Being the president of the United States of America has got to be one of the hardest jobs on earth, so it should come as no surprise that acting presidents have to follow some pretty strict rules. But as it turns out, former presidents have a whole host of rules they have to follow as well, and some of them may surprise you!
They Must Establish a Presidential Library
You may have noticed before that it seems like there’s always a library named after every president. That’s because there is, and it’s a rule that former presidents must establish a library. Thanks to the Presidential Libraries Act of 1955, each former president must oversee the construction of a new library in their name.
However, presidential libraries aren’t simply monuments to their namesake president…
Their Library Can’t Sugarcoat Things
However, Presidential libraries aren’t “normal” libraries, as they must contain everything that’s ever been written by that president while in office – even the bad stuff. This is because this information is all legally considered public property and must be available to the public and kept as public record.
They Still Have to Read National Security Briefings
One of the duties that comes along with being president is constantly having to read up on national security briefs in order to stay informed about any potential threats to the United States. Former presidents must also do this so that they can offer advice to the current administration, or in case they get asked about it by the press.
They Can’t Smack-Talk Other Presidents
While this one isn’t an official rule, smack-talking other presidents is heavily frowned upon by White House tradition. However, you may have noticed that it hasn’t exactly been meticulously followed by all former presidents as partisanship in America has ramped up over the years, and it may even go away altogether in the near future.
They Must Have Their Mail Searched
This probably isn’t too surprising, considering all of the sketchy things that could get sent in the mail. Both the secret service and the United States Postal Service are required to closely examine any suspicious-looking packages that get delivered to the president and former presidents.
They Aren’t Allowed to Drive
Of course, we’re all aware of the fact that the acting president always has drivers to take him where he needs to go, which sounds like a pretty sweet deal if you ask us. But did you know that former presidents also aren’t allowed to drive themselves anywhere outside of their own private property? This is because presidents get a lifetime of secret service to ensure their safety on the road and otherwise.
Fun fact: Lyndon B. Johnson was the last president to drive himself on public roads.
They Have Their Tech Usage Monitored
Literally every person is being monitored by big tech through their smartphones nowadays, but surveillance is a little different with former presidents because while the government is required to provide a warrant to survey American citizens, it is not required to do so for former presidents on the grounds that it is necessary to protect them from any outside threats.
They Must Maintain Status as Goodwill Ambassadors
Former presidents may not have explicitly stated presidential duties anymore, but they’re still required to uphold certain roles, one of which is being a goodwill ambassador. As is such, they’re encouraged to travel as much as possible, and are even given a budget of one million dollars annually to do so. They also receive diplomatic passports so that they can travel freely without having to obtain visas.
They Can’t Go Anywhere Alone
Former presidents aren’t only not allowed to drive places alone – they’re actually not allowed to go anywhere alone, period. In fact, you’re not really allowed to do anything alone at all, so if alone time is important to you, then being president probably isn’t the right career path for you. Former secret service agent Jonathan Wackrow described it as “the most intrusive thing anyone could ever experience.” Yikes.
They Can’t Do Whatever They Want
And with not being allowed to go anywhere alone comes not being able to do absolutely anything you want. Because, as you might expect, the secret service has to be given a heads up before you go anywhere so that they can scout out the location, and oftentimes this needs to be done days or even months beforehand. And remember, this is the case for the rest of your life. Being president is clearly not for the spontaneous!
So What if the Former President Doesn’t Like the Rules?
While the rules for former presidents certainly are very strict, there is one solution for those who don’t want to abide by them: just sign a waiver saying you don’t want the secret service’s guaranteed protections for former presidents. This just means that the former president’s safety is now in their own hands and they are free to either forgo any sort of security, or hire their own that may allow them more freedom.
Now What About the Perks?
Being a former president certainly comes with its fair share of annoying rules that most of us wouldn’t put up with in a million years, but there are also some pretty sweet perks involved! Keeping clicking through to see!
They Receive a Transition Stipend
The departing president (even those who resign) receives a stipend for six months after leaving office to help them transition back to non-presidential life. The federal government allows for up to $900,000 for this transition stipend.
They Get Free Security
As we determined earlier, the secret service rules for former presidents could undoubtedly be seen as very annoying and intrusive, but they can at least rest assured knowing that their kids will remain safe, as they get free security up until the age of 16.
They’re Encouraged to Stay in the Presidential Townhouse
If a former president comes to visit the White House, they’re heavily encouraged to stay in the presidential townhouse across the street. While they certainly aren’t required to do this, it is encouraged because it is already set up with all of the necessary security accommodations.
They Can Continue Their Government Health Benefits
All former presidents and their families have access to treatment at military hospitals and government healthcare, but there’s a caveat: only the federal employees who worked for the government for at least five years are eligible for this perk. Of course, they have the option to discontinue government healthcare in favor of private insurance, but who on earth would want that?
They Get a Lifetime Pension
Thanks to the Former Presidents Act, former presidents get an annual salary of nearly $208,000 after they leave office. That’s a pretty sweet deal if you ask us. They also receive $150,000 per year for two years to help employ a private staff – after that it drops to $96,000.
Their Spouses Get Pensions Too
Presidents don’t need to worry too much about saving up for their spouses – if they die, their widow or widower receives $20,000 per year as long as they don’t remarry before the age of 60.
They Get Free Office Space
And of course, a former president’s going to need a space for him and his staff to work, right? That’s where this perk comes in handy – The yearly budget for the U.S. General Services Administration includes office space for the former president and his staff, and he gets to pick any place in the United States! They also have all office supplies and furnishings supplied to them.
