Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
U.S. lawmakers pledge ‘respect’ for Mexico amid testy relations
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is working to patch up bad feelings between the U.S. and Mexico, introducing a resolution praising years of cooperation on everything from defense to law enforcement. Published May 19, 2017
Lois Lerner’s tea party-targeting testimony can stay secret: Judge
Lois G. Lerner and Holly Paz, two key figures in the IRS' tea party-targeting, can keep testimony about their role in the targeting secret, at least for now, a federal judge ruled Thursday. Published May 18, 2017
Donald Trump: ‘Zero’ collusion with Russia; probe divides country
A defiant President Trump scoffed Thursday at the Justice Department special counsel investigation into collusion with Russia, calling it a "witch hunt" and "ridiculous," but he acknowledged it had become a major distraction from his agenda. Published May 18, 2017
Donald Trump demands border wall as part of drug-fighting efforts
President Trump doubled down Thursday on his demand for a border wall, warning of the growing threat of drug cartels and criminal gangs he said have "literally taken over towns and cities of the United States." Published May 18, 2017
Donald Trump begins NAFTA renegotiation
The Trump administration officially notified Congress on Thursday that it intends to renegotiate NAFTA, igniting a process that could lead to reshaping the face of trade in North America. Published May 18, 2017
Dems rule out Lieberman, Keating as FBI picks; former colleague not acceptable
Senate Democrats said Thursday they won't accept a new FBI director with a political background, which would seem to rule out former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating, a Republican, and former Sen. Joe Lieberman, who was a Democrat and even served as his party's vice presidential nominee in 2000. Published May 18, 2017
Border Patrol hiring faces lie detector boundary
The Senate Homeland Security Committee approved a bill Wednesday to speed up hiring of Border Patrol agents by grandfathering in longtime military troops and law enforcement officers who have already passed background checks. Published May 17, 2017
Dianne Feinstein, Charles Schumer cheer Robert Mueller choice as special counsel
Democrats cheered the choice of Robert S. Mueller III Wednesday to lead the Justice Department's probe into Trump campaign figures' dealings with Russia, while Republicans seemed to be taken by surprise. Published May 17, 2017
Zoe Lofgren calls for kicking Turkey bodyguards out of U.S.
A senior Democrat said Wednesday that Turkish bodyguards caught on tape beating protesters outside that country's embassy on Tuesday should be arrested, and have their diplomatic visas revoked. Published May 17, 2017
Sheriff David Clarke to take DHS job
Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr., the pro-gun chief lawman in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, will take a job at the Homeland Security Department, according to local press reports. Published May 17, 2017
Illegal immigrant dies from medical condition after being held by immigration agency
An illegal immigrant who tried to enter the U.S. by plane earlier this month has died after being held in custody by immigration agents, Homeland Security said Wednesday. Published May 17, 2017
Panel advances polygraph waiver for Border Patrol, could speed hiring for thousands of agents
The Senate Homeland Security Committee approved a bill Wednesday to speed up hiring of Border Patrol agents by grandfathering in longtime military troops and law enforcement officers who have already passed background checks. Published May 17, 2017
Obama DOJ refused to hire veterans for jobs: Investigation
The Obama Justice Department discriminated against military veterans, trying to force them to withdraw their applications for two job postings -- then canceling the postings altogether and rewriting the jobs to prevent the veterans from qualifying, a government watchdog said Wednesday. Published May 17, 2017
Dems’ first bid to force independent Trump commission fails
The House turned back Democrats' first effort to force a vote on creating an independent commission to look into Trump campaign dealings with Russia, with the GOP maintaining ranks to shoot down the aggressive maneuver. Published May 17, 2017
Immigration arrests up 38 percent under Donald Trump
Immigration arrests surged 38 percent during the first 100 days of President Trump's tenure, authorities said Wednesday, adding that agents have been freed from the tight restrictions of the Obama era and are now able to target a far broader universe of illegal immigrants for deportation. Published May 17, 2017
Paul Ryan: ‘Lot of politics being played’ over Trump accusations
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said Wednesday he told congressional Republicans to spend time gathering all the facts on the questions surrounding President Trump, and warned against jumping to conclusions based on news reports. Published May 17, 2017
Countries refusing U.S. deportees cut from 20 to 12
Between cajoling, threats and actual punishments, Homeland Security has managed to drastically cut the number of countries that habitually refuse to take back immigrants whom the U.S. is trying to deport, officials said Tuesday, notching an early immigration success for President Trump. Published May 16, 2017
John Cornyn says he won’t be FBI director
Sen. John Cornyn took himself out of the running to be FBI director, saying Tuesday that he'd rather remain in Congress, where he's the No. 2 Republican in the upper chamber. Published May 16, 2017
Chuck Schumer demands transcript of Trump-Russia meeting
The Senate's top Democrat demanded Tuesday that the White House release the transcript of his meeting with the Russian foreign minister to congressional intelligence committees so they can determine the extent of the damage. Published May 16, 2017
GOP rolled back 14 of 15 Obama rules using Congressional Review Act
Republicans' test-drive of a little-used regulatory review law is now over and party leaders say it was a smashing success, allowing Congress roll back 14 rules President Obama's team issued at the end of his administration, for a savings of billions of dollars. Published May 15, 2017
