Politics. On Point.

Replaces Outgoing Advisor, Tom Donilon With no Senate approval needed, President Obama today named Susan Rice as his pick for the next U.S. National Security Advisor. President Obama with (l to r): Samantha Power (new United Nations Ambassador), Tom Donilon (outgoing US National Secruity Advisor), and Susan Rice (newly appointed USNSA).  Photo by CD Brown. Rice, former United Nations Ambassador, has served in various capacities in the National Security Council and at the State Department. She is described by the Obama administration as "a consummate public servant", "fearless" and "tough".  She is described as "the most qualified and experienced experts in the field of foreign policy in the country." Rice gained attention over differing statements she made after the September 11, 2012 attacks on Benghazi that killed US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and four other Americans.  Rice's family:  Husband, Ian; daughter Maris; sister...

President Obama issued the following Executive Orders and Memorandums today, Friday, April 5, 2013. Executive Order -- Continuanc​e of Advisory Council Executive Order -- Adjustment​s of Certain Rates of Pay Presidenti​al Memorandum -- Federal Employee Pay Schedules and Rates that are set by Administra​tive Discretion Presidenti​al Memorandum -- Delegation of Functions Under Sections 404 and 406 of Public Law 112-208   While not an Executive Order or Memorandum, the president also today issued a new policy directive on security sector assistance.    The goals of this new policy are to:  help partner nations build the sustainable capacity to address common security challenges; promote partner support for the policies and interests of the United States; strengthen collective security and multinational defense arrangements and organizations; and promote universal values.    Also released today are the  job numbers for the m...

The Department of Justice is seeking to learn how the credit reports and several pieces of personal information belonging to several staff members of the Obama administration, and several celebrity icons, were posted online.  The Atlanta Journal   reported that the Justice Department said the FBI was also investigating how the Social Security number, address and a credit report of FBI Director Robert Mueller ended up on the site. The site also posted information about Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck . doxxing . v. the process of obtaining or deducing information about a person based on a limited set of initial information. In addition to celebrities that include Jay-Z and Mel Gibson , Beyonce , Ashton Kutcher , Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton , info was also posted about  First Lady Michelle Obama , Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton . Although Clinton's information did not include her cre...

In a statement in the East Room of the White House Monday, President Obama announced key changes to the U.S. National Security team. President Obama with Gates, Panetta, and Patreus. Photo/CD Brown.  The president pegged CIA director, Leon Panetta   to be Secretary of Defense, replacing Robert Gates.  Gates served 26 years in the CIA and the National Security Council. Under President George H.W. Bush Gates served as Director of Centeral Intelligence.  "I am confident Bob Gates will be remembered as one of the finest Defense Secretaries in American history.  And I will always be grateful for his service", said President Obama. Panetta - a former Republican turned Democrat - has more than 40 years of public service.  His career began in the Army as an intelligence officer in the 1960s.  Speaking of Gates Panetta said, "He’s a public servant without equal whose tenure as Secretary of Defense will go down as one of the m...