U.S., Cuba renew diplomatic ties
The United States and Cuba restore diplomatic relations after half a century. The Cuban embassy opens in Washington, and a Cuban flag is added to the lobby of the State Department. Presidents Castro and Obama mark the relationship with a letter exchange. Secretary of State Kerry will visit Cuba later in the summer to formally raise the flag there:
Nothing is more futile than trying to live in the past. We’re taking a historic and long overdue step in the right direction.
Outside of the Cuban embassy, crowds of people cheered as the Cuban national anthem plays while three Cuban soldiers stood at attention while the flag was raised. One protester is removed by police.
Obama: Attacks ‘heartbreaking’
President Obama condemns the shooting deaths, says a full investigation is under way, and says the Department of Defense is working to bolster security at all of its facilities.
It is a heartbreaking circumstance for these individuals who have served our country with great valor to be killed in this fashion. I speak for the American people in expressing our deepest condolences. We will be thorough and prompt in figuring out exactly what happened. We take all shootings very seriously.Obviously when you have an attack on a U.S. military facility then we have to make sure that we have all the information necessary to make an assessment as to how this attack took place and what precautions we should take in the future.
Visits Oklahoma federal prison
Obama is first sitting president to visit a federal prison. During his visit he suggests that under different circumstances, he could have been a prison inmate:
When they describe their youth, these are young people who made mistakes that aren’t that different from the mistakes I made, and the mistakes that a lot of you guys made. The difference is that they did not have the kind of support structures, the second chances, the resources that would allow them to survive those mistakes… That’s what strikes me — there but for the grace of God.
Obama comments on Cosby
In a White House press conference, Obama says:
There’s no precedent for revoking a medal. We don’t have that mechanism…If you give a woman — or a man, for that matter — without his or her knowledge a drug and then have sex with that person without consent, that’s rape.
Defends Iran nuclear deal
President Obama defends the nuclear deal brokered with Iran, at a White House Press Corp meeting, arguing that the only way of assuring Iran not obtain a nuclear weapon is the agreement between the United States, Iran, and five other countries. The deal obtains assurances from Iran to stop and immediately downsize its nuclear program. In exchange, all previous sanctions are lifted.
This is the most vigorous inspection and verification deal that has ever been negotiated. The bottom line is this. This nuclear deal meets the national security interests of the United States and our allies. It prevents the most serious threat of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon… that’s why this deal makes our country safer and secure.
Vigorous congressional debate on the deal is expected, with some efforts to block it. President Obama promises to veto any attempts to nullify the treaty.
I expect the debate to be robust, and that’s how it should be. This is an important issue. I hope we don’t lose sight of the larger picture — the opportunity that this agreement represents.
Criticizes Garrett Iran prisoner question
President Obama criticizes Garrett when he asks a question relating to four Americans being held in Iran. Garrett:
As you well know, there are four Americans in Iran, three held on trumped-up charges ,according to your administration, one whereabouts unknown? Can you tell the country, Sir, why you are content with all the fanfare around this deal to leave the conscience of this nation and the strength of this nation unaccounted for in relation to these four Americans?
Obama:
I gotta give you credit, Major, for how you craft those questions. The notion that I’m content as I celebrate with American citizens languishing in Iranian jails. Major, that’s nonsense and you should know better.
Grants clemency to drug offenders
President Obama grants clemency to 46 men and women who have spent years and faced decades in prison for non-violent, drug offenses.
Their punishments didn’t fit the crime, and if they had been sentenced under today’s laws, almost all of them would have served their time. I believe…America is a nation of second chances. And I believe these folks deserve a second chance.
Obama nominates Slavitt
Obama nominates UnitedHealth Group executive Slavitt for senate approval to head Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Slavitt currently works as acting administrator of government health insurance programs and is known for his efforts in rectifying issues with the health insurance website during the rollout of the Affordable Care Act. Senator Klobuchar:
With decades of experience delivering health care services to millions of Americans, Andy has developed a track record as an effective and innovative leader who gets results. As acting administrator at CMS, Andy has played a crucial role in leading efforts to combat health care fraud, reform health care delivery, and improve health outcomes. That experience makes him the perfect person to lead this critical agency.
Flag removed from Capitol
South Carolina removes the Confederate flag from the state Capitol grounds in Columbia. A crowd shouts “U.S.A.” as the color guard removes the flag and folds it, and hands it to the curator of the Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum, where it will be stored. Some of the few thousand attendees are dressed in Confederate uniforms and carry Confederate flags to show their support for the flag.
South Carolina taking down the confederate flag – a signal of good will and healing, and a meaningful step towards a better future.
— President Obama (@POTUS44) July 10, 2015
Reveals Fair Housing Act
The Obama administration plans to reduce the racial segregation of neighborhoods using federal housing funds to make desirable neighborhoods more affordable for less affluent minorities. The Fair Housing Act enforces extant civil rights law on banning residential discrimination. Areas that fail to comply with the Housing Act will lose federal housing funds. Housing and Urban Development secretary:
A ZIP code should never prevent any person from reaching their aspirations. The fact is that federal efforts have often fallen short. We’re approaching this in a very collaborative spirit. Enforcement is always a last resort — it is there, it is possible, but our preference is to work cooperatively and steadfastly with communities.
