How many security briefings has Barack Obama attended since January 2012?

Answer 1

First, it is difficult to know the exact number, since many of these briefings are confidential and details are not released to the public or to the media. But it should be noted that this question may be based on an internet myth, originally started by former Vice President Cheney and several other Republican opponents of the president: they made the assertion that Mr. Obama has avoided or missed security briefings. While it is a widely quoted Republican talking point, there is no evidence to support it. It is true that Mr. Obama does not always have a formal briefing in the White House every day (and as noted before, some briefings are confidential, and would not be announced); but this has also been true for other presidents. As commander in chief, the president often travels, and there is considerable evidence Mr. Obama has briefing on Air Force One or in other locations, whenever his advisers and members of the CIA and State Department want to meet with him.