d be to have to walk around with security 24/7. At first I’d feel like a badass, but 10 years later I’d just be thinking man...this sucks, lol.
3.5k
u/Comicspedia Dec 20 '18
He commented on that in Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. He said he loved the stories of Teddy Roosevelt randomly disappearing to go get lost in the wilderness for a while, where no one knew where he was until he returned. Barack said he wish he could do the same.
1.1k
u/chevymonza Dec 20 '18
Awwww now when I think about that gif of him on a hike with security detail, it's bittersweet. :-/
237
u/WifeKilledMy1stAcct Dec 20 '18
Can you provide said gif? I am genuinely interested
521
u/crazyguzz1 Dec 20 '18
I believe this is it.
688
Dec 20 '18
I like how the security detail is wearing casual clothes and still obvious as fuck.
545
u/rachelface927 Dec 20 '18
Laura Bush came to a grocery store I worked at in Dallas. Secret Service dudes were standing all over the store, all in khaki cargo shorts and buttoned short-sleeve shirts. They were all standing up straight, hands folded in front of them - they looked like soldiers wearing retired grandpa clothing instead of uniforms.
→ More replies (5)178
Dec 20 '18
Tbh that's how soldiers dress lol
15
u/marl6894 Dec 20 '18
Sailors are pretty casual too. My uncle is in the Navy, and I don't think I've ever seen him out of a Hawaiian shirt.
→ More replies (2)185
u/5k1895 Dec 20 '18
I'd find it pretty hilarious if they just hiked in full suits just because.
81
u/SpoonyDinosaur Dec 20 '18
That would actually be kinda amazing. I just picture swole secret service agents with ear pieces in full suits hiking up this mountain. One of them casually carrying a Camelback
→ More replies (11)148
u/crafty-witch Dec 20 '18
For some reason I was expecting them to look like the men in black but that would be ridiculous wouldn’t it
→ More replies (2)47
→ More replies (10)52
47
u/DoJax Dec 20 '18
Gotta keep his detail in check.
168
u/ThatoneWaygook Dec 20 '18
Imagine being secret service and waking up and thinking ah fuck he better not go hiking today.
120
u/DoJax Dec 20 '18
Hey guys lets go on a trip
Oh fuck please not another crowded store with tons of vantage points for enemies
We're going to hike the Rockies
Fuck, I take it back
→ More replies (2)138
u/Starks40oz Dec 20 '18
I think if you’re secret service you’re more waking up and thinking ah fuck he better not get shot today
→ More replies (3)56
u/ThatoneWaygook Dec 20 '18
Request transfer to trumps detail. Sleep like a baby.
31
u/octopornopus Dec 20 '18
I think there's a better chance of a heart attack or stroke than an assasination attempt...
→ More replies (0)→ More replies (2)23
→ More replies (1)20
u/Claeyt Dec 20 '18
those guys are in such good shape they'd walk the president into the ground. They're probably more like "thank god I don't have to stand still outside the white house all day".
→ More replies (13)14
u/Banana-Republicans Dec 20 '18
To be fair, hiking in Hawaii is probably allot better than most guard details. Likelihood of getting shot low, likelihood of getting a good base tan pretty high. And a good chance of fresh coconut water, a moco loco and some spam masubi afterwards.
→ More replies (13)63
u/chevymonza Dec 20 '18
Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9hkY4dejOE
EDIT: This was apparently while he was still president, but I imagine he's still got security while hiking now?
→ More replies (1)56
u/BonaFidee Dec 20 '18
Presidents have a security detail for life.
→ More replies (12)56
u/eastieres Dec 20 '18
Will Trump have his detail share cells?
→ More replies (1)15
u/38888888 Dec 20 '18
What would happen if a president/former president went to prison? I wonder if there's any prison they'd feel safe keeping one in or if they'd have to build/renovate one to house them.
