In 2013, a National Security Agency contractor named Edward Snowden revealed US surveillance programs that involved the massive and warrantless gathering of Americans’ electronic communications. Two of the programs, called Upstream and Prism , are allowed under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Category: Ron Wyden
Obama denies Trump’s claim he wiretapped him
WASHINGTON: A spokesman for Barack Obama on Saturday rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that the then-president had wiretapped Trump in October during the late stages of the presidential election campaign, saying it was “simply false.” Trump made the accusation in a series of tweets, without citing evidence, just weeks into his administration and amid rising scrutiny of his campaign’s ties to Russia.
Top GOP lawmakers call on Sessions to recuse himself from Russia investigation
Attorney General Jeff Sessions pauses Tuesday while speaking at the National Association of Attorneys General annual winter meeting in Washington. Sessions had two conversations with the Russian ambassador to the United States during the presidential campaign.
Partisan discord tainting probes of Russia, Trump, election
In this Jan. 23, 2017, file photo, National Intelligence Director nominee, former Indiana Sen, Dan Coats waits for the start of a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Comey in middle of political fray over Trump and Russians
As a high-ranking Justice Department official in the George W. Bush administration, he clashed with the White House over a secret surveillance program. Years later as head of the FBI, he incurred the ire of Hillary Clinton supporters for public statements on an investigation into her emails.
Comey in middle of political fray over Trump and Russians
In this Feb. 9, 2017, file photo, FBI Director James Comey waits for the start of a meeting with Attorney General Jeff Session and the heads of federal law enforcement components at the Department of Justice in Washington. Comey is again in a familiar spot these days _ the middle of political tumult.
AP source: Senators want materials saved for Russia probe
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., right, walks with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, following a closed-door intelligence briefing by FBI Director James Comey. less Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., right, walks with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, following … more Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., left, and Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., walk to a closed intelligence briefing with FBI Director James Comey, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Sharply divided Senate approves Trump’s pick to be…
Rep. Tom Price , President Trump’s pick to be Health and Human Services secretary, testifies last month before a Senate committee. Rep. Tom Price , President Trump’s pick to be Health and Human Services secretary, testifies last month before a Senate committee.
Oregonians lose out under Merkley’s, Wyden’s approach to Trump: Letter to the editor
U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, right, at the Democratic Party of Oregon election night gathering at the Oregon Convention Center, Nov. 8, 2016. It is readily apparent that Oregon has serious financial issues.
Obstructing Trump will hurt Oregonians: Letter to the editor
U. S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden respond to the crowd at a ‘Rally to Save Health Care’ in North Portland on Jan. 15. It is readily apparent that Oregon has serious financial issues. The Legislature has no choice but to balance a difficult budget.
Democrats running Tea Party playbook against Trump
Senate Democrats are dispensing with talk of cooperation and preparing to fight President Trump across the board, delaying his nominees where possible and filibustering his Supreme Court pick if necessary. Despite their minority status in the Senate, Democrats are under increasing pressure from their progressive base to stand up to a president they consider authoritarian and illegitimate.
Wyden, Merkley denounce Trump executive orders on ‘extreme vetting,’ Muslim country travel ban
President Donald Trump signs an executive order on extreme vetting during an event at the Pentagon in Washington, Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. Oregon’s U.S. Senators are decrying executive orders signed Friday by President Donald Trump that aim to curtail refugee immigration to the United States, and travel into the country from seven majority-Muslim nations.
Donald Trump uses old, unstable Andrid phone raising security concerns1 hour ago
Contrary to the reports that the Donald Trump had ditched his Android mobile phone for a potentially more secure device, the 45th US President is still using his old device to post on Twitter. According to a report in the New York Times on Wednesday, Trump has been using his old, unsecured Android phone to post on Twitter since moving to Washington late last week.
Senate to vote on CIA director
In this Jan. 12, 2017 file photo, CIA Director-designate Rep. Michael Pompeo, R-Kan. testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Trump assures CIA of support
President Donald Trump visits the CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., where he told members of the intelligence community, “I am so behind you.” President Donald Trump visited the CIA’s headquarters in northern Virginia on Saturday afternoon, his first full day in office, making a gesture of goodwill after he criticized the intelligence community in the run-up to his inauguration.
