Barack Obama was named an honorary national co-chair of the Semiquincentennial Commission alongside George W. Bush.
The commission announced the honorary appointments on August 1, 2024. Barack Obama and George W. Bush were selected as former presidents, while former first ladies Michelle Obama and Laura Bush were also named honorary national co-chairs.
These roles are honorary rather than the same as the commission chairmanship. Rosie Rios is the commission’s chair, while the honorary co-chairs provide prominent national representation for the anniversary.
The appointments reflect the commission’s effort to connect America250 with leaders from different presidential administrations. They also distinguish the nonpartisan commission’s formal structure from the many separate public and private events planned for 2026.