Thursday, January 15 | By Cate Martel |
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It's Thursday. My social media feeds are completely taken over by the premise that "2026 is the new 2016." Basically, everyone wants to recreate the vibes and simplicity of that year. (But let's not forget: 2016 was a rollercoaster year in politics.) . |
Second Minneapolis shooting sparks protests - Trump threatens Insurrection Act in Minnesota
Machado's chance to court Trump ICE's No. 2 leaves, runs for Congress Renderings of Commanders' new stadium
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The situation in Minneapolis is extremely delicate today: | Adam Gray, Associated Press |
Tensions have ramped up again in Minneapolis after a federal officer shot and injured a Venezuelan migrant on Wednesday night after being attacked with a shovel and a broom handle. The migrant and the officer were both hospitalized. President Trump stepped in this morning, threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota. That would allow him to send in military troops. 🔎 Read Trump's social media post Helpful explainer: 'What is the Insurrection Act?' Minneapolis was already on edge just a week after a federal immigration officer shot and killed a 37-year-old woman when she refused to exit her SUV — and as you can imagine, this new incident has further inflamed backlash to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) crackdown. At least 200 protesters gathered in Minneapolis, per a New York Times estimate, and it got pretty tense. Video footage shows protesters throwing rocks at law enforcement as they fired tear gas and flash grenades in demonstrators' direction, per AP. Minneapolis officials praised those protesting peacefully but urged those who were not to go home. "We do not need this to escalate any further," the Minneapolis police chief said. 💬 Follow today's live blog |
Happening now — María Machado visits Trump: |
President Trump is meeting with María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, this afternoon for lunch at the White House. Machado has fiercely fought for democracy in Venezuela and has been a vocal supporter of Trump, even dedicating her Nobel Peace Prize to him last year. That's why it was surprising when Trump, following the U.S. raid to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, backed one of Machado's rivals instead of her to take over. Trump argued it would be difficult for Machado to lead the country, saying she didn't have the backing of the Venezuelan people, and the Trump administration instead threw its support behind Maduro's deputy, Delcy Rodríguez. Machado is playing the long game and is seemingly still trying to woo Trump. She has even floated the possibility of giving the president her Nobel Peace Prize, though the Nobel committee has said the award cannot be legally transferred. What Trump will be looking to hear from her: Trump says he didn't back Machado to take over because he didn't think she had enough support in the country to be a successful leader. Her best bet today is to prove him wrong. |
Two senators will fly to Denmark to do damage control: |
President Trump has a major obstacle in seizing Greenland by military force: his own Party. The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports that Senate Republicans are vowing to block the president from doing so. Keep in mind that by taking Greenland, it could destroy the NATO alliance and give Russia a huge advantage in its war against Ukraine. Two Republicans are on damage control: Republican Sens. Thom Tillis (N.C.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) are expected to travel to Copenhagen on Friday to lower the temperature with Denmark. They plan to reassure Danish officials that Republican lawmakers would strongly oppose any effort to seize Greenland. Read more: 'Republicans vow to block Trump from seizing Greenland by force' |
Maybe check 3 more agencies off the 'must fund' list: |
The Jan. 30 government funding deadline is quickly approaching. Of the 12 funding bills that need to be passed to keep the lights on, six of them have been passed. Yes, but: The trickiest components remain unresolved. For example, funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Democrats are furious about the federal immigration officer fatally shooting a woman in Minneapolis and many want to withhold DHS funding because of it. Read more on the obstacles ^ In fact, one House Democrat is planning to introduce a bill to dismantle ICE. Don't expect this to pass, but it shows some of the anger bubbling up. The Senate will take up a package today that would fund three agencies. |
➤ THE OBAMACARE SUBSIDIES NEGOTIATIONS HAVE HIT A WALL: |
Conflicting messages on Iran: |
President Trump says he was told by "sources" that Iran has stopped executing protesters who have been gathering en masse to protest its government. But Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) disagrees: Graham says the Iranian regime is still killing protesters at an alarming rate. Graham posted on X: "Every indication that I've seen says that the Iranian regime's killing of protesters I still very much in full swing. The death toll is mounting by the hour. Hoping that help is on the way." |
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The House and Senate are in. President Trump is in Washington. (All times EST) |
12:30 p.m. Trump meets with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado in the White House's private dining room. 1 p.m. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt briefs reporters. 💻 Livestream 3 p.m. The U.N. Security Council meets to discuss Iran. 💻 Livestream 4 p.m. Trump hosts the Florida Panthers at the White House to celebrate their 2025 Stanley Cup win. 💻 Livestream |
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🥯 Celebrate: Today is National Bagel Day. 🍇 Who remember the Welch's grape juice girl from the '90s?: The girl from the iconic Welch's grape juice commercials has reunited with the brand for a new campaign. |
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