[Saturday, January 24] US News Headlines from r/politics

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DAILY BRIEFING

By Dr. Headline, HeadlineSquare January 24, 2026

Executive Summary

A domestic crisis explodes in Minneapolis after federal agents fatally shoot Alex Jeffrey Pretti, the second such killing, triggering the deployment of the Minnesota National Guard and a standoff between state and federal authorities. The incident fuels a congressional showdown, with progressive Democrats demanding a complete block on DHS funding. Abroad, President Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariffs over a potential China trade deal, severely straining relations. The DOJ faces bipartisan scrutiny for allegedly investigating political foes while retreating from white-collar crime enforcement, adding to questions about the administration’s use of executive power.

1. Domestic Crisis: Minneapolis On The Brink And National Immigration Turmoil

1.1 The Flashpoint: A Second Fatal Shooting Ignites Minneapolis

The city of Minneapolis is facing a rapidly escalating crisis following the fatal shooting of a man identified as Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal officers, the second such killing by federal agents in the city recently [1, 2]. The incident has triggered a severe jurisdictional conflict between state and federal authorities. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has vowed a state-level investigation into what he termed DHS “lies” about the shooting [3]. The confrontation intensified when state investigators reported that federal agents “blocked” their access to the crime scene despite possessing a warrant, with separate reports indicating federal agents also attempted to stop local police from probing the killing [4, 5].

Further complicating the official federal narrative, a newly surfaced second video angle reportedly contradicts DHS claims. A journalist who viewed the footage stated it “shows that the final act of his life was trying to help a woman who was being physically assaulted by the masked agents who would then kill him” [6].

Citations: [1] Alex Pretti identified as man fatally shot by federal officers in Minneapolis, https://www.startribune.com/alex-pretti-identified-as-man-fatally-shot-by-federal-officers-in-minneapolis/601570109
[2] Federal Agents Kill Another Person in Minneapolis, https://time.com/7357547/minneapolis-shooting-ice-agent/
[3] Minnesota Gov. Walz vows state investigation into DHS “lies” about shooting, https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/24/tim-walz-investigation-border-patrol-shooting-minneapolis
[4] State investigators say feds “blocked” their access to Minneapolis shooting scene, despite warrant, https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/video/state-investigators-say-feds-blocked-their-access-to-minneapolis-shooting-scene-despite-warrant/
[5] Federal Agents Try to Stop Local Cops Probing Minneapolis Killing, https://www.thedailybeast.com/federal-agents-try-to-stop-local-cops-probing-minneapolis-killing/
[6] Shooting Victim Identified as Second Video Angle Contradicts DHS Claims | The footage of the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, said one journalist, “shows that the final act of his life was trying to help a woman who was being physically assaulted by the masked agents who would then kill him.”, https://www.commondreams.org/news/minneapolis-shooting-video

1.2 The Political Firestorm: National Guard, Impeachment Calls, And DHS Funding Battle

The shooting has created a political firestorm. Governor Walz activated the state’s National Guard and sharply criticized the federal government [1]. In a direct response to the President, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey asked, “‘How many more Americans need to die?’” [2]. President Trump, in turn, accused Governor Walz and Mayor Frey of “inciting insurrection” [3].

The crisis is now directly influencing the legislative battle over funding the Department of Homeland Security. Following the House’s passage of a spending package that split Democrats on ICE funding, progressive groups are urging their Senate colleagues to “Hold the Line” and block the bill entirely [4, 5]. This effort is being amplified by figures like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who issued a call to “‘Resist’” and stated, “Every Senator should vote NO” on continued funding [6]. The shooting has also led to renewed Democratic calls to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem [7].

