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 🏎️
bweiss@courthousenews.com
@benjaminsweiss on the other sites
bweiss@courthousenews.com
@benjaminsweiss on the other sites
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
“Most recently, the most threatening thing I’ve seen yet was the naked bicyclers in Portland who were protesting ICE,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told @benjaminweiss.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 “...
www.courthousenews.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:49 PM
“Most recently, the most threatening thing I’ve seen yet was the naked bicyclers in Portland who were protesting ICE,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told @benjaminweiss.bsky.social. www.courthousenews.com/speaker-john...
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 “...
www.courthousenews.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM
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...
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
Speaker Johnson dismisses congressional scrutiny as federal agents crack down on protesters @benjaminweiss.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 “...
www.courthousenews.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Speaker Johnson dismisses congressional scrutiny as federal agents crack down on protesters @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/speaker-john...
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
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...
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.
www.courthousenews.com
October 2, 2025 at 5:48 PM
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...
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
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...
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.
www.courthousenews.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:13 PM
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...
from @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/dems-condemn...
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...
But while Dems rebuked the WH memo, they offered few steps to combat it.
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.
www.courthousenews.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:37 PM
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...
But while Dems rebuked the WH memo, they offered few steps to combat it.
www.courthousenews.com/dems-condemn...
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
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...
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.
www.courthousenews.com
September 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM
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.”
September 30, 2025 at 12:39 AM
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.”
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...
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...
www.courthousenews.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:44 PM
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...
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
BenjaminSWeiss - Twitch
COURTHOUSE NEWS PODCAST: BTS STREAM
www.twitch.tv
September 23, 2025 at 2:35 PM
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
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-...
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...
www.courthousenews.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:23 PM
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-...
But while experts say there should be protections against domestic propaganda, the law is often misinterpreted.
www.courthousenews.com/what-is-the-...
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
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-...
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...
www.courthousenews.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:08 PM
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-...
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...
www.courthousenews.com/house-republ...
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.
www.courthousenews.com
September 17, 2025 at 6:33 PM
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...
www.courthousenews.com/house-republ...
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...
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.
www.courthousenews.com
September 17, 2025 at 5:49 PM
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...
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
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.
www.courthousenews.com
September 16, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Video games so far unplugged from Congress’ response to Kirk assassination @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/video-games-...
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-...
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.
www.courthousenews.com
September 16, 2025 at 11:31 PM
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-...
www.courthousenews.com/video-games-...
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
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.
www.courthousenews.com
September 16, 2025 at 8:34 PM
GOP budget still freezes judicial security funding despite warnings from court leaders @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/gop-budget-s...
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...
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.
www.courthousenews.com
September 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
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:
September 12, 2025 at 11:10 PM
If you missed today's stream you missed Sen. Dick Durbin's X notifs summoning an energy sword battle:
🎮It's been a long week. Come hang out and debrief with a little Halo. Live shortly: www.twitch.tv/benjaminsweiss
BenjaminSWeiss - Twitch
LIVE: THIS WEEK IN (COURTHOUSE) NEWS & VIEWS
www.twitch.tv
September 12, 2025 at 7:22 PM
🎮It's been a long week. Come hang out and debrief with a little Halo. Live shortly: www.twitch.tv/benjaminsweiss
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
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.
www.courthousenews.com
September 11, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Police investigate bomb threat at DNC as fears of political violence escalate @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/police-inves...
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...
Police investigate bomb threat at DNC as fears of political violence escalate
Three historically Black universities also reported threats to their campuses on Thursday.
www.courthousenews.com
September 11, 2025 at 9:05 PM
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...
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.
www.courthousenews.com
September 11, 2025 at 5:24 PM
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...
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
Trump US attorney nominees return to Senate floor as GOP readies ‘nuclear option’ @benjaminweiss.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.
www.courthousenews.com
September 11, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Trump US attorney nominees return to Senate floor as GOP readies ‘nuclear option’ @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/trump-us-att...
Reposted by Benjamin S. Weiss
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.
www.courthousenews.com
September 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
House Republicans embark on legislative warpath against DC @benjaminweiss.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/house-republ...