Benjamin S. Weiss

Speaker Johnson dismisses congressional scrutiny as federal agents crack down on protesters Though federal agents in Chicago and Portland have been filmed shooting faith leaders with pepper balls, tear gassing local law enforcement and arresting journalists, the top House Republican blamed “...

Republican leaders in Congress have not seen enough evidence to justify an investigation into how federal law enforcement is treating protesters amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, Speaker Johnson told me Tuesday. @courthousenews.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/speaker-john...

Speaker Johnson dismisses congressional scrutiny as federal agents crack down on protesters Though federal agents in Chicago and Portland have been filmed shooting faith leaders with pepper balls, tear gassing local law enforcement and arresting journalists, the top House Republican blamed “...

Speaker Johnson dismisses congressional scrutiny as federal agents crack down on protesters @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/speaker-john...

House Democrats accuse Trump of violating Hatch Act with government shutdown messages The webpages of several government agencies have been updated with banners blaming Democrats and the “radical left” for the government shutdown that began this week.

House Democrats on Thursday pushed for an investigation into whether the Trump administration broke the law with messages posted on federal agency websites explicitly blaming them for the government shutdown. @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/house-democr...

Dems condemn Trump’s broad ‘domestic terrorism’ directive — but offer few concrete steps for opposition The White House last week targeted so-called domestic terrorism organizations in a wide-ranging memo which appeared to provide broad definitions of conduct “animating” political violence.

ICYMI: Dems respond to Trump's federal crackdown on anti-fascist activity (NSPM-7) with anger but not a whole lot of ideas on what to do about it

from @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/dems-condemn...

Dems condemn Trump’s broad ‘domestic terrorism’ directive — but offer few concrete steps for opposition The White House last week targeted so-called domestic terrorism organizations in a wide-ranging memo which appeared to provide broad definitions of conduct “animating” political violence.

NEW: I spoke to Democrats about the Trump national security directive NSPM-7, which lays out a broad set of ideologies that the admin believes are "animating" political violence.

But while Dems rebuked the WH memo, they offered few steps to combat it.

www.courthousenews.com/dems-condemn...

Congressional budget deadlock tightens as shutdown fears mount Democratic leadership said they will only support a short-term stopgap if Republicans agree to extend health care subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.

As the country braces for a possible government shutdown, Democratic leaders in Congress said Monday they were holding firm in their efforts to extract concessions in a proposed short-term funding bill. @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/congressiona...

In the midst of budget negotiations, here’s the president posting an AI-altered clip of Leader Jeffries & Leader Schumer in which an AI clone of Schumer refers to Dems as “just a bunch of woke pieces of shit” & claims Dems will give “all these illegal aliens free health care.”

Comey indictment represents accountability for Republicans — but corruption for Dems Lawmakers are predictably split on the Trump administration’s prosecution of the former FBI director, who investigated Hillary Clinton’s campaign but later became a political adversary of the presiden...

James Comey’s indictment landed with a partisan thud on the Hill, as Rs cheer the move as long-awaited accountability & Dems warn that it's another indication of a Justice Dept headed down a dangerous path of political vengeance. @courthousenews.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/comey-indict...

BenjaminSWeiss - Twitch COURTHOUSE NEWS PODCAST: BTS STREAM

Good morning from the @CourthouseNews bullpen in Washington DC. I'm in the studio with @kelseyreichmann.bsky.social @ryanknappy.bsky.social recording the latest ep of the CNS podcast, where we're talking SCOTUS shadow docket and more. Wanna listen in? We're live here: www.twitch.tv/benjaminsweiss

What is the Smith-Mundt Act? Republicans eye rolling back the clock on misunderstood Cold War state media law Senate Republicans have suggested that an Obama-era modernization of federal law governing state-run media organizations opened the door for targeted propaganda against American citizens — but experts...

New: A Cold War state media law, and its Obama-era amendment, has become a popular topic following the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

But while experts say there should be protections against domestic propaganda, the law is often misinterpreted.

www.courthousenews.com/what-is-the-...

What is the Smith-Mundt Act? Republicans eye rolling back the clock on misunderstood Cold War state media law Senate Republicans have suggested that an Obama-era modernization of federal law governing state-run media organizations opened the door for targeted propaganda against American citizens — but experts...

Senate Republicans have suggested that an Obama-era modernization of federal law governing state-run media organizations opened the door for targeted propaganda against U.S. citizens — but experts say the reality is more complicated. @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/what-is-the-...

House Republicans demand social media, tech CEOs testify after Kirk assassination Lawmakers have taken a newfound interest in online forums such as Reddit and Discord, which they’ve framed as possible launchpads for radicalization and political violence.

Members of Congress are set to grill the heads of major social media and gaming companies next month, as lawmakers attempt to frame the services as breeding grounds for political radicalization and even violence. @courthousenews.bsky.social
www.courthousenews.com/house-republ...

