Ben Wolfgang

Ben Wolfgang is a National Security Correspondent for The Washington Times. His reporting is regularly featured in the daily Threat Status newsletter.

Previously, he covered energy and the environment, Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign in 2016, and also spent two years as a White House correspondent during the Obama administration.

Before coming to The Times in 2011, Ben worked as political reporter at The Republican-Herald in Pottsville, Pa.

He can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Ben Wolfgang

Obama praises ‘compromise’ spending bill

President Obama on Friday praised the $1.1 trillion spending package that passed the House Thursday night, saying the bill is by no means perfect but is the best he could've hoped for with a divided Congress. Published December 12, 2014

Joe Biden threatened to ‘kill’ bully, smashed his head off donut shop counter

The vice president recently recounted an instance where he smashed a bully's head off of a donut shop counter and then threatened to "kill" him. Published December 12, 2014

Nancy Pelosi, White House have no rift over spending bill, administration says

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi defied President Obama Thursday and urged her members to vote against the $1.1 trillion spending package backed by the White House, but administration officials deny the dramatic episode has led to a rift between the two Democrats. Published December 12, 2014

Obama praises college football playoff, picks hometown Bulls to beat LeBron’s Cavs

President Obama praised LeBron James on Friday for his social activism but predicted his hometown Chicago Bulls can beat the James-led Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBA Eastern Conference title this season. Published December 12, 2014

Obama blasts NFL’s ‘old boys network,’ says the league needs a ‘wake-up call’

President Obama on Friday took a shot at the NFL for failing to confront domestic violence and other controversial issues quickly enough, saying pro football has been plagued by an "old boys network" that has kept the league from making necessary progress on some social issues. Published December 12, 2014

Obama irrelevant in spending bill battle as lame-duck era unofficially begins

After being virtually invisible during budget negotiations and ceding almost all power to Democrats on Capitol Hill, President Obama found himself backed into a political corner, forced to support a $1.1 trillion spending package that he had little hand in crafting and that contains provisions the White House vehemently opposes. Published December 11, 2014

White House to Congress: Stay out of D.C.’s marijuana laws

The White House scolded Congress Thursday for meddling with the District of Columbia's recent vote to legalize marijuana, saying federal lawmakers shouldn't "interfere" in the matter. Published December 11, 2014

Obama supports, will sign $1.1 trillion spending package

President Obama supports and will sign the $1.1 trillion bipartisan spending package that's emerged on Capitol Hill, the White House said Thursday. Published December 11, 2014

Obama joins in Toys for Tots — ‘I’m the big elf. I’m like Will Ferrell’

A festive President Obama on Wednesday took part in the Marine Corps "Toys for Tots" program, joining with first lady Michelle Obama in delivering bags of Christmas toys for needy children. Published December 10, 2014

White House applauds Time’s decision to name Ebola workers ‘person of the year’

White House officials said Wednesday the president wholeheartedly approves of Time Magazine naming health-care workers battling the Ebola virus as "person of the year." Published December 10, 2014

Obama administration grants five more drone permits, continues case-by-case approach

The Obama administration on Wednesday granted five new permits allowing private companies to fly drones in U.S. airspace for oil rig monitoring, aerial surveying and other purposes. Published December 10, 2014

Obama to announce $1 billion in early education investments

President Obama on Wednesday will announce more than $1 billion in new government and private investments into early childhood education, White House officials said. Published December 10, 2014

Liberals seek to reboot Democratic party with ‘Big Ideas Project’

After disastrous midterm elections for Democrats, some progressives are looking to reboot the party by injecting it with fresh "big ideas" and already have secured the backing of powerful party leaders in their effort. Published December 10, 2014

Elizabeth Warren may upset Hillary Clinton inevitability

A coalition of powerful liberal groups said Tuesday they may launch a formal campaign urging their hero, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, to seek the White House in 2016, adding more intrigue to the party's presidential primary process and casting doubt on the popular narrative that Hillary Rodham Clinton will cruise to the Democratic nomination. Published December 9, 2014

Obama: I’ve fought against activists who believe there should be open borders

Critics say President Obama went too far with his executive action granting amnesty to more than 4 million illegal immigrants — but behind the scenes, the president said he's pushed back against those who believe the U.S. should have an open border with Mexico. Published December 9, 2014

Obama: Next president won’t undo my immigration reforms

President Obama insisted Tuesday that his successor won't take the political risk that would come with reversing his recent executive action on immigration reform. Published December 9, 2014

Obama commandeers Colbert Report, promotes Obamacare, pushes agenda

He's often been accused of abusing his power, but a tongue-in-cheek President Obama took that notion to new heights Monday night as he booted Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert from his own show, commandeering the late-night program to give it a more "presidential" feel. Published December 8, 2014