[Friday, January 16] US News Headlines from r/politics

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DAILY BRIEFING

By Dr. Headline, HeadlineSquare January 16, 2026

Executive Summary

• Minnesota Crisis: President Trump threatens using the Insurrection Act in Minnesota amid escalating protests over aggressive ICE tactics, prompting impeachment calls for DHS Secretary Noem from 80 House Democrats. A federal judge accuses top officials of an “unconstitutional conspiracy.”
• Greenland Tensions: The President’s push to acquire Greenland strains NATO, with tariff threats drawing bipartisan and international alarm. The move has even prompted impeachment discussions from within the GOP.
• Executive Power Under Scrutiny: Concerns over executive authority grow with the President’s comments about canceling elections and a public conflict with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over monetary policy.
• Controversial Policies: HHS Secretary RFK Jr. advances a contentious agenda, investigating phone-cancer links. The President’s acceptance of a Nobel medal from a Venezuelan opposition leader is widely criticized as an “embarrassing” gesture.

1. Domestic Unrest & Immigration Enforcement

1.1 The Minnesota Crisis: Insurrection Act Threats and Escalating Tensions

The administration’s immigration enforcement surge has culminated in a severe crisis in Minnesota, where President Trump has explicitly threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy the U.S. military [1, 2]. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed she discussed the matter with the President, though Trump later stated there was “no reason ‘right now’” to use the act [3, 4]. The situation on the ground in Minneapolis has been described by some as having an “occupying force”-like atmosphere, with reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers demanding proof of U.S. citizenship from people on the street [5]. The crisis was catalyzed by the January 7 shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent; a fire department report has since revealed she sustained four gunshot wounds [6].

[1] Trump threatens to use Insurrection Act and deploy military in Minnesota, https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/15/repub/trump-threatens-to-use-insurrection-act-and-deploy-military-in-minnesota/
[2] The Memo: Trump’s Insurrection Act threat roils waters amid Minneapolis tensions, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5692022-insurrection-act-debate-trump/
[3] Secretary Noem Says She Discussed Insurrection Act With President Trump, https://www.c-span.org/clip/white-house-event/secretary-noem-says-she-discussed-insurrection-act-with-president-trump/5189096
[4] Trump says there’s no reason ‘right now’ to use Insurrection Act in Minneapolis, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5693019-trump-insurrection-act-minneapolis/
[5] ‘An occupying force’: Minneapolis caught up in Trump’s anti-immigration surge, https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260116-an-occupying-force-minneapolis-caught-up-in-trump-anti-immigration-surge
[6] Renee Good had four gunshot wounds, fire department report reveals | Newly acquired documents describe Good’s injuries after she was shot by an ICE agent Jan. 7., https://www.startribune.com/renee-nicole-good-ice-shooting-injuries-incident-report-details/601565066

1.2 Nationwide Operations and Public Backlash

The intense operations in Minnesota are part of a broader enforcement strategy that has ignited significant public backlash. An explosive ProPublica report alleges that ICE is arresting U.S. citizens and utilizing banned chokeholds, fueling what one headline describes as a “rising tide of revulsion” among the American public [1, 2]. This has reinvigorated the “Abolish ICE” movement, with a Michigan Democrat introducing a formal proposal to do so [3]. The public response is reportedly causing concern within the White House, with one report claiming “Trump Aides Panic After Finding Out How Much Americans Hate ICE Carnage” [4]. The administration’s rhetoric remains confrontational, with a “Trump Border Czar” revealing a plan to make anti-ICE protesters “famous” [5].

[1] ICE Arresting U.S. Citizens, Using Banned Chokeholds: Explosive ProPublica Report, https://www.democracynow.org/2026/1/16/ice_tactics
[2] ICE’s aggressive tactics are causing ‘a rising tide of revulsion’ among Americans, https://www.ms.now/news/ice-backlash-trump-poll-minneapolis-renee-nicole-good
[3] Michigan Democrat proposes abolishing ICE, https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/fmc-m8o842q8cemz904y
[4] Trump Aides Panic After Finding Out How Much Americans Hate ICE Carnage, https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-aides-panic-after-finding-out-how-much-americans-hate-ice-carnage/
[5] Trump Border Czar Reveals Chilling Plan to Make Anti-ICE Protesters ‘Famous’, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tom-homan-ice-protesters_n_6969f708e4b018dc941d4929?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=us_main

1.3 Political and Legal Fallout: Impeachment Calls and Judicial Rebuke

The enforcement surge has triggered severe political and legal consequences for the administration. In a stunning rebuke, a federal judge has accused President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem of engaging in an “unconstitutional conspiracy” through targeted deportations [1]. Separately, the ACLU has sued the federal government in Minnesota to halt what it calls “suspicionless stops, warrantless arrests, and racial profiling” [2]. The political backlash has focused directly on Secretary Noem, with a group of 80 House Democrats initiating a move to impeach her over the “ICE Terror” [3]. The crisis is also exposing rifts among Democrats, as party leaders are reportedly resisting calls from many voters to abolish ICE [4].

