Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Obama administration bungled opioid crisis response: IG report
The Obama administration bungled its response to the nation's opioid epidemic, according to a stunning inspector general's report released Tuesday that says the Drug Enforcement Administration allowed painkiller production to soar even as deaths mounted. Published October 1, 2019
Program under Violence Against Women Act that grants citizenship path rife with fraud, says watchdog
The government's special program granting a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who are victims of domestic abuse is rife with fraud, according to a new watchdog audit Monday that suggests migrants have figured out how to game the system. Published September 30, 2019
Judges rulings derail efforts to detain, deport illegals more quickly, White House says
The White House lashed out after Obama-appointed federal judges issued rulings undercut President Trump's attempt to gain a handle on the migrant surge, derailing administration moves to give Homeland Security the power to detain and deport more people more quickly. Published September 29, 2019
Donald Trump impeachment support surge tied to Trump reelection, pollster says
Support for beginning the impeachment process against President Trump has surged over the last week -- and yet voters aren't quite sure the president has done anything illegal. Published September 29, 2019
Judge blocks Trump attempt to close illegal immigrant family ‘loophole’
A federal judge in California ruled Friday against the Trump administration's plan to detain illegal immigrant families longer than 20 days, undercutting the president's attempt to close the chief "loophole" that caused this year's border surge. Published September 27, 2019
Joseph Maguire rejects Ukraine cover-up, concedes whistleblower complaint ‘unprecedented’
In dramatic testimony to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire rebutted allegations of a cover-up, saying he provided a copy of the complaint to Congress as quickly as possible. Published September 26, 2019
Donald Trump to cut refugees to 18,000, give localities veto over resettlement
The Trump administration on Thursday proposed cutting the number of refugees admitted next year to 18,000, and called for a major revamp of the program to align it with U.S. interests, including giving localities a say in whether they can accommodate the new arrivals. Published September 26, 2019
ICE chief: Montgomery County should be ‘ashamed’ of sanctuary city policy
The government's top deportation official said Thursday he would be "ashamed" to be part of Montgomery County, where authorities working under the county's sanctuary policy have released onto the streets a number of illegal immigrants charged with serious crimes in recent weeks. Published September 26, 2019
Joseph Maguire, acting DNI, said White House cited executive privilege over Ukraine call
Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire said Thursday that nobody ordered him to withhold a whistleblower's complaint about President Trump from Congress, and he said he worked as quickly as possible to get the information to lawmakers -- and they now have it. Published September 26, 2019
Snapchat, WhatsApp link illegal immigrant smuggling cartels, willing drivers
Now anyone can become a border smuggler simply by responding to an online ad. The who, what, when and where can be exchanged over cellphones with WhatsApp or Snapchat, and sending a GPS "pin" location can connect the driver to migrants, even in the remote southwestern desert. Published September 25, 2019
Democrats demand Pentagon probe Trump’s Ukraine aid delay
Democratic senators demanded Wednesday that the Pentagon's inspector general investigate President Trump's delay of military assistance money going to Ukraine, saying it appears to be part of Mr. Trump's attempt to get Ukraine to investigate Democratic presidential frontrunner Joseph R. Biden. Published September 25, 2019
New York sues to stop ICE arrests at courthouses
New York's attorney general filed a lawsuit Wednesday arguing it is unconstitutional for ICE deportation officers to try to arrest illegal immigrants at state courthouses, and demanding a judge order a halt to the practice. Published September 25, 2019
Senate votes to block Trump border wall emergency money grab
Senators voted Wednesday to rebuke President Trump and cancel his border emergency, saying he overstepped his powers in grabbing $3.6 billion Congress approved for military construction projects and instead spending it on his campaign promise to build a border wall. Published September 25, 2019
Justice Department clears Trump of wrongdoing on Ukraine call
The Justice Department's Criminal Division has already investigated President Trump's conversation with the Ukrainian president about Joseph R. Biden and concluded Mr. Trump did not violate campaign finance laws, officials announced Wednesday. Published September 25, 2019
Trump travel ban kept 30,000 people from entering U.S.
President Trump's travel ban has kept more than 30,000 people from entering the U.S., officials revealed to Congress on Tuesday, though they said they're doing a better job of granted waivers to people with hardship cases who deserve a chance to enter. Published September 24, 2019
Senate Republicans take steps to approve $5 billion in new border wall funds
Senate Republicans took first steps Tuesday to approve $5 billion in new border wall money, though some are warning President Trump against another attempt to grab money from the Pentagon to build more wall than Congress approved. Published September 24, 2019
Kevin McCarthy: Nancy Pelosi impeachment inquiry empty gesture
The top House Republican said Tuesday that Speaker Nancy Pelosi's announcement that the House is now in the middle of an impeachment inquiry was an empty gesture, saying it's no different than what Democrats have been doing for months. Published September 24, 2019
Senate votes to demand Trump whistleblower complaint be shared with Congress
The Senate approved a resolution Tuesday demanding the intelligence community turn over a whistleblower complaint against President Trump that has roiled Capitol Hill over the last week. Published September 24, 2019
Nancy Pelosi to open impeachment inquiry of Donald Trump
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday accused President Trump of a "betrayal of his oath of office" and said Democrats will rise to the challenge of the moment by opening an unprecedented inquiry that could lead to his impeachment. Published September 24, 2019
Senate GOP touts $5 billion border wall bill
Senate Republicans on Tuesday laid down their ante in the new border wall spending battle with a homeland security spending bill that includes $5 billion in additional money to build more fencing in 2020 and fulfill President Trump's top campaign promise. Published September 24, 2019
