Politics
→ NewsBorder czar says ICE shooting victim's actions could fit domestic terrorism definition
Tom Homan said on Meet the Press that Renee Nicole Good's actions 'could fall within' the FBI definition of domestic terrorism; Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had called the incident an act of domestic terrorism without providing evidence. Video and eyewitness accounts raised questions about whether Good tried to run over an officer.
Minneapolis ICE shooting: officer followed training as car allegedly drove at him, former agent says
A former agent said the ICE officer followed training when a vehicle allegedly moved toward him, and video and official statements show the encounter ended with the death of Renee Nicole Good and sparked protests and criticism.
Congress debates consequences for ICE and Noem after Renee Good's killing
Lawmakers are calling for investigations and policy changes after an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Good in Minnesota; the White House and Homeland Security officials say the officer acted in self-defense while many Democrats dispute that account. Congress is weighing oversight, funding restrictions and possible legislation as appropriations decisions and protests continue.
Venezuelan immigrants worry about deportation after Maduro's capture
Venezuelans in the U.S. marked the capture of Nicolás Maduro with relief, while many who lack permanent status say they are now worried about possible deportation and frozen immigration cases.
Jan. 6 rioter who took Pelosi's lectern seeks Florida county office
A Florida man who was photographed carrying Nancy Pelosi's lectern during the Jan. 6 attack has filed as a Republican for an at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission; he pleaded guilty in 2021 to entering a restricted building and served 75 days in prison.
Venezuela: White House weighs oil access and democratic transition
The White House is directing post-raid governance in Venezuela while officials inside the administration express competing priorities: securing stability and access to oil now, and pursuing democratic elections at an unspecified later date.
Mayor Mamdani Announces Expansion of Public Bathrooms Across New York City
Mayor Zohran Mamdani committed $4 million to a Request for Proposals for high-quality modular public restrooms, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation will release the RFP within the administration's first 100 days; officials also signed approvals for a new accessible, self-cleaning restroom at 12th Avenue and St. Clair Place in West Harlem.
ICE shooting in Minneapolis reignites trauma tied to George Floyd protests
An ICE officer fatally shot Renee Nicole Good on a Minneapolis street, prompting local outcry and comparisons to the city’s post–George Floyd era. Officials and eyewitnesses dispute key details and investigations are ongoing.
Minnesota Democrats denied entry to ICE facility
Reps. Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig and Kelly Morrison said they were denied entry to an ICE processing center in Minneapolis after local staff initially admitted them and commanding officers then told them to leave; officials at the site cited funding tied to the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' as the reason. The lawmakers said they showed a December 2025 federal court ruling that limited some restrictions on congressional visits but were refused.
Philadelphia sheriff calls ICE agents 'fake, wannabe' officers
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal publicly called ICE agents 'fake, wannabe' and said their actions violate both legal and moral law, and she echoed Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner's warning that federal officers who commit crimes in the city will be arrested and prosecuted.
US reportedly used sonic weapon in Venezuela raid
A witness account shared via the White House press secretary's X post says US forces used a sonic weapon during the Jan. 3 raid. Venezuela's Interior Ministry reported about 100 security force deaths and the White House has not confirmed the account.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says ICE agent 'walked away with a hop in his step' after deadly shooting
Mayor Jacob Frey criticized an ICE agent after cellphone footage of a deadly shooting was released, and the Department of Homeland Security said the agent fired because he feared for lives.
Minneapolis police absent as protesters control street after ICE shooting
DHS says an ICE agent fired during an enforcement operation in south Minneapolis, leaving a woman dead; protesters later set up barricades on the block and police were not observed nearby.
Timberwolves hold moment of silence for Minneapolis woman after shooting by ICE agent
The Minnesota Timberwolves observed a moment of silence for Renee Nicole Good before a home game; officials say she was shot during an encounter with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, and local leaders dispute that account.