[1] Judge Accuses Trump, Rubio, and Noem of “Unconstitutional Conspiracy”, https://newrepublic.com/post/205402/judge-trump-rubio-noem-unconstitutional-conspiracy-deportations-palestine
[2] ACLU Sues Federal Government to End ICE, CBP’s Practice of Suspicionless Stops, Warrantless Arrests, and Racial Profiling of Minnesotans, https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-sues-federal-government-to-end-ice-cbps-practice-of-suspicionless-stops-warrantless-arrests-and-racial-profiling-of-minnesotans
[3] 80 Democrats Move to Impeach Kristi Noem as ICE Terror Grows: Democrats are calling for the Homeland Security secretary’s removal from her position., https://newrepublic.com/post/205360/80-democrats-impeach-kristi-noem-ice
[4] Democratic leaders resist call of voters to abolish ICE, http://salon.com/2026/01/16/democratic-leaders-resist-call-of-voters-to-abolish-ice

2. Foreign Policy & National Security

2.1 Greenland Crisis: Tariff Threats and Escalating NATO Tensions

The administration’s long-standing interest in Greenland has erupted into a major diplomatic crisis. After President Trump stated the U.S. “needs” the island, and European troops arrived, the situation dramatically escalated when President Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries that do not support the U.S. effort to control the territory [1, 2]. The move threatens to fracture key alliances, with Senator Mitch McConnell warning the President’s actions could “incinerate” NATO [3]. The threat prompted a sharp, bipartisan rebuke from a U.S. congressional delegation visiting Copenhagen and has led to impeachment discussions within the GOP, with Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) stating he would “lean” toward impeachment if the U.S. were to invade [4, 5]. The crisis is being monitored globally, with Russia watching the “extraordinary” U.S. push and Italy urging a coordinated NATO response [6].

[1] European military personnel arrive in Greenland as Trump says US needs island - BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0ydjvxpejo.amp
[2] Trump says he may punish countries with tariffs if they don’t back the US controlling Greenland, https://apnews.com/article/denmark-greenland-us-trump-tariffs-c8c17c89cbc4ca9819eb728102d0a2b3
[3] McConnell: Trump’s seizure of Greenland would ‘incinerate’ NATO alliances, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5689375-mitch-mcconnell-trump-greenland-threat/
[4] US Senators in Copenhagen Reject Trump’s Greenland Threats, Back NATO Unity, https://www.reuters.com/world/us-lawmakers-arrive-copenhagen-counter-trumps-greenland-threats-2026-01-16/
[5] Bacon says he would ‘lean’ toward Trump impeachment if Greenland invaded: ‘Utter buffoonery’, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5692379-don-bacon-donald-trump-impeachment-greenland-invasion/amp/
[6] Russia says it’s monitoring Trump’s ’extraordinary’ push to take over Greenland, https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/16/greenland-russia-trump-takeover-threats-annex-denmark.html?__source=androidappshare

2.2 The Americas: Venezuela Diplomacy, Canadian Trade Friction, and Regional Warnings

The administration’s Venezuela policy is generating significant international controversy. President Trump accepted a Nobel Peace Prize medal from Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado, an act which reportedly “stunned” officials in Norway and was labeled “embarrassing and damaging” by Norwegian lawmakers [1, 2]. Critics have dubbed it the “‘Appease Prize’,” noting Machado received a “swag bag but no promise of support” and that the Nobel Committee has stated the laureate title cannot be transferred [3]. In parallel, the CIA Director reportedly traveled to Venezuela, while a major Trump donor’s company was awarded the first U.S. oil sale deal involving the country [4, 5]. Tensions are also rising with Canada, which has agreed to cut tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in a break with U.S. policy, a move Washington called “problematic” [6].