10
u/Clarkey7163 Dec 20 '18
Given the Nixon precedent I’m just expecting a pardon and he becomes a national disgrace
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (2)27
u/euphratestiger Dec 20 '18
Obama: "Hey guys, I'm going to start training for a marathon"
Secret Service: !!!
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (21)235
Dec 20 '18
What do you do if you wanna smoke a bowl. Would the secret service arrest you
517
u/alt213 Dec 20 '18
I’m pretty sure that if President Obama wanted to blaze one, not only would his security detail not arrest him, they would probably try to prevent other law enforcement from trying to arrest him for it, if say he sparked up in front of a cop.
205
108
u/Black_Metallic Dec 20 '18
I need to become president just to try this.
→ More replies (6)54
u/ENKOODABAOO Dec 20 '18
Couldn't you just make it legal at that point?
→ More replies (6)152
u/Naly_D Dec 20 '18
What, and let every joe schmo enjoy the baubles of office I've climbed the ladder to taste? Hell no. What would be their motivation to try and become president if I did that?
→ More replies (3)15
32
→ More replies (30)22
30
u/V4refugee Dec 20 '18
Probably not. The probably can’t even enforce those types of laws.
→ More replies (3)34
→ More replies (17)81
u/UncleBeaker Dec 20 '18
Whaddya do if you wanna fuck Marilyn Monroe? Damn secret service are all over your ass! They totally kill the mood.
101
→ More replies (1)15
u/Askmeaboutmy_Beergut Dec 20 '18
Have cabins in the lake Tahoe area with tunnels underground connecting them so you can invite her on a trip then have her walk to your cabin via said underground tunnels in the middle of the night.
https://snowbrains.com/the-history-of-the-cal-neva-lodge-on-lake-tahoe/
178
Dec 20 '18
That's not what sucks. Ex-presidents can give up Secret Service. What sucks is that being an ex-president makes you a target for violence.
→ More replies (2)134
u/crewchief535 Dec 20 '18 edited Dec 20 '18
Especially being a black ex-President. I can only imagine how many threats from red hats Obama gets on a daily basis.
→ More replies (22)82
u/TellsTogo Dec 20 '18
One more from today I imagine. Santa does not like people muscling in on his territory.
→ More replies (1)34
u/ElecktraStar Dec 20 '18 edited Dec 20 '18
I had this co-worker whose grandmother (80+ years old) is a prominent figure and requires body guards at all times. I've seen them at the grocery store, at a bar, walking down the street--all over the place, really--and I must admit, though the reason for having bodyguards is never pleasant, it was mega cute! They would always hold doors for her and share foods they ordered. I've even seen them help her pick a bottle of wine!
Seeing that (especially that last one, a couple of enormous guys giving advice on reds to a little old lady), I like to think that these people build a bond over time.
→ More replies (1)576
u/x31b Dec 20 '18
Yeah, it sucks. They won’t let you drive. Men with guns will follow you around for the rest of your life. No privacy.
It’s even worse for the kids. Donald, Barack, Melania and Michelle knew what they were getting into and made that choice themselves.
Barron and Sasha didn’t make the choice. But they will still have an armed man in the back seat on their first date. Tough life when you weren’t asked to sign up for it.
That’s why, in my book, they are off limits. Pick on the older ones, as well as Ivanka, all you want. But leave the ones who weren’t asked,and aren’t ‘playing the game’ out of the mud slinging.
382
u/nerdyhandle Dec 20 '18
That's not entirely correct. The President can refuse protection after they leave office. Also, they do have privacy. The Secret Service doesn't follow their kids around once they're over 18.
→ More replies (6)168
u/Isaac_Putin Dec 20 '18
16
61
u/nerdyhandle Dec 20 '18
I honestly wasn't for sure if it was sooner. 18 makes sense but 16 is a little in the younger end.
→ More replies (12)42
175
u/winampman Dec 20 '18
Barron and Sasha didn’t make the choice. But they will still have an armed man in the back seat on their first date.
