Month: January 2026

Democrats are barreling toward a government shutdown by threatening to withhold Homeland Security funding over aggressive immigration enforcement and recent fatal incidents during deportation operations that have inflamed lawmakers. DHS announced more than two million people have been removed or self‑deported since January 20, 2025, a figure supporters cite as proof of the administration’s resolve. Backers note about 77 million Americans voted for President Trump and endorse tougher immigration action. Negotiations now center on ICE/DHS reforms and whether bipartisan support will pass the spending package before funding deadlines, leaving a real chance of a partial federal shutdown and public backlash. (apnews.com)

Sources: (home.treasury.gov)

Federal authorities arrested Brenna Marie Doyle in Spokane, Washington after prosecutors say she used identification stolen from an FBI vehicle during a January 14 Minneapolis riot to locate and threaten a law enforcement officer and his family. A criminal complaint unsealed Jan. 26, 2026 alleges Doyle left three voicemails on January 16, 2026, threatening to kill the officer, his spouse and child to intimidate for his official duties. The arrest, made at FBI Minneapolis’s request, prompted the bureau to warn that threatening employees or their families will not be tolerated. A detention motion seeks to prevent contact with potential victims. (fox28spokane.com)

Reports of federal immigration enforcement activity in Arizona triggered student-led protests at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus on January 20, 2026, where hundreds marched against ICE presence. (statepress.com) Nationally, the administration’s Operation Metro Surge deployed thousands of DHS and ICE agents to Minnesota, provoking sustained demonstrations after the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti and widespread criticism of aggressive tactics. (en.wikipedia.org) Organizers and campus groups called for sanctuary policies and protection for undocumented students, while DHS defended the operations as targeting criminals. (statepress.com) The confrontations have intensified national debate over enforcement methods, civil liberties, and federal–state authority, and calls for oversight.

On January 4, 2026, President Donald Trump and tech CEO Elon Musk were photographed dining together at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort; Musk posted on X, “Had a lovely dinner last night with @POTUS and @FLOTUS. 2026 is going to be amazing!” The reunion follows a 2025 falling-out after Musk’s brief tenure leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and disputes over the One Big Beautiful Bill. Media outlets report the portrait and post have renewed speculation that the pair are patching ties and may coordinate politically and commercially in 2026. Melania Trump joined them, and the photo sparked widespread social-media debate. (people.com)

On January 26–27, 2026, multiple outlets reported that Border Patrol “commander at large” Greg Bovino was removed and would return to El Centro, California, where he is expected to retire soon. (timesofsandiego.com) Nick Sortor first posted the claim on X and The Atlantic cited a DHS official and two people with knowledge. (breitbart.com) The reports followed intense backlash after the January 24 killing of Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti by federal agents and disputed official accounts. (en.wikipedia.org) The White House and DHS denied Bovino had been relieved of duty, even as Tom Homan was named to oversee Minnesota operations. (forbes.com) Calls for investigations continue nationally.

On January 23, 2026, FBI Director Kash Patel announced at Ontario International Airport that the FBI’s 2025 performance was “historic,” citing the arrest of ex‑Olympian Ryan Wedding — added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted in March 2025 — and saying six Top‑Ten fugitives were captured in one year. (reutersconnect.com)

Patel and FBI figures credited 67,000 arrests in 2025, roughly 2,000 kilos of fentanyl seized (described as enough to kill about 100 million people), 6,000 missing children located, and a claimed 20% drop in the murder rate, which officials attributed to priorities under President Trump. (breitbart.com)

The numbers drew widespread media coverage and scrutiny. (theguardian.com)

Greg Bovino has been removed as Border Patrol “commander at large” and will return to his former El Centro post, where he is expected to retire, The Atlantic reported amid backlash after the fatal Minneapolis shooting of Alex Pretti. DHS later denied he’d been relieved of duties, saying he remains part of the president’s team, even as officials plan to scale back his role and move some agents out of Minnesota. The Atlantic reported DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and adviser Corey Lewandowski could be at risk of losing their jobs amid fallout. Officials say Tom Homan will oversee Minnesota operations. (aol.com)

After U.S. investors finalized control of TikTok’s operations on Jan. 23, 2026, users circulated a screenshot showing that typing “Epstein” as a one-word direct message was blocked, with commentator Brian Krassenstein calling it proof of censorship. (latimes.com) TikTok told NPR it had no rule banning the name and said it was investigating why some users received prompts that messages “may violate community guidelines.” (wgcu.org) Tests by reporters found the block inconsistent and likely due to an overbroad one-word DM filter or technical glitch, not a deliberate “Epstein” ban, though critics say the new ownership heightens censorship fears. (piunikaweb.com) The episode prompted oversight calls. (wgcu.org)