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An Obama official made hundredsof unmasking requests during the final year of the previous administration, according to a letter from a top Republican who raised new concerns that officials sought the identities of Trump associates in intelligence reports for improper purposes.

Unmasking refers to the formal request to identify Americans in an intelligence document.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LETTER

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., has questioned whether Obama officials improperly sought the names of Trump transition members in this way and, in the letter obtained by Fox News, Nunes provided new details about what his investigators have found.

[T]his Committee has learned that one official, whose position has no apparent intelligence-related function, madehundredsof unmasking requests during the final year of the Obama Administration, he wrote to Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats.

Only one request, Nunes wrote, offered a justification that was not boilerplate and articulated why the identity was needed for official duties.

Three of the nations intelligence agencies received subpoenas in May explicitly naming three top Obama administration officials: Former CIA director John Brennan, former national security adviser Susan Rice, and former U.N. ambassador Samantha Power.

Nunes letter appears to make reference to Power as the official who made hundreds of requests.

However, David Pressman, counsel to Power and partner at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, stressed Powers responsibilities in her capacity as a member of the National Security Council and denied she leaked anything classified.

"Long before receiving an invitation to engage the Congressional committees, Ambassador Power was unambiguous about her support of bipartisan efforts to determine the full extent of this threat to our national security," he said in a statement. "While serving as our Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Power was also a member of the National Security Council responsible for advising the President on the full-range of threats confronting the United States. Any insinuation that Ambassador Power was involved in leaking classified information is absolutely false."

The Nunes letter also said he plans to introduce a bill requiring individual, fact-based justifications for such unmasking requests. Cabinet members and other senior political leaders cannot be permitted to continue to seek access to U.S. person information within disseminated intelligence reports without documenting a specific, fact-based requirement for the information, he wrote.

Explaining his concerns, Nunes said in the letter that Obama-era officials sought the identities of Trump transition officials within intelligence reports without offering any meaningful explanation as to why they needed or how they would use the information.

The committee, Nunes wrote, is left with the impression that these officials may have used this information for improper purposes, including the possibility of leaking. He noted that some of the requests were followed by anonymous leaks of those names to the media.

Intelligence agencies typically are required to conceal the identities of Americans picked up or mentioned in surveillance of foreigners in the U.S. Formal requests need to be made to release those names.

Several Obama administration officials met privately last week with staffers on Capitol Hill. Among them, Rice met Friday with Senate Intelligence Committee staffers. Power also has agreed to testify before the House Intelligence Committee.

Rice told MSNBC in April that allegations Obama administration officials used such intelligence for political purposes is false.

Media reports earlier this year revealed, among other conversations, those between then-national security adviser Michael Flynn and then-Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak. Reports of those conversations led to Flynn's resignation in February.

Nunes is continuing to pursue the unmasking issue, though he has stepped aside from leading the Russia investigation and is facing an ethics inquiry over whether he improperly revealed classified information. Nunes disputes the charge.Fox News asked a spokesman for Brennan for comment but there was no immediate response.

Fox News Catherine Herridge contributed to this report.

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Obama official made 'hundreds of unmasking requests,' GOP chairman says - Fox News

We took a look at recent historical patterns of economic growth.

How bad was the economy under President Barack Obama? Pretty bad, argues former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga.

In economic growth, "Obama's best year was slower than Bill Clinton's worst year," Gingrich told Fox News Maria Bartiromo on July 23, 2017. "That's astonishing."

Weve previously looked at why its so hard these days for the United States to sustain 3 percent annual economic growth a benchmark President Donald Trump says the country can again reach with his leadership.

But we wondered whether the difference in economic performance under the two most recent Democratic presidents was so stark.

We found that Gingrichs talking point is correct, though he leaves out some important context.

Annual economic growth is typically measured by the change, up or down, in gross domestic product from year to year, after adjusting for inflation. This data is collected by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, a federal office.

As it turns out, Clinton had two years tied for last place -- 1993 and 1995. In both years, GDP grew by 2.7 percent.

