Year: 2026

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)

On January 29, 2026, President Donald Trump told reporters he will name his nominee for Federal Reserve chair on the morning of January 30, 2026, signaling a move to replace Jerome Powell when Powell’s term ends in May. (apnews.com) Trump’s search, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, reportedly narrowed to Kevin Warsh, Christopher Waller, Rick Rieder and Kevin Hassett, with Warsh widely seen as the frontrunner. (apnews.com) The move has intensified debate about Fed independence after Trump’s public pressure on Powell and reports of a federal inquiry into Powell’s handling of a costly Fed headquarters renovation. (apnews.com) Markets and lawmakers are watching closely. (ft.com)

Elon Musk voiced strong support as House Republicans unveiled the “Make Elections Great Again Act,” a sweeping federal election bill introduced by Rep. Bryan Steil. (forbes.com) The proposal would require photo ID to vote, mandate that mail‑in ballots be received by the close of polls on Election Day, require proof of citizenship to register, and force auditable paper ballots for federal contests. (washingtonpost.com) It would ban ballot‑harvesting and prohibit universal vote‑by‑mail programs, tighten routine voter‑roll maintenance, and condition federal election funds on compliance. (foxnews.com) Democrats and voting‑rights groups warn the changes could disenfranchise millions and face legal and political challenges ahead of 2026. (apnews.com)

Breaking: Conservative reporter Liz Collin alleged that Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Gov. Tim Walz may have struck an “inside deal” to install Walz in Klobuchar’s Senate seat if she wins Minnesota’s gubernatorial race. (ktsa.com) Klobuchar announced her bid this week; Walz has said he won’t seek elective office again amid a widening welfare-fraud probe. (apnews.com) Under Minnesota law, a governor can appoint a temporary Senate replacement if a vacancy occurs, with a special election to follow. (startribune.com) Collin’s claim is unproven and has been framed as speculation by other outlets; officials have not confirmed any backroom arrangement as alleged. (gvwire.com)

Social media posts claim an Epstein victim says secret tapes showing Donald Trump exist and would force his resignation. (greeknewsondemand.com) The allegation traces to 2016 emails by Sarah Ransome, in which she described videos but later retracted and told The New Yorker she had “invented” the tapes. (newyorker.com) Prosecutors and the FBI say their review found no incriminating “client list” or evidence Epstein blackmailed associates. (opb.org) Major outlets have not independently verified any recordings, and Trump’s spokesperson calls the claims baseless and retracted. (allsides.com) The allegation remains uncorroborated and awaits official evidence or disclosure.

President Trump blasted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz over a fraud probe, accusing Walz of complicity and alleging Somali-linked schemes stole at least $19 billion in taxpayer funds and were laundered to Somalia. Trump vowed federal investigators would “find who did it and where the money is,” and urged deportations while singling out Rep. Ilhan Omar. The White House has deployed Homeland Security and ICE resources and amplified arrests and fraud claims. Walz said he welcomes a federal probe, accepted responsibility for oversight failures and abandoned a re-election bid amid scandal. Reports tie the allegations to childcare, housing and Medicaid schemes. (people.com)

Breaking: A bipartisan Safeguarding American Value‑Added Exports (SAVE) Act, led in the Senate by Sen. John Thune and Sen. Tammy Baldwin and in the House by Rep. Dusty Johnson, aims to protect U.S. food producers’ right to use common names like “parmesan,” “asiago,” and “bologna.” The bill would amend the Agricultural Trade Act to define “common names” and label foreign restrictions of those names as unfair trade practices, directing USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative to defend market access and negotiate protections abroad. Dairy and agricultural groups endorse the measure as key to preserving exports and countering EU geographic‑indication barriers. (thune.senate.gov)

Senate GOP leader John Thune said Republicans will amend the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to add a mandatory photo‑ID requirement at the ballot box in addition to the bill’s existing documentary proof‑of‑citizenship requirement for registration. Thune said he supports the measure and plans to schedule a Senate vote once the language is revised. The House passed its version in April 2025; the Senate bill has been sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee. Advocates argue the change promotes integrity; critics and voting‑rights groups warn it could disenfranchise eligible voters and raise legal challenges. Unclear how the rule would affect mail‑in. (democracydocket.com)

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