Latest Richard Durbin News

Trump's FBI chief pick, Kash Patel, insists he has no 'enemies list' and won't seek retribution
WASHINGTON (AP) — Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, insisted to deeply skeptical Democrats on Thursday that he did not have an “enemies list" and that the bureau under his leadership would not seek retribution against the president's adversaries or launch...

The Latest: Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump’s federal funding freeze
A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans that could total trillions of dollars and cause disruptions in health care research, education programs and other initiatives. The White House announced plans to enforce the pause on...

Voting rights groups are concerned about priorities shifting under Trump's Justice Department
ATLANTA (AP) — The Justice Department appears poised to take a very different approach to investigating voting and elections. Conservative calls to overhaul the department by removing career employees, increasing federal voter fraud cases and investigating the 2020 election are...

Bondi says she won't play politics as attorney general but doesn't rule out probes of Trump foes
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pam Bondi, Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, sought to reassure Democratic senators Wednesday that her Justice Department would not prosecute anyone for political purposes but also refused to rule out the potential for investigations into adversaries of the Republican...

The Latest: Rubio, Bondi, Ratcliffe and Duffy appear for Senate confirmation hearings
Senate hearings are scheduled this week for several of Trump’s cabinet picks including Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state and Pam Bondi for attorney general. Many nominees have met with senators individually. Now, they’ll go before the committees overseeing the agencies Trump wants them to...
Editorial Roundup: United States
Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad: ___ Jan. 2 The Washington Post on raises for Congress As a new Congress is sworn in Friday, this might seem like a bad time to talk about raising federal lawmakers’ pay. A...

Senate review of Supreme Court ethics finds more luxury trips and urges enforceable code of conduct
WASHINGTON (AP) — A nearly two-year investigation by Democratic senators of Supreme Court ethics details more luxury travel by Justice Clarence Thomas and urges Congress to establish a way to enforce a new code of conduct. Any movement on the issue appears unlikely as Republicans...

Senate approves 235th judge of Biden's term, beating Trump's tally
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden secured the 235th judicial confirmation of his presidency Friday, an accomplishment that exceeds his predecessor's total by one after Democrats put extra emphasis on the federal courts following Donald Trump's far-reaching first term, when he filled three...

House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
WASHINGTON (AP) — What was once a bipartisan effort to expand by 66 the number of federal district judgeships across the country passed the House of Representatives on Thursday, though prospects for becoming law are murky after Republicans opted to bring the measure to the floor only after...

Head of UN human rights promises advice to FIFA and Saudi Arabia over 2034 World Cup issues
GENEVA (AP) — Two days before FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host, the United Nations’ top human rights official pledged Monday to try to ensure migrant labor standards are “properly respected” around the tournament. Saudi Arabia is the only candidate and...
