Category: Barack Obama

Trump Challenges Intel Agencies

President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday escalated his blunt public challenge to the U.S. intelligence agencies he will soon oversee, appearing to embrace WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s contention that Russia did not provide his group with the hacked Democratic emails that roiled the 2016 election. Trump’s [seen here] defiance has increased the pressure on intelligence officials to provide decisive evidence of Russian election interference.

Letters: Evaluating Obama’s legacy

Re: “How do you assess Obama’s legacy?” [Opinion, Jan. 3]: It’s become clear that President Obama is very concerned about his place in history, and his actions in office will define that legacy. His administration has given us inedible school lunches, unaffordable insurance and made police lives unimportant.

Trump: ‘Stupid’ people oppose ties to Russia

A part of the declassified version Intelligence Community Assessment on Russia’s efforts to interfere with the U.S. political process is photographed in Washington, Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a campaign to influence the American presidential election in favor of electing Donald Trump, according to the report issued by U.S. intelligence agencies.

9 things Obama will be remembered for

As Barack Obama prepares to leave office on January 20, here are nine things his presidency may be remembered for: U.S. President Barack Obama applauds active military personnel after speaking about counter-terrorism during his visit to MacDill Air Force Base, home to U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command, in Tampa, Florida, U.S. December 6, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque WASHINGTON DC: As Barack Obama prepares to leave office on January 20, here are nine things his presidency may be remembered for: If historians were to write only one thing about Barack Hussein Obama, they would likely note that — 143 years after slavery was abolished – a young Illinois senator became the first black president of the United States.

Kathleen Parker: President-elect Trumpschenko

First, a history refresher: For the past nine years, a smattering of Americans, most recently led by our now president-elect, have insisted that Barack Obama is a Muslim born in Kenya. For years, Donald Trump was unrelenting in his insistence that Obama prove beyond existing proof that he was born in Hawaii and not in the African country of his biological father.

Trump: Only – stupid’ people, fools oppose better Russia ties

President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that “only ‘stupid’ people or fools” would dismiss closer ties with Russia, and he seemed unswayed after his classified briefing on an intelligence report that accused Moscow of meddling on his behalf in the election that catapulted him to power. “Having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing,” Trump said in a series of tweets.

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Washington – A Rastafarian prophet, a former Taliban captive and thousands of minor drug traffickers have one thing in common: Their names have been submitted to President Barack Obama for clemency before he leaves office in two weeks. Some US presidents have used this regal power of leniency in a pointed way near the end of their term in office.

The Latest: Trump renews calls for warmer ties with Russia

The first page of the Joint Analysis Report narrative by the Department of Homeland Security and federal Bureau of Investigation and released on Dec. 29, 2016, is photographed in Washington, Jan. 6, 2017. Computer security specialists say the technical details in the narrative that the U.S. said would show whether computers had been infiltrated by Russian intelligence services were poorly done and potentially dangerous.

Eight years later, a Yes, we cana became a Yes, he dida

Those who hate Barack Obama rant about all the awful things he’s done, while those who like him praise all the great things he’s done. Obama himself is understandably concerned about edifying his legacy, which will be attacked with relish by the new president and the Republican-led Congress.

Obama Denies the MurderWave on his Watch

President Barack Obama used the Harvard Law Review to broadcast his claim that “there is no growing crime wave,” despite the crime wave that has killed 1,500 Americans in 2015 and 2016. His claim that crime has remained “near historic lows,” and his denial of the national murder spike, came in his op-ed published by the Harvard Law Review: “There is no growing crime wave.”

.com | Michelle Obama issues emotive parting message

US first lady Michelle Obama smiles as she speaks at the 2017 School Counsellor of the Year ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, her final public speech as first lady. Washington – Michelle Obama urged young Americans not to fear the future but fight for it, delivering an emotive farewell speech on Friday in which she said being first lady was the greatest honour of her life.

Tracking the transition to Trump’s White House

To close out the first work week of 2017, GOP hand wringing and another POTUS exit interview lead the way. Two more Republican senators in the last 24 hours are sounding the alarm that repealing Obamacare without a replacement plan in place may not be good for the health of the GOP … much less the country.

US goes from bandleader to bystander in Syria peace efforts

Stung by years of failure to stop Syria’s bloodshed, the United States is now but a bystander to the civil war as President Barack Obama leaves office. Secretary of State John Kerry still is speaking sporadically with Russian, Turkish and Arab foreign ministers about cease-fire efforts, and there are occasional consultations with the opposition.

Israel Cuts $6 Million to UN Over Settlement Vote

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement in front of a new construction, in the Jewish settlement known to Israelis as Har Homa and to Palestinians as Jabal Abu Ghneim, March 16, 2015 Israel says it is withholding about $6 million from its annual United Nations dues, following a U.N. Security Council resolution last month calling for an end to Israel’s “settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory.” The United States abstained from voting on the measure, opening the way for the other 14 members of the Council to unanimously pass the resolution.

Showbiz stars invited to White House farewell bash

President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are throwing a going-away party Friday with a guest list that includes Beyonce, Jay Z and Bruce Springsteen, the showbiz weekly Variety reported. US President Barack Obama and US First Lady Michelle Obama will throw a star-studded farewell party with a guest list including Beyonce, Jay-Z and more on January 6, 2017 The Obamas, who leave the White House on January 20 to make way for Donald Trump, threw a private party in June 2015 at which the late pop star Prince performed.

State election systems to get more federal aid for security

Citing increasingly sophisticated cyber bad actors and an election infrastructure that’s “vital to our national interests,” Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson is designating U.S. election systems critical infrastructure, a move that provides more federal help for state and local governments to keep their election systems safe from tampering. “Given the vital role elections play in this country, it is clear that certain systems and assets of election infrastructure meet the definition of critical infrastructure, in fact and in law,” Johnson said in a statement Friday.

