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Obama gets rock-star welcome in Berlin, praises Merkel

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Hillary Clinton's unfiltered post-election appearances

From jokes about the election outcome and the inaugural crowd size to warnings about the Trump administration's growing Russia scandal, Hillary Clinton has turned her ire on President Trump.

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Former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton speaks with Recode's Kara Swisher and The Verge's Walt Mossberg at the Code Conference about her Goldman Sachs speeches.

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Security was tight in front of the German capital's iconic Brandenburg Gate, where Obama and Merkel appeared on a podium before thousands of people attending a gathering marking the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Police helicopters patrolled the skies and snipers with balaclavas watched the scene from nearby rooftops.

After lauding Merkel as someone who had done "outstanding work," Obama launched a defense of his own presidency and the values of liberal democracy championed by both leaders.

The Associated Press Former U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel appear together in Berlin, Germany, on Thursday. Citing the rise of nationalism and xenophobia in parts of the world, Obama told the crowd that "we have to push back against those trends that would violate human rights or suppress democracy or restrict individual freedoms."

In a veiled reference to his successor, Donald Trump, Obama also spoke of the need to see development aid and diplomacy as essential aspects of national security policy.

"We can't isolate ourselves. We can't hide behind a wall," he said, to cheers from the audience.

Merkel, who hosted Obama at the same spot four years ago, was due to travel to Brussels later Thursday for a meeting with leaders of fellow NATO member states, including President Trump.

Thursday's appearance with Obama was criticized by some German opposition politicians as a publicity stunt ahead of September's general election, in which Merkel aims to win a fourth term.

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Obama gets rock-star welcome in Berlin, praises Merkel

Still Waiting for Obama to Be Quiet – Fox Nation

THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER - Those who idolize former President Barack Obama believe he is everything President Trump is not.

He has a thoughtful manner, and was not just professorial in lecturing the public but was indeed a former professor. Even Trump's most fervent supporters would not suggest their man has a professorial and learned demeanor. Indeed, he is liked in part because he lacks those qualities, coming across as ready to brush aside those academic niceties and get down to action.

Obama also famously disdains drama one of his nicknames was No Drama Obama whereas his successor seems to thrive on it. Comedians found Obama difficult to mock, but late-night comedy can't get enough of Trump. (This says as much about celebrity politics, of course. Celebrities flocked to Obama, and even pledged allegiance to him, yet now pride themselves on being part of the self-aggrandized #Resistance to Trump.)

In short, Obama was cool. Trump is not.

This difference has, however, led to a big mistake in assessing Obama. Because of his cool, his professorial demeanor, and his thoughtful air, supporters ascribe to Obama an enduring streak of propriety. They think him innocent of arrogance and self-regard, qualities for which they detest Trump.

But Obama's demeanor is a camouflage for an ego and a demand for attention every bit as overweening as Trump's. Throughout his presidency and since, Obama displayed his own gaucherie. An early example was in 2009 when Democrats feared they faced another 1994-style wave election they did indeed because of the deeply unpopular healthcare law they were foisting on the country. "Well," said Obama smugly, apparently to calm their nerves, "the big difference here and in '94 was you've got me." His presence, he claimed, would stop the rising tide of Republican support. Trump could not have said anything more arrogant. And, as history recalls, Obama couldn't stop the ride of GOP votes any more than he could fulfill his messianic claim of stopping sea levels from rising.

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Still Waiting for Obama to Be Quiet - Fox Nation

Barack Obama Couldn’t Look Happier Hanging Out With Prince …

While most of us were getting our grill on this past Memorial Day weekend, two of the worlds most popular figures were also hanging out.

Prince Harry hosted world travelerand former POTUS Barack Obama at Kensington Palace on Saturday. The two were photographed together wearing nearly identical suit jackets and white collared shirts, a look Obama has perfected post-presidency.

Though the two were all smiles in their photo together, Prince Harry and Obama spoke about serious topics, according to the official Kensington Palace Twitter account.

They discussed support for veterans,mental health, conservation, empowering young people and the work of their respective foundations, the tweets said. @BarackObama also offered his condolences to the victims of the Manchester attack and support for those recovering from injuries.

The two have met a few times over the past couple of years and its clear they enjoy each others company:

Carlos Barria / Reuters

Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

Last year, the Obamas collaborated on a cheeky video for Prince Harrys foundation, called the Invictus Games. The queen herself even let out a little trash talking!

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House Subpoenas Flynn, Cohen, and Unmasking Requests by Obama Trio – NBCNews.com

Michael Flynn,National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump, attends a press conference on Feb. 10, 2017 in the East Room of the White House. Jim Lo Scalzo / EPA file

When intelligence agencies are surveilling the electronic communications of foreign individuals and come across a U.S. citizen, either as a name mentioned during a monitored conversation or as a participant in the conversation, the identities of the U.S. citizens are protected. Their names are normally redacted in intelligence reports.

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The identities can be "unmasked," or revealed, however, to a small group of government officials with the proper clearance if they request unmasking.

Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R.-Calif., recused himself from the Russia probe after it was revealed that he had a secret meeting at the White House with an official who provided him with information about unmasking. He is still signing the committes's subpoenas, however.

The other four subpoenas issued by the House Intel Committee Wednesday were for former Trump National Security Adviser Mike Flynn and his company, Flynn Intel Group LLC, and for President Trump's longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and his firm, Michael D. Cohen & Associates.

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Committee chairman Rep. Devin Nunes, R.-Calif., has recused himself from the Russia probe, but is still signing the subpoenas.

"As part of our ongoing investigation into Russian active measures during the 2016 campaign, today we approved subpoenas for several individuals for testimony, personal documents and business records," said committee member Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, and ranking member Rep. Adam Schiff, D.-Calif. "We hope and expect that anyone called to testify or provide documents will comply with that request, so that we may gain all the information within the scope of our investigation. We will continue to pursue this investigation wherever the facts may lead."

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House Subpoenas Flynn, Cohen, and Unmasking Requests by Obama Trio - NBCNews.com

Obama Adviser Valerie Jarrett Reflects On Role in WH – NBCNews.com

Former President Barack Obama walks with first lady Michelle Obama and White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett after visiting the Coral Reef High School in Miami, Florida, March 7, 2014. Yuri Gripas / Reuters file

"I think that the worst thing that a college or university can do is try to ignore it," said Jarrett. "Now you also have to recognize freedom of speech, but there are clear lines between freedom of speech and hate crimes. And hate crimes are crimes that should be prosecuted."

Speaking on her success, she also touched on her climb up the ladder and the importance of being a mentor and an advocate for younger women.

"What I try to tell young peopleI say young women mostly because frankly, men don't need a promotion in this space because most of you think you are deserving of a promotion your first day of your job," she said to laughs from the audience. "And you're not shy and this is a big stereotype, so don't frown at me guys in the audience. But I do think sometimes women need to be nudged a little bit."

Reflecting on her early career, she shared a personal story of a female mentor who pushed her, encouraging her to ask for her first promotion.

"I thought it was unseemly. I was like, 'Well when my boss recognizes that I'm worthy well of course he'll give me a promotion.' And she said, 'Well that's ridiculous why would he do that unless you tell him you're deserving?' And she just kept pushing me and really without her I might still be in that cubicle."

Former President Barack Obama, joined by Vice President Joe Biden, left, and Senior White House Adviser Valerie Jarrett, speaks during a Democratic Governors Association Meeting in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus in Washington, Friday, Feb. 19, 2016. Carolyn Kaster / AP file

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