update - USSC strikes down CO's conversion therapy ban 8 - 1
- Thread starter mandrill
- Start date
Mexico sends 37 cartel members to US in latest offer to Trump administration
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico's security minister said Tuesday that it had sent another 37 members of Mexican drug cartels to the United States, as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure on governments to crack down on criminal networks it says are smuggling drugs across the border.
Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuch wrote in a social media post on X that the people transferred were “high impact criminals” that “represented a real threat to the country’s security.”
It is the third time in less than one year that Mexico has sent detained cartel members to the U.S. as the country attempts to offset mounting threats by U.S. President Donald Trump. García Harfuch said the government has sent 92 people in total.
Video shared by Mexican authorities shows a line of handcuffed prisoners surrounded by heavily-armed and masked officers being loaded onto a military jet at an airport on the outskirts of Mexico City.
“As the pressure increases, as demands from the White House dial up, (Mexico’s government) needs to resort to extraordinary measures, such as these transfers,” said David Mora, a Mexico analyst at the International Crisis Group.
The U.S. State Department and Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tuesday’s transfer included a handful of important figures from the Sinaloa Cartel, the Beltrán-Leyva cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the Northeast Cartel, a remnant of the infamous Zetas based in the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas, across from Texas. Mexican authorities said that all had pending U.S. cases.
Among those transferred was María Del Rosario Navarro Sánchez, the first Mexican citizen to face charges in the U.S. for providing support to a terrorist organization, after being accused of conspiring with a cartel.
Trump has publicly entertained the idea of military action on Mexican cartels, language that has only gotten more combative since a U.S. military operation in Venezuela deposed former President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month.
Turning his attention to Mexico shortly after the Venezuela attack, Trump said in an interview with Fox News: “We’ve knocked out 97% of the drugs coming in by water and we are going to start now hitting land, with regard to the cartels.”
Last week, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke with Trump, telling him that U.S. intervention in Mexico was “not necessary,” but emphasizing that the two governments would continue to collaborate.
Last February, Mexico sent 29 cartel figures to the U.S., including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985. In August, a second round saw 26 Mexican cartel figures sent to the U.S. None had the profile of Caro Quintero, but spanning multiple cartels, the figures could help U.S. prosecutors build cases.
After the August transfer, García Harfuch said it was a public safety decision, because Mexico did not want them to continue operating their illicit businesses from inside Mexican prisons.
Another transfer of prisoners to the U.S. had been rumored for weeks. Mexico has sought to assure the Trump administration that it continues to be a willing partner in combating drug traffickers.
"For the Trump administration and the Trump base, what is going to matter in the end is some wins that Trump can actually bring back and say ‘Look this is what I’m getting out of Mexico,’” said Mora.
___
Associated Press reporter Fabiola Sanchéz contributed to this report from Mexico City.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Megan Janetsky, The Associated Press
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico's security minister said Tuesday that it had sent another 37 members of Mexican drug cartels to the United States, as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure on governments to crack down on criminal networks it says are smuggling drugs across the border.
Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuch wrote in a social media post on X that the people transferred were “high impact criminals” that “represented a real threat to the country’s security.”
It is the third time in less than one year that Mexico has sent detained cartel members to the U.S. as the country attempts to offset mounting threats by U.S. President Donald Trump. García Harfuch said the government has sent 92 people in total.
Video shared by Mexican authorities shows a line of handcuffed prisoners surrounded by heavily-armed and masked officers being loaded onto a military jet at an airport on the outskirts of Mexico City.
“As the pressure increases, as demands from the White House dial up, (Mexico’s government) needs to resort to extraordinary measures, such as these transfers,” said David Mora, a Mexico analyst at the International Crisis Group.
The U.S. State Department and Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tuesday’s transfer included a handful of important figures from the Sinaloa Cartel, the Beltrán-Leyva cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the Northeast Cartel, a remnant of the infamous Zetas based in the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas, across from Texas. Mexican authorities said that all had pending U.S. cases.
Among those transferred was María Del Rosario Navarro Sánchez, the first Mexican citizen to face charges in the U.S. for providing support to a terrorist organization, after being accused of conspiring with a cartel.
Trump has publicly entertained the idea of military action on Mexican cartels, language that has only gotten more combative since a U.S. military operation in Venezuela deposed former President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month.
Turning his attention to Mexico shortly after the Venezuela attack, Trump said in an interview with Fox News: “We’ve knocked out 97% of the drugs coming in by water and we are going to start now hitting land, with regard to the cartels.”
Last week, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke with Trump, telling him that U.S. intervention in Mexico was “not necessary,” but emphasizing that the two governments would continue to collaborate.
