Obama’s Race Gambit

In the heady atmosphere leading up to the 2008 presidential election, a messianic Senator Barack Obama proclaimed he was "five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America." That transformation, echoed by Michelle Obama, was to change the conversation, change our traditions, change our history, and move the nation to a different place.

Objectivity In The Election Season

Despite differences in perception across the spectrum of class and race, solid data can push against the tsunami of inaccuracies that threatens to sweep us off our collective feet. Trump's immigration rants underscore the statistically verified fact that illegal immigration has been declining for years.

Obama won’t pull punches

United States President Barack Obama will not hesitate to raise "well-documented and relevant concerns" when it comes to human rights issues in the Philippines during his much anticipated first meeting with his Filipino counterpart Rodrigo Duterte on the sidelines of an Southeast Asia summit in Laos on September 6. Reacting to statements issued by President Duterte in the run-up to their first meeting scheduled next week, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a press gaggle aboard Air Force One en route Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Thursday , that President Obama, after listening to the Philippine leader, is "certainly not going to pull any punches" in raising some of America's concerns about the human rights situation under the current administration.

Prominent Latino withdraws support from Trump

A prominent Latino surrogate for Donald Trump announced Thursday he had officially withdrawn his support from the Republican presidential nominee after the real estate mogul resumed his hard-line immigration position in a major policy speech in Arizona. Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles President Alfonso Aguilar told CNN he felt disappointed and misled by Trump and his campaign after recent speculation the Republican nominee would soften his stance on undocumented immigrants.

Across the Nation: Obama commutes sentences of 111 federal inmates

President Barack Obama cut short on Tuesday the sentences of 111 federal inmates in another round of commutations for those convicted of nonviolent drug offenses. Obama has long called for phasing out strict sentences for drug convictions, arguing they lead to excessive punishment and incarceration rates unseen in other developed countries.

After subdued trip to Mexico, Donald Trump talks tough on immigration in Phoenix

By Joshua Partlow, Sean Sullivan and Karen DeYoung, The Washington Post MEXICO CITY - Donald Trump, who has made maligning illegal immigrants from Mexico a cornerstone of his presidential campaign, met with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on Wednesday - striking a remarkably subdued and cooperative tone as he faced a world leader forcefully opposed to his signature proposals. Yet just hours later in a major speech on immigration in Phoenix, Trump had returned to the aggressive tone that has defined much of his campaign.

New AG has tightrope to walk for lands-into-trust path

Alaska Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth is working with stakeholders on the lands-into-trust issue after Gov. Bill Walker decided not to appeal a recent court decision allowing the transfers. Photo/Elwood Brehmer/AJOC New Alaska Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth has been given a tricky assignment by Gov. Bill Walker: forge a compromise on lands-into-trust, a contentious issue that is developing around the legal status of certain Alaska Native lands.

Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio Wins GOP Primary

The Arizona sheriff famous for his tough stance on illegal immigration and keeping jail inmates in tents easily won his Republican primary on Tuesday. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is seeking election to a seventh term as the top lawman for the area around Phoenix, won about 66 percent of the vote, well ahead of ex-police chief and three-time opponent Dan Saban, according to unofficial election results posted online by the county.

The Note: Trump Crosses the Border To Mexico

TRUMP MAKES SURPRISE VISIT TO MEXICO TODAY: Donald Trump says he has accepted an invitation from Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to meet with him Wednesday. "I have accepted the invitation of President Enrique Pena Nieto, of Mexico, and look very much forward to meeting him tomorrow," Trump tweeted Tuesday night.

The Irony of Clinton Embracing ‘Snowden-Approved’ Security App

National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden's leaks revealing a mass surveillance program of U.S. citizens helped terrorists and weakened national security. Meanwhile, she denied-and continues to deny-similar allegations directed at her " during the first Democratic Party debate, Clinton said Snowden should "not be brought home without facing the music."

Trump to meet with Mexican President during last minute trip

Donald Trump is traveling to Mexico Wednesday to meet with the country's president just hours before he is set to deliver a speech focused on immigration policy. "I have accepted the invitation of President Enrique Pena Nieto, of Mexico, and look very much forward to meeting him tomorrow," the Republican presidential nominee tweeted Tuesday.