The economy was officially in recession and the outgoing George W. Bush administration  had begun implementing a controversial "bailout package" to try to help struggling financial institutions. Externally, the United States continued to have troops deployed in difficult conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the first two years of his first term, President Obama was able to work with the Democrat-controlled Congress to improve the economy, pass health care reform legislation, and pull most U.S. troops out of  Iraq. After Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives in 2010, the President spent much time and political effort negotiating with  Republicans in Congress on taxes, budgets and the deficit, mostly without success.After winning re-election in 2012, Obama began his second term, which focused on passing immigration reform and gun control legislation, both of which he failed to achieve. 

When Republicans won the Senate in 2014, Obama again focused on actions  he could take unilaterally, invoking his executive powers as president. In terms of foreign policy, Obama's second term in office focused on the Middle East and climate change. Obama left the presidency at the age of 55 after his constitutionally  limited th term of two terms ended on January 20. 2017.He announced plans to remain in Washington, DC until his youngest daughter graduates from high school and, as a past president, to play a moderate but active role in public affairs. He also devoted himself to raising funds and planning  the opening. the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Illinois.