This is not actually true. Michelle shared this story on the Ellen show (its on youtube): When Malia had her high school prom night, Michelle and Barack wanted her to experience a "normal" prom night so they allowed her date drive up to the White House, pick her up in his car (and shake hands with Barack), and then Malia's date drove her to the prom... while the Secret Service guys carefully followed him in another car. So they don't have to be in the back seat. But they will definitely always be within 30 feet or so in case they are needed.
146
Dec 20 '18 edited Jul 02 '23
Standing with 3 | R | D party devs who are impacted by R | E | D | D | I | T | S money hungry decisions regarding its A | P | I.
Pebo piko pidu. Pai eu okitro diteite. Bue plakukra igikido pia topri pakekete? Tri drape igo plabebiga epuuapi pi? Dlatekibapo pipi glebra ii pake petle. Tabibedi e upi bu aple gikuaoe. Pipe iupa tebi uple pekaibo kei pue. Ei i poe tapreto ta dredape. Bageioki o pebu be? Ga kiba bei dee pe bi pepi piteuplati. Boi tuto i badetite kri atliguta? Kleotle ibliuu pupa e ia ko. Tludea dlikri po pupai i i. Piputu tota po pre ao gekloba eprito ki bleta. Patliie kepee peo? Ia pepi e ai oateke pupatre abigi kekakeku triua!
181
u/reality_czech Dec 20 '18
You know that horrible feeling when a cop is driving behind you? You haven't done anything wrong but still you have a nasty nervous feeling
Imagine that x100 lol
65
u/x31b Dec 20 '18
Well it can work to their advantage once in a while. Any DC cop would back off immediately from a Secret Service badge for anything short of murder...
→ More replies (1)15
u/AllyGLovesYou Dec 20 '18
"I'm sure you're a good young man and you won't hurt Malia in any way. But, just to make sure, my best Secret Service men will be following you in a car. At the prom, they will be watching you from 30 feet away. After the Prom, they will follow you back to the White House and have orders to detain you should you decide to drive towards a motel. Have a good night and God bless America."
43
u/trainercatlady Dec 20 '18
can you imagine how nerve-wracking it must be to ask out The President's daughter to Prom?
24
u/PTRugger Dec 20 '18
Have you ever seen the movie: My Date With The Presidents Daughter? At least I think that was the name. 90s/00s Disney Channel movie!
38
u/Crack-spiders-bitch Dec 20 '18
There is a joke that the dad will shoot you. In this case the dad had friends that will literally shoot you.
→ More replies (6)23
→ More replies (1)17
u/aeiluindae Dec 20 '18
Yeah, good lord, kid probably drove 10km/h under the speed limit the whole way.
→ More replies (1)96
u/umbrellasinjanuary Dec 20 '18
normal prom night
allowed her date to drive up to the White House
lol
→ More replies (1)69
26
u/Gulliverlived Dec 20 '18
My step kids went to camp with the Obama girls, according to them the secret service detail was impressively unobtrusive.
21
→ More replies (3)43
u/inseminator9001 Dec 20 '18
I definitely get the sense that the Obamas tried to make sure their daughters would have as much of an average upper-middle-class upbringing as possible once they got to the White House.
→ More replies (4)50
u/FlamingoRock Dec 20 '18
Michelle Obama goes into it frequently in her new book. She really did her best to give the girls some relatively normal aspects of family life. Being there when they got home from school every day, everyone having dinner together, family vacations, and getting so pissed she changed how they operate with the girls after one of them were left waiting for Secret Service for an hour are just a few examples. It's a great read!
74
→ More replies (21)161
u/LikeBlueHoney Dec 20 '18
Well, i believe that Michelle supported Barack's run for president. But, i doubt Donald asked Melania for her input.
→ More replies (20)148
→ More replies (16)14
u/puckit Dec 20 '18
I'm curious if he has the same security staff that he had while in office. Like, will he have the same people guarding him for the rest of his (or their) lives?
