đ˘Left-Wing Foundations, Dark Money Groups Fund Organizations Behind Harassment of ICE Agents
In response to the Trump administrationâs deployment of approximately 2,000 immigration agents to the Twin Cities area, activists from groups such as the Sunrise Movementâs local chapter, Unidos MN, Defend the 612, and others have engaged in organized efforts to track and harass ICE personnel, including trailing agents, maintaining lists of hotels and vehicle license plates, operating 24/7 hotlines to report ICE activity, dispatching responders to interfere with operations, and conducting late-night noise demonstrations. A review of financial records shows these groups have received substantial funding from prominent left-leaning sources, including more than $2 million from George Sorosâs Open Society Foundations to the Sunrise Movement since 2019, hundreds of thousands from the Ford Foundation and MacArthur Foundation to Sunrise and Unidos MN in recent years, and contributions from dark money entities like the Tides Foundation and Sixteen Thirty Fund to affiliated organizations, highlighting how major philanthropic networks support these on-the-ground anti-ICE activities.
Sources: The Washington Free Beacon, The Daily Signal
âď¸DOJ Contacts Six Democratic Lawmakers Over Video Urging Military to Refuse Illegal Orders
In a development highlighting ongoing political tensions, six Democratic members of Congressâall with backgrounds in the military or intelligenceâhave each been contacted by the Department of Justice for interviews regarding a November video they released urging U.S. service members and intelligence officials to refuse any illegal orders, in line with established military law and their oath to the Constitution. The group, which includes Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), along with Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), described the message as a reminder of lawful obligations rather than a call to insubordination; however, the video drew sharp criticism from President Donald Trump, who labeled it âseditious behaviorâ on social media and suggested severe consequences, while administration figures such as War Secretary Pete Hegseth have referred to the lawmakers as the âSeditious Sixâ and pursued related administrative actions, including a censure and review for Sen. Kelly. Rep. Crow confirmed the DOJ contacts on January 14, 2026, and Sen. Slotkin has stated she is under federal investigation, though the U.S. Attorneyâs Office has not publicly confirmed or denied any formal probe, and no charges have been filed at this time.
Sources: The Washington Examiner, FOX News
đ¸Federal Probe Targets $700 Million in Cash Carried Out of Minneapolis Airport by Somali Couriers
Federal investigators are examining a large-scale cash-courier operation in which the Transportation Security Administration flagged approximately $700 million in declared U.S. currencyâroughly $342 million in 2024 and $349 million in 2025âdetected in passengersâ luggage departing from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport over the past two years. This volume, described by officials as far exceeding similar outflows from other major U.S. airports, involved primarily Somali-American couriers transporting the cash on flights often routed through Europe and the Middle East, such as to Amsterdam and then Dubai. The cash movements, which included contributions gathered from other Somali communities like Columbus, Ohio, bypassed traditional banking channels and appear linked to the broader ongoing Homeland Security probe into alleged multibillion-dollar fraud schemes involving Minnesotaâs Somali immigrant community, where numerous individuals have faced federal charges related to government program abuse. While the cash was legally declared as required for amounts over $10,000, the unusual scale has prompted scrutiny over potential ties to money laundering, informal hawala transfers, or other illicit purposes.
Sources: The Post Millennial, Just The News
âď¸CMS Audits Reveal Misuse of Over $1.8 Billion in Federal Medicaid Funds for Illegalsâ Non-Emergency Care
Federal audits by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have identified more than $1.8 billion in potentially improper use of federal Medicaid dollars across eight states for providing non-emergency healthcare to illegal immigrants, in violation of longstanding federal law that restricts such funding primarily to emergency services; initial reviews of six states showed over $1.3 billion in questioned spending, with California accounting for the largest share at approximately $1.31 billion, prompting CMS to withhold nearly $300 million from the state as the process of recovering misallocated taxpayer funds continues under the current administration.
