Category: Barack Obama

Trump signals changes to US interrogation, detention policy

President Donald Trump ‘s renewed embrace of torture in the fight against Islamic extremism sets up a heated dispute with a long line of opponents both at home and abroad of Bush-era interrogation policies and CIA-run “black site” prisons. “We have to fight fire with fire,” Trump told ABC in an interview aired Wednesday after The Associated Press and other news organizations obtained a copy of a draft executive order that signals sweeping changes to U.S. interrogation and detention policy.

For most Americans, Dow 20,000 carries little benefit

While Wall Street celebrates yet another stock market record – surpassing 20,000 on the Dow Jones industrial average – many Americans have little reason to cheer. Despite the spread of 401 retirement plans, the wealthiest 10 percent of households own roughly 80 percent of stock market wealth.

Report: Trump called park official to dispute crowd photos

On his first full day in office, President Donald Trump called the acting director of the National Park Service to dispute widely circulated photos of Trump’s inauguration. The Washington Post reported Thursday that Trump personally ordered park service head Michael Reynolds to produce additional photographs of the previous day’s crowds on the National Mall.

Reality, Rights Fade in Trump’s America

The president not only has the resources of the American government at his disposal, but also a coterie of billionaire buddies committed to disseminating ‘alternative facts’ on his behalf. This week a commercial titled ” Champion ” made the rounds on cable news networks, proclaiming that President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, the embattled Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, is “a civil rights champion” with “a lifetime of fighting for justice.”

Trump says he will order ‘safe zones’ for Syria

US President Donald Trump speaks to the staff at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, DC, on January 25, 2017. Trump vowed to restore “control” of US frontiers as he moved Wednesday to fulfil his pledge to “build a wall” on the Mexican border, signing two immigration-related decrees and sounding a hardline tone.

What’s next for the Dakota Access, Keystone XL pipelines?

BISMARCK, N.D. _ President Donald Trump’s executive actions on the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines are aimed at turning the much-protested pipelines into reality. Here’s a look at what may be next for the two pipelines: The $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline to carry North Dakota oil through South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping point in Illinois is nearly complete, except for a stretch underneath Lake Oahe, a Missouri River reservoir in southern North Dakota.

UN holds off action over new Israeli settler homes30 min ago

The UN Security Council met behind closed doors today to discuss Israel’s plan to build new settler homes in the Palestinian West Bank, but took no action. Council members heard a report from UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov after the Israeli government approved a major expansion of 2,500 homes, in defiance of a UN resolution that demanded an end to settlement construction.

Trump draft order seeks review on terror interrogations

President Donald Trump is asking for a review of America’s methods for interrogating terror suspects and the possible reopening of CIA-run “black site” prisons outside the United States, according to a draft executive order obtained by The Associated Press. The document instructs top national security officers to “recommend to the president whether to reinitiate a program of interrogation of high-value alien terrorists to be operated outside the United States and whether such program should include the use of detention facilities operated by the Central Intelligence Agency.”

Draft White House order calls for review of both CIA interrogation…

The CIA could potentially restart an interrogation program that was dismantled in 2009 after using methods widely condemned as torture. An executive order drafted by the Trump administration calls for a policy review that could authorize the CIA to reopen “black site” prisons overseas and potentially restart an interrogation program that was dismantled in 2009 after using methods widely condemned as torture.

Top Democrats Voted For TheBorder Wall Trump Is Building

President Donald Trump will be able to order the construction of a wall on the Mexico border Wednesday with the stroke of a pen, because of a 2006 law passed with the help of Democrats including Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. The 2006 law authorized the construction of 700 miles of fencing along the southern border, as well as additional lights, cameras and sensors to enhance security.

Redefining a ‘special relationship’: Trump and May to talk trade

LONDON, Jan 25 Trade will dominate the first talks between the new leaders of the United States and Britain this week, with both hoping commitments to a future deal will redefine their ‘special relationship’ in a new world order. For British Prime Minister Theresa May – who will be the first foreign leader to meet new U.S. President Donald Trump – even a simple promise to deepen trade ties between the two countries could strengthen her hand in divorce talks with the European Union.

The Latest: Trump vows to ‘send in the Feds’ to help Chicago

Trump tweeted Tuesday night, “If Chicago doesn’t fix the horrible ‘carnage’ going on, 228 shootings in 2017 with 42 killings , I will send in the Feds!” Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson responded late Tuesday, saying: “The Chicago Police Department is more than willing to work with the federal government to build on our partnerships with DOJ , FBI, DEA and ATF and boost federal prosecution rates for gun crimes in Chicago.” Mayor Rahm Emanuel criticized Trump on Monday for worrying about the size of the crowd at his inauguration.

