Trump is 'rejecting the future' by pulling out of Paris accord says Obama: Ex-president voices fury at move by successor

President Obama sent out a statement Thursday shortly after President Trump announced he was leaving the Paris Agreement on climate change

President Obama was quick to react to President Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Agreement Thursday afternoon.

'The nations that remain in the Paris Agreement will be the nations that reap the benefits in job and industries created,' Obama said. 'I believe the United States of America should be at the front of the pack.'

'But even in the absence of American leadership; even as this Administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I'm confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we got,' he added.

The former president was joined by celebrities and fellow politicians, including his former rival, the 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, in condemnation of the decision, which Trump made Thursday from the White House Rose Garden.