Barack Obama: “I am grateful they have agreed to serve in these important roles.”

I think when we act on that basis, it doesn't always work out, but over time things do get better.

It is a decision about how do we face and embrace this finite amount of time we have on the planet.

When we choose, when we make that decision, I do believe – and there is evidence for this – that the world gets incrementally better, and that is a worthy goal and it’s worth fighting for.

It is a basic principle of American democracy that the government can’t selectively target individuals simply because of their political beliefs or what they say.