💸Congress Unveils Bipartisan $174 Billion Minibus Spending Package to Avert January 30 Shutdown
Lawmakers have released a bipartisan $174 billion minibus appropriations package covering three full-year fiscal 2026 bills for commerce-justice-science, energy-water, and interior-environment agencies, allocating approximately $78 billion to commerce, justice, NASA, FBI, and related entities; over $58 billion to energy programs including $25 billion for nuclear security; and more than $38 billion to interior, EPA, and forest services, while including over $3 billion in community projects. This measure advances responsible funding for safer communities, reliable energy, resource stewardship, water infrastructure, and national priorities without controversial provisions, maintaining discretionary spending below prior levels to curb federal debt amid efforts to avoid repeating the recent 43-day shutdown. Republican leaders emphasize fiscal restraint and rejection of bloated omnibus approaches, with a House vote anticipated this week and broader completion of remaining bills targeted before the January 30 funding deadline.
🚨Federal Agents Surge into Minneapolis Amid Fraud and Immigration Enforcement
The Trump administration has deployed up to 2,000 Department of Homeland Security personnel, including hundreds of Homeland Security Investigations agents and 1,500 ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers along with tactical teams, to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area for a month-long operation targeting immigration violations and expanding probes into large-scale fraud tied to federally funded programs. This major surge, one of the largest DHS concentrations in a U.S. city in recent years, follows heightened scrutiny of Minnesota’s pandemic-era fraud cases and a recently exposed Somali child care fraud scheme uncovered by an independent journalist. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin indicated that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz may face scrutiny for potential culpability in the fraud, while House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer emphasized the need for accountability and prosecutions across the administration.
🏛️DHS Ends Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans After Maduro Capture
The Department of Homeland Security has terminated Temporary Protected Status for over 500,000 Venezuelans in the United States, asserting that improved conditions in Venezuela following the capture and removal of Nicolás Maduro allow these individuals to safely return home. DHS rejected claims that Venezuelans are being encouraged to seek refugee status, emphasizing instead that President Trump’s actions have brought stability by addressing an illegitimate regime accused of narco-terrorism. Secretary Kristi Noem formally ended the TPS program, originally granted due to political instability and economic hardship under Maduro’s rule. DHS stated that Venezuelans can now go back to the country they love, framing this as part of broader efforts to enforce immigration laws and restore order in the region.
Sources: The Post Millennial, The Epoch Times
🚼Trump Administration Reverses Biden Child Care Payment Loopholes to Combat Fraud
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has rescinded Biden-era regulations for the Child Care and Development Fund that mandated states to pay child care providers prospectively based solely on enrollment rather than verified attendance and to favor contract slots over parent-directed vouchers. These rules enabled potential abuse by allowing funds to be disbursed without documentation of actual care provided, contributing to vulnerabilities exposed in ongoing fraud investigations. The new policy requires attendance records and other verification before payments, permits reimbursement after services are delivered, and restores flexibility for parental choice in vouchers, aiming to ensure taxpayer dollars support working families and safe child care rather than bad actors. This action follows heightened oversight, including a fraud-reporting hotline that has received over 245 tips since late December 2025, and aligns with efforts to safeguard federal resources amid allegations of widespread misuse.
Sources: US Dept of Health & Human Services, The Daily Wire
💍Trump Tightens Scrutiny on Marriage-Based Green Cards to Combat Fraud
President-elect Donald Trump’s administration has implemented stricter oversight of green card applications for migrants married to U.S. citizens, moving away from previous practices where such marriages provided a substantial advantage in obtaining legal permanent residency despite never being an automatic guarantee. Federal immigration authorities now apply heightened skepticism to these claims, prioritizing evidence of shared domicile and genuine intent to live together as spouses, while cracking down on rising instances of marriage fraud involving paid arrangements for temporary unions. Immigration officials warn that applications lacking proof of bona fide relationships, including cohabitation regardless of reasons for separate living, face increased risk of investigation and denial. This policy shift aligns with broader efforts to restore integrity to the immigration system, including reexamination of existing green cards from certain countries and cancellation of the diversity visa lottery program.