Citations: [1] Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz activates state National Guard, blasts federal government after shooting, https://nypost.com/2026/01/24/us-news/minnesota-gov-tim-walz-activates-state-national-guard-blasts-federal-government-after-shooting/
[2] ‘How many more Americans need to die?’: Minneapolis mayor lambastes Trump after fatal shooting, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/24/jacob-frey-full-statement
[3] Trump: Gov. Walz, Mayor Frey Are ‘Inciting Insurrection’, https://www.newsmax.com/politics/trump-tim-walz-jacob-frey/2026/01/24/id/1243409/
[4] House passes sprawling spending package as Democrats split over ICE funding, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-passes-sprawling-spending-package-democrats-split-ice-funding-rcna255273
[5] ‘Hold the Line’: Some Democrats Call On Senators to Block DHS Funding Bill After Minneapolis Shooting, https://www.notus.org/congress/democrats-reaction-minneapolis-shooting-dhs-funding
[6] AOC Calls For Blocking ICE Funding After Officers Kill a Man In Minneapolis: ‘Resist’ | "They need our votes to continue. We cannot give it to them. Every Senator should vote NO," she added, https://www.latintimes.com/aoc-calls-blocking-ice-funding-after-officers-kill-man-minneapolis-resist-593892
[7] Democrats Renew Demand to Impeach Kristi Noem After New Fatal DHS Shooting, https://www.newsweek.com/democrats-demand-impeach-kristi-noem-new-dhs-fatal-shooting-11412444

1.3 Background: Pre-Existing Tensions And Federal Escalation

This new shooting builds upon an already volatile situation in Minneapolis centered around the death of Renee Good during an encounter with an ICE agent. That initial incident was mired in controversy, with reports that an FBI agent resigned after being blocked from investigating the shooting [1]. Before the second fatality, the U.S. Army had already ordered military police to prepare for a potential deployment to the city, and thousands were protesting in subzero temperatures [2, 3]. In a notable check on executive power, federal judges rejected a DOJ motion to detain arrested protesters, with one judge finding the administration offered “no factual or legal support” for its rationale [4].

Citations: [1] F.B.I. Agent Who Tried to Investigate ICE Officer in Shooting Resigns, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/us/fbi-agent-ice-shooting-renee-good.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
[2] Army orders military police to get ready for a possible Minneapolis deployment, AP source says, https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/army-orders-military-police-ready-minneapolis-deployment-ap-129439566
[3] Thousands rally against immigration enforcement in subzero Minnesota temperatures, https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/23/thousands-rally-against-immigration-enforcement-in-subzero-minnesota-temperatures-00745497
[4] Federal judges reject DOJ motion to detain arrested Minnesota protesters: One judge found the Trump administration offered “no factual or legal support” to support its contention that this was a “crime of violence.”, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/federal-judge-rejects-doj-motion-detain-arrested-minnesota-protesters-rcna255666

1.4 Nationwide ICE Operations And Legal Challenges

Controversial ICE enforcement actions are a national issue. A three-day crackdown in Maine led to 100 arrests, creating a climate of “terror” [1]. The detention of young children, including a two-year-old Minnesota girl, has drawn significant condemnation as an act of “‘depravity beyond words’” [2]. In a landmark decision, a U.S. Judge ruled that ICE raids require judicial warrants, a ruling that contradicts a secret internal ICE memo and sets the stage for a major legal battle [3]. The administration is also reportedly preparing to deport two gay men to Iran, where they could face the death penalty [4]. Meanwhile, it has been reported that as ICE arrests were surging, the Trump administration sought to cut a bodycam program for agents [5].

Citations: [1] ICE arrests 100 people three days into Maine immigration crackdown, DHS says, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/23/maine-immigration-crackdown-ice-arrests
[2] US immigration agents detain two-year-old Minnesota girl: ‘depravity beyond words’, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/23/us-immigration-two-year-old-minnesota-girl
[3] US Judge Rules ICE Raids Require Judicial Warrants, Contradicting Secret ICE Memo, https://www.wired.com/story/us-judge-rules-ice-raids-require-judicial-warrants-contradicting-secret-ice-memo/
[4] Trump administration is potentially sending two gay men to their death by preparing to deport them to Iran, https://www.advocate.com/news/iranian-men-deportation-danger?1
[5] As ICE arrests surged, Trump administration sought to cut bodycam program, https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2026/01/24/ice-bodycams-cameras-shootings-immigration/

2. Foreign Policy: Alliances Strained By Threats And Strategic Shifts

2.1 U.S.-Canada Relations At A Breaking Point Over Tariff Threats

U.S.-Canada relations are under significant pressure after President Trump repeatedly threatened to impose a “100% tariff on all Canadian goods” if the Canadian government finalizes a trade agreement with China, according to multiple media reports [1, 2]. This aggressive stance is seen as both a major trade ultimatum and an escalation of a personal political feud with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The friction is being characterized by some as “Post-Davos Fallout,” suggesting its origins lie in recent global economic discussions [3].

