Mar. 22, 2016 11:25 a.m. EDT
News: Obama in Cuba: "Bury the last remnant of the Cold War"
President Obama is on the last day of his historic three-day trip to Cuba after restoring diplomatic relations with the island nation for the first time in half a century. "I have come here to bury the last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas," Obama said. "I have come here to extend the hand of friendship to the Cuban people."
Mar. 18, 2016 9:21 p.m. EDT
News: Obama's historic trip to Cuba, Boehner backs Ryan for president and Supreme Court to consider Obamacare contraception mandate
President Obama visits Cuba next week for the first time since the U.S. restored diplomatic relations with the island nation. Obama will be the first president to visit Cuba since Calvin Coolidge in 1928. The New York Times' Peter Baker says this is one of the last big bucket list items for Obama.
Mar. 18, 2016 9:19 p.m. EDT
News: Showdown over Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, Republican insiders try to "Stop Trump" and Bernie Sanders continues fight against Clinton
President Obama nominated Federal Appeals Court Judge Merrick Garland to fill the Supreme Court seat left vacant after the death of Antonin Scalia last month, but Senate Republicans have vowed not to hold hearings or vote on his nomination. NBC's Pete Williams examines Garland's background and the potential ideological shift on the Court.
Mar. 16, 2016 5:11 p.m. EDT
News: Pete Williams in 2010: Merrick Garland the "safer choice"
When President Obama made his last Supreme Court nomination of Elena Kagan in 2010, NBC News' Pete Williams said Merrick Garland, Obama's newest pick, would have been an "even safer choice." See also: Obama nominates Merrick Garland to fill vacant Supreme Court seat What Obama looks for in a Supreme Court nominee
Mar. 16, 2016 5:03 p.m. EDT
News: What Obama looks for in a Supreme Court nominee
President Obama nominated Appeals Court Judge Merrick Garland to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court, his third nomination as president. In 2009, just 102 days into his first term, President Obama was tasked with naming his first nominee to the Supreme Court when Justice David Souter announced his plans to retire. Empathy was one of the chief qualities Obama was looking for in a potential nominee, as NBC News' Pete Williams explained on Washington Week. See also: Pete Williams in 2...
Mar. 10, 2016 3:26 p.m. EST
News: Obama: "I want an effective Republican Party"
President Obama called out the "circus" of the Republican Party primary that has played out in recent weeks and downplaying his role in elevated rhetoric in political discourse. "I want an effective Republican Party," Obama said. "I think this country has to have responsible parties that can govern and that are prepared to lead and govern, whether they're in the minority or in the majority, whether they occupy the White House or they do not." His comments came during a White House press con...
Feb. 26, 2016 9:07 p.m. EST
News: Trump, Rubio, Cruz battle ahead of Super Tuesday and Obama fights Congress over Supreme Court and GITMO
The day after the final Republican debate before Super Tuesday, presidential frontrunner Donald Trump unveiled the endorsement of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Meanwhile, Marco Rubio is ramping up his attacks on Trump, labeling the billionaire businessman a "con artist." Voters in 12 states head to the polls on Tuesday, and half the delegates needed for the GOP nomination are up for grabs.
Feb. 25, 2016 10:59 a.m. EST
News: How did today’s government become so divided?
Separation of powers is a core component of American democracy, but political divisions rose to new heights this year as Congressional Republicans clashed with the Obama administration on everything from budget blueprints to Supreme Court nominations. Gwen Ifill talks to E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post and Matt Lewis of the Daily Caller for a closer look at today’s caustic political landscape.
Feb. 24, 2016 11:11 a.m. EST
News: How do lawmakers feel about the plan to close Guantanamo?
Following President Obama’s announcement that he will fulfill his longstanding promise to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Capitol Hill lawmakers have been torn between support and opposition. Gwen Ifill talks to Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Col.) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) for their perspectives on the proposed shutdown and what it could mean for the detainees.
Feb. 24, 2016 11:08 a.m. EST
News: Inside Obama’s plan to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center
President Obama announced plans Tuesday to shut down the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, asserting that its existence undermines national security. The proposal -- which would send the facility’s remaining 91 detainees to domestic U.S. sites -- would fulfill the president’s 2008 promise to close the prison, but Congressional Republicans have been vocal in their opposition.
