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Benjamin S. Weiss

@benjaminweiss.bsky.social
1.4K followers 283 following 558 posts

Covering the conservative movement for HuffPost | “Mustache” - Sen. Chuck Schumer | 35mm enthusiast 📸 Motorsport expert 🏎️ benjamin.weiss@huffpost.com @benjaminsweiss on the other sites

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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 5h
👀 SO YOU'RE SAYING THERE'S A CHANCE: Republicans leaving town to campaign this week told me & @jbendery.bsky.social they were optimistic about their chances at keeping the Senate in Nov - and were looking forward to seeing Trump on the trail. More on @huffpost.com ⤵️ www.huffpost.com/entry/republ...
huffpost.com
Republicans Sound Delusional About Their Fate In The Midterm Elections
“I think we hold the majority of both chambers,” said GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno, as Trump’s approval rating craters and Democrats lead in key battleground races.
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Jen Bendery @jbendery.bsky.social · 5h
On the one hand, Trump's approval ratings are at an all-time low, voters everywhere are furious about high costs + Dems have the edge in key battleground races. On the other hand: “I think we hold the majority of both chambers,” said Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio). www.huffpost.com/entry/republ...
huffpost.com
Republicans Sound Delusional About Their Fate In The Midterm Elections
“I think we hold the majority of both chambers,” said GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno, as Trump’s approval rating craters and Democrats lead in key battleground races.
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 5h
✈️ H-1BEGONE: VP Vance told right-wing commentator Jack Posobiec in an Air Force Two interview he'd love to see the H-1B visa program eliminated completely, putting the 2028 hopeful firmly on one side of a contentious debate within the right. More on @huffpost.com ⤵️ www.huffpost.com/entry/vance-...
huffpost.com
JD Vance Wants To Kill ‘Completely Broken’ H-1B Visa Program
The vice president said in an interview on Air Force Two that — if he had it his way — the Trump administration would eliminate the visa scheme used to hire skilled foreign workers.
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 10h
Back posting again on Bluesky because I’m in my first week covering the conservative movement for @huffpost.com. Already done a fair bit of reporting so drop me a follow as I keep unpacking the modern right! www.huffpost.com/author/benja...
huffpost.com
Benjamin S. Weiss | HuffPost
Read the latest work from Benjamin S. Weiss.
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Kelsey Reichmann @kelseyreichmann.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
While we wait for SCOTUS opinions, get caught up on what's happened in the year since the Trump admin allowed Park Police to engage in high-speed chases In DC alone the policy led to dozens of extended pursuits. via @benjaminweiss.bsky.social courthousenews.com/another-high...
courthousenews.com
Another high-speed car chase in DC spotlights Park Police’s norm-shattering pursuit guidelines
The Trump administration last year handed the federal police force, charged with protecting national parks, expanded authority to “chase until the wheels fall off.” It’s a decision experts say sets Pa...
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
🚽NEWS YOU CAN USE: I sat down with "Drain the Swamp Toilets," the congressional staffer whose self-described "obsession" with well-appointed bathrooms has led her on a quest to find the best (and worst) lavatories on Capitol Hill. More @courthousenews.bsky.social: courthousenews.com/political-po...
courthousenews.com
Political potties: Meet the congressional staffer on a quest to rate every Capitol bathroom
Self-described bathroom hobbyist Symphony Rojas, the face behind “Drain the Swamp Toilets,” dishes on the best commodes across the Capitol complex.
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
My report from this week on ICE smart glasses & congressional response below:
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Courthouse News @courthousenews.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
A $7.5 million funding request from DHS to develop high-tech “smart glasses” for immigration agents landed with a thud on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/dhs-startles...
courthousenews.com
DHS startles Congress with request for millions to develop ICE ‘smart glasses’
The Homeland Security Department requested $7.5 million for research and development projects, including prototype “smart glasses” that will give federal agents access to biometric identification data...
