Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Despite Obama’s passion, little movement seen on guns
For the 15th time in his nearly seven years in office, President Obama last week consoled the nation and demanded action on gun-control legislation — but America's most recent mass shooting likely will serve as another reminder that the president's bully pulpit simply isn't powerful enough to drive change on the complex, contentious issue of Second Amendment rights. Published October 4, 2015
Gun control debate at standstill despite agreement on restrictions for mentally ill
Umpqua Community College, the site of the latest mass shooting, has grappled firsthand with the complex questions of gun violence, opting last year against having armed guards and developing plans to deal with an active shooter after a fatal incident at a nearby high school in 2006. Published October 1, 2015
Oregon shooting: Obama demands action on guns, blames Washington for ‘routine’ mass shootings
A visibly shaken and angry President Obama attacked the American gun lobby, scolded the media and demanded that Congress take concrete action to stop the rash of recent mass shootings, which he said have "become routine" and are the pure result of inaction by lawmakers in Washington. Published October 1, 2015
EPA tightens ozone standard, sets off fight with business groups
The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday tightened the federal ozone standard, dismissing the concerns of powerful business groups and setting off a regulatory and legal fight that will last for the remainder of President Obama's time in office. Published October 1, 2015
EPA to release new regulations to restrict ground-level ozone
President Obama on Thursday is expected to take what many expect to be the most costly and contentious step in his ambitious environmental agenda -- the release of a gargantuan set of federal regulations to restrict ground-level ozone in the name of protecting Americans' health. Published September 30, 2015
Raul Castro’s speech spotlights divide with U.S.
President Obama hailed a new chapter in the U.S.-Cuba relationship this week at the United Nations, but analysts say realities on the ground on the communist island -- and the continued "Cold War rhetoric" of Cuban President Raul Castro -- demonstrate that the easy part of mending the bilateral relationship frozen since the early 1960s is now over. Published September 29, 2015
Obama, Raul Castro meet at United Nations
President Obama met with Cuban President Raul Castro in New York City on Tuesday morning, further cementing the fact that the U.S. and the communist island are moving past the diplomatic isolation of the last half-century. Published September 29, 2015
Vladimir Putin, Obama spar over Syria at United Nations
President Obama and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin tried to downplay personal and policy tensions during a rare face-to-face meeting Monday in New York, but fierce disagreements bubbled to the surface in competing speeches to an audience of other world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly. Published September 28, 2015
Obama, Putin cross paths at U.N., clink glasses during luncheon
President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin crossed paths Monday afternoon at a United Nations General Assembly luncheon in New York City, hours before the two men sit down for a highly anticipated face-to-face meeting. Published September 28, 2015
Obama vows to defeat the ‘apocalyptic cult’ of the Islamic State
President Obama on Monday vowed to crush the "apocalyptic cult" that is the Islamic State but said U.S. military force will not be enough to bring stability to places such as Syria. Published September 28, 2015
Obama taunts Putin, China at U.N.: ‘I lead the strongest military the world has ever known’
President Obama told the United Nations Monday that the world cannot stand by while Russia violates Ukraine's sovereignty with impunity -- and he left little doubt about which leader in attendance has the world's strongest military. Published September 28, 2015
Cybersecurity deal with China called small step
President Obama claimed victory on cybersecurity after last week's meeting with his Chinese counterpart, and said he's received assurances China no longer will tacitly support the hacking of American companies -- but analysts say the deal is only a small step in the right direction and does not guarantee either nation will cease all forms of spying or cybertheft. Published September 27, 2015
Obama praises retiring Boehner as a ‘good man’ and a ‘patriot’
President Obama on Friday called retiring House Speaker John A. Boehner a "good man" and a "patriot" and said he hopes Mr. Boehner's successor will work closely with the White House and congressional Democrats to avoid government shutdowns and other crises. Published September 25, 2015
Obama: Chinese have agreed to stop cyberattacks
President Obama announced Friday that the U.S. and Chinese governments have reached an agreement to not "conduct or knowingly support" cyberattacks against each other. Published September 25, 2015
As Pope Francis calls for action, Obama teams with China on climate
As Pope Francis urged the world to protect the environment and fight climate change, the Obama administration teamed with China Friday to announce a series of steps aimed at rolling back the tide of global warming. Published September 25, 2015
Gina McCarthy, EPA administrator, takes pope’s message on climate to Notre Dame
The Obama administration is wasting no time wrapping itself in Pope Francis's call for dramatic action on climate change, deploying Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy to the University of Notre Dame Friday to again make the case the U.S. has a "moral obligation" to rein in greenhouse gas emissions. Published September 24, 2015
White House criticizes Vladimir Putin’s posture
The White House on Thursday criticized Vladimir Putin's posture and said the Russian president has perfected the image of someone who is laid back, perhaps even bored, during meetings with international leaders. Published September 24, 2015
Obama’s view on death penalty ‘influenced’ by Pope Francis
Pope Francis may have pushed President Obama closer to coming out against the death penalty, White House officials said Thursday. Published September 24, 2015
Pope Francis lectures Obama on religious liberty
Pope Francis called for American leadership Wednesday in combating climate change, embracing immigrants and caring for the poor, using his unparalleled pulpit to sound solidarity with President Obama on a host of issues -- but the pontiff also poked the White House on religious liberty, and insisted pro-life and family causes were at the center of his visit. Published September 23, 2015
White House scrapped 21-gun salute because Pope Francis is ‘man of peace’
The Obama administration and the Vatican decided that a 21-gun salute in honor of Pope Francis' arrival at the White House Wednesday would not be appropriate because the pontiff is a "man of peace." Published September 23, 2015