Last February, Mexico sent 29 cartel figures to the U.S., including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985. In August, a second round saw 26 Mexican cartel figures sent to the U.S. None had the profile of Caro Quintero, but spanning multiple cartels, the figures could help U.S. prosecutors build cases.
After the August transfer, García Harfuch said it was a public safety decision, because Mexico did not want them to continue operating their illicit businesses from inside Mexican prisons.
Another transfer of prisoners to the U.S. had been rumored for weeks. Mexico has sought to assure the Trump administration that it continues to be a willing partner in combating drug traffickers.
"For the Trump administration and the Trump base, what is going to matter in the end is some wins that Trump can actually bring back and say ‘Look this is what I’m getting out of Mexico,’” said Mora.
___
Associated Press reporter Fabiola Sanchéz contributed to this report from Mexico City.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Megan Janetsky, The Associated Press
NYT hits Trump for exploiting presidency to make at least $1.4 billion
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 marks the first anniversary of Donald Trump's second presidency, which has been even more chaotic and turbulent than his first. During his 2024 campaign, Trump argued that the Biden Administration wasn't serving Americans well economically — especially when it came to the cost of living. And he promised to lower prices "on Day 1" if he won the election.
But in a scathing editorial published a year after his return to the White House, the New York Times' editorial board argues that Trump has used his second presidency to increase his own net worth while failing average Americans on the economy.
"A review by the editorial board relying on analyses from news organizations shows that Mr. Trump has used the office of the presidency to make at least $1.4 billion," the board explains. "We know this number to be an underestimate because some of his profits remain hidden from public view. And they continue to grow."
The board goes on to cite a variety of ways in which Trump is getting even richer, noting that "the Trumps have made at least $23 million from licensing Mr. Trump's name overseas since his reelection" and that "the Trumps are pocketing $28 million from Amazon for a documentary about (First Lady) Melania Trump."
The Times editorial board also points out that "major tech and media companies have paid Mr. Trump $90.5 million in settlements since his reelection — and that "Qatar gave Mr. Trump a $400 million jet that he will use as Air Force One while president and plans to take with him after leaving office." According to the board, "the Trumps have made at least $867 million through various cryptocurrencies."
"All told, Mr. Trump has profited from his return to the presidency by an amount of money equal to 16,822 times the median U.S. household income," the Times editorial writers lament. "Mr. Trump's hunger for wealth is brazen. Throughout the nation's history, presidents of both parties have taken care to avoid even the appearance of profiting from public service. This president gleefully squeezes American corporations, flaunts gifts from foreign governments and celebrates the rapid growth of his own fortune."
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 marks the first anniversary of Donald Trump's second presidency, which has been even more chaotic and turbulent than his first. During his 2024 campaign, Trump argued that the Biden Administration wasn't serving Americans well economically — especially when it came to the cost of living. And he promised to lower prices "on Day 1" if he won the election.
But in a scathing editorial published a year after his return to the White House, the New York Times' editorial board argues that Trump has used his second presidency to increase his own net worth while failing average Americans on the economy.
"A review by the editorial board relying on analyses from news organizations shows that Mr. Trump has used the office of the presidency to make at least $1.4 billion," the board explains. "We know this number to be an underestimate because some of his profits remain hidden from public view. And they continue to grow."
The board goes on to cite a variety of ways in which Trump is getting even richer, noting that "the Trumps have made at least $23 million from licensing Mr. Trump's name overseas since his reelection" and that "the Trumps are pocketing $28 million from Amazon for a documentary about (First Lady) Melania Trump."
The Times editorial board also points out that "major tech and media companies have paid Mr. Trump $90.5 million in settlements since his reelection — and that "Qatar gave Mr. Trump a $400 million jet that he will use as Air Force One while president and plans to take with him after leaving office." According to the board, "the Trumps have made at least $867 million through various cryptocurrencies."
"All told, Mr. Trump has profited from his return to the presidency by an amount of money equal to 16,822 times the median U.S. household income," the Times editorial writers lament. "Mr. Trump's hunger for wealth is brazen. Throughout the nation's history, presidents of both parties have taken care to avoid even the appearance of profiting from public service. This president gleefully squeezes American corporations, flaunts gifts from foreign governments and celebrates the rapid growth of his own fortune."
Trump threatens to slap 200 percent tariff on French wines as president leaks text from Macron
Donald Trump threatened to hit France with a 200 percent tariff on champagne and wine Monday night before leaking a text message from President Emmanuel Macron that said 'I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland'.
The outburst took place after the college football championship game in Miami when reporters asked the US president about Macron rejecting Trump's invitation to join his so-called Board of Peace.