[1] Trump accepts Nobel medal from Venezuelan opposition leader Machado, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-meet-venezuelan-opposition-leader-machado-after-praising-its-government-2026-01-15/
[2] Norwegian lawmakers rip Trump accepting Machado Nobel prize: ‘Embarrassing and damaging’, https://thehill.com/policy/international/5692902-norway-trump-machado-nobel-peace-prize-transfer/
[3] ‘Appease Prize’: Critics Stunned By Venezuela’s Machado Nobel Handoff To Trump: Machado said she “presented” Trump with the coveted medal despite the Nobel Committee’s insistence that she can’t transfer her title as a laureate., https://www.huffpost.com/entry/maria-corina-machado-presented-nobel-peace-prize-trump-reactions_n_69697dd0e4b0774cc19f8eb5
[4] CIA director traveled to Venezuela to meet with acting president, official says, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cia-director-venezuela-meet-acting-president-delcy-rodriguez-official-says
[5] Donald Trump’s first Venezuela oil sale deal goes to megadonor’s company, https://www.ft.com/content/da74c248-fb36-4ff1-8fb2-d2dd1e00fde8?segmentid=c50c86e4-586b-23ea-1ac1-7601c9c2476f
[6] Canada agrees to cut tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in break with the U.S., https://www.cbsnews.com/news/canada-cut-tariff-chinese-electric-vehicles/

3. The Presidency & The Executive Branch

3.1 Use of Power, Pardons, and Public Scrutiny

Scrutiny of the President’s use of executive authority is intensifying. Following a public comment about canceling the midterm elections, the press secretary stated the president was “only joking,” though critics have called the remark a “wake-up call” [1, 2]. In separate legal matters, a U.S. judge dismissed a DOJ lawsuit seeking to compel California to provide its voter registration data [3]. President Trump is reportedly set to use his pardon power for Wanda Vázquez, the former governor of Puerto Rico, in a campaign finance case [4]. Attorney General Pam Bondi has also acknowledged “glitches” in the official release of the “Epstein files,” drawing criticism [5].

[1] Press secretary says Trump was joking when he said to cancel the midterms, https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/trump-karoline-leavitt-cancel-midterm-elections-joke-b2901463.html
[2] Trump’s call to cancel elections must be a wake-up call, https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/trumps-call-to-cancel-elections-must-be-a-wake-up-call/
[3] US judge dismisses Justice Department lawsuit seeking California voter details, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-judge-dismisses-justice-department-lawsuit-seeking-california-voter-details-2026-01-16/
[4] Trump pardoning Puerto Rico’s former governor Wanda Vázquez, sources say, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-pardoning-puerto-rico-former-governor-wanda-vazquez-officials-say/
[5] Epstein files update as Pam Bondi admits “glitches”, https://www.newsweek.com/epstein-files-update-as-pam-bondi-admits-glitches-11371245?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=reddit_main

3.2 Public Opinion and First-Year Performance Ratings

One year into the President’s second term, polling indicates widespread public disapproval. One “brutal” poll reports that a majority of Americans say the President is “failing on nearly everything” and that they “don’t believe Trump kept any of his promises” [1]. Another poll finds a majority of Americans view the year as a “failure” and believe he is “focused on the wrong priorities” [2]. This sentiment extends to his signature issues, with data showing Trump is “underwater on issues that got him elected,” and that some “newly won voters” are “abandoning Trump in droves” [3, 4].

[1] Americans Say Trump Is Failing on Nearly Everything, Brutal Poll Shows: ‘Most Americans don’t believe Trump kept any of his promises during his first year in office.’, https://newrepublic.com/post/205397/trump-failing-poll
[2] CNN poll finds majority of Americans say Trump is focused on the wrong priorities, https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/16/politics/trump-economy-first-year-cnn-poll
[3] Trump underwater on issues that got him elected, polling shows, https://www.axios.com/2026/01/15/trump-ice-foreign-policy-economy-immigration-polls
[4] ‘Falling off that cliff’: poll shows these newly won voters abandoning Trump in droves, https://www.silive.com/politics/2026/01/falling-off-that-cliff-poll-shows-these-newly-won-voters-abandoning-trump-in-droves.html?utm_source=redditsocial&utm_campaign=redditor

4. Economic & Fiscal Affairs

4.1 White House vs. Federal Reserve and Economic Initiatives

A significant public conflict is developing between President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, with one analysis noting this type of open political struggle over monetary policy is highly unusual in the U.S. [1]. Amid the “Trump-Powell Feud,” speculation over the Fed’s next leader has intensified, with prediction markets showing Kevin Warsh surging as a frontrunner [2]. On economic policy, the President is set to unveil a plan at Davos to allow 401(k) funds to be used for home investments [3]. The administration is also exploring unconventional consumer finance ideas, with advisor Hassett floating “Trump cards” as an alternative to a federal cap on credit card interest rates—a proposal some congressional Republicans already oppose [4].

