On February 6, 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order reaffirming the national emergency with respect to Iran and establishing a mechanism to levy additional tariffs — for example, up to 25% — on goods imported into the United States from any country that directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise acquires goods or services from Iran. The order authorizes the Secretaries of State and Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to issue rules, make findings and implement tariffs; it follows Mr. Trump’s earlier Truth Social threat and could affect major trading partners such as China, the UAE and India worldwide. (whitehouse.gov)
At a Queens town hall, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez announced upcoming “legal observer” trainings — described as a “102” follow‑up to earlier “know your rights” sessions — in partnership with Hands Off NYC to teach activists how to legally observe, document, film and take notes during ICE operations without impeding law enforcement. She cited recent ICE‑related shootings and criticized an escalation in enforcement, urging community preparedness and legal support. Critics, including former ICE officials and right‑wing outlets, accused the trainings of encouraging obstruction or targeting of agents. Ocasio‑Cortez’s office framed the sessions as lawful civic education and community defense. She urged peaceful documentation. (ocasiocortez.com)
Giorgia Meloni attended the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony at Milan’s San Siro Stadium on February 6, 2026, drawing attention for her appearance in the VIP tribune. She met U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and used the occasion to hail Western values in a brief exchange with visiting officials. The star-studded event featured Andrea Bocelli and Mariah Carey, simultaneous cauldrons in Milan and Cortina, and strict security measures amid protests and a government decree to curb violence. Meloni’s visible presence highlighted Italy’s political and diplomatic stakes as the country hosted a globally televised celebration, drawing applause worldwide promptly. (reutersconnect.com)
A federal grand jury indicted 33‑year‑old Shannon Mathre of Toledo, Ohio, after U.S. Secret Service agents arrested him on Feb. 6 for allegedly threatening to “find out where he (the vice president) is going to be and use my M14 automatic gun and kill him,” Vice President J.D. Vance. (investing.com) Prosecutors say agents discovered multiple digital files of child sexual abuse material while investigating the threat, and charged Mathre with making threats under 18 U.S.C. §871(a) and with receipt, distribution and possession of CSAM dated Dec. 31, 2025–Jan. 21, 2026. He remains in custody now pending a Feb. 11 detention hearing. (investing.com)
Starting Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, members of Congress will be allowed to review unredacted versions of the Justice Department’s publicly released Epstein files in person on DOJ reading-room computers in Washington, D.C. The review covers roughly three million documents made public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act and will be available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; members must give 24 hours’ notice, cannot bring electronic devices or staff, and may take handwritten notes. The access was announced in a DOJ letter to lawmakers after requests from Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, and the DOJ framed it as transparency. (nbclosangeles.com)
On Monday, February 9, 2026, the Justice Department will allow members of Congress to review unredacted versions of more than three million Epstein-related documents released under last year’s transparency law. Lawmakers must give the DOJ 24 hours’ notice and will access files on DOJ computers (no electronic devices or copies allowed); may take notes; staff will be barred. The move, detailed in a letter from Assistant Attorney General Patrick Davis, responds to bipartisan pressure over heavy redactions and accidental disclosures of victims’ information. The DOJ is not making the 2.5 million withheld pages available, and advocates say scrutiny must continue. (apnews.com)
At the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan on February 6, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha were loudly booed and whistled by the crowd after being shown on the stadium screen, a reaction captured on international feeds but largely muted on NBC’s U.S. broadcast. (theguardian.com) Protests in Milan over the reported presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and broader tensions with the Trump administration helped fuel the reaction; Vance is leading the U.S. delegation and met with Italian leaders during the visit. (commondreams.org) The moment circulated widely on social media platforms globally. (mediaite.com)
