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

A series of missteps steers Obama’s trip off course

President Obama escaped Washington this week to mingle with average Americans and raise money for Democrats, but the purpose of his trip has been lost in a haze of political headaches. Published July 10, 2014

Obama defends failure to visit border

President Obama on Wednesday night strongly defended his decision not to visit the U.S.-Mexico border while on a visit to Texas this week, saying such a move would represent "theater" and "photo ops" rather than a genuine effort to address the growing crisis along the country's southern boundary. Published July 9, 2014

In Texas, Obama to address border crisis

President Obama, under fire for not visiting the U.S.-Mexico border while in Texas, will address the "urgent humanitarian situation" along the boundary in a speech Wednesday, the White House announced. Published July 9, 2014

On anniversary of journalist’s death, White House chastises Russia

Ten years after investigative journalist Paul Klebnikov was murdered in Moscow, the Obama administration on Wednesday called on Russia to protect reporters working within its borders. Published July 9, 2014

Obama bests Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper in pool match

As part of a broader effort to connect with average Americans, President Obama drank beer and played pool at a brewpub in downtown Denver. Published July 9, 2014

Hillary Clinton must distance Bill, Obama in 2016

If she runs for president, Hillary Rodham Clinton may find herself not only having to distance herself from President Obama, but she will also have to put some space between herself and her own husband, former President Bill Clinton, on everything from marijuana policy to immigration. Published July 8, 2014

Obama seeks to salvage Afghan election

Amid reports of widespread fraud and the possibility the entire Afghan presidential election will be delegitimized, President Obama on Tuesday called candidate Abdullah Abdullah and urged him to remain involved in the electoral process, rather than declare himself the winner and potentially throw the nation into chaos. Published July 8, 2014

White House dodges questions on claims U.S. is still spying on Germany

The Obama administration wouldn't comment Monday on claims that a German intelligence employee arrested last week was spying for the U.S. Published July 7, 2014

Under fire from teachers union, Obama, Duncan sit down with educators

President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan rolled out a new teacher initiative Monday, just days after the country’s largest teachers union voted in favor of a motion calling on Mr. Duncan to resign. Published July 7, 2014

Obama pleas to China, India to forgo use of coal falls on deaf ears

Coal may have played an integral role in turning the U.S. into the world's top economic superpower, but President Obama is actively pushing China, India and other emerging economies to ignore the fuel that powered the Industrial Revolution and instead embrace renewable sources favored by those on the political left. Published July 3, 2014

Obama racking up judicial losses as Supreme Court rules on Obamacare, union dues

President Obama suffered two final defeats in the Supreme Court on Monday, capping a 2013-2014 term in which the justices delivered several judicial hits to the White House while taking a firm stand against the unchecked power of the state. Published June 30, 2014

Obama sends more troops to Baghdad for embassy protection

With violence threatening the stability of Iraq, President Obama on Monday ordered another 200 U.S. troops to Baghdad to guard the U.S. embassy. Published June 30, 2014

VA nominee has ‘management chops’ to reform department: White House

Former Procter & Gamble CEO Robert McDonald has the necessary "management chops" to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs and fix systemic problems in how health care is delivered to veterans, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Monday. Published June 30, 2014

Obama ignores Boehner’s lawsuit threat: ‘I’ll keep taking actions on my own’

Seemingly unfazed by the threat of a lawsuit, President Obama on Saturday vowed to press on and use executive actions wherever and whenever possible. Published June 28, 2014

Obama takes Democratic wish list on road trip to Minneapolis

Seeming almost giddy to be outside Washington for a couple of days, President Obama on Thursday used a campaign-style town hall meeting in Minneapolis to double down on his push for gun control, more action against climate change, a higher minimum wage and a host of other Democratic wish list items heading onto the fall election. Published June 26, 2014

Obama in Minnesota: ‘I’m feeling super loose … Who knows’ what I might do

For his two-day excursion to Minnesota this week, the president boasted that he's got little in the way of a formal agenda, has few firm plans, and warned Secret Service that he's feeling "super loose" and could end up doing any number of things. Published June 26, 2014