Former U.S. President Barack Obama officiated the wedding of two of his former staffers, senior counsel Dana Remus and National Security Council senior director of intelligence Brett Holmgren, on Sunday in Washington, D.C.
According to the Washingtonian, Remus and Holmgren asked Obama to attend, and then to officiate their wedding of about 120 guests at the District Winery. Obama got a temporary officiant’s license for the District of Columbia in order to perform the wedding, and the former president also signed the marriage certificate.
The groom’s mother, Mary Holmgren, called Obama's remarks “very sincere” and said they “came from his heart,” the Washingtonian reported. “He complimented both of them on their work, on the type of people they were, threw in a bit of humor,” she said. “He spoke about how their work has been a service to the people and how the two of them complement each other.”
Obama did not stay for the wedding reception but took a few pictures with the family before he left.
“He did not want to detract from their day,” the groom’s mother said, the Washingtonian reported.
Other guests included Susan Rice, James Clapper, Anita Dunn, and other D.C. staffers, the Washingtonian reported. Former first lady Michelle Obama also was invited but could not attend.
According to CNN, Obama’s office still receives and continues to reply to strangers’ invitations to attend their weddings.
The former president served as a groomsman for a longtime aide and golfing partner in January 2017.
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