Phillip Swarts

Benghazi terror suspect to remain in federal custody

Benghazi terrorist suspect Ahmed Abu Khattala will remain in federal custody after his defense conceded it was the current best course of action during a hearing Wednesday. Published July 2, 2014

Airports could beef up security because of new explosives threat

Federal authorities may direct airports across the country to update security screening procedures amid concerns that terrorists are developing explosives to defeat current detection methods. Published June 30, 2014

Golden Hammer: Prison X-Ray machines fail to stop contraband

"Orange is the New Black" this isn't. In an attempt to stop the large amounts of contraband filtering their way into U.S. penitentiaries, the federal Bureau of Prisons decided to pick up some X-ray machines to improve security. But the machines have done little to cut down on smuggling. Published June 26, 2014

Hillary Clinton’s corporate backers have long history with Bill Clinton

The Clintons have intertwined their public service and private gain, often tapping the same companies for money that benefit them politically, personally and charitably — and the businesses are likely to seek favor should Mrs. Clinton run for and win the White House. Published June 25, 2014

McCarthy denies trying to obstruct oversight at EPA

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy told members of Congress at a Capitol Hill hearing Wednesday that she has never tried to obstruct oversight of her agency. Published June 25, 2014

GOP accused of scuttling environmental regs at EPA hearing

A Congressional hearing Wednesday investigating problems at the Environmental Protection Agency quickly split along party lines with Democrats accusing Republicans of launching investigations simply to interfere with environmental regulation. Published June 25, 2014

FBI sex trafficking sting nabs pimps, rescues 168 children

FBI Director James Comey announced Monday the arrests of 281 suspected pimps and the rescue of 168 children in a weeklong sting operation aimed at sex trafficking, organized crime’s fastest-growing enterprise. Published June 23, 2014

Golden Hammer: FEMA waste slows Katrina rebound

Nearly 10 years after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, some regions are still rebuilding. And nearly 10 years after the Federal Emergency Management Agency was accused of mismanaging aid for victims, investigators found the agency is still finding ways to waste taxpayers' money. Published June 19, 2014

House panel probes problems at chemical safety board

The head of the federal U.S. Chemical Safety Board abused his position, using his power to intimidate opponents and promote friends — leaving the agency with few employees and a backlog of investigations, lawmakers said during an oversight hearing Thursday. Published June 19, 2014

EPA watchdog says federal board blocking probe into retaliation

Officials at the U.S. Chemical Safety Board are deliberately trying to block an investigation into whether agency leaders mistreated whistleblowers, according to accusations in congressional testimony obtained by The Washington Times. Published June 19, 2014

Postal Service stuck in aging vehicles due to money woes: IG

Financial troubles at the U.S. Postal Service are making it difficult for the mail delivery agency to replace its aging fleet of vehicles, an internal investigation has found. Published June 18, 2014

Nuclear overhaul cost estimates likely too low, watchdog says

The Energy and Defense Departments' 10-year, $263-billion estimate for overhauling the nation's nuclear weapons is likely too low and will cost taxpayers more money than originally estimated, a watchdog report says. Published June 18, 2014

Russian ambassador to U.S.: Two nations must work together

Any U.S. effort to isolate Russia is doomed to fail, so the two powers might as well work together, Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak told a major Washington conference on bilateral relations. Published June 16, 2014

Golden Hammer: Pentagon sank $3 million in boats that never made it to Afghanistan

Here's an example of wasteful spending that won't float your boat. The Pentagon paid $3 million in 2010 to buy eight patrol boats to help Afghan National Security Forces secure their country's Amu Darya river border with Uzbekistan. Published June 12, 2014

State dedicates memorial for its killed law officers

Secretary of State John Kerry dedicated a memorial Thursday to those who have lost their lives overseas in support of the State Department's law enforcement and counter-narcotics efforts. Published June 12, 2014

Federal website allows public to track foreign aid, State Dept. says

The State Department is supporting a new website that allows taxpayers to track how much foreign aid the government is giving and what it's being spent on. Published June 11, 2014

Postal Service should do more than deliver mail, review suggests

The U.S. Postal Service has an idea to consider about how to make money: Stop being only a mail delivery service. Published June 11, 2014

Lawmakers fear a re-run of Iraq in Afghan aid effort

For U.S. taxpayers, post-withdrawal Afghanistan could become another Iraq when it comes to declining security and wasted international aid, lawmakers warned Tuesday. Published June 10, 2014

EPA figure tied to Alaska mine controversy missing

Phillip North, a former official at the Environmental Protection Agency, was central to the controversy swirling around an Alaskan mining project that includes accusations of federal overreach. Now representatives on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform want to question him. Published June 9, 2014

Ed Gillespie selected as GOP’s nominee in Virginia race against Sen. Mark Warner

Ed Gillespie, a former advisor to Mitt Romney and chairman of the Republican National Committee, has been selected by the GOP to be their candidate for the Senate race in Virginia. Published June 7, 2014