⚖️ The 8th Circuit Court Pauses Lower Court Restrictions on ICE Tactics During Minnesota Protests
A federal appeals court has temporarily halted a district judge’s injunction that limited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers’ ability to use force, including arrests, tear gas, or pepper spray, against non-violent protesters and observers in Minnesota amid the Trump administration’s Operation Metro Surge immigration enforcement efforts in the Twin Cities. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit issued a brief administrative stay on January 21, 2026, lifting the restrictions imposed days earlier by U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez, while it considers the government’s appeal; the lower court order had aimed to prevent alleged retaliatory actions that could chill First Amendment rights, following lawsuits by protesters represented by the ACLU who claimed excessive force and unconstitutional conduct during demonstrations against intensified immigration operations, though the appeals court provided no detailed reasoning in its order, allowing federal agents to resume standard tactics pending further review.
Sources: The Washington Examiner, Reuters
💲 Audit Finds California Must Repay Over $1 Billion in Medicaid Funds Used for Non-Emergency Care of Illegals
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), under the Trump administration, conducted a preliminary audit revealing that California improperly used more than $1.3 billion in federal Medicaid dollars between 2024 and 2025 to cover non-emergency health care for illegal immigrants, in violation of federal law that restricts such funds primarily to emergency treatment regardless of immigration status. This amount represents the majority of over $1.35 billion in total improper expenditures identified across six jurisdictions, including smaller amounts in Illinois, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz stated that these findings show states misused federal taxpayer dollars intended for American citizens, including cases involving individuals with serious criminal records, and the agency is pursuing recovery of the funds while withholding payments from California until compliance is demonstrated. California officials have disputed the claims as inaccurate and inconsistent with federal law and administrative practices, while prior audits, such as a 2024 HHS Office of Inspector General report, identified smaller improper claims of $52.7 million related to outdated methodologies for excluding non-emergency costs.
Sources: Legal Insurrection, The California Globe
💳 President Trump Suspends Planned Tariffs on European Nations Amid Greenland Discussions
President Donald Trump has decided not to proceed with threatened tariffs on eight European countries—Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland—that were set to begin February 1 at 10% and potentially rise to 25% in June. The tariffs had been announced as leverage to advance U.S. interests in acquiring or securing control over Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory, amid concerns over Arctic security and national interests. Following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21, 2026, Trump announced a “framework of a future deal” concerning Greenland and the broader Arctic region, describing it as beneficial for the United States and NATO allies. He stated on Truth Social that this understanding led to the suspension of the tariffs, while he has separately ruled out the use of force to acquire Greenland and called for negotiations. The development follows European pushback, including the European Parliament halting progress on a U.S.-EU trade deal in response to the initial threats.
Sources: The Epoch Times, The New York Post
🛫 DHS Increases Cash Incentive to $2,600 for Illegal Immigrants to Voluntarily Self-Deport
The Department of Homeland Security has raised the financial incentive for illegal immigrants to voluntarily leave the United States through the CBP Home app from $1,000 to $2,600, providing participants with a free flight home and forgiveness of certain civil fines or penalties for prior failure to depart. This temporary adjustment, announced on January 21, 2026, to mark one year of the current administration, aims to encourage self-deportation as a cost-effective alternative to enforced removal, with DHS stating that each voluntary departure saves taxpayers over $13,000 compared to the higher costs of arrest, detention, and forced deportation. Since January 2025, over 2.2 million illegal immigrants have voluntarily self-deported, with tens of thousands utilizing the CBP Home program, which has seen more than 100,000 users since its launch in March 2025; Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the increase as a generous offer from U.S. taxpayers, urging eligible individuals to take advantage before the opportunity ends, while noting that those who do not self-deport face arrest and permanent exclusion from returning.
Sources: US Dept of Homeland Security, The Washington Examiner
🦞 ICE Launches ‘Operation Catch of the Day’ Targeting Criminal Illegal Aliens in Maine
The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement initiated “Operation Catch of the Day” in Maine on January 20, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to prioritize the removal of criminal illegal immigrants under the Trump administration. On the first day, agents arrested multiple individuals from countries including Sudan, Ethiopia, Angola, and Guatemala who had prior convictions for serious offenses such as aggravated assault, false imprisonment, endangering the welfare of a child, and other crimes including cocaine possession and operating under the influence. DHS officials stated that the operation targets the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal aliens in a state where local policies have limited cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, with reports indicating around 50 arrests so far and a target list of approximately 1,400 individuals. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that these actions protect American citizens from those who have committed violent or harmful acts, amid broader nationwide enforcement that has included over 3 million deportations in the prior year through targeted operations and self-deportations.
