ABC News: Politics

FBI Foils Plot to Build X-Ray Weapon

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 11:09:38 GMT

A New York man who allegedly wanted to kill President Obama and apparently blamed him for the recent Boston bombings has been arrested for trying to build and detonate a weapon of mass destruction -- an X-ray system that would emit deadly amounts of radiation and could be detonated remotely, according to the FBI.

The Note's Must-Reads for Thursday, June 20, 2013

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 08:00:54 GMT

The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at www.abcnews.com Compiled by ABC News’ Jayce Henderson, Amanda VanAllen, Will Cantine and Carrie Halperin NSA SCANDAL: ABC News’...

Border Security Bolsters Immigration

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:42:22 GMT

Early Thursday morning, the bipartisan “Gang of Eight” senators will announce an agreement to strengthen border security. ABC News has confirmed that the Senate “Gang of Eight” has reached an agreement to strengthen border security provisions in their bill that is likely to deliver crucial...

Tea Party Wants IRS Dumped Overboard

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:45:02 GMT

Tea Party Activitst Rallied on Capitol Hill Against IRS Abuse

Mexican Roots for Majority of Latinos

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:20:23 GMT

Mexican Latinos make up more than two thirds of all Latinos in the United States, according to a new Pew Hispanic report. Of the 51.9 million Latinos living in the United States in 2011, more than 33.5 million trace their family back to Mexico. The...

WikiLeaks Helping Snowden Get Asylum

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:16:54 GMT

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange said Wednesday that his group has been in touch with Edward Snowden’s legal team, the man who says he’s behind the National Security Agency leaks. “We are in touch with Mr. Snowden’s legal team and have been, are involved, in the...

Former Miss America Called 'Street Walker' by Local GOP Leader

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:43:53 GMT

A former Miss America winner who is now a GOP candidate for Congress was called a string of profane names today, including “street walker,” ”love child” and “Miss Queen. ” Her attacker? A local Republican Party chairman in central Illinois. Erika Harold, the 2003 winner...

Bloomberg Gun Group Apologizes for Honoring Marathon Bombing Suspect

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:32:53 GMT

Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who was run over by his brother after a gunfight with police, was named as a victim of gun violence during an event held by Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the anti-gun violence group run by New York City Mayor...

Personal and Political Connections: One-Night Stands Or a Real Relationship?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:28:36 GMT

Obama Should Examine His Relationships with Congress and the American Public

Watch: President Obama Makes Historic Speech in Germany

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:23:52 GMT

US President urges Western democracies not to become "complacent" in a post-Cold War era.

Eldest Duggar Moving to DC for Job

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:22:52 GMT

Josh Duggar, who is known as a pro-life activist, fundamentalist Christian, reality show star and the eldest of 19 children, is adding another title to his public persona. On Monday, Duggar announced via Twitter that he will be joining the Family Research Council as executive...

Obama Warns 'Work Is Not Yet Done'

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:19:22 GMT

BERLIN — Speaking at Berlin’s historic Brandenburg Gate, President Obama today challenged Western democracies not to become complacent in the post-Cold War era, saying “our work is not yet done.” “Complacency is not the character of great nations. Today’s threats are not as stark as...

Immigration Bill: One Long, Arduous Day

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:08:03 GMT

It was a good and bad day for immigration overhaul. On the good side, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office Tuesday singlehandedly undercut fiscal objections from conservatives by reporting in its analysis of the "Gang of 8" Senate bill that reform would cut the national deficit and improve the U.S. economy.

Third GOP Senator Backs Gay Marriage

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:36:52 GMT

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska came out today in support of gay marriage, the third GOP senator to change course on the issue this year. In an op-ed that will be posted shortly on the senator’s website, she notes that her change in opinion...

Obama Preps Big Speech at Historic Brandenburg Gate

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:08:22 GMT

BERLIN — Here in Berlin five years ago, Barack Obama addressed one of the largest and most enthusiastic crowds he’s ever seen. He was treated as such superstar that the McCain campaign responded with a TV commercial using footage of the Berlin speech to brand...

Obama Says NSA Dragnet 'Saved Lives'

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:05:12 GMT

Obama defends government surveillance to prevent threats

The Note: Obama At The Gate

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:59:54 GMT

By MICHAEL FALCONE (@michaelpfalcone) NOTABLES WHAT A DIFFERENCE FIVE YEARS MAKES: In Berlin five years ago, Barack Obama addressed one of the largest and most enthusiastic crowds he’s ever seen. He was treated as such superstar that the McCain campaign responded with a TV commercial...

House Committee Would Criminalize Being Undocumented

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:21:51 GMT

One small step for immigration in the Senate, one giant leap backward in the House? While the Senate was working to amend the bipartisan immigration bill on the floor, the House Judiciary Committee was busy late Tuesday night passing its piecemeal approach to immigration overhaul....

Watch: Obama to Make Big Speech from Historic Brandenburg Gate

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:21:21 GMT

President will speak at the same place in Berlin where Reagan gave his "Tear Down This Wall" Speech.

'Days of Rambo Are Over': Military Details Plans for Integrating Women Into Combat

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:26:58 GMT

Despite a declaration that "the days of Rambo are over," Special Operations Command has concerns about how women will fit into its elite units as the military makes the transition to having women in combat by January 2016.

NSA: Data Dragnets Foiled Terrorism

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:25:38 GMT

The director of the National Security Administration today told Congress that more than 50 potential terrorist attacks have been thwarted by controversial two programs tracking more than a billion phone calls each day.

NSA Poll Reverses Bush-Era Division

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:02:21 GMT

Most Americans in a new ABC News/Washington Post poll support telephone and internet surveillance by the National Security Administration, but two-thirds also favor congressional hearings on the subject – indicating broad interest in more information about these activities. The public by 58-39 percent supports the...

The Note's Must-Reads for Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:38:22 GMT

Far-Reaching Anti-Abortion Bill Passed

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:31:51 GMT

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives voted this evening to pass legislation to ban abortion after 20 weeks, except in what Democrats assailed as “narrow” cases of incest of a minor, rape, and health of the mother, prompting a partisan debate on the House floor...

Tea Party Fight Brewing in Alaska

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:22:41 GMT

Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Alaska Tuesday, ensuring there will be a Republican primary in the race to run against Sen. Mark Begich, a Democrat.