Barack Obama: “We ask those who've benefited the most over the last three decades, we ask them to do a little bit more.”

In forming our union, the founders fell terribly short of the Declaration's promise, leaving slavery intact, allowing states to restrict the franchise to white men who owned property.

a belief that our military and law enforcement owe allegiance not to any president or political party, but to the people and our constitution … a belief in the peaceful transfer of power

There’s no doubt that we are going through a period right now of disruption, polarization.

I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is.