Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Mitch McConnell: ‘Case closed’ on Mueller report, urges Dems to move on
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared the Trump-Russia investigation "case closed" on Tuesday, but said Democrats are refusing to accept it -- and playing into Russia's hands. Published May 7, 2019
Steven Mnuchin, Treasury secretary, rejects Democrats’ demand for Donald Trump tax returns
The Treasury Department informed Congress Monday it will not turn over President Trump's tax returns by a chairman's deadline, leaving Democrats pondering their next step. Published May 6, 2019
N.Y., N.J. sue IRS over nonprofit donor information
New York and New Jersey sued the IRS Monday, arguing the agency is stonewalling attempts to peer behind the decision-making that led to new rules that shield some nonprofits from having to disclose their donors. Published May 6, 2019
ICE offers new plan to deputize police to detain illegal immigrants
Homeland Security officials announced a program Monday that they said will give some police a way to duck sanctuary city policies and still cooperate with ICE by turning over illegal immigrants for deportation. Published May 6, 2019
William Barr uses Eric Holder’s defense against Congress
As Attorney General William P. Barr works to fend off an aggressive Congress demanding more information, he has turned to a surprising source for justification: former Obama official Eric H. Holder Jr., who seven years ago found himself in much the same position. Published May 5, 2019
Dems ask bar association to punish William Barr for ‘despicable’ testimony
Two House Democrats, both former prosecutors, have asked the bar associations in Virginia and D.C. to probe Attorney General William P. Barr, saying they feel he broke ethics rules with "despicable" handling of the special counsel's report. Published May 3, 2019
House Democrats soften demand for Mueller report
House Democrats backed off their blanket demand for the unredacted special counsel's report and all supporting evidence, instead signaling a willingness Friday to cooperate on asking the courts to referee. Published May 3, 2019
Obama spying claims fueled by George Papadopoulos ‘Azra Turk’ FBI informant report
The FBI used a female informant to try to pry information from a Trump campaign adviser during the 2016 elections, The New York Times reported Thursday, fueling allegations that the Obama administration spied on a political opponent. Published May 2, 2019
Federal deficit nears $1 trillion — again
The federal government is on pace to run a deficit of $896 billion this year, the Congressional Budget Office said Thursday, projecting what would be the fifth worst tally in history. Published May 2, 2019
Donald Trump tops Bernie Sanders in fight over U.S. war powers in Yemen
Senators fell short Thursday in a bid to overturn President Trump's veto over U.S. involvement in the ongoing Yemen civil war, leaving the administration free to support the Saudi-led coalition backing one side in the conflict. Published May 2, 2019
Nancy Pelosi: William Barr committed ‘crime’ by lying to Congress
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that Attorney General William P. Barr committed a crime by lying to Congress -- but stopped short of saying what consequences there should be. Published May 2, 2019
Kevin McAleenan, DHS chief, refutes Trump pardon story
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan testified to senators on Thursday that President Trump never asked him "to do anything unlawful," refuting reports that Mr. Trump had promised to pardon him if he blocked migrants from entering the U.S. Published May 2, 2019
William Barr a no-show as Democrats vow retribution
With Attorney General William P. Barr's chair empty, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler lashed out Thursday at Trump administration for the growing clash, saying the government itself "is very much at stake." Published May 2, 2019
DNA tests to identify ‘fake’ illegal immigrant families at border
Border authorities have identified more than 1,000 "fake families" over the past seven months featuring adults trying to use children who aren't their own to sneak into the U.S. Published May 1, 2019
Democrats weigh contempt of Congress for William Barr
House Democrats said they are considering holding Attorney General William P. Barr in contempt of Congress after he informed them he won't meet their deadline for turning over the unredacted special counsel's report and won't appear to testify Thursday. Published May 1, 2019
1,000 ‘fake’ families found at border over past seven months
Homeland Security has spotted more than 1,000 fraudulent families at the southwest border over the past seven months, officials said Wednesday, putting parameters on the growing phenomenon of adults trying to use someone else's children to sneak into the U.S. Published May 1, 2019
Barr: Mueller report undercuts Democrats’ treason, collusion allegations
Attorney General William P. Barr scolded President Trump's critics on Wednesday, wondering "how did we get to the point" where investigators cleared the president of collusion with Russia, yet his critics are refusing to concede. Published May 1, 2019
Voters oppose impeachment at this point: Poll
Most Americans still have questions about President Trump's behavior in the wake of the special counsel's report, they're divided on whether Congress should pick up the investigation -- but majority opposes impeachment. Published May 1, 2019
William Barr: DOJ to probe possibility of Clinton-Russia collusion
Attorney General William P. Barr revealed Wednesday that the Justice Department is looking into the possibility that Russian operatives fed disinformation to the Hillary Clinton campaign during the 2016 presidential election season. Published May 1, 2019
Barr: Mueller didn’t say we misrepresented his report
Attorney General William P. Barr on Wednesday insisted he did not misrepresent the final conclusions by special counsel Robert Mueller in a contentious Senate hearing. Published May 1, 2019
