[Saturday, January 10] US News Headlines from r/Conservative

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DAILY BRIEFING

By Dr. Headline, HeadlineSquare January 10, 2026

Executive Summary

Today’s briefing covers escalating global and domestic crises. Internationally, a massive protest movement is reportedly destabilizing Iran, with the U.S. developing preliminary military options in response. In Ukraine, Russia has deployed a new ballistic missile as a direct “warning to the West.” Domestically, a deadly ICE officer-involved shooting in Minneapolis has ignited a major crisis, with 1,000 federal agents deployed amid jurisdictional disputes and a war of narratives over conflicting video evidence. The Trump administration also announced a cap on credit card interest rates and reiterated its intent to acquire Greenland.

1. Major International Crises

1.1. Iran: Regime Instability and U.S. Military Posturing

Iran is engulfed in widespread protests described as the “most serious threat” to the government since the 1979 revolution, leading to a severe crackdown and a hawkish response from the United States [1]. Reports from the ground indicate a high human cost, with a doctor in Tehran claiming more than 200 people have been reported dead in the capital alone [2]. The unrest appears to be shaking the foundations of the regime. President Trump made a public statement claiming that intelligence suggests Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, is “looking to flee” the country [3]. Corroborating the sense of crisis, another report alleges that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been placed on its “highest alert since June” at Khamenei’s direct request [4]. The situation has led commentators to conclude the regime is “crumbling” [5].

The Trump administration is responding with a multi-pronged strategy of diplomatic pressure and military pre-planning. The State Department has cautioned Iran “not to ’test US resolve’” over the crackdown [6]. Concurrently, multiple outlets report the administration is actively developing “preliminary attack plans on Iran — considering what sites to target” should military action be ordered [7, 8]. This military posturing is paired with public statements of solidarity. President Trump declared the U.S. is “‘ready to help’ Iranians achieve freedom,” while Senator Lindsey Graham, described as a “top Trump ally,” sent a direct message to protesters, stating, “‘Help is on the way’” [9, 10]. Reflecting a broader political consensus, a statement attributed to “The United States Congress” declared unequivocal support for the protestors and called for the “Ayatollah’s evil dictatorship” to be “relegated to the ash heap of history” [11].

References

[1] Iran’s leaders facing most serious threat since 1979 revolution | World News, https://news.sky.com/story/irans-leaders-facing-most-serious-threat-since-1979-revolution-13492604
[2] Doctor Says More Than 200 Reported Dead in Tehran Protests, https://time.com/7345092/iran-protests-death-toll-regime-crackdown
[3] Iran’s supreme leader looking to flee, Trump says as protests spread, https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/article/iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-trump-protests-d9gtfmj8w
[4] IRGC placed on ‘highest alert since June’ at Khamenei’s request amid protests | The Jerusalem Post, https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-882889
[5] The Ayatollah’s Regime Is Crumbling, https://www.thefp.com/p/the-ayatollahs-regime-is-crumbling
[6] State Department warns Iran not to ’test US resolve’ over protest crackdown, https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601101772
[7] Trump admin weighing preliminary attack plans on Iran — considering what sites to target, https://nypost.com/2026/01/10/world-news/trump-admin-to-carry-out-preliminary-attack-plans-on-iran-considering-what-sites-to-target/
[8] Trump Team Weighs Military Options as Iran Unrest Escalates, https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/iran-political-unrest-trump/2026/01/10/id/1241619
[9] Trump says US ‘ready to help’ Iranians achieve freedom, https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601105197
[10] ‘Help is on the way,’ top Trump ally Graham tells Iranian protesters, https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601109477
[11] “🚨The United States Congress stands with the brave men & women of the #Iran, demanding their rights & freedoms on the streets. The Ayatollah’s evil dictatorship must be relegated to the ash heap of history!”, https://x.com/RepCarlos/status/2010074046235550163

1.2. Russia Escalates in Ukraine, Issues Direct Threats to NATO

The security situation in Eastern Europe has sharply deteriorated. Russia has reportedly deployed a “new ballistic missile” during a major assault on Ukraine, an action explicitly framed by AP News as a strategic “warning to the West” [1]. This military escalation was followed by exceptionally blunt language from Dmitry Medvedev, a prominent Russian official. In a social media post, Medvedev declared Russia “won’t accept any European or NATO troops in Ukraine.” He directly targeted French President Emmanuel Macron’s diplomatic efforts as “pathetic bullshit” and issued a clear threat to any nation considering intervention: “Well, come on then. This is what you’ll get” [2].