Citations: [1] Trump threatens 100% tariffs on all Canadian goods if Canada ‘makes a deal with China’, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trump-tariff-canada-china-goods-9.7059561
[2] Trump threatens Canada with a 100% tariff over its China trade deal and escalates feud with Carney, https://apnews.com/article/trump-canada-carney-china-tariffs-5079e910df071b45d2b16949efb8f11a?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2026-01-24-Tariffs
[3] Trump Threatens Canada With Tariffs as Post-Davos Fallout Continues, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/world/canada/trump-canada-tariffs.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

2.2 NATO Tensions And Evolving Defense Doctrine

The administration’s approach to key military alliances continues to generate friction. President Trump’s recent claim that NATO troops “‘stayed a little back’ from front lines" in Afghanistan sparked what was termed “global indignation,” leaving allies “dumbfounded” and “disgusted” [1]. After facing criticism from U.S. veterans, the President walked back his comments, paying tribute to UK forces as “‘great and very brave’” [2]. This episode coincides with a new “defence strategy shift” from the Pentagon, which will offer “‘more limited’ support to US allies” and no longer considers the threat from China to be its top priority—a major reversal of previous doctrine [3, 4].

Citations: [1] Trump leaves NATO allies “dumbfounded” and “disgusted” with remarks dismissing sacrifices in Afghanistan, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-nato-allies-disgusted-and-outraged-over-remarks-afghanistan-war/
[2] Donald Trump walks back comments about UK soldiers in Afghanistan - After criticism of claim that Nato troops ‘stayed off front lines’, US president says UK forces were ‘great and very brave’, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/24/donald-trump-walks-back-comments-about-uk-soldiers-in-afghanistan
[3] Pentagon to offer ‘more limited’ support to US allies in defence strategy shift, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj9r8ezym3ro
[4] Pentagon no longer views China threat as top priority, https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/23/pentagon-national-defense-strategy-00745499

3. Executive Branch: DOJ Under Scrutiny And Domestic Policy Battles

3.1 A Politicized DOJ? Dual Scrutiny Over Enforcement Priorities

The Department of Justice is facing significant bipartisan questions about its impartiality and enforcement priorities. An NBC News report claims the department is actively “investigating a growing number of Trump political foes” [1]. Simultaneously, a group of 27 Democratic members of Congress, led by Representative Dan Goldman and Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal, is formally demanding an investigation into what they describe as the Trump Administration’s “retreat from white-collar crime enforcement” [2]. These parallel developments raise critical questions about the department’s focus under Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Citations: [1] Justice Department investigating a growing number of Trump political foes, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/growing-number-trump-political-foes-investigated-justice-department-rcna255049
[2] Goldman, Warren, Blumenthal Lead 27 Members of Congress in Calling for Investigation into Trump Administration’s Retreat from White-Collar Crime Enforcement, https://goldman.house.gov/media/press-releases/goldman-warren-blumenthal-lead-27-members-congress-calling-investigation-trump

3.2 First Amendment In Focus: Student Arrests And Judicial Pushback

The administration’s actions related to free speech are under a microscope. Documents allegedly show that Secretary of State Rubio personally approved arrests of pro-Palestine students, while another report from Mother Jones claims to have proof the “Trump Administration Arrested Students for Criticizing Israel” [1, 2]. These events are colliding with the judiciary. In Minnesota, a federal appeals court rejected an “emergency bid” from the DOJ to arrest journalist Don Lemon and church demonstrators [3]. Separately, a judge in a First Amendment case issued a direct warning to the administration against altering the immigration status of the plaintiffs involved [4].

Citations: [1] Rubio personally signed off on arrests of pro-Palestine students, documents show, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/marco-rubio-student-protests-palestine-b2906597.html
[2] Documents Prove The Trump Administration Arrested Students for Criticizing Israel, https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/01/ozturk-khalil-documents-deportation-pro-palestine-protest-canary-mission/
[3] Appeals court rejects DOJ’s emergency bid to arrest Don Lemon, church demonstrators, https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/24/doj-trump-minnesota-don-lemon-protest-00745589
[4] Judge warns Trump administration from changing plaintiffs immigration status in First Amendment case, https://apnews.com/article/rubio-palestinian-academics-deportation-15053ac60d61363e16e7d3efdda73785

3.3 Major Policy Shifts And Ethical Controversies

The administration has made significant policy moves drawing public attention and criticism. Vice President JD Vance announced a major expansion of the ‘Mexico City Rule,’ extending its restrictive funding scope to D.E.I. initiatives and what are termed “‘Radical’ Gender Policies” [1]. In a separate, grave controversy, a New York Times report alleges that genetic data from over 20,000 U.S. children has been misused for the purposes of “‘Race Science’” [2]. On the economic front, reports indicate that rural hospitals are “starting to drown financially” as they navigate the effects of recent federal cuts [3]. The DOJ has also drawn fire for slashing funding to programs designed to combat child sex trafficking [4].

