U.S. President Barack Obama will deliver a farewell speech next week from his political stronghold of Chicago, one of the last times he will be able to advocate for his policies before the inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20.
“On Tuesday, January 10, I’ll go home to Chicago to say my grateful farewell to you, even if you can’t be there in person,” Mr. Obama said in a short statement released on Monday, noting that the tradition of a farewell speech dates back to George Washington. Mr. Obama, who was returning to Washington on Monday after a two-week family vacation in Hawaii, said he was just beginning to write his remarks.
Mr. Obama celebrated his election eight years ago in front of a huge crowd in Chicago. He will deliver his speech next week from the McCormick Place convention centre, the site of his victory speech after winning re-election in 2012.
