Ben Wolfgang

GOP calls for temporary halt to EPA’s Clean Power Plan

Republicans' latest attempt to slow the Obama administration's climate change agenda calls for new regulations to be halted until all legal challenges are settled — an argument similar to the one President Obama has used when blocking the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

Obama: ‘Pretty clear cut’ that Obamacare will survive Supreme Court test

President Obama said Monday that there is little doubt the Supreme Court will rule in the administration's favor and won't gut a key portion of the president's signature health care reform law.

Russia’s missile deal with Iran could hamper nuclear talks, White House hints

The White House suggested Monday that Russia's decision to sell antimissile rocket systems to Iran could splinter the international community in the effort to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Raul Castro demands raise doubts, but Obama optimistic for U.S.-Cuba relations

Twenty-four hours before coming face to face with Cuban President Raul Castro, President Obama on Thursday continued to extend an olive branch from Washington to Havana — but analysts say there are real questions about whether Mr. Castro truly is interested in friendly relations with the U.S.

Obama blasts war on drugs: ‘It’s been very unproductive’

Fewer children crossing border, but challenges remain

Nearly a year after the flood of unaccompanied children streaming across the U.S. border reached crisis proportions, President Obama this week heads to a key summit in Panama amid concerns the administration hasn't done enough to address the root causes of the problem.

Obama phones key senator to sell Iran deal

President Obama continues trying to sell a preliminary nuclear deal with Iran to skeptical lawmakers on Capitol Hill, many of whom back legislation that would give Congress final authority over whether the agreement is implemented.

White House: South Carolina shooting video ‘awfully hard to watch’

The White House said Wednesday video footage showing a white South Carolina police officer appearing to shoot a black suspect in the back multiple times is "awfully hard to watch" and demonstrates why officers should wear body cameras.

Jeremy Bernard, White House social secretary, stepping down

Jeremy Bernard, the first male to serve as White House social secretary, will step down next month after four years on the job, the Obama administration said Wednesday.

Obama’s new climate effort stresses health impacts

With his top aides hailing him as the "greenest president" in history, President Obama on Tuesday launched a new effort to highlight the impacts of climate change on Americans' health, the latest attempt to justify this administration's unprecedented environmental agenda.

Obama, Cuba President Raul Castro set to meet for first time since diplomatic thaw

Four months after announcing a historic diplomatic thaw with Cuba, and with key questions about the future of the two nations' relationship still unanswered, President Obama will come face-to-face with the leader of the communist island later this week at a top-level summit in Panama.

Russian cyberhack not confirmed by White House

White House officials Tuesday would not confirm a CNN report saying Russian hackers were behind a high-profile cyberattack on the State Department and the White House.

Obama: Scott Walker needs to ‘bone up’ on foreign policy

President Obama is tipping the Democrats' hand on which Republican they fear most in 2016 — by taking a foreign policy potshot at Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Obama says nuclear deal can’t make Iran recognize Israel

President Obama said Monday it would be a "fundamental misjudgment" to try and force Iran to recognize Israel's right to exist, or to make such a demand as part of broader negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.

‘The deal’s not done’ — key questions remain in Iran deal, White House says

Despite President Obama's lofty rhetoric last week that he'd reached a "historic" nuclear understanding with Iran, the White House Monday tamped down expectations that a final deal is in sight, saying the two sides are still far apart on key sticking points.

Obamas turn Easter egg roll into birthday party for ‘Let’s Move!’

Children attending Monday's annual White House Easter Egg Roll also found themselves part of an impromptu birthday celebration for first lady Michelle Obama's signature "Let's Move!" initiative.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Republicans take aim at Obama Iran nuclear deal

Fallout from the Obama administration's preliminary nuclear deal with Iran stretched from Capitol Hill to Jerusalem on Easter Sunday, with lawmakers vowing to push ahead with legislation that would give them, not the president, the final say on whether the agreement crosses the finish line.

Lindsey Graham: Hillary Clinton, Republicans could have gotten a better Iran nuclear deal

Sen. Lindsey Graham said Hillary Rodham Clinton, along with a host of potential GOP presidential candidates, could have secured a better nuclear deal with Iran than the agreement President Obama has achieved.

Obamas attend Easter services at Alexandria’s Alfred Street Baptist Church

President Obama and the first family on Sunday attended Easter services at the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

Dianne Feinstein says Benjamin Netanyahu should ‘contain himself’ on Iran nuclear deal

Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Sunday took a shot at Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the Israeli prime minister should stop publicly criticizing the Iran nuclear deal.