Year: 2026

President Donald Trump announced on January 30, 2026 that he will nominate Kevin Warsh to serve as Chair of the Federal Reserve, a move that would replace Jerome Powell when Powell’s term ends in May 2026. Warsh, a former Fed governor (2006–2011) and current Stanford/Hoover fellow with strong Wall Street ties, has advocated changes to Fed policy and critiqued post‑crisis monetary measures. The nomination, subject to Senate confirmation, underscores the White House’s push for different interest‑rate policies and intensifies debate over the Fed’s independence. Markets and lawmakers are expected to scrutinize Warsh’s record and the politicization concerns surrounding the appointment. (apnews.com)

Santa Clara County Sheriff Robert (Bob) Jonsen announced he will not change local policies or assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with immigration enforcement around Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026, saying, “We are not going to change our policies or protocols. We will not be working or supporting ICE.” (foxnews.com) He urged federal partners to communicate plans with local officials while assuring residents local deputies will patrol transit and event areas for public safety. (sheriff.santaclaracounty.gov) The Department of Homeland Security declined to confirm ICE’s role, prompting concerns after recent federal immigration operations elsewhere, sparking widespread debate nationwide. (sfchronicle.com)

Elon Musk on July 14, 2024 shared Puck News reporting and lashed out at LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman after attendees at the Allen & Company Sun Valley conference reported Hoffman quipped, “Yeah, I wish I had made him an actual martyr,” in response to Peter Thiel calling Hoffman’s lawsuits a “martyr.” The remark resurfaced following an assassination attempt on Donald Trump days later. Hoffman issued a clarification condemning political violence, saying he meant legal accountability, not physical harm, and wishing Trump a speedy recovery. Musk’s amplification prompted outrage and calls from some shareholders and commentators for Hoffman to face consequences. (puck.news)

During a student-led, non-school anti-ICE protest at Fremont High School in Fremont, Nebraska, on January 29, 2026, a red SUV displaying a Trump flag struck a student around 2:30 p.m. Video shows the driver revving, accelerating into the crowd, hitting the protester and briefly stopping before fleeing. The injured student was taken to a hospital; officials said she was alert while being treated. Fremont police opened an investigation and had not identified the driver. School leaders and state officials condemned the incident and called for accountability as the community awaited updates. Authorities urged anyone with video to come forward immediately. (central.newschannelnebraska.com)

Newly released footage shows Alex Pretti spitting at federal agents and kicking a Border Patrol SUV during a January 13 protest, footage verified by BBC and confirmed by Pretti’s family. The clip, circulated by The News Movement and picked up, shows officers tackling the man and later retrieving a visible handgun from his waistband; Pretti was fatally shot by Border Patrol on January 24 during a separate operation. The Trump administration cited the video to challenge portrayals of Pretti as a peaceful protester, with President Trump highlighting the footage and criticizing local leaders’ handling of protests. PRESIDENT TRUMP IS RIGHT. (yahoo.com)

President Trump defended federal agents after Border Patrol fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge, calling Pretti a “gunman” and accusing local Democrats of inciting insurrection. (aljazeera.com) Bystander video released publicly appears to show Pretti holding a phone, not a weapon, contradicting DHS claims he approached agents with a handgun and fueling protests, legal challenges, and calls for accountability. (yahoo.com) Minnesota Democrats urged DHS and ICE to withdraw and wind down the operation, and state officials sought court intervention to halt it. (dhs.techmis.com) DHS says it is leading the investigation while reviewing body camera and bystander footage and widening outrage. (washingtonpost.com)

Social-media posts claim Virginia residents are panicking after electricity bills nearly tripled in January 2026, with one resident saying she now pays $600 a month and blaming “Democrat‑approved” energy rates. (independentsentinel.com) Officials present a different picture: the Virginia State Corporation Commission approved modest changes to Dominion Energy’s rates — $11.24 monthly base increase effective January 1, 2026 and an additional $2.36 in 2027 — along with fuel‑rate adjustments and a new data‑center rate class slated for 2027. (cardinalnews.org) Regulators and utilities say typical residential bills will rise in the low double‑digits, not triple, though data‑center demand and wholesale‑price spikes are raising concerns. (wvva.com)