Obama administration
Barack Obama entered office as President of the United States of America on January 20, 2009, as the nation's 44th president and the first African American to be U.S. head of state. His Vice President is Joe Biden, and his Secretary of State is Hillary Clinton, Obama's main rival for the Democratic Party nomination in the 2008 presidential election.[1]
Obama began his presidential term of office with a focus on the Guantanamo detention camp and the Middle East. In line with his previous pledge to close the camp, Obama had military trials at Guantanamo suspended. He also called Middle Eastern leaders to pursue Arab-Israeli peace.[2] Obama also became one the few presidents to take the oath of office twice, Chief Justice John Roberts having made a mistake the previous day. The renewed oath has no implications for Obama's legitimacy as President, as the new term begins automatically following the previous president leaving office.[3]
References
- ↑ CNN: 'Hillary Clinton sworn in as secretary of state.' January 21, 2009.
- ↑ BBC: 'President Obama tackles first day.' January 21, 2009.
- ↑ CNN: 'Obama retakes oath of office after Roberts' mistake.' January 21, 2009.