Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Obama: ‘We welcome those questions’ about U.S. intelligence operations
A day after revealing an innocent American hostage was killed in a January drone strike on an al Qaeda compound, President Obama said Friday that he welcomes a debate over U.S. intelligence and counterterrorism practices. Published April 24, 2015
White House weighs new panel to oversee U.S. hostage situations
A day after President Obama apologized for the death of an American citizen during a Pakistan drone strike in January, the administration says it may form a so-called "fusion cell" that would oversee all communication with the families of hostages being held overseas. Published April 24, 2015
Joe Biden reaffirms Israel support in spite of Iran nuclear deal
Vice President Joseph R. Biden on Thursday night put his own reputation as a staunch supporter of Israel on the line for his boss, President Obama. Published April 23, 2015
Obama to Republicans: ‘Don’t stick your head in the sand’ on climate change
President Obama on Wednesday chastised Republicans who he says don't understand or choose to deny the reality of climate change. Published April 22, 2015
Obama picks a fight with Florida Republicans on climate change
As he heads to the Everglades to mark Earth Day, President Obama is picking a fight with Florida Gov. Rick Scott on climate change — part of a broader White House effort to use the issue to help Democrats and hurt Republicans ahead of the 2016 elections. Published April 22, 2015
Billions of dollars needed to fix aging, vulnerable U.S. energy infrastructure, reports says
U.S. power and energy infrastructure is outdated and perhaps more vulnerable than ever to the effects of climate change or other threats, and will require tens of billions of dollars in repairs and modernization, according to a landmark Obama administration report. Published April 21, 2015
White House ignores Clinton Foundation questions
The White House on Monday refused to even acknowledge accusations that donors to the Clinton Foundation received preferential treatment from the Obama administration while Hillary Rodham Clinton ran the State Department. Published April 20, 2015
‘Difficult to assess’ if Islamic State operating in Libya, Afghanistan: White House
Despite deadly incidents in Libya and Afghanistan over the weekend, the White House said Monday it is "difficult to assess" whether the Islamic State terrorist group has moved beyond Iraq and Syria and now is operating in other parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Published April 20, 2015
White House condemns Islamic State’s slaughter of Christians in Libya
The White House on Sunday night strongly condemned the apparent mass murder of Ethiopian Christians by Islamic State terrorists, saying the militants clearly targeted the victims "because of their faith." Published April 20, 2015
Obama resists U.S. oil exports despite near-record crude production
With U.S. energy production at near-record highs, pressure is mounting on the Obama administration to lift a 40-year-old ban on crude oil exports. Published April 19, 2015
Obama: U.S. must secure global climate-change deal ‘before it’s too late’
President Obama said Saturday that with the U.S. at the helm, the world must come together later this year and strike a groundbreaking climate-change accord or the planet as we know it may cease to exist. Published April 18, 2015
Obama pushes Congress to act quickly on trade authority
President Obama on Friday pressed Congress to act quickly and grant him the trade authority he needs to finalize major deals with Asia and other markets. Published April 17, 2015
Obama climate change rules could cost 300,000 jobs, report warns
On the same day the Obama administration defends its climate-change agenda in court, new research shows that the president's proposed regulations could cost nearly 300,000 U.S. jobs. Published April 16, 2015
Hillary Clinton praises Elizabeth Warren, a ‘special kind of leader’
Hillary Rodham Clinton believes Sen. Elizabeth Warren is a "special kind of leader" who will play a critical role in American politics for years to come. Published April 16, 2015
Obama: ‘Major progress’ in fight against Ebola
President Obama said Wednesday the world has made "major progress" in the fight against the Ebola virus. Published April 15, 2015
GOP calls for temporary halt to EPA’s Clean Power Plan
Republicans' latest attempt to slow the Obama administration's climate change agenda calls for new regulations to be halted until all legal challenges are settled — an argument similar to the one President Obama has used when blocking the Keystone XL oil pipeline. Published April 14, 2015
Obama: ‘Pretty clear cut’ that Obamacare will survive Supreme Court test
President Obama said Monday that there is little doubt the Supreme Court will rule in the administration's favor and won't gut a key portion of the president's signature health care reform law. Published April 13, 2015
Russia’s missile deal with Iran could hamper nuclear talks, White House hints
The White House suggested Monday that Russia's decision to sell antimissile rocket systems to Iran could splinter the international community in the effort to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Published April 13, 2015
Raul Castro demands raise doubts, but Obama optimistic for U.S.-Cuba relations
Twenty-four hours before coming face to face with Cuban President Raul Castro, President Obama on Thursday continued to extend an olive branch from Washington to Havana — but analysts say there are real questions about whether Mr. Castro truly is interested in friendly relations with the U.S. Published April 9, 2015
Obama blasts war on drugs: ‘It’s been very unproductive’
Published April 9, 2015