As for Obama, his best annual showing came in 2015, with 2.6 percent.

In the following chart, the worst Clinton years and the best Obama year are marked in blue.

So by the primary measure, Gingrichs statement is correct.

However, its worth noting that a related statistic shows the record on Obamas watch in a somewhat more favorable light.

Gary Burtless, an economist at the Brookings Institution, said that GDP growth depends on two major factors -- how productive workers are, and how many workers there are. And Clinton was blessed with a worker population that was growing much faster than it later would under Obama.

When Clinton was president, Burtless said, the population between the ages of 15 and 64 increased by 1.2 percent a year. Under Obama, the increase was just 0.6 percent.

"So it seems to me a bit absurd to compare overall GDP growth in the two administrations without somehow accounting for the different rates of growth in the population," Burtless said.

Its possible to use a variant on our previous metric GDP growth per capita that lessens this problem. Heres what that measurement looks like:

Using this measurement, Obama exceeded Clintons worst annual performance during four years (2010, 2012, 2014, 2015).

In other words, while Clinton still did better overall when population growth is taken into account, the Obama administration had a better experience using this metric than is implied by Gingrich's statement, Burtless said.

Gingrichs office did not reply to an inquiry.

Our ruling

Gingrich said that in economic growth, "Obama's best year was slower than Bill Clinton's worst year."

Measured by the annual change in inflation-adjusted GDP -- the typical measurement -- Gingrich is correct. But its worth noting that if you strip out the impact of population growth, the Clinton-Obama comparison is more mixed. We rate the statement Mostly True.

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In economic growth, "Obama's best year was slower than Bill Clinton's worst year."

Newt Gingrich

Former House Speaker, R-Ga.

an interview on Fox News

Sunday, July 23, 2017

2017-07-23

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Was Barack Obama's best economic year worse than Bill Clinton's weakest? - PolitiFact

Ben Rhodes and Susan Rice / Getty Images

BY: Adam Kredo July 27, 2017 7:08 pm

Key lawmakers are threatening to cancel the authorization of sensitive U.S. spy operations until congressional leaders investigate efforts by former top Obama administration officials to leak highly classified national security information in what many believe was a targeted campaign to undermine the Trump administration, according to senior congressional sources familiar with the situation.

Key Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee are pressuring Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R., Va.) to investigate former senior Obama administration officials believed to be responsible for these anti-Trump leaks, including former United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power, National Security Adviser Susan Rice, and National Security Council official Ben Rhodes, according to sources who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon about mounting frustration over Congress's failure to adequately investigate these leaks.

Lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee are prepared to halt key spy operations related to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, until Congress performs a full investigation into how damaging classified surveillance information targeting the Trump campaign and administration officials was leaked to the press.

The House Intelligence Committee is engaged in a separatebut related probe into efforts by Obamaofficials to "unmask," or formally identify individuals named in classified intelligence community reports related to Trump and his presidential transition team. That investigation is currently focussed on Power, Rice, and former CIA Director John Brennan.

Sources in the Trump administration and Congress believe the classified intelligence information was"weaponized"andlater leaked to the press in order to handicap the Trump administration's credibility and national security priorities.

Still, senior Republican members of Congress do not feel that enough is being done to hold those responsible for the leaks accountable.

By threatening to withhold the reauthorization of section 702 of the FISA Actwhich permits the U.S. intelligence community to intercept communications outside of Americalawmakers believe they can force a thorough investigation into these Obama aides, who are suspected of exploiting FISA laws to gather and later leak sensitive intelligence damaging to Trump allies.

Congress is "not going to reauthorize a program if no one is held accountable for breaking the law," said one senior congressional source familiar with the situation. "No one is being held accountable and Congress has done no oversight."

Goodlatte is said to have initially been "really taken aback" by the stiff opposition to reauthorizing section 702, but is now making moves to examine the former administration's role in classified leaks and potential opportunities to question these officials.

Republican members on the committee are said to be "all united" in their desire to investigate former Obama officials such as Rhodes, Rice, and Power, sources said.