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
NEW: In its 2027 budget request, DHS asked Congress for $7.5M to, among other things, develop "smart glasses" for ICE agents to use in the field. Civil liberties advocates have sounded the alarm, but lawmakers said they're finding out about it for the first time. Full story ⤵️
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Courthouse News @courthousenews.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
The House Ethics Committee on Monday published a complete list of members of Congress it has investigated for sexual misconduct and defended its process for addressing — and publicizing — reports of such behavior. @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/house-ethics...
courthousenews.com
House Ethics Committee releases list of sexual misconduct investigations amid lawmaker scandals
The House’s bipartisan panel for self-investigation defended what it said was a “long history” of investigating accusations, as its top Democratic lawmaker called for a zero-tolerance policy.
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
🚨Amid increased scrutiny on Congress & its handling of sexual misconduct allegations, the House Ethics Committee has released a full list of its publicly disclosed investigations into such conduct & their outcomes, dating back to 1976.
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Courthouse News @courthousenews.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
The celebrity news organization unveiled its new Capitol Hill team this week to much online fanfare — but aides to members of Congress say they have mixed feelings about TMZ’s entry into the Washington political media landscape. @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/tmz-in-dc-ho...
courthousenews.com
TMZ in DC: How congressional staff are bracing for the gossip outlet’s descent on Washington
The celebrity news organization unveiled its new Capitol Hill team this week to much online fanfare — but aides to members of Congress say they have mixed feelings about TMZ’s entry into the Washingto...
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
NEWS: I spoke to congressional staffers from both parties about how they & their colleagues are preparing members of Congress for encounters with TMZ's new Capitol team - as well as mixed feelings among Hill staff about having the celebrity news outlet around. Story below⤵️
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Courthouse News @courthousenews.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Though Pam Bondi was supposed to appear for a closed-door meeting with lawmakers, the Justice Department argues a congressional subpoena does not bind her because she is no longer attorney general. @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/democrats-bl...
courthousenews.com
Democrats blast Bondi for dodging House deposition
Though the ousted attorney general was supposed to appear for a closed-door meeting with lawmakers, the Justice Department argues she is not bound by a congressional subpoena because she no longer lea...
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
NEW: Dems and Rs on the House Oversight Committee sparred Tuesday after fmr AG Pam Bondi failed to appear for an Epstein files deposition set by a March subpoena. Dems threatening to hold Bondi in contempt, but DOJ says she is no longer bound by subpoena. www.courthousenews.com/democrats-bl...
courthousenews.com
Democrats blast Bondi for dodging House deposition
Thought the ousted attorney general was supposed to appear for a closed-door meeting with lawmakers, the Justice Department argues she is not bound by a congressional subpoena because she no longer le...
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
NEW: @raskin.house.gov has unveiled a bill establishing a "Commission on Presidential Capacity," a body overseeing the 25th Amendment power to remove a president from office if "mentally or physically" incapacitated. Comes as Dems scrutinize Trump for recent posts & statements.
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Courthouse News @courthousenews.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
#BREAKING: Swalwell to resign from Congress amid sex abuse scandal @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/swalwell-to-...
courthousenews.com
Swalwell to resign from Congress amid sex abuse scandal
The Democratic congressman was facing an ethics probe and a potential expulsion vote over accusations that he sexually assaulted a former staffer and had suspended his campaign for California governor...
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Courthouse News @courthousenews.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
‘I thought it was me as a doctor:’ Trump downplays controversial post depicting himself as Jesus Christ @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/i-thought-it...
courthousenews.com
‘I thought it was me as a doctor:’ Trump downplays controversial post depicting himself as Jesus Christ
The president sparked outrage across the political spectrum with the image, which showed him in Christlike robes healing a sick man.
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
New: Facing intense backlash from his own supporters over a social media post depicting himself as Jesus Christ, President Donald Trump told reporters Monday he thought the highly controversial image merely showed him “as a doctor.” More: www.courthousenews.com/i-thought-it...
courthousenews.com
‘I thought it was me as a doctor:’ Trump downplays controversial post depicting himself as Jesus Christ
The president sparked outrage across the political spectrum with the image, which showed him in Christlike robes healing a sick man.
