Author Archive

Rebecca Nelson

Rebecca Nelson

Rebecca Nelson is a staff correspondent for National Journal. Her work has appeared in TIME, Chicago, Ms. and Washingtonian, where she previously covered all things D.C. Originally from Seattle, she graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, and has lived and reported in Chicago, London, Los Angeles and New York.
Rebecca Nelson is a staff correspondent for National Journal. Her work has appeared in TIME, Chicago, Ms. and Washingtonian, where she previously covered all things D.C. Originally from Seattle, she graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, and has lived and reported in Chicago, London, Los Angeles and New York.
Oversight

What to Expect From Obama's Last State of the Union Address

He'll focus on a big-picture vision for the country's future—with some plans for how America can get there.

Management

Why One Seat in the First Lady’s Guest Box at the State of the Union Will Be Empty

It’s a visceral symbol of the president’s latest policy passion: gun control.

Oversight

Obama Sends Mixed Message With Immigration Raids

Everyone is left with a different impression of what the president is trying to do.

Management

How the White House Started Taking Trump Seriously

Over a few months, the Obama administration went from resisting the “temptation” to weigh in to calling out the Republican front-runner’s “fake hair.”

Management

Why Obama’s Tuesday Defense of Immigrants Matters

“In the Syrian seeking refuge today, we should see the Jewish refugee of World War II,” the president said at a naturalization ceremony.

Management

Obama Takes a Veiled Swipe at Trump, Islamophobia

“We betray the efforts of the past if we fail to push back against bigotry in all its forms,” he said Wednesday as he commemorated the abolition of slavery.

Management

White House: Trump’s 'Ban All Muslims' Proposal 'Disqualifies Him From Running for President'

Press Secretary Josh Earnest also got in a joke about the Republican front-runner’s “fake hair.”

Management

Obama: Climate Action Is America’s Duty

As the House gears up vote against his climate agenda, Obama says America will act.

Management

Obama: Paris Climate Summit is 'Rebuke to Terrorists'

He and French President Hollande on Tuesday reaffirmed the U.S. and France’s “unity of purpose” in defeating the Islamic State.

Management

A White House PSA Using Bears to Make a Point About Sexual Assault

The Obama administration teamed up with College Humor to spread awareness of the issue.

Defense

White House Could Use Executive Action to Shutter Guantanamo

Press secretary Josh Earnest said Obama “would not take anything off the table” to close the prison.

Oversight

White House on McCarthy: 'Rupture in the Republican Party'

“Republicans need to learn that doing their job doesn’t mean catering to the extreme-right wing,” press secretary Josh Earnest said Thursday.

Defense

Obama Apologizes for Afghan Hospital Bombing

He called the president of Doctors Without Borders on Wednesday to send his condolences.

Management

Obama Cites Inequities 'Brewing for Decades' Near Katrina Anniversary

The president visited New Orleans Thursday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of what he called a partly "man-made disaster."

Defense

White House Spokesman: Schumer Opposition to Iran Deal 'Disappointing' But Not a Surprise

President Obama got a heads-up on the senator's defection, the press secretary said Friday.

Management

What Will Be Obama's Green Legacy?

New climate-change regulations could make him the environmentally friendly president—if he survives the brutal assaults coming his way.

Management

Obama Slams Republican Hopefuls' 'Outrageous Attacks'

The president wonders in Africa if the statements are just a reaction to Donald Trump.

Defense

Obama Administration Says It's In Final Stages of Drafting Plan to Close Guantanamo

Press secretary Josh Earnest also told reporters Wednesday that if a major defense bill included a provision to prevent closing the prison, Obama would veto it.