President Obama's NSA speech

President Obama is addressing the nation Friday to announce new guidelines for government surveillance programs, but he isn't expected to declare any significant revamps to existing efforts.

1/17/2014 5:22:24 PM Morgan Little
We'll be winding things down shortly, but thanks for tuning in during Obama's speech! Keep checking into Politics Now for updates on the fallout of the president's remarks today.

3rd & 7 37yd

1/17/2014 3:40:52 PM Morgan Little

Patrick Semansky / Associated Press

Back in December, a task force appointed by Obama made a list of 46 recommendations on reforming the NSA, a few of which are expected to be followed in today’s speech, but many of which will remain mere suggestions. You can read through the panel’s entire list right here.
1/17/2014 3:45:59 PM Morgan Little
A key reason why the White House has defended the NSA: Many within the Obama administration think its data collection tactics could have stopped 9/11.

From our story earlier this month:

“In recent White House meetings, Obama has accepted the '9/11' justification, aides say, expressing the belief that domestic phone records might have helped authorities identify some of the skyjackers who later crashed passenger jets in New York, the Washington area and Pennsylvania…”
1/17/2014 3:56:50 PM Morgan Little

EPA / NSA

Despite one scandal after another, the NSA has won
continued support from the White House and key congressional leaders, which has
allowed the agency the weather months of controversy. That’s in part why Obama’s
reforms today won’t fundamentally change the way intelligence gathering works.