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Trump vs the Pope 🧐 on Truth Social. The president writes that the first American Pope is “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.” “I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States,” said Trump.
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
NEW: Trump has nominated Matthew Schwartz, who worked on the president’s legal team appealing his criminal conviction in the New York hush money case, to fill a key appellate judicial vacancy on the Second Circuit.
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Courthouse News @courthousenews.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Senate GOP forging ahead with Homeland Security funding, leaving Democrats aside @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/senate-gop-f...
courthousenews.com
Senate GOP forging ahead with Homeland Security funding, leaving Democrats aside
Senate Republican leaders said they would travel to the White House this week to discuss legislation to end a protracted DHS shutdown without any Democratic input.
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
NEW: Rep. Jamie Raskin has sent a letter to WH physician Capt. Barbarella demanding he conduct a cognitive assessment on Pres. Trump after “disturbing” rhetoric on Iran war. Comes as Raskin is preparing to brief House Dems this afternoon on 25th Amendment. Story TK
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
The FBI appears to have arrested a source used in The Fort Bragg Cartel, a recent book by journalist Seth Harp about unexplained deaths at Ft Bragg & reports about drug trafficking among US special forces:
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
The Justice Department has informed the House Oversight Committee that former Attorney General Pam Bondi will not comply with a congressional subpoena to appear for an April 14 deposition on her handling of the Epstein files. More: @courthousenews.bsky.social: courthousenews.com/articles/bon...
courthousenews.com
Bondi dodges House Epstein files deposition following DOJ ouster
The Justice Department has told Congress the former attorney general is no longer required to comply with a subpoena to appear before a House committee next week.
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Courthouse News @courthousenews.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Lawmakers balk at Trump threat against ‘whole civilization’ in Iran war @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/lawmakers-ba...
courthousenews.com
Lawmakers balk at Trump threat against ‘whole civilization’ in Iran war
Current and former members of Congress on both sides of the aisle expressed shock at the president’s comments, which come as the White House is weighing a major escalation against Tehran as negotiatio...
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
New: As Trump threatened “a whole civilization” in Iran war, members of Congress — out of Washington for another week — could do little more than chime in on the president’s rhetoric online and on television. No sign yet of pols returning to DC this week. www.courthousenews.com/lawmakers-ba...
courthousenews.com
Lawmakers balk at Trump threat against ‘whole civilization’ in Iran war
Current and former members of Congress on both sides of the aisle expressed shock at the president’s comments, which come as the White House is weighing a major escalation against Tehran as negotiatio...
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Trump on Truth Social as his Iran negotiation timeline set to expire: “A whole civilization will die tonight.”
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
New: DC Fed won’t force release of internal DOJ documents used to train staff who redacted Epstein files ahead of outgoing AG Bondi’s House Oversight deposition this month.
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
New: SCOTUS confirms report that Justice Samuel Alito was treated for symptoms of dehydration after feeling ill at a FedSoc event in PA last month. He returned home as scheduled & came to work the following Monday, per spox. More: www.courthousenews.com/alito-suffer...
courthousenews.com
Alito suffered ‘dehydration’ at Philadelphia event last month: SCOTUS
The Supreme Court acknowledged reports that the justice had been treated by a physician after a Federalist Society event several weeks ago but that he’d returned for oral arguments days later.
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Eric Michael Garcia @ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Read @benjaminweiss.bsky.social on this. www.courthousenews.com/trumps-new-a...
courthousenews.com
Trump’s new attorney general pick could have a Tillis problem
The North Carolina Republican is a crucial swing vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee — and he's already sunk past nominees over their views about Jan. 6.
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Courthouse News @courthousenews.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
North Carolina Republican Thom Tillis is a crucial swing vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee — and he's already sunk past nominees over their Jan. 6 views. @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/trumps-new-a...
courthousenews.com
Trump’s new attorney general pick could have a Tillis problem
The North Carolina Republican is a crucial swing vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee — and he's already sunk past nominees over their views about Jan. 6.
