Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Justice Department tells judges to stop second-guessing Trump on deportation flights
The Justice Department on Wednesday renewed its demand to federal judges to stop interfering in the president's attempt to deport Venezuelan gang members, saying the roadblocks thrown up by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg are an unconstitutional intrusion on foreign policy. Published March 19, 2025
Mexico’s cartels ‘boxed in’ by Trump’s success at the border
What President Trump has done at the border is almost unfathomable. A year ago in February, more than 23,000 Guatemalans made a run at the southern border. Last month, agents reported fewer than 1,500. Published March 19, 2025
Judge rejects U.S. Institute of Peace request against DOGE over ‘illegal seizure’ of office
A federal judge on Wednesday rebuffed the U.S. Institute of Peace's demand for a restraining order against Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, saying the agency hadn't proved it would suffer an irreversible harm right now. Published March 19, 2025
Judge blocks EPA from taking back $20 billion Biden earmarked for climate groups
A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration from terminating $14 billion in grants awarded to three climate groups by the Biden administration, saying the government's "vague and unsubstantiated assertions of fraud are insufficient." Published March 18, 2025
Judge orders Pentagon to allow transgender troops, calls Trump ban ‘unabashedly demeaning’
A federal judge on Tuesday issued an injunction blocking the administration's new policy ushering transgender troops out of the military, spanking President Trump's team for what she called an "unabashedly demeaning" ban. Published March 18, 2025
Judge rules against Musk in USAID case, says DOGE shutdown attempt likely unconstitutional
A federal judge issued a stinging rebuke of Elon Musk on Tuesday, ruling that he and the Department of Government Efficiency likely violated the Constitution by attempting to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development. Published March 18, 2025
Congressman announces articles of impeachment against federal judge blocking Trump
Rep. Brandon Gill revealed an article of impeachment Tuesday against U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, accusing him of running political interference to stop President Trump. Published March 18, 2025
Murder suspect, sex offenders, gun wielders were on deportation flight judge tried to stop: DHS
Homeland Security said a murder suspect, a man accused of a sex offense against a teen girl, and another involved in smuggling illegal immigrants were among the Venezuelans deported under President Trump's orders over the weekend, in flights that skirted a judge's orders. Published March 18, 2025
Illegal immigrant pleads guilty to voting, having gun
An illegal immigrant in Florida pleaded guilty to registering and voting in U.S. elections and to possessing a gun. Published March 18, 2025
Trump calls for impeachment of judge who’s blocking deportation flights
President Trump and fellow Republicans began an impeachment effort Tuesday against a federal judge Mr. Trump labeled a "troublemaker and agitator" for trying to thwart his deportation of Venezuelan gang members. Published March 18, 2025
Trump admin. promotes IRS agents who exposed Hunter Biden sweetheart plea deal
The two IRS whistleblowers who revealed the Biden administration's lenient treatment of Hunter Biden have been given promotions and are now senior advisers to the Treasury Department secretary. Published March 18, 2025
Trump goes all-in on deportation fight, claims national security powers
President Trump cloaked himself in core national security powers Monday as his lawyers told federal courts to butt out while he deports suspected gang members. Published March 17, 2025
Justice Dept. cites Trump’s commander-in-chief powers to defend deportations to El Salvador
President Trump was using his commander-in-chief powers when he had the military fly Venezuelan gang suspects to El Salvador, government lawyers said Monday, arguing that a judge has no right to interfere and stop the planes. Published March 17, 2025
DHS says Lebanese doctor blocked at airport had photos of Hezbollah leaders
Homeland Security officers found photos of Hezbollah "militants" on the phone of a Lebanese doctor, causing them to deny her entry and to ultimately have her deported from the U.S., the government told a federal judge on Monday. Published March 17, 2025
Appeals court refuses to block order forcing Trump administration to rehire fired workers
A federal appellate court said Monday it will not come to President Trump's rescue and block a lower court order forcing him to rehire thousands of probationary workers who were fired. Published March 17, 2025
‘Oopsie’: Leaders laugh at judge’s order to stop deportations
El Salvador's president and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to celebrate a deportation flight that carried illegal immigrants out of the country even after a federal judge asked for the plane to be turned around. Published March 17, 2025
As ICE arrests increase, illegal immigrants are fighting back
Federal officers are pursuing illegal immigrants, and the illegal immigrants are increasingly fighting back, according to court documents and officials who describe a surge in assaults on law enforcement. Published March 16, 2025
Biden WH gave FBI Trump, Pence cellphones for 2020 election probe
The Biden White House gave the FBI cellphones that had belonged to President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, top senators revealed as part of new evidence questioning the voracious approach the bureau took in trying to investigate Mr. Trump once he left office. Published March 14, 2025
Trump administration puts IRS’ popular Direct File program ‘under review’
The IRS announced a "strategic pause" on its technology upgrades Friday, saying it wants to review all its systems to see what should be allowed to continue -- including the popular Direct File program. Published March 14, 2025
Columbia University student involved in Palestinian protests self-deports
An Indian citizen who participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University has self-deported, the Department of Homeland Security announced. Published March 14, 2025
