Stephen Dinan
Articles by Stephen Dinan
Homeland Security bused migrants away to hide border chaos
The Border Patrol would beef up its staff and bus out migrants ahead of dignitary visits to hide the true extent of the chaos at the southern border, leaving the false impression that they were prepared to handle a surge, according to a new inspector general's report. Published May 5, 2023
Fentanyl at the border: Americans ready for troops, trade restrictions with Mexico
A majority of Americans want to see the U.S. send troops and equipment into Mexico to stop the surge of fentanyl flowing across the southern border, according to a poll the National Sheriffs' Association is releasing Friday. Published May 5, 2023
ATF lied about job duties to overpay employees
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives intentionally overstated the duties of dozens of employees, labeling them as law enforcement agents so it could pay them more money, costing the government tens of millions of dollars. Published May 4, 2023
DHS wants to cut funding to combat cartel drones at the border
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has told Congress that combatting drones is a priority, yet his new budget cancels funding to develop the Border Patrol's capabilities to detect and derail cartel-operated drones at the border. Published May 3, 2023
FBI file shows foreigner paid Biden in ‘criminal scheme’ to trade money for policy, Republicans say
The FBI has been sitting on a report detailing a scheme involving then-Vice President Joe Biden to accept money in exchange for policy decisions on behalf of a "foreign national," two senior Republicans said Wednesday. Published May 3, 2023
Senators accuse AG Garland of ‘dishonesty’ over protection for Supreme Court justices
Republican senators revealed new evidence Wednesday that the Justice Department ordered federal marshals to ignore a law that should have protected conservative Supreme Court justices after last year's leak of a high court opinion. Published May 3, 2023
U.S. still largest donor to Afghans despite Taliban takeover
The U.S. government remains the biggest donor to Afghanistan even in the wake of the Taliban's takeover, according to an inspector general's report released late Tuesday. Published May 3, 2023
‘Smoke and mirrors’: Trump’s DHS secretary pans Biden border moves
Chad Wolf, who served as acting Homeland Security secretary in the Trump administration, said the move by President Biden team to deploy troops ahead of a new border surge is "smoke and mirrors" and can't be successful without a change in the president's policies. Published May 2, 2023
Biden to send active-duty Marines, soldiers to U.S.-Mexico border
The Biden administration announced Tuesday it would deploy 1,500 active-duty troops to the southern border to help deal with an expected wave of illegal immigrants starting later this month. Published May 2, 2023
DHS orders employees to drop regular duties, shift to coming border surge
Homeland Security's legal immigration agency is ordering hundreds of employees to drop their regular duties and shift to border detail, where they'll assist in the catch-and-release of the wave of illegal immigrants expected to come later this month. Published May 2, 2023
Democratic mayors lash out ahead of feared new migrant surge
The Democratic mayors of New York and Chicago lashed out over a resurgence of migrants expected along the U.S. southern border in coming weeks, pleading with Texas not to ship any more of them to their cities. Published May 1, 2023
Supreme Court takes up case to review whether federal agencies have too much power
The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a case that takes aim at federal agencies' power and the amount of deference courts are required to show to an administration's decisions. Published May 1, 2023
Southern Poverty Law Center’s ‘hate’ list suffers ‘monumental’ legal setback
The Southern Poverty Law Center's famous list of "hate" groups is under fire in a courtroom in Alabama, where a judge has opened the door for a group that opposes illegal immigration to challenge the SPLC for slapping it with the Scarlet H. Published May 1, 2023
New IRS chief promises ‘several years’ before most Americans face higher audit rates
New IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel told Congress on Thursday that taxpayers with incomes under $400,000 won't have to worry about an increase in their rate of audits for "several years." For now, he said he's pouring all of his new audit money into high-income filers. Published April 27, 2023
Equal Rights Amendment fails again as Senate GOP mounts filibuster
The Equal Rights Amendment died another death Thursday after the Senate failed to muster the votes needed to resuscitate it. Published April 27, 2023
Carrot-and-stick: Feds announce plan to head off looming surge of illegal immigrants
The Biden administration announced an overhaul of its approach to immigration on Thursday, promising would-be illegal immigrants new chances to reach the U.S. as long as they don't rush the border. Published April 27, 2023
Texas gets support for state patrols on border; U.S. policymakers reach an impasse
With Congress and the White House butting heads on border security, a group of conservatives is pushing for Texas to break the deadlock by enacting an unprecedented new state-level enforcement regimen, including a first-ever state border patrol. Published April 26, 2023
‘We Build The Wall’ founder Brian Kolfage gets four-plus years in prison
Two men who spearheaded an effort to boost President Trump by erecting a border wall using private donations were slapped with prison sentences for fraud Wednesday. Published April 26, 2023
Hundreds of noncitizens ended up on voting rolls in Maricopa County
More than 200 self-acknowledged noncitizens have managed to register to vote in Arizona's Maricopa County and at least nine of them have cast ballots in federal elections, according to a report that questions the federal law that pushes states to register more voters. Published April 25, 2023
State Department’s secret report blamed both Trump and Biden for fueling Afghanistan chaos
The State Department's secret after-action review on the Afghanistan withdrawal blamed both President Trump and President Biden for the chaos of the 2021 exit, saying their decisions to set a timetable "had serious consequences" for the Afghan government. Published April 25, 2023
