Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Christopher Wray downplays election fraud as suspected ballot issues found in Pennsylvania, Texas
The developments came as President Trump voiced renewed concerns about the potential for fraud in widespread mail-in voting in the presidential election. Published September 24, 2020
Texas announces charges in mail-ballot fraud that swayed county commission primary
Texas officials announced charges Thursday in what they called a vote-harvesting scheme during the state's 2018 primary election, accusing four people of arranging to have people mailed absentee ballots even though they didn't qualify. Published September 24, 2020
FBI sees no widespread voter fraud conspiracy
The FBI has not detected any evidence of a widespread fraud conspiracy in this year's elections, including in ballot-by-mail states, but is vigilant to the possibility, Director Christopher A. Wray said Thursday. Published September 24, 2020
China still spying on U.S. coronavirus vaccine efforts, Wray tells Congress
Chinese hackers are still trying to snoop on American coronavirus vaccine efforts, FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress on Thursday, saying they can actually track the attempts. Published September 24, 2020
Early probe undercuts claims of ‘mass hysterectomies’ at ICE
A preliminary investigation has punctured the horrific claim that a doctor was performing "mass" hysterectomies on migrant women at an ICE facility in Georgia, with just two procedures performed over the last four years, a top official told Congress on Thursday. Published September 24, 2020
FBI: Cities that cooperated with feds kept protests peaceful
Cities that cooperated with the federal government managed to keep racial justice protests peaceful while violent ones, such as Portland, Oregon, told the feds to butt out, FBI and Homeland Security officials told Congress on Thursday. Published September 24, 2020
DHS asks for authority to ‘bring down’ rogue drones
Homeland Security's No. 2 official said Thursday that Congress needs to come up with more money and grant new powers to the department so it can bring down drones that threaten airports or breach the country's borders. Published September 24, 2020
Jo Jorgensen, Libertarian nominee, releases her Supreme Court list
Libertarian presidential nominee Jo Jorgensen released an eclectic list of potential Supreme Court picks should she manage to win the White House, saying she would consider a number of high-profile law professors, some conservative judges and a former head of the ACLU. Published September 24, 2020
DHS: It’s not just Russia meddling in election
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said Wednesday that attempts to influence the U.S. election run well beyond Russia, and China and Iran are also deeply involved -- though unlike Russia, they are working against President Trump. Published September 23, 2020
Trump-Pelosi toxicity trickles down, contaminates Capitol Hill
Rarely have relations between a president and a speaker been this toxic. Indeed it's even making it difficult for House lawmakers to hear directly from Cabinet officials -- something that used to be routine. Published September 22, 2020
Jhonny Soto-Ubaldo, illegal immigrant released 10 times by New York authorities, now in fed custody
Federal agents say they finally have caught an undocumented immigrant they've been after for several years but who was released 10 times by police in New York under sanctuary city policies. Published September 22, 2020
Jerrold Nadler hearings request rebuffed by Justice Department
Democrats were so "insulting" to Attorney General William P. Barr during his last appearance on Capitol Hill that the Justice Department won't send witnesses to two upcoming hearings, the department informed lawmakers on Monday. Published September 21, 2020
Judge tosses Trump campaign lawsuit to stop Nevada’s new voting law
A federal judge tossed President Trump's lawsuit against the state's coronavirus voting procedures, saying the nightmare scenario the Trump team drew of election chaos was too "speculative" at this point. Published September 21, 2020
Congressional Budget Office: Federal debt nears ‘unsustainable’ levels
Federal debt is nearing "unsustainable" levels, but low interest rates have created a window of opportunity for policymakers to rein it in, the Congressional Budget Office said Monday, delivering a mixed forecast for the government's long-term outlook. Published September 21, 2020
Shootings soar in Portland after mayor disbands police gun unit
Shootings in Portland, Oregon, nearly tripled over the summer after Mayor Ted Wheeler disbanded the city's police gun crimes unit, according to new police data. Published September 21, 2020
Noncitizens who voted illegally in 2016 still on voter rolls
Juan Landeros-Mireles admitted in court last year that he registered to vote and even cast ballots in the 2016 election, though he has never been a U.S. citizen. Published September 20, 2020
Susan Collins to oppose rushing Trump nominee
Sen. Susan Collins became the first Republican to break with her party over the Supreme Court vacancy, announcing Saturday she will oppose pushing through a Supreme Court nominee before knowing who wins the presidential election. Published September 19, 2020
Trump promises to name Ginsburg replacement ‘without delay’
President Trump said Saturday he will move "without delay" to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, joining with Senate GOP leaders in committing to what is likely to be one of the most intense confirmation battles in history. Published September 19, 2020
McConnell says Senate will vote on Ginsburg replacement to Supreme Court
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Friday that he will force a vote on whomever President Trump nominates to fill the seat of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, signaling a brutal fight later this year. Published September 18, 2020
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg asked for Senate to delay filling her seat
Conscious of politics to the last, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg reportedly dictated a statement saying it was her "most fervent wish" that her seat on the Supreme Court not be filled until after the next president is inaugurated in January. Published September 18, 2020