Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Obama admin. blasts GOP letter to Iran, says Republicans want ‘war’
The Obama administration on Monday accused Senate Republicans of looking for war and undermining U.S. negotiations with Iran, charging that the GOP fundamentally misunderstands its role by acting outside "the role our Founding Fathers envisioned Congress to play when it comes to foreign policy." Published March 9, 2015
Senate Republicans’ letter to Iran draws furious response from White House, Democrats
A letter from Senate Republicans to Iranian leaders sparked a furious response from the White House on Monday, with administration officials accusing the GOP of seeking war and undermining its diplomatic efforts to stop Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Published March 9, 2015
Obama pushes Americans to high-tech jobs
Calling high-tech jobs "a ticket into the middle class," President Obama on Monday announced a new initiative aimed at training workers for high-paying 21st century jobs and said the government will partner with local leaders, private companies and colleges to drive more than 500,000 Americans toward better salaries. Published March 9, 2015
Obama amnesty, Islamic State, education actions create burdens for next president
On his way out of Washington, President Obama will leave his successor a number of politically perilous parting gifts and force the next White House occupant to make highly controversial moves quickly on immigration, the fight against terrorism and other key issues. Published March 8, 2015
Obama warns Ferguson: Clean up your act or face federal lawsuit
Days after the Justice Department issued a scathing review of police practices in Ferguson, Missouri, President Obama on Friday said the embattled city "will now have to make a decision" to either end discriminatory practices or face a federal lawsuit. Published March 6, 2015
Obama downplays Keystone, ignores State Department research on pipeline
President Obama on Friday ignored his own State Department's research on the Keystone XL oil pipeline, dismissing the project and casting it as both economically unimportant and potentially harmful to the environment. Published March 6, 2015
White House: ‘No idea’ when Obama learned of Clinton email scandal
Despite reports the White House learned six months ago that Hillary Clinton exclusively used a private email server during her time as secretary of state, administration officials said Friday they have "no idea" when President Obama learned of the situation. Published March 6, 2015
Gina McCarthy, EPA chief: ‘Climate change is not a religion’
Seeking a 6 percent budget increase in the upcoming fiscal year, Environmental Protection Agency Gina McCarthy on Wednesday assured skeptical Republicans her efforts will be driven solely by science and won't be beholden to any political ideology. Published March 4, 2015
Hillary Clinton hidden emails taint Obama transparency vow, boost Benghazi probe
Hillary Clinton's use of an off-the-books email account during her time as secretary of state has eroded the Obama administration's claims of transparency — giving new momentum to Republicans investigating the Benghazi affair and raising fresh questions about Mrs. Clinton's credibility heading into 2016. Published March 3, 2015
Obama says he won’t be deterred by ‘one federal judge’ on immigration
A confident President Obama said Wednesday he won't be stopped by "one federal judge," telling a Miami crowd he'll move ahead with his controversial executive action on immigration and vowing his administration will become even more aggressive in the weeks and months to come. Published February 25, 2015
Obama to create new cyber threat center
President Obama on Wednesday said he'll establish a new "Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center" aimed at coordinating ongoing federal efforts to counter hackers and other cyber threats aimed at the U.S. government and private industry. Published February 25, 2015
Obama vows to block GOP education bill
A day after blocking legislation to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline, President Obama on Wednesday continued to issue veto threats at a record pace, this time vowing to stop a Republican-backed education reform bill. Published February 25, 2015
Canadian government brushes off Obama Keystone veto
A top Canadian official on Tuesday brushed off President Obama's veto of legislation approving the Keystone XL oil pipeline, expressing supreme confidence that eventually the White House will sign off on the project. Published February 24, 2015
Bob McDonald right to apologize for false special forces claim, White House says
President Obama believes it was "appropriate" for VA Secretary Bob McDonald to apologize for false claims about serving in U.S. special forces, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Tuesday. Published February 24, 2015
Qatar can do more to stop financing of terror groups, White House says
Minutes after President Obama met with the leader of Qatar, the White House said there is more the country can do to stop the financing of terrorist organizations. Published February 24, 2015
Obama vetoes Keystone pipeline bill
President Obama on Tuesday sided firmly with environmentalists in vetoing a bill that would approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline, a move that sparked a bipartisan backlash on Capitol Hill and deepened a rift between the administration and key Democratic allies in organized labor. Published February 24, 2015
Obama flubs Conn. governor’s name at White House speech, thanks ‘Gov. O’Malley’
President Obama on Monday mixed up Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, wrongly crediting Mr. O'Malley for the work he's done to help reintegrate Connecticut ex-convicts into their communities. Published February 23, 2015
Obama embraces natural gas exports to drive job growth despite likely domestic price hike
The Obama administration is warming up increasingly to U.S. exports of natural gas after years of blocking greater access by domestic producers to the international market. Published February 22, 2015
John McCain ‘ashamed’ over lack of U.S. aid to Ukraine
Sen. John McCain said Sunday he’s “ashamed” of his country, President Obama and himself for not doing more to help Ukraine in its fight to fend off pro-Russian rebels. Published February 22, 2015
Lindsey Graham: ‘No doubt’ Obama loves America
Sen. Lindsey Graham says he has "no doubt" that President Obama loves America. Published February 22, 2015