Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
5th Circuit Court breaks more new ground for justices; floating wall, censoring on docket
Most Americans know about the Supreme Court, and many are aware of the circuit court of appeals in Washington, often labeled the second highest court in the land. But outside of lawyers, journalists and the odd legal aficionado, few are familiar with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Published October 5, 2023
Justice Department urges federal court to tear down Texas’ floating border wall
The Biden administration appeared before a federal appeals court Thursday to ask the judges to rule against Texas' floating border wall, saying it's illegal under the terms of a 19th-century law governing navigable rivers. Published October 5, 2023
‘I can’t stop that’: Hamstrung Biden says he’s required by law to build border wall
President Biden on Thursday said he has no choice but to build a new border wall, saying his hands are tied by laws Congress passed ordering that billions of dollars be spent on constructing the barrier. Published October 5, 2023
No mas: Biden admin. admits ‘immediate’ need for Texas border wall amid massive migrant surge
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Wednesday that the U.S. has an "acute and immediate need" to build border wall in southern Texas, and he issued an order waiving some of the country's most iconic environmental protection laws to speed up construction. Published October 4, 2023
‘A state of war exists in Texas’: Abbott’s floating border wall case tests migrant invasion theory
Texas takes its border showdown with President Biden to a panel of judges on Thursday, arguing that the illegal immigrants streaming into the U.S. constitutes an invasion that the state has a right to repel -- including by deploying its own floating wall in the Rio Grande. Published October 4, 2023
Biden targets Chinese suppliers in new front against fentanyl
The Biden administration pinned blame for the fentanyl crisis on Chinese operatives and moved Tuesday to try to punish them, bringing a series of federal charges and slapping banking restrictions on companies and individuals the government says are responsible for poisoning tens of thousands of Americans. Published October 3, 2023
Supreme Court grapples with constitutionality of Elizabeth Warren’s consumer watchdog agency
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Sen. Elizabeth Warren's brainchild, fought for its life Tuesday at the Supreme Court, arguing there's nothing unusual about Congress giving the Wall Street regulatory agency the power to set its own budget without having to ask lawmakers for money each year. Published October 3, 2023
Trump campaign demands RNC cancel all future presidential debates
Former President Donald Trump's campaign demanded Monday that the Republican National Committee cancel all the remaining presidential debates, saying the party is wasting money and attention that should instead be focused on attacking Democrats. Published October 2, 2023
Immigrants strain communities nationwide; cross-section shows destinations, parole violations
New York may be complaining the loudest about the influx of illegal immigrants, but government data shows the migrants from the Biden border surge are reaching every corner of the country and straining communities' ability to accommodate them. Published October 2, 2023
Supreme Court returns to the bench, bats away 800 appeals, including challenge to Trump’s reelection
The Supreme Court batted away an appeal Monday from a man trying to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot and shot down a request from a Trump lawyer who wanted to erase a lower-court ruling that he had probably engaged in illegal activity surrounding his advice after the 2020 election. Published October 2, 2023
Justice Sotomayor’s lack of ‘respect’: Justices stew as high court opens new term
Justice Sonia Sotomayor seems to have lost respect for her colleagues on the Supreme Court -- literally. Published October 1, 2023
Feds charge IRS contractor with leaking wealthy taxpayers’ information
Federal prosecutors announced charges Friday against Charles Littlejohn, an IRS contractor they accused of leaking the secret tax information of a major government official and thousands of wealthy Americans to the news media. Published September 29, 2023
Biden to allow in up to 125,000 refugees in 2024
President Biden said he will allow in up to 125,000 refugees in fiscal year 2024, including up to 50,000 from Latin America and the Caribbean. Published September 29, 2023
House gives subpoena ultimatum to Mayorkas, demands data on terrorism suspects jumping the border
Three House committee chairmen delivered a final warning Friday to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, telling him to turn over details about terrorism suspects who've sneaked across the southern border or else they'll seek to issue a subpoena to force him to comply. Published September 29, 2023
House subpoenas bank records for Hunter Biden, James Biden
House Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer announced subpoenas Thursday for the personal and business bank records of Hunter Biden and James Biden, taking the first concrete steps in public to advance the impeachment inquiry into President Biden. Published September 28, 2023
Experts tell Congress no evidence for Biden impeachment — yet
Top legal and tax experts told Congress on Thursday that it's premature to impeach President Biden, though most agreed there were enough questions to continue investigating Hunter Biden's activities to see where it leads. Published September 28, 2023
Republicans, in first impeachment hearing, say evidence points to Biden’s corruption, cover-up
House lawmakers launched their impeachment inquiry into President Biden Thursday with newly released documents they say strengthen their claims that he helped his son Hunter secure foreign business deals and that the Justice Department worked to cover up those actions. Published September 28, 2023
Civil liberties board backs U.S. snooping program, but demands big changes
The civil liberties board on Thursday urged Congress to renew the government's top snooping tool, which scoops up communications from thousands of targets, saying that even with all of its flaws, the program has sniffed out serious terrorist threats to the U.S. Published September 28, 2023
Candidates call for end to birthright citizenship at GOP debate
Republicans called for building more border wall, surging more security personnel to the border and stripping birthright citizenship from children of illegal immigrants as they found common ground in Wednesday night's presidential candidates' debate. Published September 27, 2023
GOP aims to shut down DHS intelligence board with embattled former Obama officials
House Republicans said Wednesday they will try to shut down a new Homeland Security intelligence panel, whose members include several Obama administration figures, that spread disinformation about Hunter Biden's laptop. Published September 27, 2023
