The force was strong in the White House on Friday morning, where a bevy of Stormtroopers, joined by chirpy cylindrical robot R2-D2, made a rather patriotic appearance just in time for the opening weekend of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Don't worry though—the Stormtroopers weren't sent by the Galatic Empire/First Order/GOP to stir up trouble. Instead, the intergalactic visitors were sent by Disney, and were there to celebrate a very special White House screening of the new flick for military families part of the Gold Star program. But the kids and parents of Gold Star weren't the only ones excited to see the film.

"Clearly, this is not the most important event that's taking place in the White House today," an enthusiastic President Obama said as he began his annual end-of-the-year speech for the press. "There is a screening of Star Wars or Gold Star Families and children coming up, so I'll try to be relatively succinct." Later, while waving off additional media queries, POTUS closed his Friday morning briefing with, "Okay everybody, I've got to get to Star Wars." (Presidents—they're just like us!)

First Lady Michelle Obama, who played gracious host to the event, seemed to be just as chuffed about the screening, giving one little droid in particular a very warm White House welcome:

Meanwhile, The Force Awakens continues to soar at hyperdrive at the box office, and has already raked in an estimated record-breaking $250M globally since Thursday's initial showings. As Master Yoda always (okay, never) said: "Break or do not break box office records—there is no try."

See Which Stars Came Out For The Force Awakens Premiere

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