In her first White House visit since the end of Barack Obama’s presidency, Michelle Obama spoke to the importance of honoring long-held traditions — including upholding a democracy — during the historic unveiling of the official Obama portraits, a custom that had been on hold during the Trump administration.
“I never could have imagined that any of this will be part of my story,” the former first lady said during some of the most memorable remarks of Wednesday’s gathering. “But even if it’s all still a bit awkward for me, I do recognize why moments like these are important, why all of this is absolutely necessary.”
“Traditions like this matter not just for those of us who hold these positions, but for everyone participating in and watching our democracy,” she added.
Dignitaries joined alumni of the Obama administration to witness the unveiling of the former president’s image painted by Robert McCurdy and a portrait of Michelle Obama painted by Sharon Sprung.
Official White House portraits of presidents and their wives are usually unveiled by their successors in the earlier years of their presidencies. At times, the White House ceremony can be an opportunity for a president to honor a predecessor from their own party with whom they’ve had a long relationship. In other situations, the ceremony is a much celebrated moment of bipartisan unity between presidents of opposing parties who find camaraderie in having the shared experience of being the leader of the free world.
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