Sources: The Gateway Pundit, FOX News
đDHS Doxxer Leaks Personal Data of Thousands of ICE and Border Patrol Personnel
A Department of Homeland Security doxxer, who falsely painted himself a âwhistleblower,â has provided personal information on approximately 4,500 federal employees, including roughly 2,000 frontline ICE and Border Patrol agents along with support staff, to the website ICE List following the recent fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent during an enforcement action in Minneapolis; the siteâs founder, Dominick Skinner, described the disclosure as stemming from internal dissatisfaction within government ranks, while DHS officials condemned the action as dangerous doxxing that endangers officers and their families who confront serious criminals daily, with Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stating that such leaks constitute felonies and promising full prosecution.
Sources: The Gateway Pundit, Police1.com
âLos Angeles County Advances âICE-Free Zonesâ on Public Properties
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion to direct county counsel to draft an ordinance within 30 days that would establish âICE-free zonesâ across county-owned and county-controlled properties, further expanding the countyâs sanctuary policies by prohibiting the use of these sites as staging areas, processing locations, or operational bases for civil immigration enforcement activities by federal agents, while still permitting criminal law enforcement and actions under valid judicial warrants; the proposal includes requirements for signage on county properties and a permit process for any such operations, prompted by a federal immigration enforcement action in October 2025 at Deane Dana Friendship Park and Nature Center that disrupted public access, with supporters arguing the measure protects residentsâ ability to use public spaces like parks and clinics without fear.
Sources: The Center Square, FOX News
đVirginia Democrat Proposes Bill Requiring Specific Language on January 6 in Public School Curriculum
A Virginia Democrat delegate has pre-filed House Bill No. 333, which would require that any public schools in the state choosing to include instruction about the events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol must describe them as âan unprecedented, violent attack on United States democratic institutions, infrastructure, and representatives for the purpose of overturning the results of the 2020 presidential election,â while prohibiting characterizations of the events as justified by election fraud claims or as a peaceful protest; the measure does not mandate teaching about January 6 and comes amid concerns from the sponsor about efforts to revise historical accounts of the incident, which involved a breach of the Capitol during the electoral vote certification.
Sources: The Washington Times, FOX News
đ°Family of Woman Fatally Shot by ICE Agent Retains Law Firm That Secured George Floyd Settlement
The family of Renee Good, including her widow, parents, and siblings, has retained the Chicago-based law firm Romanucci & Blandinâled by attorney Antonio Romanucci, who previously collaborated with civil rights lawyer Ben Crump to obtain a $27 million settlement for George Floydâs family in 2021âto pursue legal action against federal officials following Goodâs death on January 7, 2026, when she was shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis after authorities stated she blocked a roadway to interfere with ICE operations and then rammed the agent with her vehicle, prompting the use of deadly force; the incident has fueled protests against ICE activities in Minnesota, concurrent lawsuits by local officials challenging federal immigration enforcement surges, and ongoing state and federal investigations into the shooting.
Sources: The Post Millennial, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune
đLoyola University MarylandMaintains 2020 Statement Portraying U.S. History as Violence Against Black Lives
A statement of solidarity with the BIPOC community, originally issued in 2020 by Loyola University Marylandâs Philosophy Department in response to the death of George Floyd and still posted on its website, describes the history of the United States as âthe history of terrorizing and snuffing out Black life through police killings and white supremacist vigilantismâ that has claimed the lives of individuals including George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, and many others; it further highlights discriminatory financial practices that limited African Americansâ opportunities for economic security and generational wealth, while accusing mainstream narratives of ignoring Black excellence, and commits the department to refusing to âwhitewashâ the history of white supremacy in philosophical studies.
Sources: Legal Insurrection, Loyola University
đUS Budget Deficit Falls 15% in First Quarter of Fiscal 2026
The U.S. federal budget deficit for the first three months of fiscal year 2026 (October through December 2025) totaled $602 billion, a decrease of $109 billion or 15% from the $711 billion recorded in the same period a year earlier, according to Treasury Department data. This reduction occurred as government receipts increased 13% to record levelsâdriven in part by higher customs dutiesâwhile outlays rose more modestly by 2%, also reaching records despite the overall improvement in the deficit. These figures reflect the latest Monthly Treasury Statement, with minor variations in estimates (such as CBOâs $601 billion) due to timing adjustments.