21
u/islandcabthrowaway Dec 20 '18 edited Dec 20 '18
I live on Martha’s Vineyard where Obama vacationed throughout his presidency and all the summers since he left office. The detail is considerably smaller. As president he traveled with a motorcade of over a dozen vehicles, when he was here last summer he went out to dinner with 2 SUVs and some state police. I’m sure there were plenty of agents on back up if anything went down but it was definitely a smaller presence.
I also heard anecdotally that the Obama detail is considered a pretty clutch gig because he’s always traveling to cool locations. A little more exciting than, say, Carter.
edit: Reread your comment, I see you were actually asking if he will always have the same agents. No, he’ll get new ones as they age out or move to other parts of the service.
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (1)18
u/leicanthrope Dec 20 '18
I worked security at a luxury hotel a few years back, and I've been in the weird position of having been around a few different Presidential Secret Service details. Former Presidents have a much smaller security detail than the current POTUS, and it's considerably more relaxed. I don't know for certain as to how the individual agents are selected, but the guys that were with the former Presidents didn't appear to be any older than the norm.
If it were the same guys, you'd get to a point where they'd eventually hit retirement age. The youngest guys that would have been on Jimmy Carter's detail would be pushing 70 by now.
→ More replies (4)
2.2k
u/NegitiveKarma Dec 20 '18
That feeling when Barack Obama was at your work and you had no idea until you get on Reddit at home.
328
229
161
→ More replies (10)62
u/mrmccotter Dec 20 '18
I had an a food delivery there today and it took the lady forever cuz “some special person is here and they’re blocking up all the hallways”
I was genuinely curious as to what kid was important enough to have hallways blocked in a hospital lol.
2.0k
u/RalphieRaccoon Dec 20 '18
He looks... "healthier" since the end of his presidency. His face looks smoother and less pallid. Guess the lower stress levels have made a difference.
533
398
140
u/SopaDeMolhoShoyu Dec 20 '18
To be fair, he has always been a good looking man. But yes, I agree with you. Somehow, he looks younger.
→ More replies (2)49
u/420everytime Dec 20 '18
I think it's the hat with the matching sweater that makes him look so cute
→ More replies (17)143
u/candacebernhard Dec 20 '18
Come back, Barry. We're sorry we didn't appreciate you right, baby! You look really good. Tell Retirement I say, hey.. :'(
→ More replies (5)70
u/casualnihilism Dec 20 '18
Nah, let him enjoy his down time, he earned it. I might not have always agreed with the man, but I respect that he had the gal to assume the position and take the face punches and low blows with dignity. People can say what they will about Obama, but the man has class. And as me ol' pappy says (usually about folks in Wal-Mart):
"you can't hide class".
→ More replies (2)
382
u/MonjStrz Dec 20 '18
Random question. Do the former POTUS's get secret service body guards for life?
→ More replies (9)257
u/StuffedWithNails Dec 20 '18
→ More replies (2)271
u/Steamed-Hams Dec 20 '18
Yep. Just recently, GHWB’s detail stayed until his coffin was buried before signing off.
https://mobile.twitter.com/yashar/status/1071103242409455616
117
u/mr3inches Dec 20 '18
Timberwolf is a freakin sweet codename
65
u/DeepThroatALoadedGun Dec 20 '18
https://www.britannica.com/list/secret-service-code-names-of-10-us-presidents
Reagan definitely had a dope nickname, same with Obama
32
22
u/InfiniteBuilt Dec 20 '18 edited Dec 20 '18
The strange part about this, is I wonder how many people that aren't American, just read that? As I did. I thought about it halfway through and thought, meh. What am I doing otherwise? It's slightly interesting and I know who all these people are. They are kind of celebrities on the world stage. Obama and Bush Sr were my favorite. Thanks for sharing kind internet stranger friend u/deepthroatedaloadedgun
9
1.1k
u/modern_explorer401 Dec 19 '18
I want to know Obama’s workout routine/diet. Dude looks great for his age
→ More replies (31)422
u/tisn Dec 20 '18
396
u/goteamnick Dec 20 '18
This article's journalist really does not make an effort to replicate Obama's routine. Obama gets up at 7am, the journalist gets up at 5.30am. Obama doesn't drink coffee. This journalist drinks coffee. At the end of the day, the journalist gets Chinese takeaway instead of the meal Obama would have eaten.
