Obama makes surprise visit to DC high school

Former President Obama made a surprise visit to a Washington, D.C., high school on Friday to welcome students back for the new school year.

A photo posted by Obama adviser Eric Schultz on Twitter shows the former president speaking with students at McKinley Tech High School in northeast Washington.

@BarackObama made a surprise visit to McKinley Tech HS here in DC to welcome back students as they start a new school year. pic.twitter.com/Y64tAE0KBl

— Eric Schultz (@EricSchultz) September 8, 2017

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Obama’s account also tweeted a photo of the former president visiting with students.

“Proud of these McKinley Tech students—inspiring young minds that make me hopeful about our future,” he wrote. 

Proud of these McKinley Tech students—inspiring young minds that make me hopeful about our future. pic.twitter.com/nqYC1mjjTB

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 8, 2017

 

These young people that I met at McKinley Tech today are the reason I’m hopeful about the future. To all the young people headed back to school around the country: Make us proud. You’re the next generation of leaders, and we need you.

A post shared by Barack Obama (@barackobama) on Sep 8, 2017 at 2:26pm PDT

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In a statement, Obama spokesman Keith Schiller said the former president was joined by District of Columbia Public Schools Chancellor Antwan Wilson for a discussion with students about “their life goals, pursuing higher education and giving back to their communities.”

“President Obama is focused on supporting the next generation of leaders,” the statement said. “Today’s meeting is part of that ongoing conversation with young people.”

The visit comes as Obama, who has largely stayed out of the public eye since President Trump took office, weighed in on major news this week involving the new administration. 

The former president issued a lengthy statement earlier this week opposing Trump’s decision to end the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, calling the decision “cruel, self-defeating and wrong.”

It was also reported Friday that Obama would be hosting his first fundraising event for the Democratic National Committee later this month. The event, which will take place in Washington, will raise money for state parties and upcoming Virginia elections.