Congress tries to avert shutdown after ICE shootings scramble politics

Congress is trying to avoid a partial government shutdown as lawmakers react to the fatal shootings in Minneapolis by ICE agents. The Senate needs to pass a package of six spending bills by Friday to avert a shutdown. But one of those bills funds Homeland Security, including ICE operations, and Democrats say they won’t support that bill unless changes are made to rein in the immigration enforcement agency. At the White House, President Trump has shifted his posture and held positive phone calls with Minnesota officials. He also removed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from overseeing the ICE operation in Minneapolis.

Federal judge in Minnesota orders head of ICE to appear in court

A federal judge in Minnesota has ordered the head of ICE to appear in court and explain why detainees have been denied due process. The judge said the Trump administration has failed to comply with orders to hold hearings for detained immigrants and ordered Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, to appear before him Friday to explain why he shouldn’t be held in contempt. The order comes a day after President Trump directed border czar Tom Homan to take over the immigration crackdown in Minnesota from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who’s under fire for her response to two fatal shootings by ICE agents.

Trump to increase political travel because of midterms

President Trump plans to travel the country this year ahead of November’s midterm elections. After doing very little domestic travel during his first year in office, Donald Trump will be revving up Air Force One more often this year. And it has everything to do with politics. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles told reporters that the president will travel on a weekly basis and speak to voters, as Republicans try to hold their majorities in Congress. The president visits Iowa on Tuesday for a speech on the economy and energy.

Two prominent women launch political runs in Minnesota

Two prominent women have launched political campaigns in Minnesota. Former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya kicked off her campaign for the U.S. Senate last week. She’s seeking the GOP nomination for the Minnesota seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Tina Smith. Tafoya has long been active in the state’s Republican politics. Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar has filed paperwork to run for governor of Minnesota, positioning herself to succeed Democrat Governor Tim Walz, who announced earlier this month that he will not seek a third term.

House Republicans hope to buck trend in 2026 midterms

House Republicans hope to buck the historical trend and keep their majority with the 2026 midterm elections. Over the past 80 years, the party of the sitting president has won midterm seats in the House only two times. Despite the historical record, House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain feels good about the GOP adding to its razor-thin majority.

Spending by wealthier Americans powers economic growth

The latest figures show that U-S economic growth is being fueled by strong consumer spending. The Commerce Department says the economy grew at the fastest pace in two years from July through September. Those numbers are being touted by the White House as evidence that President Trump’s economic policies are working. Analysts say that wealthier Americans are spending more while lower-income households struggle with high prices. Despite the economic boom, job creation is low and the labor market remains tight.

Former prosecutor Smith defends Trump probes before Congress

Former Special Counsel Jack Smith defended his investigations of President Trump at a congressional hearing on Capitol Hill. Appearing before a House panel, Smith testified that he had acted without regard to politics as he led Trump investigations into 2020 election interference and misuse of classified documents. Both cases were dropped. Smith told lawmakers that Donald Trump “willfully broke” laws in a bid to keep power and that “no one should be above the law in our country.” But Republicans blasted Smith, accusing him of conducting politically-motivated investigations.

House narrowly rejects war powers resolution for Venezuela

House lawmakers have rejected a war powers resolution that would have prevented President Trump from sending U-S military forces to Venezuela. The House vote ended in a tie, falling just short of the majority needed for passage. It came a week after the Senate failed to pass a similar resolution.  Two House Republicans voted with all Democrats for the legislation. The war powers resolution would have directed the president to remove troops from Venezuela, even though the Trump administration told senators last week that there are no U-S forces on the ground there.

Trump sues JPMorgan Chase for $5 billion over alleged debanking

President Trump is suing banking giant JPMorgan Chase and its CEO for 5-billion dollars over alleged de-banking. The lawsuit alleges that JPMorgan stopped providing banking services to Donald Trump and his businesses for political reasons after he left office in January 2021. JPMorgan denied that it closes accounts for political or religious reasons, saying it believes “the suit has no merit.” The president has also attacked other lenders including Bank of America with allegations of debanking.

