Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Obama remark on Paris terror victims puts White House in damage control
The White House went into damage control mode Tuesday as it tried to explain President Obama's remark that the victims of an anti-Semitic terrorist attack in Paris were just "a bunch of folks" shot randomly. Published February 10, 2015
White House doubles down: Climate change more dangerous than terrorism
The White House insisted Tuesday that the dangers posed by climate change are greater for average Americans than the threat of terrorism. Published February 10, 2015
White House: At least one more U.S. hostage in Middle East
Hours after confirming the death of American aid worker Kayla Mueller at the hands of Islamic State terrorists, Obama administration officials confirmed Tuesday at least one more American is being held captive in the region. Published February 10, 2015
Obama calls Ukraine’s Petro Poroshenko on eve of key diplomatic meeting
A day before a key meeting that may represent the last true hope to end the fighting in Ukraine through diplomacy, President Obama on Tuesday called Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and expressed optimism that a settlement can be reached. Published February 10, 2015
Obama vows retribution against Islamic State for Kayla Mueller death
President Obama on Tuesday vowed that the U.S. will "bring to justice" those responsible for the death of American aid worker Kayla Mueller, who was killed last week while held captive by Islamic State terrorists. Published February 10, 2015
Obama, Angela Merkel at odds over arming Ukraine against Russia
President Obama on Monday left open the door to providing lethal arms to Ukrainian forces battling pro-Russian rebels — a move that not only would signal greater U.S. involvement in the ongoing conflict but also may create a deep rift with key European allies. Published February 9, 2015
Obama to Germany: Give us ‘benefit of the doubt’ on NSA snooping
President Obama told the German people Monday to give the U.S. "the benefit of the doubt" on American spying and surveillance efforts. Published February 9, 2015
Obama considering lethal aid to Ukraine; move could cause rift between U.S., allies
President Obama said Monday he's considering providing Ukraine with lethal military arms to battle pro-Russian separatists, a potential move that would both ratchet up tension between Ukraine and Russia and also could create a rift between the U.S. and its European allies. Published February 9, 2015
Michelle Obama: Eating healthy will keep government out of your life
First lady Michelle Obama believes Americans can keep the federal government from meddling with their lives by eating healthy foods and maintaining an active lifestyle. Published February 9, 2015
Obama issues veto threats at historic pace in effort to fend off ‘lame duck’ label
President Obama is issuing veto threats at a historic pace, records show, a clear signal to the Republican-controlled Congress that the White House is eager for battle on a variety of fronts. Published February 8, 2015
Obama pulls funding for top clean-coal project
The same administration that lost hundreds of millions of dollars on ill-fated green-energy investments now says it wants to "protect taxpayer interests" by pulling $1 billion in federal funding from a leading clean-coal project in Illinois. Published February 4, 2015
Congress presses Cabinet nominees on Obama policies
President Obama's two top Cabinet nominees likely would've had smoother sailing through the Senate were they not weighed down by Mr. Obama's own controversial policies, ranging from his executive action on immigration to what critics say is a disjointed approach to the war on terrorism. Published February 3, 2015
Obama budgets push for big government, unprecedented spending for years to come
If President Obama had his way in earlier budgets, the federal government would be 20 percent bigger than it is today — a measure of the expansive liberal direction he and his inner circle have tried to lead Congress over the past six years. Published February 1, 2015
Obama: ‘We can afford’ $74B spending increase; national debt at $18 trillion
Despite a national debt over $18 trillion, President Obama said Saturday the nation can afford the major spending increases he'll put forward in his fiscal year 2016 budget, due out Monday. Published January 31, 2015
Obama signs executive order aimed at reducing flood damage from climate change
President Obama on Friday signed an executive director requiring all roads, buildings and other pieces of infrastructure paid for with federal money to be built in areas with less risk of flooding. Published January 30, 2015
White House insists terrorists in Bowe Bergdahl swap pose no threat
The Obama administration insisted Friday that the Taliban terrorists swapped for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl do not pose a threat to the U.S. Published January 30, 2015
White House: GOP hopefuls should listen to Romney on middle class, poverty
Before Mitt Romney announced Friday he wouldn't run for president in 2016, he had indicated fighting poverty would be a centerpiece of his would-be campaign — and the White House wants other Republicans to follow the former Massachusetts governor's lead. Published January 30, 2015
Obama budget to include $215M investment for medical innovations
Pledging that the U.S. will lead the next revolution in medicine, President Obama on Friday laid out a key component of his fiscal year 2016 budget — a $215 million government investment into "precision medicine." Published January 30, 2015
Obama won’t meet Raul Castro’s demands, but doesn’t regret Cuba move
The Obama administration has no intention of meeting Cuban President Raul Castro's various preconditions for normalizing diplomatic relations with the U.S., officials said Thursday. Published January 29, 2015
Obama’s budget will call for end of sequestration, tax hikes
Kicking off the next big budget battle with a bang, President Obama on Thursday will propose rolling back the roughly $1 trillion in automatic sequestration cuts that began in 2013 and will call for a dramatic boost in domestic spending paid for in part with tax hikes. Published January 29, 2015
