Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Pentagon can’t account for funding of risky virus research in China
The Defense Department can't account for all of its money that may have been sent to China to conduct risky research enhancing viruses, according to an inspector general's report that blamed bad data collection at the department for gaps in understanding what it was paying for. Published July 3, 2024
Supreme Court ducks ruling on whether AR-15s are protected by Second Amendment
The Supreme Court said Tuesday it was declining, for now, to hear challenges against an Illinois ban on assault weapons -- cases that have quickly turned into a major test of the legality of the popular AR-15 rifle. Published July 2, 2024
Homeland Security sends flight full of deportees to China; ‘smuggling’ operators returned
Homeland Security announced Tuesday that it sent a charter flight of deportees back to China for the first time in six years. Published July 2, 2024
Did the Supreme Court OK a presidential assassination order? Justices break new legal ground
It has been a burning question among legal scholars ever since former President Donald Trump asserted absolute immunity for his acts while in office: Could a president assassinate a political rival with legal impunity? Published July 1, 2024
‘Big win’: Trump claims victory in Supreme Court’s immunity ruling
Former President Donald Trump saw Monday's Supreme Court ruling granting him at least partial immunity from prosecution as a victory. Published July 1, 2024
Supreme Court ducks ruling on red states’ social media censorship laws
The Supreme Court on Monday remanded back to lower courts challenges to red states' social media laws aimed at curtailing censorship. Published July 1, 2024
Supreme Court rules presidents have absolute immunity for official acts, but not unofficial acts
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that presidents enjoy "absolute immunity" for official acts taken under their core responsibilities and may have some immunity from criminal prosecution for other official behavior, but they do not enjoy immunity for unofficial acts. Published July 1, 2024
Supreme Court decision tames administrative state, pressures Congress to be more clear with laws
The Supreme Court has now put Congress on notice that it needs to do a better job of writing laws and can no longer expect federal agencies to clean up their poorly written messes. Published June 30, 2024
Supreme Court ruling could upend Jack Smith’s election case against Trump
Former President Donald Trump wasn't part of the Supreme Court ruling on criminal charges for Jan. 6 Capitol rioters, but legal experts say the decision could still help him unravel one of the federal prosecutions he's facing. Published June 30, 2024
Feds wasted $10 billion in bogus food stamp payments last year
The government handed out more than $10 billion in overpayments from the food stamp program last year, according to an audit Friday that shows the end of the pandemic has done little to bring down high fraud rates. Published June 28, 2024
Potheads seeking tax refunds over Biden’s proposed marijuana rules change
Some marijuana enthusiasts have filed tax returns trying to get money back from the IRS, saying they are entitled to it now that President Biden is moving to reclassify the drug as less dangerous. Published June 28, 2024
Three illegal immigrants die in Arizona desert heat
Three illegal immigrants were found dead in the Arizona desert this week after succumbing to the heat, the Border Patrol said Friday. Published June 28, 2024
Supreme Court sides with Jan. 6 defendant against obstruction charge
The Supreme Court ruled Friday for a Jan. 6 defendant challenging an obstruction charge used by federal prosecutors to ding people who entered the U.S. Capitol that day in 2021. Published June 28, 2024
Supreme Court cuts power of federal agencies
The Supreme Court ruled Friday that judges have been giving too much deference to unelected bureaucrats and must reclaim some of that decision-making -- a decision that could slow the expansion of the administrative state. Published June 28, 2024
DHS grants new deportation amnesty to 300,000 Haitians
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has announced a new deportation amnesty for Haitians, covering more than 300,000 people including many who have arrived illegally during the Biden administration. Published June 28, 2024
‘Elderly man with a poor memory’: GOP demands Hur tapes after Biden’s debate performance
Republicans renewed their demands for the Justice Department to release the secret tape of the special counsel's interview with President Biden, saying his debate performance was reminiscent of what prosecutors labeled the "elderly man with a poor memory." Published June 28, 2024
Democrats in disarray after Biden’s debate performance
Many of President Biden's backers were despondent Thursday over his performance in the first debate of the general election, lashing out at the Democratic Party, the debate hosts and Mr. Biden's campaign for the president's rocky night. Published June 27, 2024
Biden challenges Trump to golf contest to prove fitness for president
President Biden said Thursday he'd be willing to challenge former President Donald Trump to a golf contest Thursday to prove who is more fit to win the White House. Published June 27, 2024
Border Patrol union rebuts Biden’s debate claim: ‘Never will endorse Biden’
The labor union for Border Patrol agents issued a correction to President Biden on Thursday, saying they have never endorsed him. Published June 27, 2024
Trump slams Biden over border: ‘They’re killing our citizens’
Former President Donald Trump unloaded on President Biden Thursday over the border chaos, saying he's unleashed an unprecedented crime wave and turned the U.S. into "an uncivilized country." Published June 27, 2024