Trump calls for one-year cap on credit card interest rates at 10%
President Donald Trump said he is calling for a one-year cap on credit card interest rates at 10% starting January 20, 2026, but did not provide details on how it would be implemented or enforced; lawmakers have previously proposed similar 10% caps in Congress.
Gavin Newsom proposes $350B California budget and delays federal loan repayment
Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a record $350 billion California budget that boosts spending on education and other programs; the plan does not allocate funds to repay the COVID-era federal unemployment loan principal, leaving employers responsible for related costs.
Nebraska Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh removes PragerU exhibit at State Capitol
Video and images show Nebraska Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh removing panels from a PragerU Founders Museum exhibit at the state capitol; Cavanaugh told a local outlet she thought the posters in the hallway belonged to her office and stacked them inside and told state patrol. The exhibit, presented as part of the 250th anniversary programming, is reported to remain on display through the summer.
Kentucky lawmakers weigh clawing back incentives for BlueOval SK plant
Legislative leaders said they will review state incentives given to Ford for the BlueOval SK project after Ford revised plans and reduced expected jobs; the company now plans to shift production and extend the timeline.
Wisconsin teen Nikita Casap accepts plea deal in parents' deaths
Nikita Casap pleaded guilty Jan. 8 to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide in the February 2025 deaths of his parents; a sentencing hearing is set for March 5.
House fails to override Trump's vetoes of a bipartisan water bill and tribal measure
The House fell short of the two-thirds majority Thursday needed to override President Trump's vetoes of two bipartisan bills: one to finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit water project and another involving Miccosukee Tribe land.
House votes to revive Obamacare funds as senators plot a scaled-back bill
The House passed a three-year extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits 230-196, with 17 Republicans joining Democrats, sending an $80 billion measure to the Senate; some Senate Republicans are instead negotiating a narrower, two-year compromise.
Senate votes to display Jan. 6 plaque after House GOP refused to hang it
The Senate unanimously approved a resolution directing the Architect of the Capitol to display a plaque honoring officers who protected the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, after the House speaker declined to hang it; the plaque will be displayed in the Senate wing until a permanent location is set.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro begins re-election year with $30 million on hand
Governor Josh Shapiro's campaign reported more than $30 million cash on hand at the end of 2025 and said it raised over $10 million in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Claire Valdez enters race for New York's 7th Congressional District.
Queens Assemblywoman Claire Valdez announced she is running for New York's 7th Congressional District to replace Rep. Nydia Velázquez, and she will face Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in the Democratic primary.
Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer to retire after decades in House leadership.
Rep. Steny Hoyer will not seek reelection and plans a formal retirement announcement on the House floor; he has represented Maryland in Congress since 1981 and served for many years in Democratic leadership.
Tim Walz's daughter Hope says family decision led him to drop out
Hope Walz said the family discussed and Governor Tim Walz decided not to seek re-election amid national criticism tied to a large fraud investigation that has prompted more than 90 charges.
Senate advances measure to restrict Trump's use of military force in Venezuela
The Senate voted 52-47 to advance a bipartisan war powers resolution that would bar the president from using military force in or against Venezuela without prior congressional approval. A full Senate vote is scheduled for next week.
DOJ sues Arizona and Connecticut over refusal to share voter rolls.
The Justice Department filed lawsuits against Arizona and Connecticut after the states declined to provide full voter registration lists; Arizona's secretary of state says officials have responded to DOJ requests and will defend privacy laws in court.
Florida Governor DeSantis calls April special session on redistricting
Gov. Ron DeSantis has scheduled a special legislative session for April 20–24 to consider redrawing Florida's congressional map; the dates follow the regular session and may conflict with the April 24 candidate filing deadline.
Gavin Newsom faces $18 billion California budget shortfall
California is reported to be facing an $18 billion budget shortfall that officials say could grow in coming years amid years of higher spending, reduced federal funding and weaker revenues; Governor Gavin Newsom will present a plan to address the gap in a planned major speech.