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
NEW: Questions are swirling this week about who Pres. Trump will pick to replace Pam Bondi as attorney general. But whoever gets the nod to lead DOJ will face one big hurdle on the Senate Judiciary Committee: Thom Tillis. My analysis @courthousenews.bsky.social: courthousenews.com/trumps-new-a...
courthousenews.com
Trump’s new attorney general pick could have a Tillis problem
The North Carolina Republican is a crucial swing vote on the Senate Judiciary Committee — and he's already sunk past nominees over their views about Jan. 6.
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
FYI: I am LIVE on Twitch with Ryan Knappenberger discussing Pam Bondi's firing and playing a little Marathon. Hop in here or click the LIVE icon on my profile pic: www.twitch.tv/benjaminsweiss
twitch.tv
BenjaminSWeiss - Twitch
Congress reporter by day, also Congress reporter by night. Playin games and chatting about the Big Game™️ of U.S. politics. 🗽
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
BREAKING: TRUMP FIRES AG PAM BONDI, DEPUTY AG TODD BLANCHE TO TAKE OVER, LEE ZELDIN ON AG SHORT LIST More: www.courthousenews.com/bondi-out-as...
courthousenews.com
Bondi out as US attorney general
Bondi became the second casualty of Trump's second stint in the White House, following the ouster of Kristi Noem from the Department of Homeland Security.
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Courthouse News @courthousenews.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Protesters rally around birthright citizenship as Supreme Court weighs Trump challenge @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/protesters-r...
courthousenews.com
Protesters rally around birthright citizenship as Supreme Court weighs Trump challenge
Lawmakers, activists and the great-grandson of the plaintiff in the high court’s landmark 1898 birthright citizenship case slammed the Trump administration for angling to strip 14th Amendment protecti...
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
NEW: My dispatch from outside the Supreme Court on Wed morning, where demonstrators rallied in support of birthright citizenship as the justices examined the Trump admin's effort to overturn 14th Amendment protections for the children of some immigrants. More: www.courthousenews.com/protesters-r...
courthousenews.com
Protesters rally around birthright citizenship as Supreme Court weighs Trump challenge
Lawmakers, activists and the great-grandson of the plaintiff in the high court’s landmark 1898 birthright citizenship case slammed the Trump administration for angling to strip 14th Amendment protecti...
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
New: Sen. Richard Blumenthal is holding DHS Sec. Mullin’s feet to the fire on comments he made about judicial warrants during his March nomination hearing — demanding to know if he rescinded a 2025 directive allowing ICE to enter homes without one. More: www.courthousenews.com/top-democrat...
courthousenews.com
Top Democrat presses DHS Secretary Mullin on judicial warrants
The newly minted homeland security secretary told lawmakers during his nomination hearing that under his leadership, immigration agents would not forcibly enter homes without a signed judicial warrant...
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Courthouse News @courthousenews.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Senate breaks off a piece of KitKat heist to promote retail theft bill @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/senate-break...
courthousenews.com
Senate breaks off a piece of KitKat heist to promote retail theft bill
A bipartisan measure would stand up a new Homeland Security Department program to tackle organized retail theft rings and expand the federal toolkit for investigating and prosecuting retail crime.
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
New: An eye-popping candy heist in Europe resulting in the loss of a dozen tons of KitKat products formed a sweet springboard for Senate lawmakers pushing a bill they said would give retailers a break from organized theft rings. www.courthousenews.com/senate-break...
courthousenews.com
Senate breaks off a piece of KitKat heist to promote retail theft bill
A bipartisan measure would stand up a new Homeland Security Department program to tackle organized retail theft rings and expand the federal toolkit for investigating and prosecuting retail crime.
