Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
DOJ dares Judge Boasberg to hold Trump officials in contempt
The Justice Department told Judge James Boasberg it has provided the information it is willing and able to share about the controversial deportation flights to El Salvador in March and said if that's not good enough, then he should move ahead with the criminal contempt proceedings he has been threatening. Published December 6, 2025
Supreme Court agrees to hear Trump’s birthright citizenship case
The Supreme Court said it will hear a case involving President Trump's attempt to rewrite the rules on birthright citizenship, adding a monumental battle over immigration and constitutional rights to its docket. Published December 5, 2025
Judge approves release of Epstein grand jury documents from Florida
A federal judge said Friday that the Justice Department can unseal and release transcripts from the original criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, citing a new law that overcomes the usual secrecy surrounding grand juries. Published December 5, 2025
Trump can fire labor, federal personnel board members, appeals court rules
A federal appeals court ruled Friday that presidents do have the power to fire members of so-called independent agencies if those panels wield substantial executive authority, in a decision that confirms some of President Trump's high-profile firings. Published December 5, 2025
DOJ asks Supreme Court to intervene in immigration judge gag order case
The administration rushed to the Supreme Court on Friday, asking the justices to set aside a lower appeals court ruling that gave anti-Trump litigants a new avenue to challenge the president's personnel moves. Published December 5, 2025
‘Ticking time bomb’: How dangers lurked in Afghan evacuee population
Tucked inside the tens of thousands of Afghans airlifted out of Kabul in 2021 were some ticking time bombs. Suddenly, they are starting to explode. Published December 5, 2025
Judge blocks Trump firings at State Department, says spending bill prohibits cuts right now
A federal judge put a stop to the State Department's plans to fire some employees, ruling late Thursday that the new stopgap spending law passed by Congress to end the shutdown last month prohibits any reductions in force. Published December 4, 2025
Immigration officers arrest Harvard professor who fired BB gun outside synagogue
Homeland Security said Thursday it had made an immigration arrest of a Harvard Law School professor who fired a BB gun outside a synagogue the day before Yom Kippur. Published December 4, 2025
Supreme Court restores Texas’ GOP-friendly congressional map
The Supreme Court said Thursday that Texas can go back to using its new, Republican-friendly congressional map for the 2026 midterm elections, putting on hold a lower court ruling that found the map to be an illegal attempt to strip minorities of voting power. Published December 4, 2025
DHS slashes work permit term for migrants from 5 years to 18 months
Homeland Security's citizenship agency said Thursday it is slashing the standard validity period of work permits issued to migrants from 5 years to 18 months in many cases, saying the shorter times will give the government more opportunities to vet people. Published December 4, 2025
Trump’s border streak continues with best November numbers ever
The border saw another record month of calm in November, with Border Patrol agents apprehending about 7,350 illegal immigrants along the U.S.-Mexico boundary, according to data shared first with The Washington Times. Published December 4, 2025
Third Afghan evacuee arrested in less than a week on terror-related charges
Homeland Security arrested another Afghan evacuee Wednesday, accusing Jaan Shah Safi of supporting the terrorist group ISIS-K. Published December 3, 2025
Supreme Court grapples with Christian proselytizer punished by city for loudspeaker
The Supreme Court heard the case on Wednesday of a prolific Christian preacher who wants to be able to challenge a Mississippi ordinance that he says limits his ability to proselytize. Published December 3, 2025
Congress subpoenas Jack Smith’s testimony about Trump classified docs, 2020 transfer of power cases
The House Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena Wednesday compelling testimony from Jack Smith, the former special counsel who pursued prosecutions against President Trump. Published December 3, 2025
Dead people, bogus applications: Audit finds Obamacare premium tax credit teeming with fraud
Obamacare's premium tax credit is plagued with fraud, Congress' chief watchdog said Wednesday, erecting new hurdles for Democrats who insist on expanding the program and have even forced a government shutdown over the issue. Published December 3, 2025
Fed worker bilked $1.1 million by misusing his government credit card
A federal judge sentenced a former federal employee to more than three years in prison after he admitted to stealing more than $1.1 million in taxpayer money over 15 years by ringing up personal charges or sending money to himself through his government-issued charge card. Published December 3, 2025
Biden’s EPA paid $10.9 million in lawyers’ fees in sue-and-settle cases
The Biden administration set records for sue-and-settle cases, according to a new study that said the EPA paid out $10.9 million in lawyers' fees from 2021 to 2024 while working with environmentalists to set policies outside of what the law requires. Published December 3, 2025
New Orleans is target of latest Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation
The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday that it is surging immigration agents into New Orleans, making it the latest sanctuary-city target for President Trump's mass deportation effort. Published December 3, 2025
Judge orders ICE to stop most warrantless immigration arrests in D.C.
A federal judge issued a stern spanking to the Trump administration on Tuesday, telling it to cut out warrantless arrests in the nation's capital unless there is clear evidence the migrant is about to flee. Published December 2, 2025
Judge blocks part of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill that targeted Planned Parenthood
A federal judge put a hold Tuesday on the part of President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill budget law that ordered state Medicaid programs to stop doing business with Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. Published December 2, 2025
