5 things Barack Obama has done in his final days in office to troll Donald Trump

Barack Obama has less than a month left of his presidency, before Donald Trump and his administration move in to the White House.

The current President and the President-elect disagree on a number of key issues relating to the future of the US - from abortion rights and immigration to global warming.

In his final weeks, Obama is trying his hardest to protect his legacy, and has attempted to do this (in opposition to Trump), in five ways:

1. He granted protection for Atheists under a religious freedom bill he recently signed

The HR15 amendment enshrines the rights of ‘non theists’ as well as religious minorities.

2. Banned off-shore drilling in the Atlantic and Arctic

Despite what Trump might say about the ‘debate’ surrounding global warming, Obama has made his opinion on the matter clear.

Obama invoked a provision of the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which protects coral reefs, and used it to secure large segments of US water.

The move aims to protect the coast from drilling and pollution.

3. Plans to close the US registry system

In an effort to prevent the US President-elect from establishing a Muslim registry (which the Trump administration had previously alluded to), the president is set to abolish the registry completely.

4. Granted 231 individuals clemency, setting the single-day record

On Monday, Obama pardoned 78 people and commuted the sentences of 153 others. There are 1,937 pardon petitions left, and he hopes to get through as many as he can before the new, less sympathetic Trump administration assumes power.

5. Finalised a rule that would protect funding for abortion clinics

Obama managed to finalise a rule – which would take effect two days before Trump takes office – stopping states from withdrawing federal money from Planned Parenthood and other clinics that provide abortions.

A caveat?

Republican Congressman Darell Issa may have put a spanner in the works, after he pushed through a bill, called the Midnight Rules Relief Act which would allow the House to repeal Obama-era regulation that the President might attempt to pass at the last minute. The bill applies to every rule submitted to Congress, within the final 60 legislative days.

The strength of Obama's sticking power in relation to his laws remains to be seen.

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