Macron had said 'at this stage' he was not planning on serving with Trump's group, which is intended to create the second phase of the Gaza peace plan.
'Well, nobody wants him because he's going to be out of office very soon,' Trump responded when asked about Macron's rejection.
Trump then to escalated his threat of a trade war with Europe.
'What I'll do is, if they feel hostile, I'll put a 200 percent tariff on his wines and champagnes and he'll join,' Trump said before boarding a flight to Washington. 'But he doesn't have to join.'
Trump has already suggested imposing France and several other European nations with tariffs for opposing his actions in Greenland.
Macron has pushed for the EU to threaten tariffs on $107.7 billion worth of goods and potentially even block American access to the market.
Donald Trump (pictured left) went back and forth with Emmanuel Macron Monday night, threatening him with a 200 percent tariff before revealing a text message from the French president
Trump and Macron have clashed over the US president's plan to acquire Greenland and has rejected an invitation to Trump's Board of Peace
Later Monday night, Trump revealed a text message he received from Macron where the French leader explained some of his differences and similarities to Trump on policy.
'My friend, we are totally in line on Syria. We can do great things on Iran,' Macron wrote. 'I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland. Let us try to build great things.'
In the text, Macron promised to assemble a G7 following the World Economic Forum in Davos and asked Trump to have dinner with him in Paris on Thursday before he returns to the US.
Trump continued to post on Truth Social, with a photoshopped picture of himself, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'claiming' Greenland with the US flag.
He also posted a photo of himself talking to various European leaders, including Macron, last year, as well as a mention that he'd had 'a very good telephone call' with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
It's unclear how many leaders have been asked to join the board, and the large number of invitations being sent out, including to countries that don't get along, has raised questions about the board's mandate and decision-making processes.
Also unknown is Israel's potential role on a board in charge of implementing the ceasefire agreement that directly involves them.
Israel, Russia, Belarus, Slovenia, Thailand and the European Union's executive arm were among the latest to receive invitations.
Later Monday night, Trump revealed a text message he received from Macron where the French leader explained some of his differences and similarities to Trump on policy
In the text, Macron promised to assemble a G7 following the World Economic Forum in Davos and asked Trump to have dinner with him in Paris on Thursday before he returns to the US
Trump continued to post on Truth Social, with a photoshopped picture of himself, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'claiming' Greenland with the US flag
The White House also sent out invitations to the countries of Egypt, India, Turkey, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that his country will join Trump's peace board but will not pay the $1 billion fee for the permanent seat.
Only three countries have accepted Trump's invitation as of Monday morning: the leaders of Hungary, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam.
Kremlin officials announced that Vladimir Putin had received the offer via US diplomatic channels and is currently 'studying all the details of this proposal' before accepting.
'We hope for a contact with the American side so that we can clarify all the details,' Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.
Trump last week formally established the peace committee as part of his peace plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas. The board, of which the US President will be chairman, will oversee the governance of Gaza.
Meanwhile, European leaders are shocked by Trump's brazen efforts to charge countries a $1 billion fee to have a permanent spot on the committee.
Donald Trump has invited Vladimir Putin to join Gaza's Board of Peace to oversee the reconstruction of the region and the disarmament of Hamas
European leaders appeared hesitant to make public statements supporting the peace committee as fears grow that it will undermine the United Nations.
It comes as Trump has ramped up his pressure campaign on Denmark and other European allies to hand over control of Greenland to the United States.
The executive committee of the peace board will also include former British Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and other Trump allies.
A Trump reference in the invitation letters saying that the body would 'embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict' suggested it could act as a rival to the UN Security Council, the most powerful body of the global organization created in the wake of World War II.
The US is expected to announce its official list of members in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Donald Trump threatened to hit France with a 200 percent tariff on champagne and wine Monday night before leaking a text message from President Emmanuel Macron that said 'I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland'.
The outburst took place after the college football championship game in Miami when reporters asked the US president about Macron rejecting Trump's invitation to join his so-called Board of Peace.
Macron had said 'at this stage' he was not planning on serving with Trump's group, which is intended to create the second phase of the Gaza peace plan.
'Well, nobody wants him because he's going to be out of office very soon,' Trump responded when asked about Macron's rejection.
Trump then to escalated his threat of a trade war with Europe.
'What I'll do is, if they feel hostile, I'll put a 200 percent tariff on his wines and champagnes and he'll join,' Trump said before boarding a flight to Washington. 'But he doesn't have to join.'
Trump has already suggested imposing France and several other European nations with tariffs for opposing his actions in Greenland.
Macron has pushed for the EU to threaten tariffs on $107.7 billion worth of goods and potentially even block American access to the market.
