George Bush's letter to Barack Obama and Bill Clinton's letter to Bush revealed

CBS News

As is the tradition in US, a departing president is expected to leave a note for the incoming president and in keeping with the tradition, Former US President Barack Obama left a letter for his successor Donald Trump who assumes office as the president of the US on Friday January 20, 2017. 

Though the contents of Obama’s letter to Trump have not yet been disclosed but on Thursday, former US president George Bush released the letter he wrote to Barack Obama eight years ago and the one he received from his predecessor, Bill Clinton sixteen year ago.

In the letters, Bush congratulated Mr. Obama but warned that “There will be trying moments when the critics will rage and ‘friends’ will disappoint you,” and in Clinton's letter to Bush, he told Bush that “The burdens you now shoulder are great, but often exaggerated and that The sheer joy of doing what you believe is right is inexpressable.”

George W. Bush's letter to Barack Obama:

“Dear Barack,
Congratulations on becoming our president. You have just begun a fantastic chapter in your life. 
“Very few have had the honor of knowing the responsibility you now feel. Very few know the excitement of the moment and the challenges you will face.
There will be trying moments. The critics will rage. Your ‘friends’ will disappoint you. But, you will have an Almighty God comfort you, a family who loves you, and a country that is pulling for you, including me. No matter what comes, you will be inspired by the character and compassion of the people you will lead.”

Bill Clinton's letter to George W. Bush:

Dear George,
Today, you embark on the greatest venture, with the greatest honor, that can come to an American citizen.
Like me, you are especially fortunate to lead our coutnry in a time of profound and largely positive change, when old questions, not just about the role of government, but about the very nature of our nation, must be answered anew.
You lead a proud, decent, good people. And from this day you are president of all of us. I salute you and wish you success and much happiness.
The burdens you now shoulder are great, but often exaggerated. The sheer joy of doing what you believe is right is inexpressable.
My prayers are with you and your family.”