Fired CDC director hits back at RFK Jr. in Senate testimony The Health and Human Services secretary has told lawmakers that his controversial attempt to fire Susan Monarez was part of a shake-up to remove “political agendas” from the CDC.

The CDC director told the Senate on Wednesday that she was fired by the Trump administration for “holding the line” on the scientific consensus supporting childhood vaccine recommendations. @courthousenews.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/fired-cdc-di...

Video games so far unplugged from Congress’ response to Kirk assassination Though studies dispel the idea that video games encourage real-world violence, lawmakers have long sought to tie the two together.

Video games so far unplugged from Congress’ response to Kirk assassination @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/video-games-...

Video games so far unplugged from Congress’ response to Kirk assassination Though studies dispel the idea that video games encourage real-world violence, lawmakers have long sought to tie the two together.

New from me: Much has been made about the role of video games and irony-pilled gamer memes in the assassination of Charlie Kirk. But on Capitol Hill, lawmakers so far haven't latched onto gaming in the way Congress has in the past. @courthousenews.bsky.social
www.courthousenews.com/video-games-...

GOP budget still freezes judicial security funding despite warnings from court leaders As threats against federal judges and courthouses skyrocket, the U.S. Judicial Conference has repeatedly warned lawmakers that security funding remains woefully inadequate.

GOP budget still freezes judicial security funding despite warnings from court leaders @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/gop-budget-s...

GOP budget still freezes judicial security funding despite warnings from court leaders As threats against federal judges and courthouses skyrocket, the U.S. Judicial Conference has repeatedly warned lawmakers that security funding remains woefully inadequate.

Funding shortfalls in the U.S. judiciary continue to threaten the security of federal judges and courthouses, the judicial system’s top policymaking body warned Tuesday. @courthousenews.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/gop-budget-s...

If you missed today's stream you missed Sen. Dick Durbin's X notifs summoning an energy sword battle:

BenjaminSWeiss - Twitch LIVE: THIS WEEK IN (COURTHOUSE) NEWS & VIEWS

🎮It's been a long week. Come hang out and debrief with a little Halo. Live shortly: www.twitch.tv/benjaminsweiss

Police investigate bomb threat at DNC as fears of political violence escalate Three historically Black universities also reported threats to their campuses on Thursday.

Police investigate bomb threat at DNC as fears of political violence escalate @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/police-inves...

Police investigate bomb threat at DNC as fears of political violence escalate Three historically Black universities also reported threats to their campuses on Thursday.

All-clear at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in D.C. Thursday afternoon, after police responded to reports of a bomb threat which turned out to be non-credible. @courthousenews.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/police-inves...

Trump US attorney nominees return to Senate floor as GOP readies ‘nuclear option’ The upper chamber’s judicial affairs panel was forced to hold a sequel vote on 10 nominees for U.S. attorney vacancies after Senate Democratic leadership refused to advance them.

A slate of U.S. attorney nominees who recently got caught up in Democrats’ monthslong Senate blockade are headed back to the floor Thursday after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted once again to approve them. @courthousenews.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/trump-us-att...

Trump US attorney nominees return to Senate floor as GOP readies ‘nuclear option’ The upper chamber’s judicial affairs panel was forced to hold a sequel vote on 10 nominees for U.S. attorney vacancies after Senate Democratic leadership refused to advance them.

Trump US attorney nominees return to Senate floor as GOP readies ‘nuclear option’ @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/trump-us-att...

House Republicans embark on legislative warpath against DC Lawmakers debated a sweeping tranche of legislation aimed at increasing congressional oversight of the nation’s capital and claw back parts of the city’s historical independence.

House Republicans embark on legislative warpath against DC @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/house-republ...

House Republicans embark on legislative warpath against DC Lawmakers debated a sweeping tranche of legislation aimed at increasing congressional oversight of the nation’s capital and claw back parts of the city’s historical independence.

House Republicans on Wednesday launched their enormous legislative salvo against Washington, D.C., debating a raft of bills in a marathon Oversight Cmte meeting that produced some tense moments between lawmakers. @courthousenews.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/house-republ...

Trump’s “emergency” takeover of DC police may be winding down, but a federal presence in the capital may be here to stay — and Congress is now gearing up for a major legislative crackdown on the city’s criminal justice system. @CourthouseNews.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/on-the-last-...

Soldiers are not cops

Dems demand answers from federal housing agency on fraud investigations into government officials Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte has accused several high-profile officials and Trump administration opponents of committing mortgage fraud — claims that have led to at least one Jus...

Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte has accused several high-profile officials and Trump administration opponents of committing mortgage fraud — claims that have led to at least one Justice Department investigation. @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/dems-demand-...

Mike Johnson’s message to cities under threat of military intervention by the White House: “Yield, man!”

“Let the troops come into your city and show how crime could be reduced.”

Mike Johnson’s message to cities under threat of military intervention by the White House: “Yield, man!”

“Let the troops come into your city and show how crime could be reduced.”