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Sept. 25: After six years as the first African American attorney general, Eric Holder resigns. He is
Sept. 25: After six years as the first African American attorney general, Eric Holder resigns. He is the fourth-longest serving attorney general in U.S. history.
Aug. 9: Police Officer Darren Wilson shoots and kills Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old teenager
Aug. 9: Police Officer Darren Wilson shoots and kills Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old teenager in Ferguson, Mo. Details of the shooting are disputed. Aug. 10: After a candlelight vigil for Brown, protesters fill the streets near the shooting. Police officers arrived on the scene with riot gear, including rifles and shields. The protest turns… Read more
Mar. 26: Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, a son-in-law of Osama bin Laden, is convicted by a federal jury in Man
Mar. 26: Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, a son-in-law of Osama bin Laden, is convicted by a federal jury in Manhattan of conspiracy to kill Americans, conspiring to provide support to al-Qaeda, and providing support to al-Qaeda. He is the most senior member of those close to bin Laden to be tried in a civilian court in the U.S. since the September 11, 2001,… Read more
Nov. 20: In a prime-time, televised speech, President Barack Obama announces he is taking executive action to delay the deportation of some 5 million illegal immigrants. Under the new policy about 4 million people who are parents of U.S. citizens or legal residents will receive deportation deferrals and authorization to work legally if they have… Read more
Nov. 4: In the 2014 midterm elections, Republicans take back the majority in the Senate for the firs
Nov. 4: In the 2014 midterm elections, Republicans take back the majority in the Senate for the first time since 2006, while also adding to their majority in the House. The GOP even makes huge gains by winning governor races in states that usually lean Democratic, such as Maryland, Massachusetts, and Illinois.
Jan. 17: President Obama announces reforms to the U.S. surveillance program based on recommendations
Jan. 17: President Obama announces reforms to the U.S. surveillance program based on recommendations from his advisory panel. The reforms he outlines include: requiring NSA analysts to get a court order to access phone data unless in cases of emergencies; an eventual end to the collection of massive amounts of metadata by the government; the NSA… Read more
May 5: In Town of Greece v. Galloway, the Supreme Court rules 5-4 that Christian prayers said at the
May 5: In Town of Greece v. Galloway, the Supreme Court rules 5-4 that Christian prayers said at the beginning of council meetings in an upstate New York town do not violate the constitutional prohibition against government establishment of religion.
Sept. 19: After the first family leaves the main residence, Omar Jose Gonzalez jumps the fence and r
Sept. 19: After the first family leaves the main residence, Omar Jose Gonzalez jumps the fence and runs across the North Lawn of the White House, carrying a knife. Gonzalez enters the main residence where he is apprehended by an officer. In the days following the breach, a House committee holds a hearing to examine how the U.S. Secret Service… Read more
April 22: The Supreme Court rules, 62, in Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action to uphold a constitutional amendment that bans public universities and colleges in Michigan from implementing a race-sensitive admissions policy. The ruling does not address the affirmative action policy in Michigan; instead, it confirms the… Read more
April 11: After the national health care open enrollment deadline passes, Kathleen Sebelius resigns as secretary of health and human services. Both Sebelius and the Obama administration insists the move is voluntary, but administration officials have done little to hide their outrage about the many problems that dogged HealthCare.gov. The… Read more
April 2: In another blow to campaign-finance reform, the Supreme Court strikes down caps on the tota
April 2: In another blow to campaign-finance reform, the Supreme Court strikes down caps on the total amount individuals can donate to federal campaigns and political parties. The court rules 5-4 in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission that the limits violate free speech protections.
April 29: The Supreme Court rules 6-2 that under the Clean Air Act, the EPA has the authority to reg
April 29: The Supreme Court rules 6-2 that under the Clean Air Act, the EPA has the authority to regulate air pollution emitted from coal plants that crosses state lines. Smog from coal plants in 28 Midwest and Appalachia states blows toward the east and increases pollution in states that are downwind of the plants.
Sept.: The National Football League (NFL) struggles to deal with multiple incidents of domestic viol
Sept.: The National Football League (NFL) struggles to deal with multiple incidents of domestic violence. TMZ releases video footage from an elevator camera that captured Baltimore Raven Ray Rice punching his fiancee, Janay Palmer, in the face. The video release renews criticism that the initial two game suspension of Rice had been too lenient.… Read more
June 30: In Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, the Supreme Court decides in favor of corporations owned by reli
June 30: In Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, the Supreme Court decides in favor of corporations owned by religious families. In a close five to four vote, the Court rules that corporations like Hobby Lobby cannot be forced to pay for insurance that covers contraception for female workers under the Affordable Care Act because it is a violation of the… Read more
Dec. 20: In Brooklyn, New York, Ismaaiyl Brinsley walks up to the passenger window of a police car a
Dec. 20: In Brooklyn, New York, Ismaaiyl Brinsley walks up to the passenger window of a police car and shoots Officer Wenjian Liu and Officer Rafael Ramos in the head. Brinsley then runs into a nearby subway station and shoots himself. Before the incident, Brinsley vows through online posts to put "wings on pigs," in response to the recent… Read more
Nov. 24: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel resigns. Hagel will remain in the job until the Senate confir
Nov. 24: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel resigns. Hagel will remain in the job until the Senate confirms a successor. Officials point to the rising threat from ISIS, which requires a different skill set than Hagel brings to the position, as the reason for the resignation.
Oct. 6: The U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear appeals of rulings in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virgi
Oct. 6: The U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear appeals of rulings in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin that allowed same-sex marriage. The move paves the way for same-sex marriages in the five states. Nov. 20: The U.S. Supreme Court denies a request to block same-sex marriage in South Carolina. Thus, South Carolina becomes the 35th… Read more
Mar. 11: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) lashes out at the CIA, accusing it of spying on the Senate Int
Mar. 11: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) lashes out at the CIA, accusing it of spying on the Senate Intelligence Committee, covering up its torture and detention program, and potentially violating the constitution. After her speech, the Senate Judiciary Committee announces it will investigate the accusations.
July 31: The CIA announces that an… Read more
Jan. 6: The United States Senate confirms American economist Janet Yellen as the 15th Chairman of th
Jan. 6: The United States Senate confirms American economist Janet Yellen as the 15th Chairman of the Federal Reserve. Yellen, the current vice-chairman, becomes the first woman to hold the position.
June 25: The Supreme Court decides in a six to three vote that the start-up streaming company Aereo violated copyright laws by capturing and offering broadcast signals to their subscribers for a fee. The ruling in ABC v. Aereo is in favor of the major networks in the television broadcasting industry which argued that Aereo was stealing their… Read more
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