California Focus: Did Obama deportations cost Dems the White House?

With the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump now only weeks away, and the fall election receding into the rear view mirror, one thing becomes ever more clear: The scope of the Latino vote majority Democrats needed and expected to get was significantly less in 2016 than in many earlier elections. And while outgoing President Barack Obama has spent some of the last few weeks skirting this fact by whining about how Democrats didn’t turn out, the diluted Latino vote very possibly means he cost his party the White House.

T.I. Pens Open Letter to President Barack Obama: ‘You Shook Up and Woke Up a Generation’

T.I. has entered a real realm of political and social awareness as of late, in and out of music, and his latest releases will be a series of open letters to President Obama, President-elect Donald J. Trump and all of America. The rapper and actor’s step towards activism is due in large part to the continued killings of unarmed black men and women in America, as well as the country’s divisive political climate, which explored in depth on his Us or Else EP and the Us or Else: Letter to the System album that followed.

US report: Putin ordered effort to help Trump, hurt Clinton

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, left, talks with National Security Agency and Cyber Command chief Adm. Michael Rogers on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, at the conclusion of a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: “Foreign Cyber Threats to the United States.” WASHINGTON >> Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a hidden campaign to influence America’s presidential election in favor of Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton, U.S. intelligence agencies declared Friday in the government’s first formal allegation supporting sensational claims that Trump and his supporters have staunchly resisted.

Putin ordered campaign to influence prez election: US intel

The United States intelligence community in a new declassified file has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of ordering an “influence campaign” to help Donald Trump win the White House and denigrate his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in a bid to undermine public faith in the American democratic process. US President-elect Donald Trump was quick to refute the conclusion, saying hacking did not impact the November 8 presidential polls outcome.

Michelle Obama issues emotive parting message

Michelle Obama urged young Americans not to fear the future but fight for it, delivering an emotive farewell speech Friday in which she said being first lady was the greatest honor of her life. Michelle Obama gives her final remarks as US First Lady at the 2017 School Counselor of the Year event at the White House in Washington DC, January 5, 2017.

US designates election infrastructure as ‘critical’

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Friday that he’s designating U.S. election systems as critical infrastructure, a move that will provide more federal help for states to keep election systems safe from tampering. “Given the vital role elections play in this country, it is clear that certain systems and assets of election infrastructure meet the definition of critical infrastructure, in fact and in law,” Johnson said in a statement released to The Associated Press.

Congressman: Obama not creating Grand Canyon monument

President Barack Obama has decided against creating a national monument covering areas of public land around Grand Canyon National Park, an Arizona congressman said Friday. Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva said White House Council on Environmental Quality officials told him of the decision during a meeting earlier this week.

Republicans face early stumbling blocks on Obamacare repeal

Republicans are unanimous in their desire to “repeal and replace” President Barack Obama’s signature health care law — but they are already flirting with not having the 50 votes needed to pass the bill in the Senate. Republicans have 52 seats in the Senate, meaning they can only afford to lose three members of their caucus before they cannot pass legislation without Democratic votes.

Obama challenges GOP to spell out Obamacare alternative

President Barack Obama challenged Republicans on Friday to spell out their plan for replacing his signature health law, insisting he’s open to new ideas, but casting doubt on what his political rivals can muster. “If it works, I’m for it,” Obama said during an interview with Vox, adding he would only support a Republican plan if it contains the protections that he included in the Affordable Care Act, such as barring insurance companies from withholding coverage for Americans with pre-existing conditions.

Trump on Border Wall: Mexico Will Pay Us Back

President-elect Donald Trump on Friday tweeted that Mexico will reimburse American taxpayers for a new border wall and that U.S. money spent will be for the “sake of speed.” The dishonest media does not report that any money spent on building the Great Wall , will be paid back by Mexico later! His tweet came as top aides consider a plan to ask Congress to ensure money is available in U.S. coffers for the wall, but to rely on existing law that already authorizes fencing and other technology along the southern border.

House rebukes United Nations

The House overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan measure Thursday that rebukes the United Nations for criticizing Israeli settlements as Republicans used the debate to accuse President Barack Obama of turning his back on the Jewish state. Lawmakers voted 342-80 for the non-binding resolution that declares unwavering support for Israel and insists that the United States reject any future U.N. actions that are similarly “one-sided and anti-Israel.”

Classified report on hacking going to Trump

The nation’s top intelligence officials are making their most detailed and persuasive case yet to President-elect Donald Trump that Russia interfered in this year’s U.S. political process. The officials – Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, CIA Director John Brennan and FBI Director James Comey – are preparing to point to multiple motives for Moscow’s alleged meddling as they brief Trump on their classified report Friday in New York.

U.S. Transfers Four Guantanamo Detainees To Saudi Arabia, Says More Likely

Four Yemeni detainees from Guantanamo Bay arrived in Saudi Arabia on January 5, news agencies reported, with the White House saying additional transfers are likely before President Barack Obama leaves office later this month. Reuters and AFP reported that the detainees arrived at a Riyadh airport after being released from the U.S. naval base in Cuba that Obama vowed to close when he came into office.

US forged ‘strategic partnership’ with India in Barack Obama’s tenure28 min ago

Washington, Jan 6 : The US has forged a “strategic partnership” with India in the eight years of Obama administration which also considerably improved America’s standing in the world, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said, two weeks ahead of demitting the office. “In Asia, we have been standing side by side with our friends, strengthening sanctions on North Korea, improving regional missile defence capabilities, supporting the rule of law in the South China Sea and forging a strategic partnership with India, enhancing our ties with Vietnam and spurring democratic progress in Myanmar where a freely elected parliament has been seated for the first time,” Kerry said.