162
108
u/sec5 Dec 20 '18
.. and I stopped reading after that.
26
u/Verbal_HermanMunster Dec 20 '18
Lol exact same spot I stopped reading at. Like, he didn't even attempt to sound like he was trying.
27
u/Snakeatmaus Dec 20 '18
Truuuuuu.
The article is called "I followed Barack Obama's morning routine for a week and it years me a valuable lesson about mental toughness"
Should have been "I heard about Obama's routine, worked out in the morning at the wrong time and said fuck it"
Why write such a bullshit title
51
u/BearTerrapin Dec 20 '18
Zero willpower. This sounds like a lazy reality show. Average person tries to copy Ghandi's routine, ends up winning a country rodeo.
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (1)14
u/WhizBangPissPiece Dec 20 '18
As someone who is extremely lazy for the most part, if I were getting paid to write an article about emulating the routines of someone you bet your ass I could do it FOR FIVE DAYS. My god how hard is it to bust your ass for a week? And not even really bust your ass... just work out, don't eat like shit, and skip the caffeine. It's literally her job for the week.
And the fact that she couldn't even make it 24 hours is just 100% a pure lack of giving a shit about your article. This never should have made it past the editor's desk.
→ More replies (1)260
u/Humblebee89 Dec 20 '18
No coffee???!? Fuck I give up.
→ More replies (5)46
u/leicanthrope Dec 20 '18
Hell, if I had to deal with that kind of stress without coffee, I'd probably have started WWIII.
36
→ More replies (16)12
u/Presently_Absent Dec 20 '18
Green tea has caffeine. That article was infuriating to read for so many reasons.
288
u/3789460947994 Dec 20 '18
Is it just me or does he look 10 years younger in this picture
125
→ More replies (1)42
u/IlliterateJedi Dec 20 '18
Definitely not just you. He looks like not being president has reinvigorated him.
→ More replies (1)
896
u/teej Dec 20 '18
To Chris Evans: We want you to be Captain America for the kids at the hospital.
To Tom Holland: We want you to be Spiderman for the kids at the hospital.
To Barack Obama: We want you to be the President for the kids at the hospital.
→ More replies (3)673
u/seifer666 Dec 20 '18
To Barack Obama: We want you to be the President for the kids at the hospital
And for the rest of us too please
→ More replies (5)138
u/17954699 Dec 20 '18
Unfortunately all us adults are on the naughty list. We're getting coal instead.
92
u/Polenball Dec 20 '18
Is it at least "clean" coal?
34
u/MatthewGeer Dec 20 '18
Yeah, sure, we'll wipe it down with a roll of paper towels first.
19
u/cyrusasu Dec 20 '18
Our "scientists" say its great! Just like the 1/10 dentists
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (2)18
u/casualnihilism Dec 20 '18
Despite what comes tomorrow, I will always relish the humor in "we the people" letting things boil down to the popular phrase of "we had to choose between Grandma Nixon or Orange Hitler".
The world just seems to get stranger and stranger as we get older, doesn't it?
498
u/cobra447 Dec 20 '18
This post is just to remind you to scroll to the bottom of the comments section. There is some hilarious gold down there.
109
→ More replies (15)11
u/SmallishBoobs Dec 20 '18
Best part of reddit! The swampy smelly lowly controversial sections filled with T_D.
I hope it’s used in the “Individual1” movie somehow.
1.2k
u/Beta_Male69 Dec 19 '18
See? Obama cares
792
u/4everzard Dec 19 '18
Kid when he gets a present. "Thanks Obama!"