[1] Trump’s Fed fight looks like something from another country, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy9yxlz70dvo
[2] Warsh sprints ahead in Fed chair race following Trump comments on Hassett, prediction markets show, https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/16/warsh-sprints-ahead-in-fed-chair-race-following-trump-comments-on-hassett-prediction-markets-show.html
[3] Trump to Unveil 401(k) Home Investment Plan at Davos Next Week, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-16/trump-to-unveil-401-k-home-investment-plan-at-davos-next-week
[4] Hassett pivots to possible ‘Trump cards’ amid credit card interest rate battle with banks, https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/16/white-house-hassett-trump-cards-credit-card-battle.html

4.2 Federal Budget and Spending

On fiscal matters, reports indicate Congress is “on Track to Avoid a Shutdown” and is concurrently planning to “Soften Trump Spending Cuts” [1]. This signals a significant divergence between the legislative and executive branches on budget priorities, with another headline noting that Congress is “spurning” many of the President’s proposals [2]. The administration is also reportedly weighing an “oil swap with Venezuela for [the] Strategic Petroleum Reserve,” though details remain unspecified [3].

[1] Congress on Track to Avoid Shutdown, Soften Trump Spending Cuts, https://news.bgov.com/immigration/congress-on-track-to-avoid-shutdown-soften-trump-spending-cuts
[2] Congress Is Spurning Many of Trump’s Proposed Spending Cuts, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/us/politics/congress-trump-spending-cuts.html
[3] Trump admin weighs oil swap with Venezuela for Strategic Petroleum Reserve, https://www.newsweek.com/trump-doe-venezuela-oil-exchange-spr-11374188?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=reddit_influencers

5. Domestic Policy, Congress, and Elections

5.1 HHS Secretary RFK Jr.’s Controversial Agenda

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is pursuing a controversial policy agenda that is drawing intense scrutiny. He has launched an investigation into whether phones cause cancer and is facing accusations that his department is “secretly scrubbing its own science” [1, 2]. Critics, who label him an “anti-vax crusader,” point to reports of his plans to “bankrupt vaccine manufacturers” and his public statement that a “‘good mother’ knows not to trust experts on matters of public health” [3, 4].

[1] RFK Jr to investigate whether phones cause cancer, https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/do-phones-cause-cancer-rfk-study-iphone-radiation-bsvdbtssl
[2] RFK Jr.’s Health Department Secretly Scrubs Its Own Science - The anti-vax crusader has picked his next target., https://www.thedailybeast.com/rfk-jrs-health-department-secretly-scrubs-its-own-science/
[3] How RFK Jr. plans to bankrupt vaccine manufacturers, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/01/15/rfk-jr-vaccines-autism-vicp/
[4] RFK Jr: A ‘good mother’ knows not to trust experts on matters of public health, https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/rfk-jr-a-good-mother-knows-not-to-trust-experts-on-matters-of-public-health

5.2 Key State-Level and Election Developments

Critical policy battles are taking shape at the state level ahead of the next elections. Virginia voters will decide the future of both redistricting and abortion access via two separate constitutional amendments on the ballot [1, 2]. In Tennessee, Republicans have unveiled an “Immigration 2026” agenda as a “model” for other states [3]. Meanwhile, a progressive movement to mount a primary challenge against incumbent Democratic Senator John Fetterman is reportedly “ramping up” in Pennsylvania [4]. In a notable cross-party statement, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) has said that Democrats have “lost their way” and that he “want[s] Trump to succeed” [5].

[1] Virginia advances redistricting plan to counter GOP gerrymanders, as Senate sends measure to voters, https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/virginia-senate-clears-path-to-counter-gop-gerrymanders/
[2] Virginia voters will decide the future of abortion access, https://19thnews.org/2026/01/virginia-voters-will-decide-the-future-of-abortion-access/
[3] Tennessee Republicans unveil ‘Immigration 2026’ agenda as ‘model’ for rest of nation, https://tennesseelookout.com/2026/01/15/tennessee-republicans-unveil-immigration-2026-agenda-as-model-for-rest-of-nation/
[4] Progressive effort to primary Sen. John Fetterman ramps up, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/progressive-effort-primary-sen-john-fetterman-rcna254203
[5] Joe Manchin: Democrats have lost their way — I want Trump to succeed, https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/joe-manchin-democrats-have-lost-their-way-hk5bpgz56?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Reddit#Echobox=1768573632

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