Donald Trump (pictured left) went back and forth with Emmanuel Macron Monday night, threatening him with a 200 percent tariff before revealing a text message from the French president
Trump and Macron have clashed over the US president's plan to acquire Greenland and has rejected an invitation to Trump's Board of Peace
Later Monday night, Trump revealed a text message he received from Macron where the French leader explained some of his differences and similarities to Trump on policy.
'My friend, we are totally in line on Syria. We can do great things on Iran,' Macron wrote. 'I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland. Let us try to build great things.'
In the text, Macron promised to assemble a G7 following the World Economic Forum in Davos and asked Trump to have dinner with him in Paris on Thursday before he returns to the US.
Trump continued to post on Truth Social, with a photoshopped picture of himself, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'claiming' Greenland with the US flag.
He also posted a photo of himself talking to various European leaders, including Macron, last year, as well as a mention that he'd had 'a very good telephone call' with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
It's unclear how many leaders have been asked to join the board, and the large number of invitations being sent out, including to countries that don't get along, has raised questions about the board's mandate and decision-making processes.
Also unknown is Israel's potential role on a board in charge of implementing the ceasefire agreement that directly involves them.
Israel, Russia, Belarus, Slovenia, Thailand and the European Union's executive arm were among the latest to receive invitations.
Later Monday night, Trump revealed a text message he received from Macron where the French leader explained some of his differences and similarities to Trump on policy
In the text, Macron promised to assemble a G7 following the World Economic Forum in Davos and asked Trump to have dinner with him in Paris on Thursday before he returns to the US
Trump continued to post on Truth Social, with a photoshopped picture of himself, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio 'claiming' Greenland with the US flag
The White House also sent out invitations to the countries of Egypt, India, Turkey, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that his country will join Trump's peace board but will not pay the $1 billion fee for the permanent seat.
Only three countries have accepted Trump's invitation as of Monday morning: the leaders of Hungary, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam.
Kremlin officials announced that Vladimir Putin had received the offer via US diplomatic channels and is currently 'studying all the details of this proposal' before accepting.
'We hope for a contact with the American side so that we can clarify all the details,' Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.
Trump last week formally established the peace committee as part of his peace plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas. The board, of which the US President will be chairman, will oversee the governance of Gaza.
Meanwhile, European leaders are shocked by Trump's brazen efforts to charge countries a $1 billion fee to have a permanent spot on the committee.
Donald Trump has invited Vladimir Putin to join Gaza's Board of Peace to oversee the reconstruction of the region and the disarmament of Hamas
European leaders appeared hesitant to make public statements supporting the peace committee as fears grow that it will undermine the United Nations.
It comes as Trump has ramped up his pressure campaign on Denmark and other European allies to hand over control of Greenland to the United States.
The executive committee of the peace board will also include former British Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and other Trump allies.
A Trump reference in the invitation letters saying that the body would 'embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict' suggested it could act as a rival to the UN Security Council, the most powerful body of the global organization created in the wake of World War II.
The US is expected to announce its official list of members in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Appeals court sides with Trump admin over Minnesota protesters
A federal appeals court has now lifted restrictions on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in how they're meant to deal with local protesters in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Politico legal correspondent Kyle Cheney reported Wednesday that the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals — whose jurisdiction encompasses Minnesota along with six other states — has now granted a motion by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to impose a stay on a temporary restraining order (TRO) put in place by U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez (an appointee of former President Joe Biden). This means that the restrictions will no longer be in place while the DHS appeals them to the circuit court.
After Judge Menendez's TRO was stayed, this means that ICE agents will now once again be allowed to use less-than-lethal munitions on protesters, like flash-bang grenades and tear gas, and make arrests. Politico reported that the TRO was initially put in place following a lawsuit filed over DHS' heavy-handed response to protests that unfolded in the wake of the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Renee Good.
DHS and ICE had previously been prohibited from "using pepper-spray or similar nonlethal munitions and crowd dispersal tools against persons who are engaging in peaceful and unobstructive protest activity." Judge Menendez's order also forbade federal agents from pulling over citizens for following them, as long as they were keeping an "appropriate" distance.
The overturning of Menendez's TRO comes on the heels of the Trump administration telling military personnel to prepare for a "possible mobilization to Minneapolis." The Department of Justice (DOJ) has also announced federal investigations into Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz – who have encouraged citizens to film and document ICE actions — for allegedly impeding law enforcement operations.
Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance recently compared the Trump administration's handling of Minneapolis protesters to former Birmingham, Alabama Sheriff Bull Connor's treatment of protesters during the Civil Rights Movement. She also condemned the DOJ for objecting to Judge Menendez's order, writing on her Substack: "DOJ has stopped being the independent gem in the crown of the American rule of law."