References

[1] Russia uses its new ballistic missile in a major attack on Ukraine and a warning to West, https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drones-missile-kyiv-56655401d55ab4818800c43b7035b2a9
[2] Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) on X: The ruling European dimwits want a war in Europe after all. It’s been said a thousand times: Russia won’t accept any European or NATO troops in Ukraine, but no, Micron keeps peddling this pathetic bullshit. Well, come on then. This is what you’ll get., https://x.com/MedvedevRussiaE/status/2009937833784488099

1.3. U.S. Intensifies Pressure Campaign Against Venezuela

The Trump administration is executing an aggressive pressure campaign against Venezuela’s Maduro regime through kinetic and economic means. A New York Post report details a witness account of a U.S. raid to capture Maduro, alleging American forces used a “powerful sonic weapon” [1]. Other reports detail high-risk operations, including one where a U.S. Chinook pilot was shot three times but completed the mission, and another where President Trump confirmed that “interim authorities” in Venezuela cooperated with the U.S. to seize an oil tanker [2, 3]. A former Vice President has publicly defended such military actions as both “constitutional and necessary” [4]. This pressure is complemented by economic sanctions; President Trump signed an executive order to protect Venezuelan oil revenue held in U.S. accounts from creditors [5]. Supporters frame these actions as evidence of a “New Monroe Doctrine” marking a “New Dawn in the Hemisphere” against socialist influence [6].

References

[1] US used powerful sonic weapon in Venezuela during raid to capture Maduro: incredible witness account | New York Post, https://nypost.com/2026/01/10/world-news/us-used-powerful-sonic-weapon-in-venezuela-during-raid-to-capture-madouro-incredible-witness-account/
[2] What to Do If You’re Shot 3X During Maduro Operation? If You’re This Chinook Pilot, You Finish Mission., https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2026/01/09/what-to-do-if-youre-shot-3x-during-maduro-operation-if-youre-this-chinook-pilot-you-finish-mission-n2197967
[3] Trump confirms ‘interim authorities’ in Venezuela cooperated in oil tanker seizure, https://justthenews.com/government/security/trump-confirms-interim-authorities-venezuela-cooperated-oil-tanker-seizure
[4] Former VP defends military action against Maduro as constitutional and necessary, https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/mike-pence-venezuela-has-chance-freedom-thanks-trump-our-armed-forces
[5] Trump signs order to protect Venezuela oil revenue held in US accounts, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-signs-order-protect-venezuela-oil-revenue-held-us-accounts
[6] The New Monroe Doctrine: It’s a New Dawn in the Hemisphere, and Socialists Are Morning People Now, https://pjmedia.com/sarah-anderson/2026/01/09/the-new-monroe-doctrine-slow-news-week-huh-n4948092

2. Domestic Crisis: The Minneapolis Flashpoint

2.1. The Incident and Federal Escalation

A deadly ICE officer-involved shooting in Minneapolis has become a national flashpoint, triggering a massive federal response. The incident, in which an agent shot an activist named Renee Nicole Good, was captured in cellphone video [1]. In response to growing protests, the Department of Homeland Security announced it will “Surge 1,000 Additional Agents Into Minneapolis” [2]. This deployment is reportedly being staffed by reallocating personnel from an immigration crackdown in Louisiana [3]. Demonstrators located and surrounded the Hilton Canopy Hotel, which they believed to be housing the federal agents involved [4]. Simultaneously, the Trump administration has launched a formal investigation into the refugee status of some Minnesota residents, widening the scope of the federal action [5].

