Domenico Montanaro

VIDEO: The Week Ahead: The tax man cometh

firstread.nbcnews.com — Obama tries to pivot from a trio of controversies, but the IRS scandal is sticking around. Work on immigration reform continues. L.A. gets a new mayor. Plus, Andy gets a summer job.

Issa issues subpoena to Benghazi review board leader

firstread.nbcnews.com — House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa has issued a subpoena to depose the ambassador charged with leading the review of the attack in Benghazi that killed four Americans. Issa announced Friday that he will demand a deposition from Thomas Pickering, who along with Adm.

2016 notebook: Republicans try to dent Clinton's armor

firstread.nbcnews.com — The 2016 notebook includes notes, quotes, and newsworthy tidbits of what potential presidential candidates are doing and have done that could be significant to 2016. It will run occasionally on Fridays on First Read between now and when candidates actually start declaring.

Michelle Obama urges grads to be 'an example of excellence'

firstread.nbcnews.com — Addressing graduates at a historically black college in Maryland Friday, First Lady Michelle Obama urged students to "be an example of excellence to the next generation" in a time when popular culture dominates the ambitions of young African-Americans. In an address at Bowie State University, Mrs.

Capping week of scandal management, Obama says focus remains on jobs

firstread.nbcnews.com — It hasn't been a fun week in the West Wing, but President Barack Obama insisted Friday that his focus remains on job creation despite Washington's tendency to get "distracted" by political battles. "I know it can seem frustrating sometimes when it seems like Washington's priorities aren't your priorities," he said at a manufacturing plant in Baltimore, Md.

VIDEO: First Read Minute: Tough week for the White House

firstread.nbcnews.com — President Obama was hit with a trio of controversies that have the potential to derail his second term agenda, NBC's Domenico Montanaro reports.

Obama Says 'Check' to GOP in Confirmation Chess Match

blogs.rollcall.com — The most important Senate committee vote Thursday on a top-tier White House nomination was neither the party-line ballot advancing Thomas E. Perez one step away from becoming Labor secretary, nor the parallel 10-8 vote advancing the choice of Gina McCarthy as EPA chief to the Senate floor.

Acting IRS head apologizes, blames 'foolish mistakes' for targeting of conservative groups

nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com — House Republicans convened, on Friday, for the first of what's sure to be many hearings into the actions by taken by IRS officials to single out conservative and Tea Party groups for additional scrutiny. Steven Miller, the acting IRS commissioner who this week resigned fro ...