Tag: Obama
U.S. notified Israel in advance about strike on Iran-backed militia facilities in Syria
The Biden administration notified Israel in advance about the airstrike against an Iranian-backed Shiite militia base on the Syrian-Iraqi border Thursday evening, Israeli officials told me.Why it matters: The airstrike was the first overt military action by the U.S. in…
Merrick Garland vows to lead Capitol attack prosecutions if confirmed as attorney general
Attorney General nominee Merrick Garland will pledge to take the lead in prosecuting those charged over the U.S. Capitol siege and vow prosecutorial independence from President Biden at his confirmation hearing Monday.Why it matters: As attorney general, Judge Garland would…
Several Republican and Democratic lawmakers emerge as troublemakers
Several Republican and Democratic lawmakers are emerging as troublemakers within their parties and political thorns for their leadership. Why it matters: We're calling this group "The Mischief Makers" — members who threaten to upend party unity — the theme eclipsing…
Biden opts for five-year extension of New START nuclear treaty with Russia
President Biden will seek a five-year extension of the New START nuclear arms control pact with Russia before it expires on Feb. 5, senior officials told the Washington Post.Why it matters: The 2010 treaty is the last remaining constraint on…
Inauguration Day dashboard
Joe Biden's inauguration and the days right after will bring a rat-tat-tat burst of climate policy moves, but keep this in mind amid the splashy pledges: pushing through most of his agenda will be a long, uncertain slog.Why it matters:…
In photos: The Biden and Harris inauguration
Cities across the U.S. lit up to honor Americans killed by the pandemic, as President-elect Joe Biden led a national mourning during a sunset ceremony in Washington, D.C., on the eve of his inauguration.The big picture: Standing at the Lincoln…
Biden picks Warren allies to lead SEC, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
President-elect Joe Biden has selected FTC commissioner Rohit Chopra to be the next director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Obama-era Wall Street regulator Gary Gensler to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).Why it matters: Both picks…
America’s global image is in tatters
President-elect Biden declared during the siege of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday that "the world is watching." Indeed, the world was watching long before that.Why it matters: Biden has made restoring America's global image, leadership and alliances the cornerstone of…
Trump era drives largest-ever party divide in media trust
The gap in trust between Democrats and Republicans in mass media reached an all-time high during the Trump administration, according to an annual Gallup poll.Why it matters: The divide represents one of the most profound elements of President Trump's legacy.Over…
Tucker Carlson Calls Jill Biden’s Doctoral Dissertation ‘Our National Shame’
Days after Tucker Carlson taunted Jill Biden for using the title Dr, the Fox News personality on Wednesday claimed to be doing his journalistic duty by critiquing the incoming first lady’s doctoral dissertation. (See the videos below.) “Jill Biden’s doctoral dissertation is our…
Biden considering Republicans for Commerce secretary
President-elect Joe Biden is considering some well-known Republicans — think Meg Whitman types — for Commerce secretary as a way to signal to red-state Americans he understands their concerns and plans to address them.The big picture: Biden's team is debating…
Biden taps former EPA head Gina McCarthy as climate czar
President-elect Joe Biden will tap Gina McCarthy, who led the Environmental Protection Agency under former President Obama, as White House climate czar, according to a person familiar with the news and multiple reports.Driving the news: McCarthy will manage domestic climate…
Barack Obama Trolls Donald Trump With Birther Joke
Former US President Barack Obama poked fun at President Donald Trump’s baseless and racist birther attacks on him in a preview of an interview that will air in full on Tuesday’s episode of “The Daily Show.” In the teaser clip released…
After A Smooth Start, Joe Biden Faces Frustration Over Cabinet Picks
President-elect Joe Biden started his Cabinet rollout strong. He received high marks from all corners of the party for his economic team and seemed to be pursuing a “Goldilocks” strategy of choosing nominees that were acceptable to a wide swath…
