Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Memo: Biden Homeland Security Department to cancel agreements made under Trump
The Biden Homeland Security Department has concluded that at least eight agreements signed by the Trump administration giving states a stake in federal immigration enforcement are "void, not binding and unenforceable," and is moving to cancel them as quickly as possible, according to a memo seen by The Washington Times. Published February 7, 2021
Trump supporters words at Capitol riot loom large ahead of impeachment trial
As the former president prepared to face his second impeachment trial this week, the words of his supporters, captured in court documents, are looming large as senators try to place blame for the attack. Published February 7, 2021
DHS deletes deportation warning over fears of ‘undue stress’ to illegal immigrants
Worried that illegal immigrants may feel "undue stress," Homeland Security's legal immigration agency has now deleted a standard warning to people that overstayed their visas that they ran the risk of being deported. Published February 6, 2021
House gives final OK to budget
House Democrats gave final approval Friday to a new federal budget for fiscal year 2021, moving with striking speed on a version that cleared the Senate just hours earlier. Published February 5, 2021
Memo details DHS strategy to cancel cooperation deals with states
The Biden Homeland Security Department has concluded that eight agreements signed by the Trump administration giving states and localities a stake in federal immigration enforcement are "void, not binding and unenforceable," and is moving to cancel them as quickly as possible, according to a memo seen by The Washington Times. Published February 5, 2021
VP Kamala Harris breaks tie to approve budget after Senate voting marathon
Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate early Friday morning to approve a new government budget for 2021, clearing the legislative space for Democrats to pursue a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief plan. Published February 5, 2021
Democrats close in on $1.9 trillion COVID stimulus package despite GOP speedbumps
Senate Democrats were pushing toward approval overnight Thursday of a budget to clear the way for President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus package, but not before the GOP forced them to take tough votes on blocking illegal immigrants getting stimulus checks and making school bailout money contingent on reopening classes. Published February 4, 2021
GOP scores budget victory with ban on illegal immigrants getting checks
Senate Republicans won a change to Democrats' budget Thursday that would block illegal immigrants from getting checks. Published February 4, 2021
Trump won’t testify at impeachment trial, his lawyers tell Democrats
Former President Donald Trump brushed aside impeachment managers' demand Thursday that he testify at his looming Senate trial, accusing House Democrats of trying to turn the weighty proceedings into "a public relations stunt." Published February 4, 2021
House impeachment team demands Trump testify
The Democratic impeachment managers sent a letter Thursday demanding that former President Donald Trump appear and testify as part of the upcoming impeachment trial in the Senate, and said if he refuses it will be evidence of his guilt. Published February 4, 2021
GOP lawmakers tell DHS secretary to ‘resist the calls of open borders advocates’
Troubled by President Biden's early executive actions on immigration, more than two dozen Republicans sent a letter to the new Homeland Security secretary urging him to "resist" the pressure of open borders. Published February 4, 2021
Biden thwarts the law with border wall halt: House GOP
Republicans on the House Oversight Committee demanded an explanation Thursday from the new Homeland Security secretary about President Biden's order to stop border wall construction, saying it "thwarts the will of Congress," which just approved nearly $1.4 billion in new money for the project. Published February 4, 2021
Joe Biden $1,400 checks demand defies economists, boosts Democrats
President Biden held firm Wednesday on his demand for direct payments of up to $1,400 to millions of Americans in any coronavirus package, bolstering Democrats' negotiating hand on Capitol Hill but defying economists who said the cash isn't the best way to stimulate the economy. Published February 3, 2021
Iranians arrested by Border Patrol jumping U.S. border in Arizona
Border Patrol agents arrested 11 Iranians Monday after they sneaked across the border into Arizona. Published February 3, 2021
House approves budget for Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus package
House Democrats powered a skeleton budget through the House on Wednesday, sidelining Republicans and carving out enough space to approve President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus wish list. Published February 3, 2021
Rep. Budd tells Congress to tear down its fence
A Republican congressman said Wednesday that it's time to tear down the fence that was hastily erected last month around the Capitol, saying it's turned the seat of American democracy into a fortress more akin to a military base. Published February 3, 2021
Senate reaches power-sharing agreement, with Democrats focusing on climate
Senators reached a deal Wednesday morning to share power in the evenly divided chamber, clearing the way for Democrats to take over control of the committees and begin to make progress on their agenda. Published February 3, 2021
Supreme Court cancels hearing on border wall
The Supreme Court on Wednesday canceled two upcoming hearings on the border wall and another Trump administration immigration policy, granting the Biden team's request for the matters to be shelved for now. Published February 3, 2021
Nancy Pelosi praises approval of fines for lawmakers refusing security checks
The House voted Tuesday to impose large fines on any lawmaker who refuses to go through a security check before reaching the chamber floor -- one of the changes Democrats imposed in the wake of last month's attack on the Capitol. Published February 2, 2021
House, Senate vote to begin budget debate
Both the House and Senate kicked off their debates over a new budget resolution Tuesday, blazing a path that could lead to them trying to push through a COVID-19 relief package without earning any Republican support. Published February 2, 2021