❌Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Abandons Reelection Effort Amid Massive Fraud Scandal
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on January 5, 2026, that he will not seek a third term, reversing his earlier commitment to run again after serving since 2019 and acting as the Democratic vice presidential nominee in the unsuccessful 2024 campaign. Walz explained his decision by stating that every minute spent on personal political interests would detract from defending Minnesotans against criminals exploiting the state’s generosity and political actors capitalizing on the crisis. He highlighted ongoing progress in combating fraud while criticizing federal actions under the Trump administration, including the freezing of child care funds tied to a $250 million scheme involving indictments for wire fraud and other crimes. Walz emphasized his focus on governing full-time through the end of his term, expressing pride in achievements like implementing paid leave policies and confidence that a Democratic successor will prevail in November.
Sources: The Epoch Times, The Washington Examiner
💉CDC Overhauls Childhood Vaccine Schedule Amid Efforts to Restore Public Trust
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has implemented a major update to the U.S. childhood immunization schedule, reducing the number of diseases routinely targeted for all children from 18 to 11 through a new categorized framework that prioritizes universal recommendations for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus, and chickenpox while shifting others to high-risk groups or shared clinical decision-making. This overhaul follows a comprehensive scientific assessment ordered by President Donald Trump, which identified the United States as a global outlier in the number of recommended vaccines and doses compared to other developed nations, and aims to address declining vaccination rates and rebuild confidence in public health institutions eroded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized aligning with international consensus to protect children, respect families, and strengthen transparency and informed consent, with all recommended vaccines remaining fully covered by insurance without cost-sharing and the changes taking effect immediately.
Sources: US Dept of Health & Human Services, FOX News
⚖️Defense Secretary Censures Senator Over Illegal Orders Warning
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a formal letter of censure to Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain and Democrat from Arizona, for participating in a November video where Kelly and five other Democrat lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds urged service members to refuse unlawful orders and uphold the Constitution. Hegseth described the video as reckless misconduct intended to undermine good order and military discipline, noting that it violated provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The action includes placing the censure in Kelly’s permanent military personnel file and initiating a process to review his retirement rank and pay, with Kelly given thirty days to respond. This follows a Pentagon investigation started in late November citing authority to recall retired officers for potential further measures.
Sources: Military.com, Stars & Stripes
💵US Dollar Strengthens Following Arrest of Venezuelan Leader Nicolás Maduro
The United States dollar gained ground in financial markets on January 5, 2026, rising 0.41 percent to 98.82 on the dollar index by early morning trading. This increase followed the successful U.S. military operation that resulted in the arrest and extraction of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on charges related to narco-terrorism. Markets registered modest support for the dollar amid heightened geopolitical developments in the region. Investors maintained focus on upcoming domestic economic indicators while noting the operation’s potential implications for energy supplies and regional stability. The dollar had shown daily gains since December 30, reflecting resilience in the currency during this period of international action.
📰Mainstream Media Prior Knowledge Trump Venezuela Raid
Major American newspapers learned in advance about the United States military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife but delayed publishing details after White House warnings that early reporting could endanger American troops during the raid. The operation involved over 150 aircraft to neutralize air defenses, enabling special forces helicopters to insert ground troops who successfully abducted the targets with no U.S. casualties, though accompanying airstrikes resulted in approximately 40 Venezuelan deaths including civilians. President Trump approved the assault late Friday evening and later praised its precision and secrecy, while administration officials highlighted coordination that maintained operational security. Despite frequent criticism of the president on other matters, these outlets cooperated by withholding information until the mission advanced.