A timeline of the Keystone XL oil pipeline

Notable events in the dispute over the Keystone XL oil pipeline, which is slated to run from Canada to U.S. refineries in the Gulf Coast. March 2008 – The U.S. State Department issues a presidential permit for a $5.2 billion Keystone pipeline to transport crude oil.

Anti-immigration groups are troubled that Trump backed off pledge to deport Dreamers

Immigration hawks are pressuring President Donald Trump to stick by his pledge to end legal protections for some 750,000 immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally as children, while the immigrants themselves are cautiously relieved that he appears to be backing off. Trump promised on the campaign trail to “terminate immediately” a program started by President Barack Obama to temporarily protect these young people from deportation and offer them two-year renewable work permits.

Obamas, Ivanka Trump: Kolarama neighborhood welcomes new residents

Movers, under the supervision of White House ushers, move President Barack Obama’s family’s belongings into their rented house in the Kalorama neighborhood of Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017. more > It’s a question some residents of Northwest Washington’s tony Kalorama neighborhood are asking now that the Obamas and first daughter Ivanka Trump are taking up residence there – along with their Secret Service guardians.

Stocks Rally on Renewed Trump Optimism as Nasdaq, S&P Hit Records

Wall Street stocks posted solid gains Tuesday, brushing aside mixed corporate earnings and lingering worries about trade protectionism, and betting that President Donald Trump will indeed produce the pro-growth policies they have been hoping for. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 each ended at fresh all-time highs, and the Dow moved back to within striking distance of the 20,000-point milestone as investors revived the optimism that pushed the market to repeated records for about six weeks after the election.

White House doubles down on Trumpa s voter fraud claim

President Donald Trump shows off his signature on an executive order about the Dakota Access pipeline, Tuesday in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. WASHINGTON >> The White House on Tuesday stuck firmly to President Donald Trump’s claim that millions of people voted illegally in the November election, but provided no evidence to back up his assertion.

Trump acts to advance Keystone XL, Dakota Access pipelines

President Donald Trump shows off his signature on an executive order about the Dakota Access pipeline, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. President Donald Trump shows off his signature on an executive order about the Dakota Access pipeline, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

Trump to give green light to Dakota Access, Keystone XL oil…

Energy Transfer Partners has filed a motion to bar the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from initiating an environmental study for its controversial Dakota Access pipeline crossing at Lake Oahe in North Dakota. District Court judge for the District of Columbia stop the Corps from initiating the environmental impact statement process until a ruling has been made on whether the company already has necessary approvals for the pipeline crossing.

Trump budget pick Mulvaney faces Senate hearing

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., left, meets with Budget Director-nominee Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C. on Capitol Hill in Washington. Mulvaney, President Donald Trump’s staunchly conservative choice to lead the White House budget office, is headed before the Senate Budget Committee, where panel members will probe for clues on the new administration’s plans for tackling intractable budget deficits.

Democrats won’t get a second hearing with Betsy DeVos, Trump’s education pick

Sen. Lamar Alexander rejected a Democrat’s request for a second hearing with Betsy DeVos on Monday, sparing Trump’s pick for secretary of education from what would surely be a contentious hearing. Alexander, the Republican chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, traded letters with Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat, who requested a second hearing for DeVos after all of her paperwork was approved by the Office of Government Ethics.

Trump Calls For More U.S. Jobs, Factories Ahead of Auto CEO Meeting

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday will push the chief executives of General Motors, Ford Motor and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to increase production in the United States and boost American employment. “I want new plants to be built here for cars sold here!” Trump said in a tweet ahead of the breakfast meeting with automakers, saying he would discuss U.S. jobs with the chief executives.

Trump moves to pull US out of Pacific-Rim trade deal

President Donald Trump moved to pull the United States out of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact Monday, dealing a quick blow to Barack Obama’s legacy as the new chief executive began fulfilling campaign promises in his first full week in office. “Great thing for the American worker that we just did,” Trump said in brief remarks as he signed a notice in the Oval Office.

Jewish golf club in Maryland invites Obama to join after all

The Woodmont Country Club, an exclusive, mostly Jewish golf club in Rockville, Maryland has invited former President Barack Obama to join after all. The club had been locked in a contentious and rather public debate over whether to admit Obama for membership because of the U.S. decision to abstain from a U.N. vote against Israeli settlements and other actions perceived as hostile against Israel.

White House warns China on trade, South China Sea

A Chinese navy formation, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning , during military drills in the South China Sea on January 2, 2017. Photo: AFP The White House warned China it will “defend” US and international “interests” in the South China Sea and that trade must be a “two-way street.”