Congress races to pass the year’s final spending bills

Congress is scrambling to approve this year’s final spending bills before next week’s deadline. With another potential government shutdown looming next week, the House is looking to pass the final batch of spending bills, which total 1-point-2 trillion dollars. GOP leadership has faced questions over Department of Homeland Security funding and dealt with a dispute over ethanol. Speaker Mike Johnson can afford very few defections with his narrow Republican majority, but he was optimistic that the funding bills would pass.

Trump launches Board of Peace, minus several key allies

President Trump has launched his Board of Peace, which will focus first on Gaza’s ceasefire. The president inaugurated the new group before leaving the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying “once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do, and we’ll do it in conjunction with the United Nations.” Many of America’s traditional allies are refusing to join the Board of Peace. A main complaint is the track record of countries who have signed up, including Saudi Arabia, Hungary, and Pakistan. There’s also concern about the invitation to Russia’s Vladimir Putin to join the Board.

Trump calls off tariff threats over Greenland, agrees to NATO deal

President Trump has called off his Greenland-related tariff threats against European allies. The president had threatened tariffs in his bid to gain ownership of Greenland. But he called off the threat after agreeing with NATO on a future Arctic security deal. One possibility is the U-S building more military bases on the Danish island. His tariff threats had sparked a sharp drop in the financial markets, and angered European leaders who feared the collapse of NATO.

Trump rules out using military force to acquire Greenland

President Trump is ruling out military force to acquire Greenland, but he’s not backing down from plans to take control of the Danish territory. During a speech to world and business leaders in Switzerland, the president said he won’t be using military force to seize Greenland. But he also issued a warning to NATO leaders who oppose U-S control of the territory. The president said he’s seeking immediate negotiations to acquire Greenland.

Trump argues U.S. has a geographic right to Greenland

President Trump is urging NATO to allow the U-S to take Greenland from Denmark. Making his case at the World Economic Forum, the president said the U-S has a geographic right to Greenland. He informed western allies that America would be unstoppable if it decided to use military force. Tensions with allies are high over potential tariffs on Denmark and others who oppose a U-S takeover.

Trump wants to restrict Wall Street firms from buying family homes

President Trump has signed an executive order to restrict Wall Street firms from buying single-family homes. It’s a move designed to stop wealthy investors from competing with individual homebuyers. The president says such investors “should not buy single-family homes that could otherwise be purchased by families.” The executive order comes as the administration works to address voter affordability concerns ahead of this year’s congressional elections.

Trump confident he’ll work out Greenland deal with wary EU

Trump marks first year back in office at marathon press briefing

President Trump marked his first year back in office with a marathon press briefing. In a one hour-21-minute monologue, the president listed his administration’s actions over the past year — from executive orders to healthcare and tariffs. The president summed it up by saying he took a “mess and made it really good.” On his desire to seize Greenland –the pressing news issue of the day, the president insisted that he will work something out with NATO allies, all of whom stiffly oppose an American takeover of Greenland.

Trump stirs pot with Europe over Greenland demands

President Trump is stirring the pot with Europe over his demand to seize Greenland. European leaders are reacting to Donald Trump’s latest threats with concern and dismay. The EU’s top official has described planned new tariffs over Greenland as “a mistake” among allies, and Ursula von der Leyen called into question Trump’s trustworthiness. The president said he would slap a 10 percent import tax on goods from eight European allies who oppose an American takeover of the Danish territory. Von der Leyen warned of “a downward spiral” in relations with the U.S.

Canada and China announce a tariff reduction deal

Breaking with the United States, Canada has reached a tariff reduction deal with China. During a visit to Beijing, Canadian Prime Minister Carney announced that his country has agreed to cut its 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric cars in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products. Both countries are pursuing improved relations with each other after their economies have been hit by U-S tariffs imposed by President Trump.

Cubans protest in Havana over U.S. attack on Venezuela

Tens of thousands of Cubans are demonstrating in the streets of Havana. The crowd gathered near the U-S Embassy to protest the killing of 32 Cuban officers in Venezuela. Demonstrators demanded the release of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, who was arrested by the U-S earlier this month. The protest follows President Trump’s recent demands for Cuba to negotiate with him amid tightened sanctions and economic struggles.

HHS causes confusion in cutting, then reinstating health grants

Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act in Minneapolis

Trump to meet with Venezuela’s opposition leader

Senate Republicans block war powers act after Trump pressure