Sources: Barronâs, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
âď¸Iranian State Television Broadcasts Veiled Assassination Threat Against President Trump
Iranian state-run television aired a provocative message on January 14, 2026, displaying an image of President Donald Trump from the July 2024 assassination attempt at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, overlaid with Persian text translated as âThis time it will not miss the target.â The broadcast, which occurred amid pro-regime rallies and escalating internal unrest in Iran, appears to reference the prior failed attempt on Trumpâs life while heightening tensions following his public warnings of strong U.S. action if the Iranian regime proceeds with executions or continued violent suppression of anti-government protesters. This development marks a notable escalation in Tehranâs rhetoric against Trump, building on previous documented Iranian-linked plots against him, as the regime faces widespread demonstrations over economic failures and repression.
Sources: The New York Post, NewsMax
âď¸âđĽVenezuelaâs Interim Government Frees Detained Americans Following U.S. Capture of Maduro
Venezuelaâs interim government, led by acting President Delcy RodrĂguez after the U.S. military operation that removed NicolĂĄs Maduro on January 3, 2026, has started releasing American citizens previously imprisoned under the Maduro regime. At least four to five Americans were freed in the days leading up to January 13, 2026, with confirmations of releases occurring around January 12â13. This marks the initial step in freeing detained U.S. nationals since Maduro was arrested and extradited to the United States to face federal narcotics trafficking charges. The U.S. State Department has described these actions as a constructive move by the interim authorities, taking place as part of a wider effort to release political prisonersâboth Venezuelan and foreign nationalsâin the interest of national reconciliation and improved relations with the United States.
Sources: ZeroHedge, The Washington Examiner
đď¸Cuban Regime Faces Deepening Isolation Amid Loss of Venezuelan Oil Support
The Cuban communist regime under Miguel DĂaz-Canel finds itself increasingly isolated and vulnerable to economic collapse following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader NicolĂĄs Maduro on January 3, 2026, which has severed Cubaâs critical supply of discounted oil (previously around 27,000 barrels per day in 2025) and eliminated a key source of hard currency through resale. With longstanding allies Russia and China offering limited or no substantial new aidâRussia constrained by its own commitments and sanctions, China pushing for reforms rather than subsidiesâand potential pressure on remaining suppliers like Mexico, the island grapples with severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, rolling blackouts, a shrinking GDP (down at least 10-15% in recent years), high inflation, and massive emigration of over 2.7 million people since 2020. The Trump administration has intensified pressure by controlling Venezuelan oil flows, sanctioning alternative shipping networks, and urging Havana to negotiate reforms or face further consequences, though the regime has historically endured similar crises through repression and limited internal opposition.
Sources: The Epoch Times, The Conversation
đŁFinland Begins Acquiring Anti-Personnel Landmines and Training Forces Following Treaty Exit
Finlandâs Defence Forces announced on January 14, 2026, that they will initiate the acquisition of anti-personnel landmines and commence training for military personnel, conscripts, and reservists in their use, following the countryâs withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention banning such weapons, which became effective on January 10. This step allows Finland to reintroduce landmines into its defense planning, with cooperation from the domestic defense industry to develop and manufacture technologically advanced mines, aiming to have the first new mines and exercise equipment available in 2027. Officials emphasized that mines would only be employed in emergency conditions, not laid in peacetime, as Finland and other NATO members bordering Russia, such as the Baltic states and Poland, adjust their defenses amid heightened security concerns in the region.
Sources: The Finnish Defense Forces, Reuters
âď¸Maduroâs Lead Defense Attorney Revealed as Longtime Donor to Democrat Campaigns
Barry Pollack, a partner at the law firm Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler and the attorney representing ousted Venezuelan leader NicolĂĄs Maduro in U.S. federal court following his recent capture, has made consistent contributions exclusively to Democratic candidates and committees over more than two decades, from 1999 to 2020. Campaign finance records show donations to figures including former presidential candidates John Edwards and Barack Obama, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Senators Cory Booker and Jon Ossoff, and several unsuccessful 2020 Senate challengers. Pollack, described in media reports as a determined âpit bullâ in the courtroom, argued at Maduroâs arraignment that the arrest constituted a âmilitary abductionâ and plans to assert head-of-state immunity, though legal precedent from past cases suggests challenges ahead.
Sources: The Washington Free Beacon, The Wall Street Journal