Sources: ZeroHedge, Townhall.com
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👳🏼♂️Iran Supreme Leader Prepares Moscow Escape Amid Escalating Protests
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has developed a contingency plan to flee to Moscow with a small group of family members and aides if security forces fail to suppress ongoing nationwide protests triggered by severe economic hardship. Intelligence assessments indicate the 86-year-old leader fears potential defections among military and police units ordered to contain the unrest. The regime has responded to the demonstrations with a combination of force and economic concessions, including announcements of monthly cash payments equivalent to roughly five pounds to citizens in an effort to address grievances over inflation and currency collapse. Protests have spread across multiple cities, marking a significant challenge to the Islamic Republic’s authority.
Sources: The US Sun, GB News
❄️Switzerland Freezes Maduro-Linked Assets Following US Action
Switzerland has taken decisive action to freeze all assets in the country belonging to deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his close associates, marking the first such measure by any nation after Maduro’s arrest by United States forces in Caracas and his transfer to face charges in America. This precautionary freeze, implemented immediately on January 5, 2026, under the Federal Act on the Freezing and Restitution of Illicit Assets, targets potentially unlawfully acquired funds to prevent their removal, affecting dozens of individuals but excluding members of Venezuela’s current government. The move supplements existing sanctions in place since 2018 and aims to facilitate future restitution of any proven illicit assets to the Venezuelan people, reflecting a firm stance against corruption amid the regime’s collapse.
⚡Berlin Mayor Attributes Major Power Outage to Left-Wing Extremist Arson Attack
A deliberate arson fire on January 3, 2026, damaged high-voltage power cables on a bridge near Berlin’s Lichterfelde power plant in the southwest districts, leaving over 45,000 households and 2,200 businesses without electricity amid freezing winter conditions. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner declared the perpetrators clearly left-wing extremists who endangered human lives through this unacceptable assault on critical infrastructure. Authorities are investigating a claim of responsibility whose authenticity remains under review, while drawing parallels to a similar suspected extremist attack in September that disrupted power for tens of thousands. Restoration efforts progressed gradually, though many residents faced outages extending to January 8, impacting heating, hospitals, care facilities, and daily life as emergency shelters provided relief.
Sources: The UK Express, BBC News
⚖️Venezuela Supreme Court Orders Delcy Rodriguez Interim President
Venezuela’s Supreme Court ruled that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez must assume interim presidential duties to maintain administrative continuity and national defense following the U.S. military operation that captured Nicolas Maduro and placed him in detention in New York City pending trial. The decision cited Maduro’s temporary inability to perform his functions under the constitution due to his absence. Rodriguez, a longtime Maduro ally, delivered a televised address affirming Maduro as the sole president while condemning the U.S. action, though reports indicate she has engaged in discussions with U.S. officials and expressed willingness for cooperation as the Trump administration asserts influence over Venezuela’s transition.
Sources: The Washington Examiner, The Washington Times
🎉Venezuelan Exiles Confront Pro-Maduro Demonstrations Abroad Amid Regime’s Collapse
Following a decisive United States military operation that captured Nicolás Maduro and ended his authoritarian socialist regime, small pro-Maduro rallies emerged in Mexico City and San Juan, Puerto Rico, only to face immediate confrontations from Venezuelan exiles who disputed the protesters’ authenticity and motives. Exiles asserted that these demonstrations consisted primarily of local leftist activists rather than genuine Venezuelans, with participants lacking firsthand experience of the hardships imposed by years of food shortages, hospital failures, widespread blackouts, and forced mass migration under Maduro’s rule. In Puerto Rico, social media footage captured Venezuelan citizens directly challenging the group, accusing them of falsely representing Venezuelan identity and ignorance about life under socialism. One exile highlighted the plight of millions of qualified Venezuelans reduced to menial jobs abroad to support families back home. Meanwhile, Venezuelan expatriates worldwide took to streets and squares in jubilant celebrations, waving flags, chanting, and expressing gratitude to America for liberating their nation from decades of oppression. Yet uncertainty lingers over the transition process, including governance arrangements and future elections, compounded by President Trump’s public doubts regarding opposition figure María Corina Machado’s domestic support and leadership viability.
Sources: The Gateway Pundit, CBS News