Year: 2026

Independent journalist Nick Shirley published a viral 42-minute exposé in December alleging widespread fraud at Minnesota daycare centers that appeared inactive despite receiving millions in state and federal funds, a video that garnered over 100 million views and prompted federal inquiries and a temporary HHS freeze on childcare payments. (foxnews.com) Governor Tim Walz announced on January 5, 2026, that he would not seek a third term, saying he needed to focus on addressing the crisis; on January 28 he told MS NOW he would never run for elected office again. (apnews.com) Shirley celebrated online, posting “I ENDED TIM WALZ,” drawing national attention. (yahoo.com)

Elon Musk publicly demanded that the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act require in‑person, paper voting and proof of citizenship at registration, arguing this will prevent fraud. (forbes.com) Supporters in Republican leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, have pushed the measure as an election‑integrity priority. (vinnews.com) The SAVE Act would force citizens to present documentary proof—like passports or birth certificates—in person and could end online and mail‑based registration. (vinnews.com) Critics and voting‑rights groups warn the law would disenfranchise millions, including young, low‑income, rural, and name‑changed voters. (americanprogress.org) Proponents say it protects ballot integrity, and opponents predict legal challenges nationwide. (theguardian.com)

Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced that an updated Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act will be brought to the Senate floor and amended to require photo identification as well as documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in federal elections. Thune said the bill, which the House passed in April 2025, is being “fixed” to add a photo‑ID requirement and that he will schedule a vote. Advocates warn the measure could complicate mail‑in voting and voter registration; critics say it would disenfranchise many voters. Passage is uncertain because Senate Democrats can block the bill under the 60‑vote filibuster and Republicans. (democracydocket.com)

On January 27, 2026, dozens of anti‑ICE protesters occupied the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn in Tribeca, Manhattan, accusing the hotel of housing federal immigration agents after two fatal ICE-related shootings in Minneapolis. (abc7ny.com) Police ordered the crowd to disperse for 45 minutes before the NYPD Strategic Response Group began making arrests; officers used zip ties and escorted detainees to buses. (gvwire.com) Authorities reported 65–66 people arrested, most issued summonses for trespassing and disorderly conduct. (amny.com) Demonstrators chanted, removed coats to reveal “Abolish ICE” shirts, and said the action aimed to pressure hotels and spotlight protests. (amny.com) Hotel and DHS comment was limited. (abcnews.go.com)

Bruce Springsteen released a protest song, “Streets of Minneapolis,” on January 28, 2026, written in response to recent killings in Minneapolis. He said he wrote it on January 24, recorded it on January 27, and released it the next day. The track, dedicated to Alex Pretti and Renée Good, condemns ICE and attacks President Trump—labeling federal agents “King Trump’s private army”—and culminates in chants of “ICE out.” Posted to Springsteen’s social accounts and YouTube, the full-band folk-rock piece narrates the deaths, calls for justice, and urges solidarity with Minneapolis’s immigrant communities and memorializes the names of the slain publicly today. (theguardian.com)

On January 28, 2026, FBI agents executed a court‑authorized search at the Fulton County elections center in Union City, Georgia, seizing records tied to the 2020 election, including ballots, tabulator tapes and digital images. (theguardian.com) Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, sworn in February 12, 2025, was photographed outside the site with FBI officials, prompting scrutiny because the DNI does not generally oversee law‑enforcement raids. (dni.gov) County officials, voting‑rights groups and lawmakers warned the action risked undermining chain of custody and politicizing election oversight. (theguardian.com) Supporters countered agents acted under a court order; the Justice Department has not detailed allegations as probe continues. (washingtonpost.com)

On January 28, 2026, FBI agents executed a court‑authorized search at the Fulton County Elections Hub in Union City, Georgia, seizing 2020 ballots, tabulator tapes, electronic ballot images and voter rolls as part of an investigation into the 2020 election. (apnews.com) Associated Press and other outlets published photos showing agents loading boxes onto trucks and reported that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and FBI Co‑Deputy Director Andrew Bailey were seen onsite. (apnews.com) County officials warned about chain‑of‑custody and transparency, noting the action follows renewed scrutiny tied to President Trump’s repeated, unproven 2020 fraud claims; the investigation remains active and questions persist. (wsbtv.com)

On January 28, 2026, FBI agents executed a court-authorized search warrant at the Fulton County Elections Hub and Operations Center in Union City, Georgia, spending nearly twelve hours removing boxes of 2020 ballots, tabulator tapes, digital ballot images and voter rolls as part of a federal probe into preservation of election records and alleged 2020 irregularities. County officials say an initial warrant was corrected before seizure and have raised chain-of-custody and transparency concerns. The action follows long-running challenges to Georgia’s 2020 results and a DOJ suit seeking access to the same materials, prompting partisan debate statewide and national political fallout. (apnews.com)