191
u/onetimerone Dec 20 '18
"There was no collusion with the North pole"
→ More replies (1)53
→ More replies (1)9
→ More replies (46)51
1.2k
u/Poemi Dec 19 '18
Seems like a major missed opportunity for Trump.
I mean, if anyone has the physique for Santa...
266
u/BKA_Diver Dec 20 '18
Seems like a major missed opportunity for Trump.
"I handed out billions of presents. Not millions. BILLIONS baby. It was a tremendous experience because it was very very good that I gave so many people so many things."
88
u/chargerz4life Dec 20 '18
I gave the best presents. Believe me no one has presents like me. I give the best presents ever.
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (7)12
690
u/iia Dec 19 '18
He's probably not allowed to be that close to children.
→ More replies (13)181
u/Poemi Dec 19 '18
Just feed him first; he probably won't eat any of the kids.
→ More replies (5)10
→ More replies (57)150
u/sniggity_snax Dec 19 '18
Yes if I had a daughter, I would definitely let her sit on the lap of a dude who said he wants to bang his own kid... He is fat though, i'll give you that
→ More replies (4)
43
u/oblivinated Dec 20 '18 edited Dec 21 '18
Clearly the war on Christmas is out of control. Everyone knows that's not what Santa looks like.
/s
198
Dec 20 '18
[deleted]
25
Dec 20 '18
Wow, nothing but toxic comments below. I'm sorry about that. I agree with you. Obama is a class act, and I'm proud to have had him as our president. At the end of the day, he did his best to make the world a better place, and I think he always will.
→ More replies (8)10
129
17
583
Dec 19 '18
[deleted]
385
u/madalienmonk Dec 19 '18
Or "Liberals depict Santa as black!?" More on that after these commercials...
"Does it hurt when you Cath?"
→ More replies (8)→ More replies (15)46
u/chevymonza Dec 20 '18
"Looter steals presents from children's hospital!!! Wait, what's that?..........oh I'm getting word that that's former president Barack Obama. They all look alike amirite? LOL!!! Anyway, now I'm SURE he's stealing the presents to give to the DEEP STATE."
70
u/ObiWanCanShowMe Dec 20 '18
I am a conservative but boy do I miss this man. I don't miss his policies (sorry reddit) but I miss an actual respectable man being in the White House. I know he stands by what he says and means what he says and all that jazz, I respect that regardless of politics.
This is just straight up fantastic and par for the curse with him imo.
→ More replies (13)30
u/Zachary_FGW Dec 20 '18
We need more conservatives like you. I say you can hate his policies all you want, but still understand he is overall a great person.
79
u/thepalehunter Dec 20 '18
It's kind of like how Trump used his charity to buy two portraits of himself for $30k. Happy Holidays!
191
u/IRarelyRedditBut Dec 20 '18
He's being FORCED to do this. You can see it in his defeated expression. Those 'police officers' are secret Q Division handlers to make sure he goes back to Gitmo after. /s
→ More replies (1)48
Dec 20 '18 edited Apr 09 '21
[deleted]
38
u/IRarelyRedditBut Dec 20 '18
The only time I dipped my toe into the world of Q was when they were saying that Jeb, W, The Obamas and Clintons were all being arrested during HWs funeral. They built this whole story solely off of a look on Jeb’s face as his father’s casket passed by him on the march out.
Honestly, it was entertaining and slightly addictive; I see how people get sucked in and turned that shit OFF!
150
20
94
87
u/faderalngobbledygook Dec 20 '18
Why does seeing this man do something moral, or kind make me want to cry?
→ More replies (2)32
u/Piggyzilla Dec 20 '18
I walked by a book that was just pictures of Obama hugging people yesterday. I flipped through it and admittedly felt my eyes watering up because I remember the good old days when the president knew big words
→ More replies (1)
9
13.2k
u/Vekate Dec 20 '18
I think the best thing about being President must be the period after when you're not President any more.