Even after leaving the White House, former U.S. presidents must follow strict rules that shape their private lives, safeguard national security, and ensure America’s global standing. KEHINDE ADEGOKE reports.
Being president of the United States means wielding immense power—and following countless rules. But the job doesn’t end when a president steps out of the Oval Office for the last time. Even as former presidents explore new careers and personal pursuits, they remain bound by strict rules and procedures. Ordinary life is forever out of reach, with many restrictions in place to protect their safety, uphold national security, and safeguard American diplomacy.
Here’s an inside look at the extraordinary—and often surprising—realities former American presidents face after leaving office.
Technically, They Can’t Badmouth Other Presidents
While it’s not an actual rule, a former president isn’t supposed to speak badly of another president. Based on an unwritten White House tradition, retired presidents are expected to stay out of the affairs of the current and former heads of state.
They Can’t Buy Their Own Tech
Because hackers are so prevalent these days, it’s actually a breach of security for a president or former president to go out and buy their own technology without thorough investigations.
They Can’t Just Do Anything They Want
The Secret Service is a 24/7 security detail that follows presidents even after they leave office, so they can’t really be spontaneous. Agents need plenty of advance notice to prepare for public outings and holidays.
They Can’t Go Anywhere Alone
As such, former presidents can forget about alone time. After they leave office, Secret Service agents will be with them wherever they go, even at official and private functions.
Everyday Things Can Become A Bit More Tricky
Due to a former president’s large Secret Service detail, even everyday things like getting a coffee at Starbucks can be tricky. Imagine having to close down a road for a caramel latte!
They’re Not Allowed To Drive
To ensure their safety, even after their term as president is over, they’re never allowed to drive on an open road again. The rule was instituted after John F. Kennedy‘s assassination in 1963.
They Can’t Be President Again If They Served Two Terms
Following the 1945 in-office death of four-term president Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 22nd Amendment was ratified to prevent any president from serving more than two terms.
They Can’t Share State Secrets
Given the nature of the job, former presidents know a great deal of sensitive information. This makes them targets for opposing governments to exploit and pay off in return for state secrets. For this reason, it’s illegal for them to share any classified information they picked up during their presidency.
They’re Encouraged To Stay At Blair House
Whenever former presidents are back in Washington, they’re encouraged to stay at the presidential townhouse, Blair House. Purchased by the federal government in the 1950s, it has dedicated basement rooms for a Secret Service detail.
Forget About Commercial Flights
When they no longer have access to Air Force One, most former presidents use private jets. This is because they offer a higher level of security.
Their Mail Must Be Searched
If you’re the former president, forget about privacy. The Secret Service even goes through their mail and packages. It might sound overly cautious, but the Secret Service has successfully identified explosives headed to former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
They Can’t Hide Old Messages
Thanks to the Presidential Records Act of 1978, any message the president sends or receives during their presidency is kept on public record and cannot be destroyed. This also applies after they leave office.
They Can’t Live In The White House
Once a president leaves office, they can no longer live in the White House. Leaving the famous residence and workplace marks the end of their presidency.
They Can’t Serve As Vice President
While it’s obvious that a former vice president can serve as president, the opposite isn’t true. This is because the 22nd Amendment prevents a president from running for more than two terms. For example, if Barack Obama served as vice president under Joe Biden after his own presidency, it would be his responsibility to step in as president if Biden couldn’t fulfil his duties for some reason. This would make Obama president for the third time, which isn’t allowed.
Not Everyone Gets Government Health Insurance
Former presidents don’t automatically qualify for lifetime government health insurance. That’s only for those who have spent at least five years as a federal employee. Meaning, one-term presidents, like Donald Trump, will need to pay for their own healthcare.
They Can Use Military Hospitals
Former presidents can choose to receive medical treatment at military hospitals, even if they haven’t served in combat. This is because their position as commander-in-chief gives them secretarial designee status.
They Automatically Get A Pension
Via an act of Congress from 2001, the US president earns an annual salary of US$400,000. After they leave office, they continue to receive a taxpayer-funded paycheck, which is around half of what they earned in the White House.
They Still Need To Read National Security Briefings
Former presidents still receive national security briefings, although they aren’t given updates as often as the sitting POTUS. This is in case they have advice to offer the current administration or are asked about the situation by the press.
They Have To Work
The government ensures that former presidents are provided with an office and staff to conduct their ex-presidential duties. They also receive a stipend to cover office space and staff salaries.
They Must Establish A Presidential Library
The 1955 Presidential Libraries Act states that each president has to oversee the creation of a library in their name. They’re also encouraged to donate presidential papers and any other historical materials as a form of public service for the nation.
They Must Establish A Presidential Library
The 1955 Presidential Libraries Act states that each president has to oversee the creation of a library in their name. They’re also encouraged to donate presidential papers and any other historical materials as a form of public service for the nation.
They Receive A Transition Stipend After Leaving Office
For six months after they leave office, former heads of state receive a stipend for business and government matters. The money is supposed to help with their transition process.
Their Funeral Is Planned Out
Former US presidents are entitled to state funerals, which they actually plan out upon their inauguration. If they’ve chosen a state funeral, the ceremony often includes a military procession and a flyover. Also, it’s federal law for American flags to be flown at half-mast for 30 days following the death of a president.
They have to follow a budget for diplomatic activities
Ex-presidents regularly engage in diplomatic and humanitarian activities abroad in the service of the US. Their travel costs are reimbursed, as are any other professional-related costs.
There’s Only One Solution If They Don’t Like Secret Service
If a former president prefers privacy to safety, then they can decline the Secret Service detail. The Secret Service only protects those who accept the protection. Richard Nixon actually did this in his later years.
Forget Special Privileges
While in office, presidents have the power to pardon anyone serving a federal sentence for a federal offence. But once their time in the White House is over, so is this privilege.
However, Pardons Exist
After the Watergate scandal, which resulted in his resignation, he faced harsh punishment. But once his vice president, Gerald Ford, took office, Ford issued a complete pardon of Nixon. All the crimes he might have been charged with from the Watergate scandal were forgotten in the eyes of the government.
Staff Must Be Small
While former presidents receive a stipend each year for staff, they should keep it small unless they pay them out of their own money. While in office, presidents have a staff of around 400 people and a budget of US$40 million to pay them all. When they leave office, they’re only given US$96,000 for staff.
They Must Have Their Calls Monitored
Presidential security still continues after they leave office. All calls and messages, incoming and outgoing, must be monitored to protect their security.
Don’t Forget The Former First Spouses
The spouses of former presidents also receive a yearly pension of US$20,000. However, they can’t take on another state-paid role if they want to receive this stipend.
𝐊𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝-𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟏𝟓 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞. 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬, 𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲. 𝐀𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬.𝐜𝐨𝐦, 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬, 𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬.𝐜𝐨𝐦 | 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬.𝐜𝐨𝐦 | 𝟎𝟖𝟎𝟑𝟗𝟏𝟑𝟓𝟒𝟕𝟐 | 𝐈𝐛𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐧, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚
editor@thediggernews.com
Sources: (Grunge) (The Delite)