Benjamin S. Weiss
@benjaminweiss.bsky.social
Covering Congress for Courthouse News Service in Washington, D.C. | “Mustache” - Sen. Chuck Schumer | Fmr nukes journo & unofficial Cap Hill motorsport correspondent 🏎️
[email protected]
@benjaminsweiss on the other sites
[email protected]
@benjaminsweiss on the other sites
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
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...
In DC alone the policy led to dozens of extended pursuits.
via @benjaminweiss.bsky.social courthousenews.com/another-high...
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...
courthousenews.com
June 4, 2026 at 1:29 PM
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...
In DC alone the policy led to dozens of extended pursuits.
via @benjaminweiss.bsky.social courthousenews.com/another-high...
🚽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...
More @courthousenews.bsky.social: courthousenews.com/political-po...
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.
courthousenews.com
May 7, 2026 at 7:15 PM
🚽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...
More @courthousenews.bsky.social: courthousenews.com/political-po...
My report from this week on ICE smart glasses & congressional response below:
April 25, 2026 at 12:27 AM
My report from this week on ICE smart glasses & congressional response below:
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
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...
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...
www.courthousenews.com
April 21, 2026 at 11:02 PM
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...
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 ⤵️
Civil liberties advocates have sounded the alarm, but lawmakers said they're finding out about it for the first time.
Full story ⤵️
April 21, 2026 at 11:07 PM
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 ⤵️
Civil liberties advocates have sounded the alarm, but lawmakers said they're finding out about it for the first time.
Full story ⤵️
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
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...
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.
www.courthousenews.com
April 20, 2026 at 6:02 PM
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...
🚨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.
April 20, 2026 at 3:17 PM
🚨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.
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
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...
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...
www.courthousenews.com
April 15, 2026 at 3:51 PM
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...
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⤵️
Story below⤵️
April 15, 2026 at 1:05 PM
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⤵️
Story below⤵️
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
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...
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...
www.courthousenews.com
April 14, 2026 at 4:40 PM
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...
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...
Dems threatening to hold Bondi in contempt, but DOJ says she is no longer bound by subpoena. www.courthousenews.com/democrats-bl...
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...
www.courthousenews.com
April 14, 2026 at 4:26 PM
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...
Dems threatening to hold Bondi in contempt, but DOJ says she is no longer bound by subpoena. www.courthousenews.com/democrats-bl...
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.
Comes as Dems scrutinize Trump for recent posts & statements.
April 14, 2026 at 4:11 PM
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.
Comes as Dems scrutinize Trump for recent posts & statements.
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
#BREAKING: Swalwell to resign from Congress amid sex abuse scandal @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/swalwell-to-...
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...
www.courthousenews.com
April 13, 2026 at 9:59 PM
#BREAKING: Swalwell to resign from Congress amid sex abuse scandal @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/swalwell-to-...
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
‘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...
‘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.
www.courthousenews.com
April 13, 2026 at 6:35 PM
‘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...
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...
More: www.courthousenews.com/i-thought-it...
‘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.
www.courthousenews.com
April 13, 2026 at 6:35 PM
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...
More: www.courthousenews.com/i-thought-it...
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.
“I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States,” said Trump.
April 13, 2026 at 1:10 AM
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.
“I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States,” said Trump.
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.
April 10, 2026 at 9:41 PM
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.
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
Senate GOP forging ahead with Homeland Security funding, leaving Democrats aside @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/senate-gop-f...
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.
www.courthousenews.com
April 9, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Senate GOP forging ahead with Homeland Security funding, leaving Democrats aside @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/senate-gop-f...
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
Story TK
April 10, 2026 at 7:09 PM
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
Story TK
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:
April 8, 2026 at 11:36 PM
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:
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...
More: @courthousenews.bsky.social: courthousenews.com/articles/bon...
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.
courthousenews.com
April 8, 2026 at 4:22 PM
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...
More: @courthousenews.bsky.social: courthousenews.com/articles/bon...
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
Lawmakers balk at Trump threat against ‘whole civilization’ in Iran war @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/lawmakers-ba...
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...
www.courthousenews.com
April 7, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Lawmakers balk at Trump threat against ‘whole civilization’ in Iran war @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/lawmakers-ba...
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...
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...
www.courthousenews.com
April 7, 2026 at 4:14 PM
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...
Trump on Truth Social as his Iran negotiation timeline set to expire: “A whole civilization will die tonight.”
April 7, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Trump on Truth Social as his Iran negotiation timeline set to expire: “A whole civilization will die tonight.”
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.
April 3, 2026 at 10:26 PM
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.