D.C. bureau chief David Lauter and reporter Ken Dilanian have more in their story today.
by WH National Security via twitter 1/17/2014 3:57:27 PM
At 11am ET, President Obama speaks on U.S. intelligence programs. Watch → go.wh.gov/keNGhS
by Jeff Mason via twitter 1/17/2014 4:07:48 PM
#Obama has not left the White House yet, so NSA speech will be a bit delayed. Motorcade still holding on the WH driveway.
by L.A. Times Politics via twitter 1/17/2014 4:10:15 PM
For an early look at #NSA changes, here's a look at the White House's policy directive on intelligence activities bit.ly/LfKEnM
by L.A. Times Politics via twitter 1/17/2014 4:42:40 PM
Obama: #NSA phone data collection "does not involve the content of phone calls or the names of people making calls."
by David Lauter via twitter 1/17/2014 4:43:02 PM
Obama stresses the 9/11 roots of the government's collection of phone records -- a link that critics dispute.
by mpoindc via twitter 1/17/2014 4:43:41 PM
Obama obliquely mentioning Boston Marathon bombing? "if a bomb goes off in one of our cities and law enforcement is racing..."
by Ken Dilanian via twitter 1/17/2014 4:44:22 PM
Obama neglects to mention that the CIA knew but didn't tell the FBI that AQ member Khalid al-Mihdhar was heading for America.
by Senator Rand Paul via twitter retweeted by LisaMascaroinDC 1/17/2014 4:44:35 PM
Currently watching @BarackObama 's #NSA address. For my reaction, tune in to @CNN immediately following his speech. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BeMiQUdCcAAnqgk.jpg
by Greg Miller via twitter retweeted by KenDilanianLAT 1/17/2014 4:44:53 PM
On 215, Obama raises the 9/11 defense, noting NSA couldn't locate Midhar in US, but stops short of saying metadata wd have prevented plot.
by David Corn via twitter retweeted by KenDilanianLAT 1/17/2014 4:45:14 PM
The bulk collection of telephone metadata is probably not as significant as NSA penetrations of the Internet. Yet it has gotten more attn.
by Chris Moody via twitter retweeted by khennessey 1/17/2014 4:45:31 PM
Are you in some kind of bunker? RT @SenRandPaul Currently watching @BarackObama 's NSA address. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BeMiQUdCcAAnqgk.jpg
by L.A. Times Politics via twitter 1/17/2014 4:45:35 PM
Obama ordering "a transition that will end the Section 215 bulk metadata program as it currently exists."
by Christi Parsons via twitter 1/17/2014 4:45:59 PM
Obama cites the case of Khalid al-Mihdhar to support importance of the metadata program. Read our piece on this lat.ms/1jbfjAV
by Jim Himes via twitter retweeted by LisaMascaroinDC 1/17/2014 4:47:01 PM
I have never been convinced that ISPs or 3rd parties holding metadata in any way solves privacy concerns. ISPs don't have oversight.
by Ken Dilanian via twitter 1/17/2014 4:47:06 PM
Two hops, instead of 3. Less surveillance.
by Lloyd Doggett via twitter retweeted by LisaMascaroinDC 1/17/2014 4:47:10 PM
To end the surveillance state, repeal the laws that make it possible. I am sponsor of Surveillance State Repeal Act #NSA
by Rep. Barbara Lee via twitter retweeted by LisaMascaroinDC 1/17/2014 4:47:39 PM
#NSA speech from President reminder of the need to repeal #AUMF bzfd.it/Ldh9CU THanks, @BuzzFeed for highlighting this connection
by David Cloud via twitter retweeted by khennessey 1/17/2014 4:48:41 PM
Let's call it the Kevin Bacon Reform Act: Obama says NSA meta slueths can only go two steps removed from original phone number.
by Ken Dilanian via twitter 1/17/2014 4:48:57 PM
On judicial review of NSLs: "We should not set a standard for terrorism investigations higher than for ordinary crime."
by Mike Memoli via twitter 1/17/2014 4:49:19 PM
MT @SenRandPaul Currently watching @BarackObama 's #NSA address. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BeMiQUdCcAAnqgk.jpg
by Mike Memoli via twitter 1/17/2014 4:50:23 PM
House Intel Cmte member RT @jahimes Metadata querying only with specific judicial assent IS a meaningful reform.
by Ken Dilanian via twitter 1/17/2014 4:50:27 PM
Seems clear that if Congress cannot craft a solution to how the phone records can be stored privately, NSA will keep collecting them.
by Mike Memoli via twitter 1/17/2014 4:51:03 PM
MT @jahimes I have never been convinced that ISPs/3rd parties holding metadata in any way solves privacy concerns. ISPs don't have oversight
by L.A. Times Politics via twitter 1/17/2014 4:51:57 PM
Obama: U.S. only uses data collection for national security, not to suppress criticism, provide competitive advantage to companies.
by Ken Dilanian via twitter 1/17/2014 4:52:42 PM
Obama: We're not going to keep the records on foreigners we don't need for any longer than we want to hold them.
by TheTeaParty_net via twitter retweeted by LisaMascaroinDC 1/17/2014 4:53:06 PM
Shorter Obama: If you like your privacy, you can keep your privacy. #NSA ➨ http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BeMkX1OCQAAw8r8.jpg
by Christi Parsons via twitter 1/17/2014 4:53:12 PM
"We will not monitor the communications of heads of state and government of our close friends and allies," Obama says
by Rep. Peter Welch via twitter retweeted by mikememoli 1/17/2014 4:53:31 PM
Pres @BarackObama is addressing the nation re: #NSA - tell him you want to see top line budgets for intelligence agencies #transparency
by Grover Norquist via twitter retweeted by LisaMascaroinDC 1/17/2014 4:53:47 PM
If Obama stops doing a secret thing we didn't know he was doing how do we know he secretly stopped?
by Robin Abcarian via twitter 1/17/2014 4:53:54 PM
O: "We will not monitor the communications of heads of state and government of our close friends and allies.*
*unless we need to
by Christi Parsons via twitter 1/17/2014 4:55:15 PM
The no-monitor promise extends to "close friends and allies," but senior admin officials decline to say who that is, exactly
by Kathleen Hennessey via twitter 1/17/2014 4:55:45 PM
a few campaigns have been known to dabble in this too... RT @thecaucus Obama Notes Business Tracking of Citizens nyti.ms/1mb6J2k
by Christi Parsons via twitter 1/17/2014 4:56:16 PM
"Dozens" of world leaders qualify as "close friends and allies," admin officials say
by Ken Dilanian via twitter 1/17/2014 4:56:23 PM
Boom. "No one expects China to have an open debate about surveillance programs, or Russia to acct for privacy concerns of citizens."
by emptywheel via twitter retweeted by KenDilanianLAT 1/17/2014 4:56:51 PM
Did I miss where Obama stopped weakening encryption?
by David Lauter via twitter 1/17/2014 4:57:14 PM
Obama's proposals designed to make US and allies more comfortable with surveillance, not to fundamentally change surveillance.
by Ken Dilanian via twitter 1/17/2014 4:57:47 PM
No mention of weakening encryption, holding on to zero day exploits --the Snowden revelations that most disturbed computer security experts.
by MicahZenko via twitter retweeted by KenDilanianLAT 1/17/2014 4:59:44 PM
In assessing Obama’s proposed NSA reforms, note that he (as he repeated today) believes he “reformed” drone strike policies.
by Mike Memoli via twitter 1/17/2014 5:00:20 PM
RT @MarkUdall After my years of #bipartisan work & ongoing efforts, Pres. Obama took big steps forward today on #NSA reform.
by Lisa Mascaro via twitter 1/17/2014 5:03:10 PM
.@SenRandPaul "diasppointed in the details" of Obama's #NSA speech. "I intend to continue the fight to restore Americans rights."
by Kathleen Hennessey via twitter 1/17/2014 5:03:24 PM
Sen. Rand Paul says "disappointed in the details." Obama's solution "is the same unconstitutional program with a new configuration."