President Obama switches on US National Christmas Tree

American President Barack Obama and his family have turned on the lights for the US National Christmas Tree.

The annual ceremony took place in Washington DC on Thursday.

The US national tree has been having a hard time recently - it's the third one in three years.

Last year's one died from the shock of being transplanted, and the tree before that was lost in a storm after standing for more than 30 years.

Mr Obama said, referring to his recent re-election: "It just goes to show, nobody's job is safe here in Washington."