Phillip Swarts

‘All hope is lost’: Worried Democrats cry desperation in fundraising tactic

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee would like you to donate. Right now. Published August 29, 2014

Jeh Johnson: No imminent threat against the U.S., despite Britain’s ‘severe’ alert

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said there was no imminent threat against the U.S., despite Britain's decision to raise their terrorism alert level Friday. Published August 29, 2014

State Department calls on Iran to release American prisoners

Marking the three-year anniversary of the arrest of a U.S. citizen in Iran, the State Department called upon the Islamic government to release all Americans detained by the nation. Published August 29, 2014

Extradited Syrian citizen to face terrorism charges

A man charged with terrorism and extradited to the U.S. faced his first court appearance Thursday and will remain in federal custody until his trial. Published August 28, 2014

Michael Brown supporters rally in D.C.

Echoing the "Hands up, don't shoot!" cry of protesters in Ferguson, protesters gathered outside the Justice Department in the District to demand the agency take action in response to the shooting of unarmed Missouri teenager Michael Brown. Published August 27, 2014

Border officials nab nearly 3 tons of illegal drugs near El Paso, Texas

Customs and Border Protection officers have been busy lately, seizing nearly 3 tons of illegal drugs in the past week near El Paso, Texas, according to numbers released Tuesday night. Published August 27, 2014

Michael Brown death unleashed discussions of race, police militarization

The Aug. 9 shooting on a nondescript St. Louis suburban street has sparked a national debate on race, civil rights and policing that shows no signs of cooling down. Published August 26, 2014

Former government official convicted of child pornography charges

A former government official was convicted Tuesday of child pornography charges that included his "interest in the violent rape and murder of children," the Justice Department announced. Published August 26, 2014

Diplomat in Virginia won’t be charged for assault on woman: police

A man in Arlington, Virginia, will not face charges for beating a woman because he is a diplomat with full immunity, a local ABC News affiliate reported Tuesday. Published August 26, 2014

Afghanistan embassy gets high marks in review

Despite working in one of the most dangerous areas the State Department operates in, the ambassador and staff of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul received high marks from inspectors who said they were "favorably impressed" by the diplomatic team. Published August 26, 2014

American reportedly killed while fighting for Islamic State terrorists

A California man was killed over the weekend while fighting for the Islamic State terrorist group, NBC reported Tuesday. Published August 26, 2014

Rogue police sold drugs, burglarized suspects’ homes: Justice Dept.

Amid protests in Ferguson, Missouri, that police are overstepping their authority, the Justice Department announced Monday that a group of officers in Puerto Rico stepped over the legal line and actually became criminals themselves. Published August 25, 2014

Obama wants review of programs that let police buy military equipment

President Obama requested a review of all federal programs that allow state and local police and law enforcement agencies to purchase military equipment on Saturday. Published August 23, 2014

Islamist militias from from the Libyan Dawn movement capture Tripoli airport

Islamist fighters in Libya have captured Tripoli's major airport, wresting control away from nationalists who have controlled it since the fall of Mommar Gaddafi, international news sites reported Saturday. Published August 23, 2014

Ferguson protesters confront Jesse Jackson: ‘When you going to stop selling us out?’

A group of protesters in Ferguson, Mo., confronted civil rights activist Jesse Jackson in a McDonald's parking lot, saying they believed he was in the town for his own gain and not to support protesters. Published August 23, 2014

Rick Perry turns mug shot into ‘Wanted’ shirt for fundraising; ‘Guilty’ Lehmberg mug shot on back

Republican Texas Gov. Rick Perry has turned his recent indictment into a fundraising push, selling T-shirts bearing his mug shot and the word "Wanted" plastered above his head. Published August 23, 2014

Kerry urges Iraqi Foreign Minister to support formation of a new government

Secretary of State John Kerry urged the Iraqi Foreign Minister to support formation of a new government quickly in the war-torn nation, the State Department said Friday night. Published August 23, 2014

Police militarizing with few checks on power, expert says

Police forces around the United States are militarizing at an alarming rate, often without the knowledge of those who pay them, a criminal justice expert said Friday. Published August 23, 2014

The best presidential vacation spots of all time

For many presidents, vacations have allowed them to get away from the political craziness of the Beltway. President Barack Obama has said that his many golf trips help him to clear his head, but he's not the first Commander-in-Chief who's wanted to take a break from life in Washington. Published August 23, 2014

D.C. Metro will pay $4M fine for abusing government grants

D.C.'s Metro system paid a $4.2 million settlement to the federal government after it used taxpayer money to help a favored contractor, the Justice Department announced this week. Published August 23, 2014