References

[1] Deadly Minneapolis ICE agent shooting seen in cellphone video, https://www.foxnews.com/us/cellphone-video-released-deadly-minneapolis-ice-agent-shooting
[2] DHS to Surge 1,000 Additional Agents Into Minneapolis As Protests Escalate, https://townhall.com/tipsheet/josephchalfant/2026/01/09/dhs-to-surge-200-additional-agents-into-minneapolis-n2669249
[3] Report: Feds Leaving La. Immigration Crackdown for Minneapolis, https://www.newsmax.com/us/immigration-new-orleans-minnesota/2026/01/09/id/1241491/
[4] Minneapolis protesters surround Hilton Canopy Hotel believed holding federal agents after Renee Nicole Good ICE shooting | New York Post, https://nypost.com/2026/01/10/us-news/minneapolis-protesters-surround-hilton-canopy-hotel-believed-holding-federal-agents-after-renee-nicole-good-ice-shooting/
[5] Trump administration to investigate refugee status of Minnesota residents, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/4413200/trump-administration-investigating-refugee-status-minnesota-residents/

2.2. Escalating Unrest and Jurisdictional Friction

The situation on the ground in Minneapolis is volatile, marked by clashes and rising tension between local and federal authorities. The city’s police chief reported that at least 29 people have been arrested in demonstrations and that one officer was injured after being struck by a “chunk of ice” [1]. The federal surge has sparked a “jurisdiction dispute with Minnesota officials” over control of the shooting investigation [2]. This friction mirrors tensions elsewhere; a report from Philadelphia notes the city’s sheriff has “lambast[ed] ICE” and threatened to arrest federal agents operating there [3]. As unrest grows, rhetoric has become more heated, with one report quoting an anti-ICE protester in Minneapolis stating, “We have to ‘Show Up with Guns and End This’” [4].

References

[1] Minneapolis officer hit with chunk of ice as 29 arrested in demonstrations, police chief says, https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/minneapolis-ice-shooting-1-10-2026
[2] ICE agent shooting sparks jurisdiction dispute with Minnesota officials, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/why-fbi-can-exclude-state-authorities-from-minnesota-probe
[3] Philadelphia sheriff lambasts ICE, threatens arrests | Fox News, https://www.foxnews.com/us/philadelphia-sheriff-rips-ice-fake-wannabe-law-enforcement-threatening-arrests-dont-want-smoke
[4] ICE Protester: We Have to ‘Show Up with Guns and End This’, https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2026/01/09/ice-protester-we-have-to-show-up-with-guns-and-end-this/

2.3. The Contested Narrative

An intense information battle is being waged over the facts of the Minneapolis shooting. Initial media coverage was heavily influenced by bystander video, but a counter-narrative quickly emerged based on footage from the ICE agent’s perspective. Vice President JD Vance publicly “shamed Media” by sharing this video, which allies say proves the activist, referred to as a “Poet,” first tried to run the agent over [1, 2]. Further reports claim new video shows Renee Good “DANCING in her vehicle” moments before the confrontation, which commentators argue “destroys” the “left-wing narrative” [3]. Adding another layer, Breitbart reported that the individuals shot were members of the “Tren de Aragua Gang,” an assertion echoed in a separate incident in Portland, where the Police Chief confirmed suspects in a CBP shooting were “‘Associated’ with Tren De Aragua” [4, 5]. This narrative war has also ensnared local officials, with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey accused of making contradictory statements about whether the agent was “hit” by the vehicle [6].

References

[1] VP Vance Shames Media with Video from ICE Agent’s Perspective, https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/cnsnews/craig-bannister/2026/01/09/vp-vance-shames-media-video-ice-agents-perspective
[2] Nolte: ICE Agent’s Footage Proves ‘Poet’ Tried to Run Him Over, https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2026/01/09/nolte-ice-agents-footage-proves-poet-tried-to-run-him-over/
[3] New Video From Before Shooting Destroys Another Left-Wing Narrative About Renee Good, https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2026/01/10/new-video-before-shooting-destroys-another-left-wing-narrative-about-renee-good-n4948123
[4] Democrats Defend Tren de Aragua Gang Members Shot During Attack on ICE, https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2026/01/09/democrats-defend-tren-de-aragua-migrants-shot-during-attack-on-ice/
[5] Portland Police Chief: Couple Shot by Border Patrol Are ‘Associated’ with Tren De Aragua, https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/01/09/portland-police-chief-couple-shot-by-border-patrol-are-associated-with-tren-de-aragua/
[6] “Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey now admits that the ICE agent received a hip injury from the ICE Watch activist who rammed him with her car. Then he bizarrely claims he was NOT hit and that the injury was no worse than someone getting hit by their refrigerator door.” (X/@amuse), https://x.com/amuse/status/2010033084020978007?s=20

3. Executive Branch Policy & Actions

3.1. Economic Interventions and Judicial Pushback

President Trump announced a major consumer finance policy, vowing a one-year cap on all credit card interest rates at 10%, to become effective January 20, 2026 [1]. However, another executive action faced a judicial setback. A federal judge blocked the administration from freezing “$10B in child care, social services funding” that was directed to “five blue states” [2].

