Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Judge orders Trump to keep paying food stamp benefits amid shutdown
A federal judge on Friday directed the Trump administration to pay out some food stamp benefits for November using contingency funds, rejecting the government's argument that the government shutdown has effectively shuttered the program. Published October 31, 2025
Judge rips up feds’ subpoena to transgender treatment clinic
A federal judge has quashed a subpoena the Trump Justice Department issued to QueerDoc, a firm that specializes in telemedicine for transgender individuals, saying the administration was attempting to "intimidate and coerce" the firm to stop offering its services. Published October 30, 2025
Trump caps refugees at 7,500, earmarks most slots for White South Africans
President Trump set a ceiling for the U.S. to accept no more than 7,500 refugees in fiscal 2026 and said most of those slots should go to White Afrikaners from South Africa. Published October 30, 2025
Migrant arrested after getting hung up on Texas laundromat sign
An illegal immigrant landed in a sticky situation this week after he fled ICE officers in the Houston area and got stuck on the rooftop sign of a business. Published October 30, 2025
DHS reports 8,000% increase in death threats against ICE
The Department of Homeland Security on Thursday said death threats against ICE personnel have increased 8,000% as the agency moves to carry out President Trump's deportation plans. Published October 30, 2025
ICE says Fairfax County protected repeat gun offender from deportation
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement assailed Fairfax County for protecting an illegal immigrant who was arrested 10 times and charged with 19 crimes but whom local officials refused to cooperate in turning over to deportation officers. Published October 30, 2025
Supreme Court probes Trump’s attempt to send National Guard to Chicago
The Supreme Court began to delve into President Trump's troop deployment in Chicago on Wednesday, asking the opposing sides to brief the justices on what sort of conditions a president must see in order to federalize and send in the National Guard. Published October 29, 2025
WATCH: Sen. Markwayne Mullin was MAHA before MAHA was law
Sen. Markwayne Mullin made then-Rep. Joe Kennedy of Massachusetts throw up so often that he gave his Democratic colleague the nickname "Chuckie." Published October 29, 2025
Sen. Mullin defends Trump’s strikes on alleged drug boats: ‘Why would we care? They’re terrorists’
At a time when some of his congressional colleagues, including Republicans, are criticizing the administration's strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, Sen. Markwayne Mullin says he has no qualms about what President Trump is doing. Published October 29, 2025
DHS to end Biden’s automatic renewal of migrants’ work permits; new rule increases vetting
The Department of Homeland Security's immigration agency established a new rule Wednesday requiring all migrants to undergo a full revetting before their work permits can be renewed. Published October 29, 2025
Appeals court delivers blow to Trump’s attempt to send National Guard to Portland
A federal appeals court on Tuesday erased a ruling that would have allowed President Trump to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, saying the judges have decided to re-decide the case. Published October 28, 2025
Judge stiffens blockade on Trump’s reductions in federal workforce during shutdown
A federal judge put an indefinite hold on the White House's new reductions in the federal workforce, saying Tuesday that President Trump's team appeared to be violating the law. Published October 28, 2025
Judge scolds DHS over handling of anti-ICE protests in Chicago, moves to oversee operations
A U.S. district judge chastised the Homeland Security Department on Tuesday over agents' suppression of anti-ICE protests on the streets of Chicago and put herself in a position to oversee operations, demanding body-worn cameras for all personnel and ordering daily briefings from the commander on the scene. Published October 28, 2025
Jan. 6 defendant Jake Lang seeks to revive police brutality lawsuit
Jake Lang saw the Supreme Court rule in his favor last year, when the justices nullified a key criminal charge brought by the Biden Justice Department against defendants in its prosecution of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Published October 28, 2025
DHS video undercuts protesters’ claims about violent Chicago clash
The Department of Homeland Security released video Tuesday giving a broader view of the violent clash in Chicago last week between the Border Patrol and anti-ICE demonstrators that shows the unruly crowd harassing the agents, and an agent warning the crowd that tear gas would be used. Published October 28, 2025
Mexican cartel leader indicted in timeshare scam
Federal prosecutors secured an indictment against a figure from Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel, charging him with running a massive timeshare fraud that duped Americans into paying the cartel to have their shares sold or rented -- then never delivering on the service. Published October 28, 2025
Judge orders Trump officials to stop talking bad about Kilmar Abrego Garcia
A federal judge on Monday ordered the Trump administration to zip it when it comes to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, saying top officials are threatening his right to a fair trial by publicly calling him an MS-13 gang member, child predator or domestic abuser. Published October 27, 2025
Cartels stand to capitalize as Mexico eyes big tobacco tax hike
Mexico's Senate is pushing to pass a bill that would raise the country's tax on tobacco, figuring it will not only improve health by discouraging use, but also add to the government's bank account. Published October 27, 2025
Trump asks Supreme Court to allow firing of register of copyrights
President Trump asked the Supreme Court on Monday to allow him to move ahead with high-profile firings of the register of copyrights, saying a lower court's blockade tramples on his presidential powers. Published October 27, 2025
Questions mount over war on drug boats; taking cartel battle to high seas ups legal stakes for Trump
The Trump administration, by its own account, has sunk 10 drug boats and slain 43 crew, and it has yet to offer a firm legal justification. Published October 26, 2025