Sources: The Washington Examiner, US Dept of Homeland Security
🤡 Minnesota Groups Call for Statewide Economic Blackout to Protest ICE Enforcement Surge
A coalition of labor unions, faith leaders, community organizations, and advocacy groups in Minnesota has organized a one-day “economic blackout” scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2026, under the banner of “ICE Out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom.” Participants are urged to refrain from work, school, and shopping to protest the Trump administration’s large-scale immigration enforcement operation, known as Operation Metro Surge, which has deployed thousands of federal agents to the state and resulted in numerous arrests. The action follows the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis resident, Renee Good, by an ICE agent earlier in January, an incident that has heightened community tensions and prompted demands for the immediate withdrawal of ICE from Minnesota, accountability for the involved agent, investigations into potential rights violations, and reduced federal funding for the agency. Organizers frame the blackout as a nonviolent demonstration of collective economic power to highlight the disruptive impact of federal immigration actions on families and communities, with some businesses planning to close in solidarity and events including a march and rally in downtown Minneapolis.
Sources: ZeroHedge, KSTP-TV St. Paul
🚨 Federal Arrests Follow Minnesota Church Disruption by Anti-ICE Activists
Federal authorities have arrested two prominent Minnesota activists, Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen, in connection with a protest that interrupted a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul. The demonstration on Sunday targeted the church due to allegations that one of its pastors, David Easterwood, also serves as a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office leader amid heightened federal immigration enforcement operations in the state. Protesters, including those with ties to Black Lives Matter groups and the Racial Justice Network, entered during the service, chanted slogans such as “Hands up! Don’t shoot!” and “ICE out,” and disrupted proceedings, leading congregants to leave while a pastor requested they depart. Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and former Minneapolis NAACP president who helped organize the event, faces a federal charge of conspiracy against rights under 18 U.S.C. § 241 for allegedly orchestrating actions that interfered with religious freedom. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the arrests, emphasizing the protection of houses of worship and describing the incident as a coordinated disruption of religious exercise. Former CNN host Don Lemon recorded footage at the scene but faces no charges in this matter.
Sources: The Daily Caller, CBS News
💰 Activist Tied to Minnesota Church Disruption Received Over $1 Million from Anti-Poverty Nonprofit
Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and activist who organized a recent protest disrupting a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, to oppose ICE activities, received more than $1.1 million in total compensation as executive director of the Wayfinder Foundation, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit addressing anti-poverty issues, from 2019 to 2024. Over those six years, the foundation reported about $5.24 million in revenue, including significant contributions from the Walton Family Foundation totaling $2.34 million between 2018 and 2024 and $20,000 from the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation in 2023, yet it disbursed only around $700,052 in grants to community initiatives during the same period—less than Armstrong’s combined salary of approximately $936,395 and additional benefits of $201,313. In specific years, such as 2024 when the foundation awarded $158,811 in grants while Armstrong received $215,726 in salary plus $40,548 in other compensation, and 2023 with $133,698 in grants against her $170,726 salary plus $44,311 in benefits, the compensation levels drew attention amid the foundation’s stated mission and the activist’s involvement in the church protest, which prompted a federal Department of Justice investigation.
Sources: The Post Millennial, The Inquisitr
🎡 California Governor Gavin Newsom Denied Access to USA House Event at Davos
California Governor Gavin Newsom, attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, had a scheduled speaking engagement at USA House—a privately organized venue recognized as the official U.S. headquarters for the event—canceled at the last minute on January 21, 2026. Newsom’s office alleged that the cancellation and denial of entry stemmed from pressure by the White House and State Department, following his public criticisms of President Trump, including remarks urging European leaders to resist perceived complicity and his characterization of Trump’s approach. Organizers, including those associated with the Fortune-hosted conversation, stated the decision was a venue-level choice to exclude elected U.S. officials from the business-focused program, while emphasizing that Newsom remained welcome at the location overall; the White House responded dismissively but did not directly confirm or deny involvement in the decision.
