Imperial Presidency

Rand Paul to push legislation nullifying Obama’s executive actions on guns

"Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul plans to introduce legislation in Congress soon nullifying the executive orders on guns announced by President Barack Obama on Wednesday, a source familiar with the plans confirmed to The Daily Caller. The Capitol Hill source told TheDC that Paul’s legislation is expected to do three things: nullify Obama’s executive orders, defund them and ask the Senate to file a court challenge to them." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRand Paul to push legislation nullifying Obama’s executive actions on guns

Study: Democracy in decline around the world

"Democracy around the world was in decline in 2012 for the seventh year in a row as the Arab Spring led nervous autocratic leaders to clamp down on any stirrings of dissent, a study said Wednesday. The annual report by the Freedom House non-governmental organization found 90 countries now enjoyed full freedom, up from 87 nations in 2011, but 27 places saw new restrictions on rights of assembly, expression, and the media." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStudy: Democracy in decline around the world

Oregon sheriff writes Biden to say he won’t enforce new gun laws

"An Oregon sheriff wrote Vice President Joe Biden announcing his refusal to enforce any new gun safety legislation placing restriction on semi-automatic weaponry, saying they would 'infringe upon the liberties of responsible citizens who have broken no laws.' According to KOIN-TV, Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller said he is unsure Biden will actually read the letter, in which he accuses lawmakers of 'attempting to exploit the deaths of innocent victims by advocating for laws that would prevent honest, law abiding Americans from possessing certain firearms and ammunition magazines.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOregon sheriff writes Biden to say he won’t enforce new gun laws

Here’s The List of 23 Anti-Gun Executive Actions President Obama Announced Today

"Gun Violence Reduction Executive Actions. Today, the President is announcing that he and the Administration will: 1. Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background check system. 2. Address unnecessary legal barriers, particularly relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, that may prevent states from making information available to the background check system..." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHere’s The List of 23 Anti-Gun Executive Actions President Obama Announced Today

Obama to demand gun control measures while surrounded by children

"Barack Obama is to step up pressure on Congress to act on gun violence by surrounding himself with schoolchildren from across the country when he unveils his proposals on Wednesday. While Obama can take implement some measures almost immediately through executive action, these are limited in scope. The wide-ranging proposals he is looking for require legislation but he faces opposition from Congress. By bringing schoolchildren to the White House press conference, Obama can tap into some of the emotion aroused by the Connecticut massacre in December that left 20 children and seven adults dead." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama to demand gun control measures while surrounded by children

Obama to demand gun control measures while surrounded by children

"Barack Obama is to step up pressure on Congress to act on gun violence by surrounding himself with schoolchildren from across the country when he unveils his proposals on Wednesday. While Obama can take implement some measures almost immediately through executive action, these are limited in scope. The wide-ranging proposals he is looking for require legislation but he faces opposition from Congress. By bringing schoolchildren to the White House press conference, Obama can tap into some of the emotion aroused by the Connecticut massacre in December that left 20 children and seven adults dead." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama to demand gun control measures while surrounded by children

Wyden asks Obama’s terrorism chief for rules governing assassination of U.S. citizens

"'Senior intelligence officials have said publicly that they have the authority to knowingly use lethal force against Americans in the course of counterterrorism operations, and have indicated that there are secret legal opinions issued by the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel that explain the basis for this authority,' Wyden wrote. 'I have asked repeatedly to see these opinions, and I have been provided with some relevant information on the topic, but I have yet to see the opinions themselves.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWyden asks Obama’s terrorism chief for rules governing assassination of U.S. citizens

Obama gives himself and Michelle protection by armed Secret Service agents for rest of their lives

"President Barack Obama gave himself and his wife Michelle the benefit of armed protection for the rest of their lives by signing a bill granting a Secret Service detail to former presidents and their spouses in perpetuity. The new law, which will cost U.S. millions of dollars, is a re-instatement of a 1965 law which will see presidents protected for life as well as their children up to age 16. The bill passed the House and Senate in December. Obama, whose Secret Service codename is Renegade, joked in 2011 that he liked the fact that 'men with guns' protected his daughters, Malia, now 14, and Sasha, now 11." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama gives himself and Michelle protection by armed Secret Service agents for rest of their lives

Reality Check: Executive order for gun control, Can it happen?

"Vice President Joe Biden continues his talks with leaders on both sides of the gun control issue today. But it was what Biden eluded to yesterday that got people talking. The possibility that President Obama might use an Executive Order to regulate firearms. Could it happen?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingReality Check: Executive order for gun control, Can it happen?

White House wins fight to keep drone killings of Americans secret

"A federal judge issued a 75-page ruling on Wednesday that declares that the US Justice Department does not have a legal obligation to explain the rationale behind killing Americans with targeted drone strikes. United States District Court Judge Colleen McMahon wrote in her finding this week that the Obama administration was largely in the right by rejecting Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and The New York Times for materials pertaining to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to execute three US citizens abroad in late 2011." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhite House wins fight to keep drone killings of Americans secret