We often wonder as to why someone wants to become president. You could argue the desire for power, the intention to do good, or even corruption, but whatever their reasons are, the presidents still need to follow a very strict set of rules.
Not always fun and games for the head of state so find out just how a president carries out and ends his term.
They Must Establish a Presidential Library
People may have noticed that there seems to be a library named after every president.
There is, and it’s a rule that former presidents have to establish a library. Thanks to the Presidential Libraries Act of 1955, former presidents have to oversee the construction of a new library in their name.
Though presidential libraries aren’t just monuments to their namesake president, keep reading for more!
Their Library Can’t Sugarcoat Things
Presidential libraries aren’t “normal” libraries. They contain everything that’s been written by that president while in office.
Including the bad stuff.
The reason is this information is all legally considered public property so they must be available to the public and kept as public record.
They Still Have to Read National Security Briefings
One of the duties of being the president is constantly reading up on national security briefs.
They do so to stay informed about any potential threats to the United States.
Former presidents still do this so they can offer advice to the current administration, or if they get asked about it by the press.
They Can’t Smack-Talk Other Presidents
This isn’t exactly an official rule, but smack-talking other presidents is frowned upon by White House tradition.
But you will notice that it hasn’t exactly been followed by all former presidents.
Partisanship in America has ramped up the past years, and it could go away altogether in the future.
They Must Have Their Mail Searched
This isn’t too surprising, considering all the sketchy things they could receive in the mail.
The secret service and the United States Postal Service are required to closely examine any suspicious-looking packages delivered to the president and former presidents.
They Aren’t Allowed to Drive
Everyone knows that the acting president always has drivers to take him where he needs to go, and that sounds like a pretty sweet deal.
But did you know that former presidents aren’t allowed to drive themselves outside of their own private property?
All former 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 on public roads.
They Have Their Tech Usage Monitored
Every single person is being monitored by big tech through their smartphones nowadays, but surveillance for former presidents is different.
The government is required to provide a warrant to survey its citizens, but they are not required to do so for former presidents on the grounds that it is necessary to protect them from outside threats.
They Must Maintain Status as Goodwill Ambassadors
Former presidents may not have presidential duties anymore, but they’re still required to uphold certain roles, like being a goodwill ambassador.
They’re encouraged to travel , and are given a budget of one million dollars annually to do so.
They even receive diplomatic passports so they can travel freely without having the need to obtain visas.
They Can’t Go Anywhere Alone
Former presidents aren’t allowed to drive places alone. They’re also not allowed to go anywhere alone, period.
In fact, they’re not really allowed to do anything alone at all, so if alone time is important, then being president isn’t the right career path for you.
Former secret service agent Jonathan Wackrow described this as “the most intrusive thing anyone could ever experience.”
They Can’t Do Whatever They Want
And not being allowed to go anywhere alone also means not being able to do anything you want.
The secret service has to be given a heads up before a president goes anywhere so they can scout out the location, and that needs to be done days or even months beforehand.
And this is the case for the rest of their lives. Being president is not for the spontaneous.
So What if the Former President Doesn’t Like the Rules?
Rules for former presidents are very strict, but there is one solution for those who don’t want to abide by them.
They just need to sign a waiver saying they don’t want the secret service’s guaranteed protections for former presidents.
That means that the former president’s safety is now in their own hands. They are free to forgo any sort of security, or hire their own to allow them more freedom.
Now What About the Perks?
Being a former president comes with its fair share of annoying rules most of us wouldn’t put up with in a million years.
But they do have some pretty sweet perks involved. Keeping reading through to find out!
They Receive a Transition Stipend
The departing president, even ones who resign, get a stipend for six months after leaving office.
This is meant to help them transition back to non-presidential life. The federal government allows up to $900,000 for this transition stipend.
They Get Free Security
As you now know, the secret service rules for former presidents can be very annoying and intrusive, but former presidents can be assured that their kids will remain safe, since they get free security up to the age of 16.
They’re Encouraged to Stay in the Presidential Townhouse
If a former president arrives for a visit to the White House, they’re encouraged to stay in the presidential townhouse right across the street.
They aren’t required to do this, but it is encouraged since the place is already set up with all of the necessary security accommodations.
They Can Continue Their Government Health Benefits
Former presidents and their families have access to treatment at military hospitals and government healthcare.
The catch is, only federal employees who worked for the government for at least five years are eligible for this perk.
They do have the option to discontinue government healthcare in favor of private insurance, but why would they want to do that?
They Get a Lifetime Pension
Thanks to the Former Presidents Act, former presidents receive an annual salary of nearly $208,000 when they leave office.
That’s a sweet deal.
They also get $150,000 per year for two years to employ a private staff. That drops to $96,000 after.
Their Spouses Get Pensions Too
Presidents don’t need to worry about saving up for their spouses.
Should they pass away, their widow or widower receives $20,000 per year, so long as they don’t remarry before the age of 60.
They Get Free Office Space
A former president needs space for him and his staff to work, so this perk comes in handy.
The annual budget for the U.S. General Services Administration includes office space for the former president and his staff.
He also gets to pick any place in the country. They have all office supplies and furnishings supplied to them as well.
They’re Entitled to a State Funeral
Former commanders-in-chief are allowed to be buried via a state funeral.
This is reserved for figures of national significance, and as such are often attended by other world leaders with religious and military overtones.
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