Kerry Picket
Articles by Kerry Picket
Republicans set sights on eliminating Obama-era federal consumer protection bureau
Rep. Byron Donalds has reintroduced legislation to abolish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an Obama-era creation that conservatives have long criticized as a government red-tape factory with no accountability to voters. Published April 28, 2023
FBI director: 22% budget cut will hurt agency’s fight against violent crime, espionage
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray told lawmakers on a House Appropriations subcommittee Thursday that cuts to the agency's 2024 budget would seriously harm the bureau's efforts against international espionage and violent criminals, including meddling by China. Published April 27, 2023
Lawmakers seek more protections for Americans before reauthorizing FISA
Lawmakers on a House Judiciary subcommittee Thursday pressed government watchdogs on how to clamp down on the FBI's use of warrantless surveillance of American citizens through its spying on foreign nationals. Published April 27, 2023
ATF director faces scrutiny over skills, gun control regulations
Steven Dettelbach, director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, faced fire Wednesday from House Republican lawmakers over his alleged lack of expertise and candor in his position. Published April 26, 2023
House Oversight chairman threatens subpoena for information about John Kerry’s role in Biden admin
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer reiterated a threat Tuesday to subpoena information on John Kerry's role as special climate envoy if the Biden administration does not produce documents and information to his congressional panel. Published April 25, 2023
Biden family profited from human trafficking scheme, House investigators say
Two Republican lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee say the Biden family profited from a human trafficking scheme that included a prostitution ring in the U.S. and countries such as Russia and Ukraine. Published April 19, 2023
Mitt Romney faces potential primary trouble, new poll shows
A new poll shows Sen. Mitt Romney has the approval of most voters in Utah, but the numbers also show he is vulnerable to a potential primary challenge. Published April 19, 2023
NYC crime victim accuses Democrats of choosing politics over public safety
A mother whose adult son was stabbed to death in Harlem lashed out at a Democratic congressman on Monday for insulting her intelligence by talking about Donald Trump instead of the city's crime problem. Published April 17, 2023
Victims air anger over DA Alvin Bragg’s policies on crime
Crime victims and their families blamed Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his refusal to prosecute serious offenses as the root of the violent crime problem in the city, as House Republicans turned the spotlight Monday on the Democrat who is prosecuting former President Donald Trump. Published April 17, 2023
House Judiciary Committee members to include New York lawmakers in field hearing focused on crime
House Judiciary Committee members on both sides of the aisle are expected to include their New York colleagues for a hearing Monday in Manhattan focused on soaring crime in the city, against a backdrop of scrutinizing Democratic District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his prosecution of former President Donald Trump. Published April 14, 2023
House Dem leader pressed to apologize for comparing Black conservatives to slaves in past editorial
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is being called out for a racially charged college newspaper editorial he wrote in 1992 that compared Black conservatives to slaves. Published April 13, 2023
Feds want no jail time for a pro-abortion vandal who defaced a church, assaulted a church worker
Federal prosecutors have offered a no-jail plea deal to a vandal who admitted to defacing a Catholic church with profane graffiti, destroying a Virgin Mary statue, assaulting a church worker and resisting arrest. Published April 12, 2023
House GOP rebels change their tune on McCarthy: ‘He’s doing a good job’
The leaders of the House GOP rebellion against installing Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the opening of the 118th Congress have united behind him just three months later. Published April 11, 2023
Rep. Wexton diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
Rep. Jennifer Wexton announced Tuesday she was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Published April 11, 2023
FBI’s plan to spy on Catholic churches was shared with bureau field offices across U.S.
The House Judiciary Committee revealed new details Monday about the FBI field office in Richmond's plan to spy on Catholic churches and church leaders, including that the plan was distributed to other FBI offices across the country. Published April 10, 2023
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg in the hot seat as Rep. Jim Jordan plans field hearing on crime
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan announced Monday that his panel will hold a field hearing next week in New York City to address "Victims of Violent Crime in Manhattan." Published April 10, 2023
Trump slams DeSantis, Biden, criminal probes in wide-ranging criticisms of election interference
Former President Donald Trump on Monday ripped into his adversaries, saying Democrats are relying on the "Soviet Union playbook" to undermine his 2024 presidential campaign with multiple investigations. Published April 10, 2023
Cracks emerge in House GOP support for Trump
A trio of conservative House Republicans has broken with former President Donald Trump to endorse others for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, a small but notable fracture in what has been a conference in virtual lockstep behind Mr. Trump. Published April 7, 2023
GOP House lawmaker introduces higher-ed free speech measures
House Republicans on Thursday introduced two higher education resolutions aimed at expanding freedom of speech on college campuses that rely on taxpayer funds. Published April 6, 2023
DOJ letting inmates on COVID-related home confinement serve time out of prison even after pandemic
People serving time at home in the prison system due to the danger posed by the COVID-19 pandemic may be able to stay there after the Biden administration declares the virus emergency is over, according to a Justice Department rule. Published April 5, 2023
