Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
John Roth says Trump administration can’t hire 5,000 new border agents
An inspector general put a major dent Monday in President Trump's call for 5,000 new Border Patrol agents and 10,000 new deportation officers, releasing a report saying the administration can't begin to justify that exceptional level of hiring. Published July 31, 2017
Trump immigration agent hiring surge called unjustified by IG report
An inspector general put a major dent Monday in President Trump's call for 5,000 new Border Patrol agents and 10,000 new deportation officers, releasing a report saying the administration can't begin to justify that exceptional level of hiring. Published July 31, 2017
Judge reinvigorates bar grievance against Hillary Clinton’s lawyers
A Maryland judge has allowed a grievance to move forward against Hillary Clinton's lawyers, saying the bar's refusal to investigate the lawyers seems to violate the state's policy. Published July 31, 2017
John Kelly joins White House to control chaos
John F. Kelly was just 12 weeks into his tenure as head of Homeland Security, and the carping from Capitol Hill had already swirled out of control. Berated by lawmakers who said President Trump's travel ban was racist and his deportation agents were out of control, he fired back. Published July 30, 2017
Marc Short assures Congress that administration oversight tradition will stay
The White House isn't trying to change longstanding tradition that allowed individual members of Congress to conduct oversight of the administration, President Trump's top liaison to Capitol Hill said in a letter earlier this month. Published July 30, 2017
Immigration enforcement decried by activists as way to force out Dreamers
Immigrant rights advocates are urging a federal judge to close out a court case before Texas can use it to nix the Obama-era amnesty that's currently protecting nearly 800,000 illegal immigrant Dreamers. Published July 30, 2017
Steve King introduces bill to scrap U.S. Capitol sanctuary city policy
The U.S. Capitol itself follows a sanctuary city policy that protects illegal immigrants from being turned over to deportation agents, a Republican congressman said, announcing new legislation to scrap that policy. Published July 30, 2017
Donald Trump to sign Russia sanctions bill
President Trump will sign the Russia sanctions bill, the White House said late Friday, saying that he managed to win important changes to the legislation and is now satisfied with it. Published July 28, 2017
Congress wins oversight battle with Trump; White House promises answers to all members
The White House isn't trying to change longstanding tradition that allowed individual members of Congress to conduct oversight of the administration, President Trump's top liaison to Capitol Hill said in a letter earlier this month. Published July 28, 2017
Sanctuary city policies infect federal law enforcement agencies
The U.S. Capitol itself follows a sanctuary city policy that protects illegal immigrants from being turned over to deportation agents, a Republican congressman said Friday, announcing new legislation to scrap that policy. Published July 28, 2017
Russia to expel U.S. diplomats in retaliation for new sanctions
Russia moved Friday to expel American diplomats and kick U.S. personnel out of several locations in Moscow, retaliating after Congress a day earlier wrote into law stiff economic sanctions against top Russian officials and important industries. Published July 28, 2017
Trump’s Treasury nixes struggling Obama-era government-run retirement program
The Treasury Department said Friday that it's canceling an Obama-era program designed to help Americans who don't have access to a 401k plan at their work save for retirement, saying interest was too low to justify the expense to taxpayers. Published July 28, 2017
Congress approves strict Russia sanctions; forces decision on Donald Trump
Congress gave final approval Thursday to a package of strict sanctions punishing Russia for its cyberintrusions in last year's elections, delivering a challenge to President Trump, who had sought flexibility to negotiate his own deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Published July 27, 2017
House votes to support Trump border wall
The House approved $1.6 billion Thursday to fund the first installment of President Trump's border wall, surmounting Democrats' unanimous opposition and giving the White House a significant though potentially short-lived victory. Published July 27, 2017
Activists try to head off recess replacement for Jeff Sessions
Activists are calling on the Senate to hold pro forma sessions throughout August to deny President Trump recess appointment powers, fearful that he might take any opening to fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions and impose a new Justice Department chief who would derail the Russia investigation. Published July 27, 2017
Senate GOP begs Dems to speed defense bill to accommodate John McCain’s health
Senate Republicans are hoping to rush action on the annual defense policy bill, saying that with Sen. John McCain ailing from a brain cancer diagnosis earlier this month, they want to take action while he's still in Washington. Published July 27, 2017
Paul Ryan to Donald Trump: Lay off Robert Mueller
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said Thursday that President Trump would be wise to leave the Russia investigation alone, saying special counsel Robert Mueller should be allowed to finish his job. Published July 27, 2017
IRS hires suspected tax cheats, fraudsters: Audit
The IRS rehired hundreds of employees who had previously left the agency under clouds of suspicion -- including four who were being investigated for cheating on their own taxes -- according to a new audit Thursday that found the agency still struggling to correct the longstanding problem. Published July 27, 2017
New Orleans bilks federal taxpayers of $2 billion in Hurricane Katrina repairs: Audit
New Orleans is taking federal taxpayers for a $2 billion ride in Hurricane Katrina spending, the inspector general who oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Thursday, concluding that the city is charging the government for repairs that had nothing to do with the 2005 hurricane and flooding that devastated the Gulf Coast. Published July 27, 2017
Drug-runners use catapult to fire massive load of marijuana across border
Authorities announced Wednesday that they recovered massive drug bundles fired across the U.S.-Mexico border fence by what officials described as "some sort of catapult." Published July 26, 2017
