Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Jerry Brown: ‘Is this a war on California?’
Gov. Jerry Brown said Tuesday that he still wants to find a way to send National Guard troops to the border to assist federal authorities on anything but helping Border Patrol agents catch illegal immigrants. Published April 17, 2018
Illegal immigrants seeking jobs, not safety: Survey
The Hondurans who make up most of the illegal immigrant caravan still churning through Mexico say they're asylum seekers -- but the vast majority of their countrymen making the journey north are actually regular economic migrants, according to a new study this month. Published April 17, 2018
Mother smuggles cocaine taped to 12-year-old daughter’s chest
A mother taped two pounds of cocaine to her 12-year-old daughter's chest to try to smuggle it into the U.S., Homeland Security officials said Monday. Published April 16, 2018
AUMF update would limit Donald Trump war powers
U.S. troops could continue fighting the Taliban and al Qaeda and would be given explicit new permission to battle the Islamic State -- but would not be authorized to attack the capabilities of any nation state, such as Syria -- under updated rules of war proposed by a bipartisan group of senators Monday. Published April 16, 2018
National Guard could be armed at border — but troops banned from enforcing laws
Some National Guard troops deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border will be allowed to carry weapons -- but they will not, under any circumstances, be allowed to enforce immigration laws nor will they be put in a position where they're likely to encounter illegal immigrants, top administration officials said Monday. Published April 16, 2018
Donald Trump’s Syria strike authority under debate in Congress
President Trump told Congress on Sunday that he was exercising commander-in-chief powers when he ordered strikes on Syria's chemical weapons capability, insisting the action on Saturday was "in the vital national security" interests of the U.S. Published April 15, 2018
Judge orders government to inform immigrant children in federal custody of right to abortion
A federal judge has ordered the government to inform all illegal immigrant children in federal custody that they have an unfettered right to an abortion in the U.S. Published April 15, 2018
Barbara Bush’s health failing
Barbara Bush, wife and mother of former presidents, is in failing health and has decided not to seek care to prolong her life, her husband's office said Sunday. Published April 15, 2018
Dems say U.S. strike to stop chemical weapons ‘unconstitutional’
President Trump's strike on Syria's chemical weapons capabilities has ignited a new debate in Washington over the scope of the war on terror and just how far the administration can commit U.S. forces to an undeclared war in the Middle East. Published April 13, 2018
Feds say D.C., doesn’t violate sanctuary city policy
The District of Columbia proudly proclaims its sanctuary city status, but the federal government said this week that Washington's policies are actually in compliance with federal law and the city won't lose any grant money. Published April 13, 2018
Andrew McCabe lied, was source of WSJ leak, DOJ says
Ousted FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe improperly leaked information to a reporter and then lied to both his boss, then-Director James Comey, and to FBI agents investigating his behavior, the Justice Department inspector general said Friday. Published April 13, 2018
Judge orders feds to tell illegal immigrant children they have right to abortion
A federal judge on Friday ordered the government to inform all illegal immigrant children in federal custody that they have an unfettered right to an abortion here in the U.S. Published April 13, 2018
Scooter Libby, Bush official, pardoned by Trump for obstruction of justice
President Trump issued a pardon Friday to former Vice President Dick Cheney's top aide, saying his 2007 conviction for obstructing the probe into the leaking of a CIA operative's identity, saying the conviction now appears to be tainted. Published April 13, 2018
Jerry Brown, Andrew Cuomo use pardons to circumvent immigration laws, prevent deportations
Pardons are quickly becoming a tool for anti-Trump governors, including Jerry Brown of California and Andrew Cuomo of New York. Published April 12, 2018
CIA chief confirms U.S. strike killed ‘hundreds’ of Russian mercenaries in Syria
CIA Director Mike Pompeo confirmed Thursday that U.S. forces killed "a couple hundred" Russian mercenary troops in Syria in a strike earlier this year that he said sent a distinct signal to Moscow. Published April 12, 2018
Mike Pompeo says he talked with Mueller probe
Mike Pompeo said he came to his confirmation hearing Thursday prepared to talk about the Trump administration's policies and his qualifications to lead the State Department. Democrats wanted to talk about special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into the 2016 presidential election. Published April 12, 2018
Eric Conn social security files may prove disability claims of Kentucky residents
Thousands of poor Kentuckians are fighting the government right now to keep their Social Security disability benefits after getting snared in the largest scam in the program's history. Published April 11, 2018
Mike Pompeo, Trump secretary of state pick, promises senators seat at table
President Trump's pick to lead the State Department will promise senators Thursday he'll pick up their phone calls "on the first ring," hoping to reassure Congress he will be responsive to them as well as to Mr. Trump. Published April 11, 2018
California agrees to send guard troops to the border
California will deploy National Guard troops to the border, Gov. Jerry Brown said Wednesday, in what amounts to a giant win for the Trump administration. Published April 11, 2018
Mick Mulvaney takes heat over frosted glass on office windows
Acting consumer protection chief Mick Mulvaney on Wednesday defended the decision to put frosted glass on his office at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau against accusations that it sent the wrong message about transparency. Published April 11, 2018