Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Frank Wolf calls on George W. Bush to play bigger role on world stage
Rep. Frank Wolf, a longtime defender of human rights, has asked former President George W. Bush to play a bigger role in world hot spots, pleading with him to get involved in trying to sort out the problems in South Sudan. Published August 26, 2014
California waiting period nixed for existing gun owners
A federal judge severely limited California's gun-purchase waiting period in a ruling released Monday that says the law is unconstitutional when applied to those who have gone through the process to get a concealed-weapons permit, or who the state already knows to be firearms owners. Published August 25, 2014
Immigrant rights groups accuse Obama of ‘deportation mill,’ sue to stop removals
Immigrant rights lawyers filed a lawsuit Friday hoping to halt one of the Obama administration's key actions designed to stem the surge of illegal immigrant families coming across the border, accusing the Homeland Security Department of running an unconstitutional "deportation mill." Published August 22, 2014
Bergdahl release violated law, used improper monies
Obama administration officials broke two federal laws when they exchanged Taliban warriors for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the government's top investigative office said in a legal report Thursday. Published August 21, 2014
DHS saw no option but to free 169 illegals convicted of murder
The Obama administration says it had no choice but to release almost all of the 169 murderers it let go from immigration detention last year, saying court decisions gave officials no choice in the matter — but it's promising a new system to better screen who gets let out. Published August 21, 2014
Rick Perry: U.S. must consider ground troops in Iraq
Texas Gov. Rick Perry called for deepening U.S. involvement in Iraq, including sending heavy weapons to Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and deploying more American military air power and special operations teams. Published August 21, 2014
Campaign groups promise immigration showdown in 2014 elections
Immigrants' List, a political action committee dedicated to promoting a generous immigration system in the U.S., is clear in its chief goal this election season: namely, beating Rep. Steve King, Iowa Republican. Published August 20, 2014
Rocking horse becomes Trojan horse for cocaine smuggler
Federal authorities said they stopped an effort over the weekend to smuggle 29 pounds of cocaine into the U.S. that were hidden in two wooden rocking horses. Published August 20, 2014
Marine congressman says police don’t need military vehicles in Missouri
Rep. Duncan Hunter asked the Defense Department Wednesday to conduct its own review of the program that sends surplus military equipment to police departments, saying the Pentagon should see if there are categories of weapons that should no longer be transferred. Published August 20, 2014
Illegal immigrants file applications to force Obama’s hand on stopping deportations
Nearly a dozen illegal immigrations announced a campaign Wednesday to force President Obama's hand on halting deportations, saying they would file papers demanding to be let into the existing program granting so-called Dreamers legal status, even though none of them qualify. Published August 20, 2014
Voters say solve illegal border surge by sending kids home, poll shows
An overwhelming percentage of voters say it's better to send illegal immigrant children surging across the border back home, rather than trying to house them in the U.S., said a new Republican poll released Tuesday. Published August 20, 2014
Defiant Perry booked on abuse-of-office charges
Texas Gov. Rick Perry turned himself in to police on Tuesday to be processed in connection with his indictment on abusing his office — though the Republican made the most of it, holding a rally outside the courthouse to rail against the charges. Published August 19, 2014
Rep. Charles Rangel gets court date to fight congressional censure
A federal appeals court has set a Nov. 13 date to hear oral arguments in Rep. Charles Rangel's lawsuit against his House colleagues, who censured the New York Democrat in 2010. Published August 19, 2014
James Jeffords, who tilted Senate balance by leaving GOP, dies at 80
James M. Jeffords, who died Monday at age 80, built a three-decade career in Washington but cemented his place in history with one decision: fleeing the Republican Party and siding with Democrats, delivering them control of the Senate in 2001. Published August 18, 2014
Military equipment for local police questioned amid Ferguson violence
Police forces are not only turning to military-style equipment to take on law enforcement tasks, but sometimes aren't even trained properly in how to use the weapons of war, the congressman who represents the St. Louis suburb that has been ensnared in a week of violence said Sunday. Published August 17, 2014
Top Dem vows review of police access to military equipment
The top Senate Democrat overseeing the military said Friday that Congress will reexamine the programs that allow state and local authorities to buy or borrow military equipment, as the backlash against heavily armed and armored police grows. Published August 15, 2014
Illegal immigrant children get first-class treatment at taxpayers’ expense
From culturally sensitive music to special meals for the lactose intolerant, the organizations the federal government is paying to house and care for the children who have surged across the border illegally are taking pains to make sure they are as comfortable as possible. Published August 14, 2014
IRS let unauthorized contractors see taxpayers’ private information: Audit
The IRS let some contract employees see taxpayers' private information without ever sending the workers through a required background check, the agency's internal auditor reported Thursday. Published August 14, 2014
Gay illegal immigrants demand deportation protection
Gay immigrants are mounting a campaign to demand that they be included in any unilateral moves President Obama makes this year to halt deportations, arguing that they face unusual circumstances that otherwise might leave them on the outside. Published August 12, 2014
DHS broke law in releasing hundreds of criminal aliens: Audit
The Obama administration violated the law when it released thousands of illegal immigrants last February, more than 600 of whom had criminal records, according to an internal audit released Tuesday that blamed the problem on poor planning and bad leadership from Washington. Published August 12, 2014