These lawmakers "want answers on these Obama officials in order to continue [spy] authorizations they may have abused," one congressional source said. "The members in the conference and these committees have reached a boiling point."

Senior Trump administration officials, as well as those in Congress, have named former Obama administration officials such as Rice and Rhodes as key suspects in the dissemination of classified national security information.

Rep. Ron DeSantis (R., Fla.), chair of the House Subcommittee on National Security, which deals with these issues, told the Free Beacon earlier this month that Rhodes and others must be held accountable for any role they might have had in the leaking of classified information.

"I think Congress and some members on the Intelligence Committee can call Ben Rhodes to testify," DeSantis said at the time. "He may be able to invoke executive privilege from when Obama was president, but he definitely can't do that in any interactions he's had since then."

DeSantis further identified Rhodes and other senior Obama administration officials as being "involved with feeding journalists some of these [leaks]. I believe he's in touch with people on the National Security Council. It would be absolutely legitimate as part of leak investigation to bring him in and put him under oath, and I would absolutely support doing that."

The Free Beacon first disclosed last week that Power, a key Obama confidante, was emerging as central to the investigation into efforts by Obama administration officials to identify individuals named in classified intelligence community reports related to Trump and his presidential transition team.

Power's role in this unmasking effort is believed to be particularly questionable given her position as the U.N. ambassador, a post that does not typically require such sensitive unmasking activities, according to former U.S. officials and other sources.

"Unmasking is not a regular occurrenceabsolutely not a weekly habit. It is rare, even at the National Security Council, and ought to be rarer still for a U.N. ambassador," one former senior U.S. official told the Free Beacon.

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Congress Could Halt Spy Authorization Over Obama Aides' Anti-Trump Leaks - Washington Free Beacon

You cant deny it. Michelle Obama shattered a glass ceiling when she became the first Black first lady in the United States.

In her first public appearance since leaving the White House, the former first lady was asked which shards of glass had cut her the deepest.

In response, she referenced an incident in which a West Virginia county employee called her an ape.

The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut, Obama replied, according to the Denver Post. Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who wont see me for what I am because of my skin color.

There were no video cameras allowed at the event, but CNN has verified the remarks the Post reported with the Womens Foundation of Colorado.

Tuesdays speech at the Pepsi Center in Denver was part of the Womens Foundation of Colorados 30th anniversary fundraising celebration.

Seated in a comfortable armchair in a talk-show format, Obama was met with cheers when she made brief remarks about the current administration and boos after saying she wouldnt be running for public office.

Michelle is a rarity in todays society, said Mattye Crowley, one of the events 8,300 attendees. We have witnessed for over eight years people picked and tormented her every move, and she stayed true to herself.

The former first lady told the audience how best to empower girls from a young age. She said a large portion of that responsibility falls on education.

If we want girls in STEM, we need to rethink how we deliver education, Obama told the crowd, using the acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Teachers, a kind word can mean the world to a young girl.

While serving as first lady, she launched several campaigns aimed at education.

Reach Higher inspires students to complete education past high school, and Let Girls Learn helps facilitate educational opportunities for young girls in developing countries.

Earlier this year, CNN reported on an internal memo that the Trump administration would discontinue Let Girls Learn, but the White House denied the claim the program would be changed.

They may have left the White House, but the Obamas arent going away anytime soon.

Public service and engagement will be a part of my life and my husbands life forever, Obama said.

She stayed away from current politics, but did mention the campaign slogan of her husband, former President Barack Obama.

It was never yes he can; it was yes we can, Obama said. When we put so much on a person, on a leader, we absolve ourselves of doing anything else. Were all on a journey together we are all figuring this out. We all want someone who will fix things, but were going to have to fix it together.

The Obamas largely kept out of the public eye in the first few months of President Donald Trumps presidency. Theyre busy writing memoirs, which will likely be released in 2018.

Some final words of wisdom from Obama?

Surround yourself with other powerful people, dont be afraid to fail and protect what you love.

