Phillip Swarts

GOP setting up showdown date for Homeland Security funding

Attempting to overturn the president's executive actions on immigration, congressional Republicans have set up a showdown over funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

DHS to ramp up random airport screenings amid Paris terrorism

The Department of Homeland Security is stepping up precautions in wake of the attacks in Paris, Secretary Jeh Johnson said Monday.

Justice Dept. wants Twitter’s First Amendment lawsuit tossed

The Justice Department wants a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit by Twitter that claims the social media company's First Amendment rights were violated, The Hill reported Monday.

FBI, State Department issue new terror warnings after Paris attack

Former Health and Human Services official gets 25 years for child porn charges

A high ranking government official was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison for his involvement in a child pornography ring.

Lawyers look to avoid prison for Bob McDonnell before sentencing

A federal judge in Richmond on Tuesday will sentence Bob McDonnell on public corruption charges that could land the former Virginia governor in prison for more than a decade.

Gambia gambit: Two Americans face charges for failed African coup

When most Americans think about changing the government, voting and joining political campaigns are most likely to come to mind. But last week, two U.S. citizens took things a step further, and traveled to Africa to participate in an armed coup.

Alan Gross, just released from Cuba prison: ‘Good to be home’

Alan Gross' first taste of freedom was popcorn. After commenting that it was something he missed while being held captive in Cuba, U.S. officials had a big bowl waiting for him on the plane that would bring him back to the United States.

Human smuggler Habtom Merhay sentenced to 3 years

A British citizen will serve three years in prison for smuggling nearly 100 illegal immigrants into the U.S., the Justice Department announced Tuesday.

Justice Department targets Ebola-based descrimination

The Justice Department is working to stem what it describes as an increase in discrimination tied to the Ebola outbreak, issuing guidelines Monday prohibiting any bullying or harassment based on a perception that certain people or groups might carry the virus.

FBI director warned of home-grown extremists days prior to Australia siege

Days before a siege of an Australian coffee shop reported to have left two dead, FBI Director James B. Comey warned that home-grown extremists are the bureau's top terror concern.

Tamir Rice shooting ruled a homicide

The fatal shooting of a 12-year-old boy by Cleveland police has been ruled a homicide, sparking anew discussions about police brutality.

Rapes on college campuses ‘underreported’

Female college students are less likely to report instances of rape than women the same age who are not in college, says a new Justice Department report released Thursday on the heels of a crumbling sexual-assault claim at the University of Virginia.

Atlanta jewelry orchestrator gets six years in prison

An Atlanta man who orchestrated a 2013 jewelry robbery will serve five years and ten months in prison for his role in the crime, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.

Holidays are a dangerous time for nation’s prisons, expert says

The holidays are an increasingly dangerous time for the nation's prison system, a judicial expert said, warning that workers must be vigilant against increased threats.

FBI chief says no indication of increased terror threat over holidays

FBI Director James Comey told reporters Tuesday that there's been no indication of an increased risk of a terrorist attack over the holiday season.

FBI director: U.S. vulnerable to major cyberattack

The U.S. government, its infrastructure and private businesses are vulnerable to potentially major disruptive cybersecurity attacks, despite better preparation at the federal level, the director of the FBI said Tuesday.

Discovery Channel snake expert convicted for smuggling snakes

A host on the Discovery Channel and his business partner face more than a year in prison for trying to illegally sell and smuggle snakes across state lines, the Justice Department announced.

Racial profiling guidelines slammed as overly broad, full of loopholes

The Justice Department on Monday announced new "stricter policies" forbidding the use of profiling by federal law enforcement officers.

Justice Dept. announces new limits on racial profiling

The Justice Department announced Monday "stricter policies" in the use of profiling by law enforcement in the wake of controversial rulings in the deaths of two black men during confrontations with police.