References

[1] President Donald J. Trump announces a one year cap on Credit Card Interest Rates of 10% effective January 20, 2026. 💸, https://x.com/whitehouse/status/2009799629442035968?s=61
[2] Judge blocks Trump admin from freezing $10B in child care, social services funding to five blue states | New York Post, https://nypost.com/2026/01/09/us-news/judge-blocks-trump-admin-from-freezing-10b-in-child-care-social-services-funding-to-five-blue-states/

3.2. Presidential Statement on Greenland

President Trump has reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland, using stark and potentially coercive language. In a meeting with oil executives, he was quoted as saying, “We’re going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not.” He reportedly added, “If we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way” [1].

References

[1] President Trump tells oil executives, ‘We’re going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not’. ‘If we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.’, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-us-making-moves-acquire-greenland-whether-like-not

3.3. FBI Leadership Transition

A leadership change has occurred at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The agency has named Christopher Raia as its new co-deputy director, following the departure of Dan Bongino from the position [1].

References

[1] FBI names Christopher Raia co-deputy director after Dan Bongino’s departure, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-names-christopher-raia-co-deputy-director-after-dan-bonginos-departure

4. Other Domestic Affairs: State Politics and Public Safety

4.1. Scrutiny of State and Local Leadership

Governors of several key states are facing significant criticism. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom, once a foe of “Big Oil,” is now reportedly working with those same companies to secure fuel imports as the state’s gas supplies are “dwindling” [1]. This follows critiques that he is “selling a California success story that never happened” amid a taxpayer exodus [2]. In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz is under pressure regarding a “fraud scandal,” with a Fox News opinion piece suggesting that if he is charged, his “best defense is incompetence” [3]. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul faces questions over her plans to discuss “affordability” while pushing expensive policy “schemes” with unclear funding [4]. Separately, New York City’s “Mayor Mamdani” is facing blowback for a “tardy response to two NYPD shootings” and for initiating public hearings to “shame ‘Ripoff’ NYC landlords” [5, 6].

References

[1] As gas supplies in California dwindle, Newsom works to secure imports with ‘Big Oil’ he once fought, https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/energy/gas-supplies-california-dwindle-newsom-works-big-oil-he-once-fought-secure
[2] Gavin Newsom is selling a California success story that never happened, https://unherd.com/newsroom/gavin-newsom-is-selling-a-california-success-story-that-never-happened/
[3] If Walz is charged in Minnesota fraud scandal, his best defense is incompetence, https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/gregg-jarrett-walz-charged-minnesota-fraud-scandal-his-best-defense-incompetence
[4] Kathy Hochul will talk ‘affordability’ —without explaining how NY taxpayers can afford her schemes, https://nypost.com/2026/01/10/opinion/kathy-hochul-will-talk-affordability-without-explaining-how-ny-taxpayers-can-afford-her-schemes/
[5] Mamdani’s tardy response to two NYPD shootings draws blowback – including a miffed Commish Tisch, https://nypost.com/2026/01/09/us-news/mamdanis-tardy-response-to-two-nypd-shootings-draws-blowback-including-a-miffed-commish-tisch/
[6] Kulaks Beware: Mamdani Orders Public Hearings To Shame ‘Ripoff’ NYC Landlords, https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/01/kulaks-beware-mamdani-orders-public-hearings-to-shame-ripoff-nyc-landlords/

4.2. Major Public Safety Incident in Mississippi

A mass shooting in Mississippi has left six people dead. Officials have confirmed the death toll, and a suspect connected to the killings has been taken into custody [1].

References

[1] Six killed in Mississippi mass shooting, suspect in custody, officials say | News | fox13memphis.com, https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/six-killed-in-mississippi-mass-shooting-suspect-in-custody-officials-say/article_e21361d6-b283-431e-96b9-0dcb94481ba8.html

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