Challenges in the Life of Barack Obama in a Detailed Timeline

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Barack Obama. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Barack Obama, the 44th U.S. President (2009-2017), was the first African American to hold the office. A Democrat, he previously served as a U.S. Senator for Illinois (2005-2008) and as an Illinois State Senator (1997-2004). His presidency saw the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the end of the Iraq War, and the killing of Osama bin Laden. He faced challenges including the Great Recession and political polarization. Obama is often praised for his eloquence and commitment to progressive policies.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

2000: Loss in Democratic Primary

In 2000, Barack Obama lost a Democratic primary race for Illinois's 1st congressional district to four-term incumbent Bobby Rush by a margin of two to one.

2001: Race Relation Concerns

In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried "a great deal" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll since 2001.

2006: ATF Head Appointment

In 2006, approving the appointment of the head of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the first time since 2006.

2008: Start of the Financial Crisis

In 2008 the financial crisis began and Obama eventually signed into effect the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act as a response to the crisis, bringing significant changes to financial regulation in the United States.

February 2009: Obama Increases Troop Levels in Afghanistan

In February 2009, President Obama announced an increase in U.S. troop levels to 17,000 military personnel in Afghanistan to "stabilize a deteriorating situation", marking an early shift in his approach to the war in Afghanistan.

March 2009: Obama Intervenes in Automotive Industry

In March 2009, President Obama intervened in the troubled automotive industry by renewing loans for General Motors (GM) and Chrysler to continue operations while undergoing reorganization. The White House set terms for both firms' bankruptcies, including the sale of Chrysler to Fiat and a reorganization of GM, giving the U.S. government a temporary 60 percent equity stake.

March 2009: Treasury Secretary Takes Steps to Manage Financial Crisis

In March 2009, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner introduced the Public–Private Investment Program for Legacy Assets to manage the 2008 financial crisis. This program included provisions to buy up to $2 trillion in depreciated real estate assets.

May 2009: Obama Replaces Military Commander in Afghanistan

In May 2009, President Obama replaced the military commander in Afghanistan, General David D. McKiernan, with Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, indicating a shift towards counterinsurgency tactics in the war.

June 26, 2009: Obama Condemns Iranian Government Actions

On June 26, 2009, President Obama condemned the Iranian government's actions towards protesters following Iran's 2009 presidential election.

October 1, 2009: Obama administration increases nuclear weapons production

On October 1, 2009, the Obama administration proceeded with a Bush administration program, increasing nuclear weapons production through the "Complex Modernization" initiative, which expanded two existing nuclear sites to produce new bomb parts.

November 2009: Federal Spending and Loan Guarantees

By the end of November 2009, the Bush and Obama administrations had authorized spending and loan guarantees totaling about $11.5 trillion, but only $3 trillion had been spent.

December 1, 2009: Obama Announces Troop Surge in Afghanistan

On December 1, 2009, President Obama announced the deployment of an additional 30,000 military personnel to Afghanistan, with a proposed start to troop withdrawals 18 months later, outlining his strategy for the war.

2009: Unemployment Rate Rises

In 2009, the unemployment rate rose, reaching a peak in October at 10.0 percent and averaging 10.0 percent in the fourth quarter.

March 2010: Obama Takes Stance Against Israeli Settlement Plans

In March 2010, President Obama took a public stance against plans by the government of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue building Jewish housing projects in predominantly Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem.

April 2010: Survey Shows Mixed Views on Stimulus Impact

An April 2010 survey of members of the National Association for Business Economics showed an increase in job creation, but 73 percent of respondents believed the stimulus bill had no impact on employment.

April 20, 2010: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

On April 20, 2010, an explosion destroyed an offshore drilling rig at the Macondo Prospect in the Gulf of Mexico, causing a major sustained oil leak. President Obama visited the Gulf, announced a federal investigation, and formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards.

June 2010: David Petraeus Replaces McChrystal in Afghanistan

In June 2010, David Petraeus replaced McChrystal as the commander in Afghanistan after McChrystal's staff criticized White House personnel, marking another leadership change in the war effort.

July 2010: Federal Reserve Notes Slowed Economic Activity

In July 2010, the Federal Reserve noted that economic activity continued to increase, but its pace had slowed. Chairman Ben Bernanke said the economic outlook was "unusually uncertain."

February 2011: Protests Begin in Libya

In February 2011, protests began in Libya against long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi as part of the Arab Spring, setting the stage for international intervention.

August 2, 2011: Obama Signs Budget Control Act of 2011

On August 2, 2011, President Obama signed the bipartisan Budget Control Act of 2011. This legislation enforced limits on discretionary spending until 2021, established a procedure to increase the debt limit, and created a Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to propose further deficit reduction.

August 18, 2011: Obama Calls for Assad to Step Aside

On August 18, 2011, President Obama issued a written statement that said: "The time has come for President Assad to step aside."

2011: Obama Orders Drone Strike Killing Anwar al-Awlaki

In 2011, President Obama ordered a drone strike in Yemen which targeted and killed Anwar al-Awlaki, an American imam suspected of being a leading Al-Qaeda organizer. Al-Awlaki became the first U.S. citizen to be targeted and killed by a U.S. drone strike, leading to significant controversy.

2011: U.S. Vetoes UN Resolution Condemning Israeli Settlements

In 2011, the United States, under President Obama, vetoed a Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements, being the only nation to do so, underscoring its support for Israel.