What is going on within us [women] that we dont feel worthy enough to protect the things we value? she said. (CNN)

Read more from the original source:
Michelle Obama tells of lessons, scars of being first lady - The Philadelphia Tribune

In her first public appearance in Colorado since leaving the White House, former first lady Michelle Obama had a message for women: Seize your power and dont let go.

Sitting for an armchair conversation in front of 8,500 people, Obama was relaxed, personable and playful but still serious as she talked on a range of topics around education for girls, health and nutrition and female empowerment all things she worked on as first lady at the Womens Foundation of Colorados 30th anniversary Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center.

The crowd was a mix of young and old and predominately women. The events popularity forced organizers to open up more seats. Obama was greeted by an extended standing ovation and a few calls of we love you.

Jason Bahr, Getty Images for The Women's Foundation of Colorado

Former First Lady Michelle Obama speaks, emphasizing that women must celebrate their strength, during a live conversation with The Women's Foundation of Colorado President and CEO Lauren Y. Casteel at Pepsi Center on July 25, 2017 in Denver.

Jason Bahr, Getty Images for The Women's Foundation of Colorado

Former First Lady Michelle Obama speaks, emphasizing that women must celebrate their strength, during a live conversation with The Women's Foundation of Colorado President and CEO Lauren Y. Casteel at Pepsi Center on July 25, 2017 in Denver.

Jason Bahr, Getty Images for The Women's Foundation of Colorado

Former First Lady Michelle Obama emphasized that women must celebrate their strength during a live conversation with The Women's Foundation of Colorado President and CEO Lauren Y. Casteel at Pepsi Center on July 25, 2017 in Denver.

Jason Bahr, Getty Images for The Women's Foundation of Colorado

Former First Lady Michelle Obama speaks, emphasizing that women must celebrate their strength, during a live conversation with The Women's Foundation of Colorado at Pepsi Center on July 25, 2017 in Denver.

WFCO President and CEO Lauren Casteel commented that Obama broke a glass ceiling by becoming the first black first lady. She then asked which of the falling glass shards cut the deepest.

The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut, she said, referencing being called an ape and people talking about her bottom. Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who wont see me for what I am because of my skin color.

She said she cant pretend like it doesnt hurt because that lets those who do the hurting off the hook.

Women, we endure those cuts in so many ways that we dont even notice were cut, she said. We are living with small tiny cuts, and we are bleeding every single day. And were still getting up.

But Obama said women should own their scars. Referring to failure, she said those wounds hurt deeply but they heal with time. If women own their scars, they can encourage younger girls who are getting their first cuts.

Although Obama largely stayed away from politics, she took a few thinly veiled shots at the current president receiving cheers from the crowd. She reiterated that she would not be seeking public office, much to the crowds verbal dismay. But she said she and Barack Obama intend to stay in public service.

She warned people against the notion that the nation is falling apart. Instead she said its a young country that will learn from its mistakes and successes.

The people in this country are universally good and kind and honest and decent, she said. Dont be afraid of the country you live in. The folks here are good.

Instead of waiting on national policies, she said women need to take charge every day in their own lives and their community. And for the men in attendance, she said its important for them to be in girls lives, valuing their thoughts and voices.

She criticized a one-size-fits-all education system that values speed of learning, pushing out women who learn differently than men from STEM fields.

Michelle and Barack Obama have been on speaking tours after a post-presidency vacation. Similar toTuesdaysconversation, Michelle Obama has largely steered clear of politics, focusing instead on topics that she advocated for as first lady, includingeducation for women andhealth and nutrition for schoolchildren.

She spoke at the American Institute of Architectures annual conference in April, The Partnership for a Healthier America summit in May and the Pennsylvania Conference for Women in October.

The WFCO event served as a fundraiser for the organization.Among the speakers were Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne, former first lady of Colorado and WFCO co-founder Dottie Lamm and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.

WFCO was founded in 1987 to address the feminization of poverty as Colorado and areas across the world saw women more likely to live in poverty.

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