They’re Entitled to a State Funeral
Former commanders-in-chief are allowed to be buried via a state funeral, which is reserved for figures of national significance. They are usually attended by other world leaders and often have religious and military overtones.
But…
Having a state funeral comes with some compromise that wouldn’t come with a private memorial service, as there are various strict rules that must be followed. This includes the speed at which the funeral procession can move, and even the way in which the military guard must walk.
And What About Acting Presidents?
As you can imagine, the acting president also has to follow a lot of strange rules – some even more surprising than for former presidents. But what can we say, being the leader of the free world is certainly no ordinary job!
They Can’t Open Windows
Even on a hot summer day, the POTUS can’t crack open a window at the White House, or in the car. Toward the end of her husband’s presidential term, former first lady Michelle Obama told Stephen Colbert “I want to do little things like, you know, open a window.”
They Can’t Attend Their Kids’ Events
Unfortunately and as one might expect, being the president of the United States can certainly take a toll on the family. The president cannot attend his kids’ sporting events or school performances of any kind, as doing so would require too much planning and disruptive security for the other attendees.
They Have to Plan Their Own Funeral
Sure, it might be normal for a person to plan out their will prematurely, but planning out your own funeral when you first step foot into the oval office has to be a strange feeling…
Everything They Do Has to be Planned Out in Advance
Just like we mentioned with former presidents, the current president must notify his secret service about anything he wants to do or anywhere he wants to go. Former President Obama made a run to Starbucks while he was still in office, which resulted in the secret service blocking off part of the street and moving pedestrians away. And don’t even get us started on when the president wants to eat at a restaurant…
They Have to Pay for Their Own Food
As confirmed by former First Lady Michelle Obama on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2018, the president and his family may have their own private White House chef, but they must buy their own groceries unless for official state functions.
They Must Donate Gifted Designer Clothing
If either the president or first lady happen to have a taste for expensive designer clothing, they have to pay for it themselves. However, a designer may gift them an item of clothing with the expectation that they will donate it after only one wear.
They Still Have to Pay for Their Personal Homes
When a president and his family move into the White House, they leave behind their old home for at least four years at a time. Regardless, they’re required to pay for their old home’s mortgage and any necessary upkeep out of their own pockets.
They Can’t Use Commercial Airlines
Can you imagine the kind of commotion that would occur if the president stepped foot into a regular airport without warning? And when you have access to Air Force One whenever you want, why would you ever want to fly with a commercial airline?
They Can’t Decline Secret Service
Unlike former presidents, acting presidents don’t have a choice with regard to having secret service. It might be annoying as heck to have someone literally watching your every move, but it’s pretty understandable why it’s needed.
When Rules Get Broken…
As you can imagine, not every president throughout history has followed all of these rules exactly as they’re supposed to. Here are some of history’s most notorious rulebreakers!
Smack Talkers
With regard to the “no smack-talking the sitting president” rule, one of the most notorious rule-breakers was former president Jimmy Carter, who asserted in 2007 that the George W. Bush administration was “the worst in history.” He eventually walked his comment back stating that it was taken out of context, but the damage had already been done.
Theodore Roosevelt was also known to talk poorly about his successors, William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson.
This Goes For Presidential Children Too…
Not only are former presidents technically not allowed to talk smack about other presidents…neither are First Children, apparently. Alice Roosevelt was banned from entering the White House for two administrations after her father, Theodore Roosevelt. The reason? She had reportedly buried a voodoo doll of and performed a hex on Nellie Taft – wife of her father’s successor William Howard Taft – in the White House lawn. She was also incredibly outspoken about her disdain for other presidents, including Woodrow Wilson.
No Driving
Former presidents technically aren’t supposed to drive themselves anywhere, but of course, that rule has also been broken by those who’ve had a major hankering to be behind the wheel. Former president Ronald Reagan, for example, drove near his ranch in Santa Barbara, California. One of his agents recalled, “Everything was completely open. No seatbelts. He’s driving and I’m thinking, ‘If we go over the edge, how am I going to drag him out of that car?’”
At the End of the Day…
The president is supposed to follow the suggestions of their secret service agents, but technically they are just that…suggestions. They can strongly discourage things all they want, but it’s the president who has the final say in everything and the secret service just has to adapt accordingly – no matter how dangerous or ridiculous it may be.
They Have to Follow the Law
That may sound like common sense on its head, but it’s important to remember that while serving as president, said president has legal immunity that protects them from prosecution for acts committed as president. However, once they’re out of office,“Like all other private citizens, a former president may not violate the law. If he does, then he is subject to the same prosecution as any other person. Not only is the president not above the law, former presidents are not above the law.”
Keep Secrets Secret
Once again, might sound like a “no duh” moment, but given the large appetite for presidential memoirs, documentaries, and library materials, it’s important to note that former presidents can not sell or share classified information they learned either as president or presumably during their post-presidential security briefings.
They Can Run Again… If They Only Served Once
After Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected to four consecutive terms, breaking with the unofficial tradition of someone only serving two terms as president, many called for an official law to be established. This led to the passing of the 22nd amendment, which legally mandated that someone could only be elected to hold the office of president for two terms. So, for example, Barack Obama or George W. Bush can not run for president again. However, a one term president like Donald Trump could run again for a second, non-consecutive term.
They Can’t Buy Unapproved Electronic Devices
Unlike most of us, former presidents can’t just go out and buy the latest iPhone on release day (which is ironic, considering they likely have the connections to easily get one on release day). Any electronic decide used by the president must be inspected and approved by their Secret Service detail. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there are many reports that Donald Trump has pushed against these restrictions since leaving office in 2021.