Sources: The Gateway Pundit, The Hill
⛪ Vatican Considers Invitation for Pope Leo XIV to Join Trump’s Board of Peace
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin confirmed on January 21, 2026, that Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has received an invitation from President Donald Trump to participate in the “Board of Peace,” an international body initially established to oversee the end of the Gaza conflict, reconstruction efforts, and governance in the region, though Trump has indicated it may address broader global conflicts. Parolin stated that the Vatican is carefully evaluating the invitation, noting it requires time for review before a response can be given, amid the pope’s prior expressions of concern over humanitarian conditions in Gaza, including references to Palestinians enduring harsh weather in tents during his Christmas sermon. The invitation comes as the board has secured participation from various nations, with the Vatican maintaining its longstanding diplomatic approach to peace advocacy in the Middle East while the pontiff has adopted a measured style since his election.
Sources: Reuters, NC Register
⚕️ US Set to Exit World Health Organization Amid Unpaid Dues and Procedural Questions
The United States is positioned to complete its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) effective January 22, 2026, following President Donald Trump’s executive order issued on the first day of his presidency in 2025, which provided the required one-year notice under U.S. law. The move revives an earlier effort from 2020 that was reversed by the Biden administration, citing concerns over the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of reforms, political influences, and disproportionate U.S. financial contributions compared to other nations like China. However, the U.S. has not paid approximately $260 million in assessed dues for 2024 and 2025, a requirement under the 1948 congressional resolution governing U.S. membership that mandates settling outstanding fees before departure. This has raised questions about the withdrawal’s full legality and procedural completion, with WHO officials indicating that member states will address the issue at the executive board meeting in February, while experts note enforcement is unlikely despite the apparent violation.
Sources: FOX Business, Reuters
💥 Trump Administration Weighs Military Options Against Iran Amid U.S. Force Buildup in Middle East
President Trump is pressing for military options described as “decisive” in response to Iran’s violent suppression of anti-government protests, which has resulted in thousands of deaths, while the U.S. repositions naval and air assets—including the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and F-15E fighter jets—to the region, providing potential capabilities for strikes if the administration proceeds, though no action has been ordered and deployments also serve deterrent purposes as tensions remain high with Iranian threats of retaliation.
Sources: The Wall Street Journal, The Jerusalem Post
🌐 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Agrees with President Trump on Need to Defend the Arctic
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21, 2026, stated that President Donald Trump is correct in highlighting the importance of Arctic security, emphasizing that the alliance must defend the region as melting ice opens new sea lanes and draws increased activity from Russia and China. Rutte noted that Trump had previously raised awareness about these developments during his first term, and affirmed that NATO allies recognize the necessity of greater collective efforts to protect the Arctic, including through practical steps decided by ambassadors in September, while framing this as a shared priority among NATO leaders rather than a point of contention.
⚠️ House Speaker Mike Johnson Highlights Chinese and Russian Security Threats During Address to UK Parliament
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the British Parliament on January 20, 2026, becoming the first sitting speaker to do so, in remarks timed to the 250th anniversary of American independence. In his speech, he emphasized the growing aggression from China, Russia, and Iran as they seek to expand economic, political, and military influence worldwide, pointing to issues such as disregard for human rights, provocations, intellectual property theft, and sophisticated subversion and espionage. Johnson specifically noted that President Trump takes these modern threats seriously, with particular focus on the Arctic region in recent days, while stressing the need for the U.S. and U.K. to counter them collaboratively despite any differences, framing a strong Western alliance as essential for shared security.
Sources: The Daily Mail, The Epoch Times
⚛️ Japan Restarts TEPCO Nuclear Reactor at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Plant for First Time Since 2011 Fukushima Disaster
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has restarted the No. 6 reactor at its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture, marking the first TEPCO-operated reactor to resume operations since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi accident and bringing the total number of restarted reactors in Japan to 15 under enhanced post-Fukushima safety regulations. The reactor achieved criticality on January 21, 2026, following removal of control rods, with plans for trial power transmission to the Tokyo area soon after and full commercial operation targeted for late February; this step supports Japan’s efforts to secure stable energy supplies as a resource-limited nation while addressing ongoing public safety concerns tied to the Fukushima legacy, though the facility remains under careful observation amid lingering skepticism about TEPCO’s management capabilities.
Sources: The South China Morning Post, Reuters