Obama says he won’t fade away in final year

The White House will work to cement Obama’s achievements by strengthening health care, expanding clean energy production, implementing the Iran nuclear deal and normalizing relations with Cuba.

Evelyn Godoy, whose sister-in-law was killed in the attack, says “it’s nice he’s going to stop”, but she says that it won’t bring closure.

The speech and the trip to California are his last scheduled appearances before going to Hawaii for holiday until the new year.

The White House is promising President Barack Obama will deliver a “non-traditional” State of the Union address next month, eschewing the standard litany of policy proposals for a broader discussion on the challenges facing the country.

Obama held morning meetings prior to his planned remarks, and later he will depart the nation’s capital for Hawaii, where he will spend his Christmas vacation.

President Barack Obama on Friday reiterated his position that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must vacate power in the war-torn country. “Since taking this office, I’ve never been more optimistic about a year ahead than I am now”. Then the president will leave for San Bernardino, California, where he plans to meet with families of the 14 victims of the recent mass shooting.

Obama also said the US continues to lead a global coalition in its mission to destroy the Islamic State militant group, or ISIS. “And five years later, I was right”.

Officials also did not commit to a timeline for sending lawmakers a long-delayed plan for closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center.

The signing of the budget bill caps months of negotiations and averts a government shutdown.

At a news conference, Obama said Congress is ending the year on a “high note” and noted the passage of transportation and education bills. Additionally, Obama expects to campaign hard for Democrats during the upcoming cycle and may endorse a candidate before the primary process concludes, aides said.