2011: Withdrawal from Iraq

In 2011, the withdrawal from Iraq occurred, leading to military intervention in Iraq in response to gains made by ISIL.

2012: Obama Authorizes Programs to Train Anti-Assad Rebels

In 2012, President Obama authorized multiple programs run by the CIA and the Pentagon to train anti-Assad rebels in Syria. However, the Pentagon-run program was later found to have failed.

January 16, 2013: Obama Announces Gun Control Proposals

On January 16, 2013, one month after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Obama signed 23 executive orders and outlined a series of sweeping proposals regarding gun control.

July 2013: Obama Expresses Reservations About Keystone XL Pipeline

In July 2013, President Obama expressed reservations and stated he "would reject the Keystone XL pipeline if it increased carbon pollution [or] greenhouse emissions."

December 2013: Obama Addresses Income Inequality

In December 2013, President Obama declared that growing income inequality is a "defining challenge of our time" and called on Congress to bolster the safety net and raise wages. He also urged Congress to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

2013: Obama Responds to Snowden Disclosures

Following the 2013 global surveillance disclosures by whistleblower Edward Snowden, Obama condemned the leak as unpatriotic, but called for increased restrictions on the National Security Agency (NSA) to address violations of privacy.

2013: Obama Views Netanyahu Leading Israel to Isolation

In 2013, Jeffrey Goldberg reported that President Obama believed that "with each new settlement announcement, Netanyahu is moving his country down a path toward near-total isolation."

June 2014: Obama Sends Troops to Iraq Following ISIL Capture of Mosul

In June 2014, following the capture of Mosul by ISIL, President Obama sent 275 troops to Iraq to provide support and security for U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, amidst growing concerns over ISIS's territorial gains and actions.

August 2014: Obama Orders Airstrikes Against ISIL During Sinjar Massacre

In August 2014, during the Sinjar massacre, President Obama ordered a campaign of U.S. airstrikes against ISIL, signaling a direct military response to the group's atrocities.

2014: Obama Authorizes Air Campaign Against ISIL

In 2014, President Obama authorized an air campaign aimed primarily at ISIL, marking a significant escalation in the U.S. military involvement in the fight against the terrorist group.

2014: Obama Discusses Racial Disadvantages

Though Obama entered office reluctant to talk about race, by 2014 he began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups.

February 24, 2015: Obama Vetoes Keystone XL Pipeline Bill

On February 24, 2015, President Obama vetoed a bill that would have authorized the Keystone XL pipeline. It was the third veto of Obama's presidency and his first major veto.

March 2015: Obama Authorizes Support to Saudis in Yemen

In March 2015, President Obama authorized U.S. forces to provide logistical and intelligence support to Saudi Arabia for their military intervention in Yemen. As part of this authorization, a "Joint Planning Cell" was established with Saudi Arabia.

October 2015: Pentagon-Run Program Abandoned

In October 2015, the Pentagon-run program was formally abandoned. This was a program that trained anti-Assad rebels.

October 2015: White House Announces Plan to Keep Forces in Afghanistan Indefinitely

In October 2015, the White House announced a plan to keep U.S. Forces in Afghanistan indefinitely, reversing earlier plans for a full withdrawal due to the deteriorating security situation.

November 2015: Obama Reaffirms Stance on Assad

In November 2015, President Obama reaffirmed his stance that "The time has come for President Assad to step aside." This stance was first issued in 2011.

2015: Obama Criticized for Iran Nuclear Deal

In 2015, President Obama faced criticism from Israel for advocating and signing the Iran Nuclear Deal; Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the deal "dangerous" and "bad."

2015: Increase in U.S. Ground Troops in Iraq

In early 2015, with the addition of the "Panther Brigade" of the 82nd Airborne Division the number of U.S. ground troops in Iraq increased to 4,400, and by July American-led coalition air forces counted 44,000 sorties over the battlefield.

January 5, 2016: Obama Announces New Executive Actions Extending Background Check Requirements

On January 5, 2016, Obama announced new executive actions extending background check requirements to more gun sellers.

March 2016: Gallup Poll on Race Relations

In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried "a great deal" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll since 2001.

September 2016: Obama Snubbed at G20 Summit in China

In September 2016, President Obama was snubbed by Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party at the 2016 G20 Hangzhou summit. Obama descended from Air Force One without the usual red carpet welcome.

2016: Sanctions Against Russia

In 2016, Barack Obama ordered sanctions against Russia following interference in the U.S. elections.

2016: Obama Comments on Intervention in Libya

In 2016, President Obama said "Our coalition could have and should have done more to fill a vacuum left behind" and that it was "a mess". He has stated that the lack of preparation surrounding the days following the government's overthrow was the "worst mistake" of his presidency.

2017: Repeal Attempt of the Affordable Care Act

In 2017, Senate Republicans attempted to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including a "skinny repeal", but the attempts ultimately failed.

2019: Repeal of Individual Mandate Penalty

In 2019, the penalty for violating the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act was repealed.

October 2023: Obama's statement on Gaza War

In October 2023, during the Gaza war, Obama stated that Israel must dismantle Hamas following the Hamas-led attack on Israel.

July 2024: Obama expresses concerns about Biden's campaign viability

In July 2024, Obama expressed concerns about Biden's campaign viability after his critically maligned debate performance against former president Trump.