Citations: [1] Vance Announces Expansion of ‘Mexico City Rule’ to Cover D.E.I. and ‘Radical’ Gender Policies, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/us/politics/mexico-city-rule-trump-vance.html
[2] Genetic Data From Over 20,000 U.S. Children Misused for ‘Race Science’, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/us/children-genetics-race-science.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
[3] Rural hospitals wrestle with a new landscape after federal cuts, worry they’re starting to drown financially, https://www.cpr.org/2026/01/23/rural-hospitals-hickenlooper-funding-cuts-hugo/
[4] ‘Disheartening’: US justice department slashes funding to programs combating child sex trafficking, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/24/justice-department-cuts-child-sex-trafficking

4. U.S. Politics: Legislation, Oversight, And The 2026 Landscape

4.1 Congressional Action: Funding, AI, And Epstein Oversight

Congress is moving forward on key priorities. The House successfully cleared the final government funding bills, averting a shutdown [1]. A House panel also advanced a bill that would grant Congress new authority over AI chip exports, reflecting a growing focus on technology competition [2]. On the oversight front, House Oversight Ranking Member Robert Garcia confirmed the formal issuance of subpoenas to associates of Jeffrey Epstein, including Les Wexner [3]. However, it is also being reported that most of the court-ordered Epstein documents still have not been released, weeks after a December deadline [4].

Citations: [1] House clears final government funding bills, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5701980-house-government-funding-bills/amp/
[2] US House panel advances bill to give Congress authority on AI chip exports, https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/1/21/us-house-panel-advances-bill-to-give-congress-authority-on-ai-chip-exports
[3] Ranking Member Robert Garcia Statement After Subpoenas Formally Issued to Epstein Associates Les Wexner, Darren Indyke, and Richard Kahn, https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/news/press-releases/ranking-member-robert-garcia-statement-after-subpoenas-formally-issued-to-epstein-associates-les-wexner-darren-indyke-and-richard-kahn
[4] Most of the Epstein documents still haven’t been released. What’s going on? | Deadline to release documents was Dec. 19, but millions are still under wraps, https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/epstein-documents-release-delay-9.7058700

4.2 Electoral Maneuvering And Party Divisions

Both parties are engaged in strategic maneuvers as the political landscape shifts. As President Trump focuses on foreign policy, the GOP is reportedly struggling to “hone its election message,” and internal divisions are surfacing, with Vice President Vance and Laura Loomer publicly sparring over the party’s stance on abortion [1, 2]. Meanwhile, political experts are warning Democrats not to assume the President will refrain from attempts to “subvert 2026 elections,” with one source quoted as stating, “Every check is gone” [3]. At the state level, Vivek Ramaswamy is reportedly launching a campaign for Ohio governor [4], and a New York judge’s decision to toss the district boundaries for a Republican-held congressional district could create a new opening for Democrats to gain a House seat [5].

Citations: [1] As Trump Focuses Abroad, G.O.P. Toils to Hone Election Message, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/us/gop-election-message-trump.html
[2] Vance, Loomer spar over GOP’s position on abortion, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5704065-vance-loomer-spar-over-gops-position-on-abortion/
[3] It Would Be a ‘Mistake’ for Dems to Assume Trump Won’t Try to Subvert 2026 Elections: Experts | “What are the remaining checks? Every check is gone.”, https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-midterm-election-2026
[4] How Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign for Ohio governor returned him to the ‘real world’, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/vivek-ramaswamys-campaign-ohio-governor-returned-real-world-rcna253231
[5] How a court win could help the Democrats pick up a House seat in New York:A judge’s decision to toss out the boundaries of the only Republican-held congressional district in New York City could help Democrats notch a win in the national redistricting wars — but for now, the outcome remains uncertain, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/court-win-democrats-pick-house-seat-new-york-129515932

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