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Ryan Knappenberger @ryanknappy.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Breaking: Judge Leon blocks construction on Trump's Ballroom, which was set to begin construction in April, until he obtains Congress approval. the GWB appointee emphasized that POTUS is the steward of the White House, not the owner. @courthousenews.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/judge-blocks...
courthousenews.com
Judge blocks White House ballroom construction
“The president of the United States is the steward of the White House for further generations of first families,” Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Leon wrote. “He is not, however, the owner!”
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Trump posts renderings of his proposed presidential library, a skyscraper featuring an auditorium with a gold statue of himself, a ballroom, a rooftop plaza and, yes, a golden escalator:
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Courthouse News @courthousenews.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Tensions mounted between the House and Senate over the weekend as the lower chamber advanced its own DHS budget — all but guaranteeing the agency will remain shut down for now. @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/homeland-sec...
courthousenews.com
Homeland Security shutdown reverberates in empty Capitol
Tensions mounted between the House and Senate over the weekend as the lower chamber advanced its own Homeland Security Department budget — all but guaranteeing the agency will remain shut down for now...
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
UPDATE: House Republicans rejected the Senate-passed DHS funding compromise on Friday, slamming the deal for leaving out ICE budget. They’re floating a short-term spending patch to fully fund the agency. www.courthousenews.com/house-nears-...
courthousenews.com
House nears finish line on Homeland Security deal without ICE funding — or reforms
The upper chamber early Friday morning unanimously agreed to advance a DHS funding package ending a 42-day shutdown and keeping certain immigration enforcement programs on ice — but without any of the...
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Inside the novel legal theory at the center of Trump's efforts to clamp down on birthright citizenship, which relies in part on medieval & early modern English common law granting sovereign protection to visitors. Great report from @kelseyreichmann.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/trumps-birth...
courthousenews.com
Trump’s birthright citizenship bid ignites war over originalism at Supreme Court
The bid to limit birthright citizenship could be a can of worms as the justices are confronted with an academic battle over revisionist history.
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Courthouse News @courthousenews.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
The Ethics Committee has determined Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick violated House rules after examining accusations she funneled federal disaster relief funding into her congressional campaign. @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/ethics-commi...
courthousenews.com
Ethics committee finds ‘clear and convincing evidence’ Florida representative violated House rules
The decision comes just hours after the House Ethics Committee held a rare hearing to examine accusations that Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick stole $5 million in disaster aid fun...
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
The House Ethics Committee on Friday said it had determined FL Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick violated House rules amid allegations she stole $5 million in FEMA funds to finance her campaign. Comes hours after a rare hearing on the accusations. www.courthousenews.com/ethics-commi...
courthousenews.com
Ethics committee finds ‘clear and convincing evidence’ Florida representative violated House rules
The decision comes just hours after the House Ethics Committee held a rare hearing to examine accusations that Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick stole $5 million in disaster aid fun...
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Sign of how quickly things are shifting in the DHS funding debacle: House GOP leadership are panning the Senate-passed deal early this AM, which they were slated to vote on later today. Rs telling Senators to be ready to come back to DC.
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
The House Ethics Committee on Thursday moved ahead with a hearing to examine fraud allegations against Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, rejecting a plea from her attorney to pause proceedings until the end of her criminal trial. www.courthousenews.com/house-ethics...
courthousenews.com
House ethics panel declines to halt Cherfilus-McCormick fraud hearing
Attorney William Barzee, representing the Florida Democrat charged with stealing $5 million of federal disaster relief funds, said that a public hearing on the accusations would make it impossible for...
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Benjamin S. Weiss @benjaminweiss.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
ICYMI: Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley said Thursday that he wouldn't entertain Democrats' requests for Jack Smith to testify in the panel's Arctic Frost probe until its investigative record was "entirely ready." More: www.courthousenews.com/senate-judic...
courthousenews.com
Senate Judiciary puts Jack Smith testimony in Arctic Frost oversight on ice
Senator Chuck Grassley said the panel could not hear from Smith until it had completed its investigative record on the special counsel probe into 2020 election interference and President Donald Trump’...
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