Senate confirms Trump’s picks for defense, homeland security
The Republican-led Senate, taking little time to fill two critical national security posts, overwhelmingly confirmed a pair of retired Marine generals tapped by President Donald Trump to run the Pentagon and secure America’s borders. A little more than an hour later, Vice President Mike Pence administered the oath of office to James Mattis to be defense secretary and John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
From ‘Avatar’ to ‘Borat’ and ‘The Devil…
Mnuchin came under the scrutiny of Senate Democrats Thursday for his film financing operation, which has assisted in paying for more than 100 Hollywood movies over the last decade. U.S. Treasury secretary nominee Steven Mnuchin’s hedge fund has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in at least 116 Hollywood movies over the past decade, making him one of the most prolific film financiers in recent time.
Treasury Nominee Steven Mnuchin’s ‘Avatar’ Profits Shelter Attacked at Confirmation Hearing
On Thursday morning, Steven Mnuchin, the president-elect’s nominee to head the U.S. Treasury Department, appeared before the Senate Finance Committee. Although the bulk of the confirmation hearing was expected to focus on his positions on tax reform and his role during the mortgage crisis nearly a decade ago, his Hollywood connections got some heavy attention with an attack on where his profits from Avatar were funneled.
Thousands rally in Portland against Republican efforts to repeal Obamacare
Democratic members of Oregon’s congressional delegation, local officials, activists and thousands of residents held a rally Sunday to oppose Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley were joined for the rally at a northeast Portland gymnasium by U.S. Reps.
The Latest: Fla. lawmaker being evaluated by doctors
Democrats planned hours of… . Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. talks with reporters at Trump Tower in New York, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump.
The Latest: Fla. lawmaker being evaluated by doctors
Democrats planned hours of… . Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. talks with reporters at Trump Tower in New York, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump.
The Latest: Rubio questions Tillerson on human rights
Democrats planned hours of… . Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. talks with reporters at Trump Tower in New York, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump.
The Latest: GOP Rep. Reichert asks for review of painting
Democrats planned hours of… . Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. talks with reporters at Trump Tower in New York, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump.
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden Presses FBI Director on Memo Detailing Trump’s Alleged Russian Connections
It’s been a spectacularly strange 24 hours for the American presidency. And at the center of it is Oregon’s senior U.S. senator, Ron Wyden.
Senators push IC on whether Russia hacked GOP
For the second time in less than a week, leaders of the intelligence community sat before senators to discuss and defend their conclusion that Russia directed a comprehensive information operations campaign to influence the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Last week, the Senate Armed Services Committee grilled Director of National Intelligence James Clapper; Marcel Lettre, the Defense Department’s under secretary for intelligence; and Michael Rogers, director of the National Security Agency and head of U.S. Cyber Command, about whether the U.S. had responded forcefully enough to Russia to deter future hacking and information operations.
The Latest: Hearing delayed for Trump’s Commerce pick
Democrats planned hours of… . Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. talks with reporters at Trump Tower in New York, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017, after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump.
Dems want probe of Trump Cabinet pick over stock sales
Top Senate Democrats said Thursday that the House ethics office should investigate whether stock sales by a congressman who is now one of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks broke any laws. The Democrats cited a Wall Street Journal report last month that Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., had traded over $300,000 worth of shares in health care companies over the past four years while pushing legislation that might affect those stocks’ values.
Obama renominates Rosenworcel as FCC commissioner, kicking off battle with Republican leaders
Democratic FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel was renominated on Wednesday as one of several nominations sent to the Senate by outgoing President Barack Obama. Democratic FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel has been renominated by outgoing President Barack Obama, a move that will likely draw a battle from Republican leaders, who desire to create a GOP majority-led commission.
Blue state lawmakers want to keep Trump off 2020 ballot unless he releases tax returns
Maryland state senator Paul G. Pinsky. D, said of Trump and his tax returns: “We all expected anyone who is going to be in front of the public and lead our nation would be transparent.”
Trump’s wiretap tweets come as NSA surveillance programs are up for renewal this year
Nearly four years after National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden blew the lid off domestic spying, the vast surveillance programs cherished as the “crown jewels” of the U.S. intelligence establishment are about to spring back into public debate – and not just because of Donald Trump’s allegation that he’s been the subject of wiretaps. The legal framework for some of the broadest U.S. surveillance programs, authorized for a five-year period in 2012, will expire Dec. 31 unless Congress reauthorizes it.