Proposes to Obama
During his weekly interview with the national radio station, Mugabe mocks America’s decision to legalise gay marriage by vowing to travel to the White House and proposing to Barack Obama.
I’ve just concluded – since President Obama endorses the same-sex marriage, advocates homosexual people and enjoys an attractive countenance – thus if it becomes necessary, I shall travel to Washington, DC, get down on my knee and ask his hand. I can’t understand how this people dare to defy Christ’s explicit orders as our Lord prohibited mankind from sodomy.
Delivers Rev. Pinckney’s eulogy, sings Amazing Grace
The President delivers the eulogy at the funeral of South Carolina State Senator Rev. Pinckney, who was also a personal acquaintance, which includes him singing Amazing Grace.
Reverend Pinckney embodied a politics that was neither mean nor small. He conducted himself quietly and kindly and diligently. He encouraged progress not by pushing his ideas alone but by seeking out your ideas, partnering with you to make things happen. He was full of empathy and fellow feeling, able to walk in somebody else’s shoes and see through their eyes.
Reacts to ‘Obamacare’ decision
Pres. Obama reacts to the Supreme Court decision on Affordable Care Act subsidies:
After multiple challenges to this law before the Supreme Court, the Affordable Care Act is here to stay.
He adds that, had the decision gone otherwise:
America would have gone backwards. That’s not what we do.
Delivers eulogy
President Obama delivers the eulogy at Biden’s funeral, speaking for 25 minutes at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church to about 1,000 mourners, including former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary.
He did in 46 years what most of us could not do in 146. He left nothing in the tank…He lived a life where the means were as important as the ends. He made you want to be a better daughter or son or a better brother or sister. And better at your job, a better soldier. He made you want to be a better person…Isn’t that finally the measure of a man, the way he lives, how he treats others no matter what life may throw at him? We do not know how long we’ve got here. We don’t know when fate will intervene. We cannot discern God’s plan.
About 200 people inside the parish gymnasium watch Obama and others speak on two monitors, while several hundred people listened to the service from loudspeakers outside on the church property. Joe Biden did not speak during the two-hour ceremony.
Tribute
President Obama says he and Michelle are grieving alongside the Biden family.
Michelle and I are grieving tonight. Beau Biden was a friend of ours. His beloved family – Hallie, Natalie, and Hunter – are friends of ours. And Joe and Jill Biden are as good as friends get…Beau took after Joe. He studied the law, like his dad, even choosing the same law school. He chased a life of public service, like his dad, serving in Iraq and as Delaware’s Attorney General. Like his dad, Beau was a good, big-hearted, devoutly Catholic and deeply faithful man, who made a difference in the lives of all he touched – and he lives on in their hearts…But for all that Beau Biden achieved in his life, nothing made him prouder; nothing made him happier; nothing claimed a fuller focus of his love and devotion than his family…Beau Biden believed the best of us all. For him, and for his family, we swing our lanterns higher…Michelle and I humbly pray for the good Lord to watch over Beau Biden, and to protect and comfort his family here on Earth.
Plays golf
Biden spends a rare weekend in the nation’s capital and joins Obama’s regular weekend golf game at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, a private golf club in Potomac, Maryland. Two aides round out Obama’s foursome. Obama usually plays with aides at when he’s at the White House. His golf party often includes bigger names when he plays away from home.
‘Iranians Are Liars’
Graham criticizes Obama for negotiating with Iran and claims that Iranians are liars in an address to Southern Republican Leadership Conference.
I ran the pool room when I was a kid and I met a lot of liars, and I know the Iranians are liars…The Iranians cheat and they lie. They are a radical regime. They want a master religion for the world; the Nazis wanted a master race.
Condemns violence
Obama condemns the violence in Baltimore and expressed condolences to the family of Gray.
There is no excuse for the kind of violence we saw yesterday. It is counter-productive…People are stealing and damaging their own communities and that is no statement on police brutality or any other kind of issue.
Hostage killings apology
Obama apologies for killing of two hostages in US drone attack on an al-Qaeda base.
This morning I has expressed my grief and condolences to the families of two hostages – one American, Warren Weinstein, and an Italian, Giovanni Lo Porto – who were tragically killed in a US counter-terrorism operation. Warren and Giovanni were aid workers in Pakistan devoted to improving the lives of the Pakistani people.
Wants Cuba terror list removal
Obama recommends that US government reverse its long-standing policy designating Cuba a state sponsor of international terrorism. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest:
As the President has said, we will continue to have differences with the Cuban government, but our concerns over a wide range of Cuba’s policies and actions fall outside the criteria that is relevant to whether to rescind Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism…That determination is based on the statutory standard – and the facts – and those facts have led the President to declare his intention to rescind Cuba’s State Sponsor of Terrorism designation.