5 Things President Obama's Doing During His Last Full Day In Office

President Barack Obama leaves office on Friday, Jan. 20, completing two full terms of consequential and contentious leadership as the country's commander in chief. A historic president from day one, he will be remembered in part for who he was: the first African-American president, a Democrat taking over after a troubled Republican presidency and an impending financial crisis, and a leader at a time of growing partisanship.

But he'll also be remembered for what his administration did, for good or ill: the passage of a stimulus bill as the economy was in freefall; a massive overhaul of the nation's health care system; the appointment of Supreme Court justices who pushed forward LGBT rights; the killing of Osama bin Laden; the withdrawal of troops of Iraq during a troubled time in the Middle East; and many more.

As he winds down his, his last full day in office on Thursday will surely be marked by solemn goodbyes and reflection, but before he turns the oval office over to his opposition party's leader, he still officially holds the power of the White House. Here's what we can expect Obama is doing on his last full day in office:

1. The presidential daily briefing

Every day, the president is briefed by his staff on the most important national issues of the day. Today is no different.

2. A final letter to the White House email list

On his last day as president, Obama sent a letter to the American people to mark the end of his time in office.

"Throughout these eight years, you have been the source of goodness, resilience, and hope from which I've pulled strength," Obama wrote in his final email to the American people as president. "I've seen neighbors and communities take care of each other during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. I have mourned with grieving families searching for answers -- and found grace in a Charleston church."

It continues: "All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into that work -- the joyous work of citizenship. Not just when there's an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime. I'll be right there with you every step of the way."

Read the full letter here.

3. One last lunch with Vice President Joe Biden in the private dining room

According to their own account, Biden and Obama have become very close in their time working side-by-side in the executive branch. While presenting his vice president with a surprise Presidential Medal of Freedom, Obama called Biden his brother.

4. Last-minute pardons

Issuing last-minute pardons or commutations is a prerogative of the presidency that many of Obama's predecessors have availed themselves of, sometimes sparking controversy. A pardon cannot be overturned, so it can be met with public backlash but leaves opponents of the decision with few legal options.

Obama already issued a list of pardons and commutations this week, most notably for Chelsea Manning, the Army private who leaked military secrets to WikiLeaks. If Obama wants to issue any more, he has precious little time to do it.

5. A letter for President-elect Donald Trump

Per tradition, the outgoing president leaves a letter for the incoming president. It may be quite some time before the public knows the content of this letter, but it is eventually expected to be released. Given the highly polarized climate in which Obama is leaving office and Trump is assuming it, it's hard to be certain what tone the letter will take. But Obama, known to be an adept and talented writer, will almost certainly craft the message well.

Photo credit: Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, USN