Looking back at red carpet looks that missed the mark
While in office, presidents have the power to pardon anyone serving time for a federal offense. But once their time in the White House is over, so is this privilege.
Due to a former president's large Secret Service detail, even normal, everyday things like getting a coffee at Starbucks become tricky. Imagine having to close down a road for a caramel latte!
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.
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.
The spouses of former presidents also get paid a yearly pension, which is US$20,000. However, they can't take on another role where they are paid by the state if they want to receive this stipend.
Sources: (Grunge) (The Delite)
See also: From speeding to insurrection: US presidents accused of crimes
Whenever former presidents are back in Washington, they're encouraged to stay at a presidential townhouse called Blair House. Purchased by the federal government in the 1950s, it has dedicated rooms in the basement to accommodate a Secret Service detail.
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.
To ensure their safety, even after their presidential term 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.
If you're the former president, forget about privacy. Secret Service even go 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.
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.
Thanks to the Presidential Records Act of 1978, any message the president sends or receives during their presidency is kept on public record and can't be destroyed. This also applies after they leave office.
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 pay for the office space and the salaries of their staff.
While former presidents are given a stipend every year for staff, they need to keep it small unless they pay them with 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.
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 some kind of military procession and flyover. Also, it's federal law for American flags to be flown at half-mast for 30 days following the death of a president.
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.
After the Watergate scandal, which resulted in his resignation, he was going to face a harsh punishment. But once his vice president Gerald Ford took office, Ford issued a complete pardon of Nixon. All crimes he might have been charged with from the Watergate scandal were forgotten in the eyes of the government.
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 was would be his responsibility to step in as president if Biden couldn't fulfill his duties for some reason. This would make Obama president for the third time, which isn't allowed.
Ex-presidents regularly engage in diplomatic and humanitarian activities abroad in service of the US. Their travel costs are reimbursed, as are any other costs related to their professional life.
Following the 1945, in-office death of four-time elected president Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 22nd Amendment became ratified to keep any president from serving more than two terms.
The Secret Service is a 24/7 security detail that sticks with presidents even after they leave office, meaning they can't really be spontaneous. Agents need plenty of advance notice to prepare for public outings and holidays.
Former presidents can choose to go to military hospitals for medical treatment, even if they haven't gone into battle. This is because their position as commander-in-chief gives them secretarial designee status.
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.
Given the nature of the job, former presidents know plenty 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.
Presidential security still continues after they leave office. All calls and messages, incoming and outgoing, must be monitored to protect their security.
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.
For six months after they finish their presidential term, former heads of state receive a stipend for business affairs and government matters. The money is supposed to help with their transition process.
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.
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.
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 if they get asked about the situation by the press.
There's no surprise that being the president of the United States comes with a lot of rules, as well as power. However, the job doesn't fully stop when they leave the Oval Office for the last time. While former US presidents have followed a variety of career paths after leaving the White House, there are still certain rules and procedures that they all have to follow. They can't simply return to normal life, and many of these rules exist to ensure their safety as well as to maintain national security and diplomacy.
Want to get a peek into the life of a former president? Then check out this gallery.
What former US presidents are not allowed to do
Get a glimpse of life after the White House
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There's no surprise that being the president of the United States comes with a lot of rules, as well as power. However, the job doesn't fully stop when they leave the Oval Office for the last time. While former US presidents have followed a variety of career paths after leaving the White House, there are still certain rules and procedures that they all have to follow. They can't simply return to normal life, and many of these rules exist to ensure their safety as well as to maintain national security and diplomacy.
Want to get a peek into the life of a former president? Then check out this gallery.