A federal appeals court has now lifted restrictions on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in how they're meant to deal with local protesters in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Politico legal correspondent Kyle Cheney reported Wednesday that the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals — whose jurisdiction encompasses Minnesota along with six other states — has now granted a motion by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to impose a stay on a temporary restraining order (TRO) put in place by U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez (an appointee of former President Joe Biden). This means that the restrictions will no longer be in place while the DHS appeals them to the circuit court.
After Judge Menendez's TRO was stayed, this means that ICE agents will now once again be allowed to use less-than-lethal munitions on protesters, like flash-bang grenades and tear gas, and make arrests. Politico reported that the TRO was initially put in place following a lawsuit filed over DHS' heavy-handed response to protests that unfolded in the wake of the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Renee Good.
DHS and ICE had previously been prohibited from "using pepper-spray or similar nonlethal munitions and crowd dispersal tools against persons who are engaging in peaceful and unobstructive protest activity." Judge Menendez's order also forbade federal agents from pulling over citizens for following them, as long as they were keeping an "appropriate" distance.
The overturning of Menendez's TRO comes on the heels of the Trump administration telling military personnel to prepare for a "possible mobilization to Minneapolis." The Department of Justice (DOJ) has also announced federal investigations into Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz – who have encouraged citizens to film and document ICE actions — for allegedly impeding law enforcement operations.
Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance recently compared the Trump administration's handling of Minneapolis protesters to former Birmingham, Alabama Sheriff Bull Connor's treatment of protesters during the Civil Rights Movement. She also condemned the DOJ for objecting to Judge Menendez's order, writing on her Substack: "DOJ has stopped being the independent gem in the crown of the American rule of law."
Judge deals setback to lawyers seeking to force DOJ to release all Epstein files
A federal judge on Wednesday declined to appoint a special master to oversee the immediate release of the remaining Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case files, dealing a blow to a bipartisan group of lawmakers who filed a motion to do so.
The reason for the rejection: this isn't the proper venue to make such a request.
In the ruling, U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmeyer rebuffed the request by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), the co-sponsors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, to allow them to participate as "friends of the court" in the criminal case against Epstein's co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, to advise such an appointment, saying that "neither party in [the Maxwell] case has made any motion concerning the implementation of EFTA" and thus Massie and Khanna's participation in the case "is therefore not permissible."
However, Engelmeyer added, Massie and Khanna are free to pursue the release of the remaining files by other means, either by filing their own separate lawsuit to compel it, or by using their congressional oversight powers to pressure the Justice Department.
The EFTA, which passed both chambers of Congress near unanimously despite months of effort by President Donald Trump to stop it, set a deadline for all files to be released last month.
However, as of January 21, only a small fraction of the outstanding files have been released, and some observers have accused the Justice Department of selectively releasing files that don't embarrass Trump.
A federal judge on Wednesday declined to appoint a special master to oversee the immediate release of the remaining Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case files, dealing a blow to a bipartisan group of lawmakers who filed a motion to do so.
The reason for the rejection: this isn't the proper venue to make such a request.
In the ruling, U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmeyer rebuffed the request by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), the co-sponsors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, to allow them to participate as "friends of the court" in the criminal case against Epstein's co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, to advise such an appointment, saying that "neither party in [the Maxwell] case has made any motion concerning the implementation of EFTA" and thus Massie and Khanna's participation in the case "is therefore not permissible."
However, Engelmeyer added, Massie and Khanna are free to pursue the release of the remaining files by other means, either by filing their own separate lawsuit to compel it, or by using their congressional oversight powers to pressure the Justice Department.
The EFTA, which passed both chambers of Congress near unanimously despite months of effort by President Donald Trump to stop it, set a deadline for all files to be released last month.
However, as of January 21, only a small fraction of the outstanding files have been released, and some observers have accused the Justice Department of selectively releasing files that don't embarrass Trump.
Trump demands judge block his own DOJ from releasing Jack Smith report
Donald Trump is demanding a federal judge block his Department of Justice from releasing Jack Smith’s report on the president’s alleged hoarding of government documents and classified materials at his Mar-a-Lago residence.
The president filed a motion Tuesday arguing that the release of the former special counsel’s "inherently biased” report would "irreparably harm” the president and his former co-defendants.
Florida District Judge Aileen Cannon — the Trump-appointed judge who dismissed the case against the president in 2024 — had previously blocked the Justice Department from sharing a redacted version of the Mar-a-Lago report with members of Congress, ensuring that Smith’s final report wouldn’t see the light of day during his first months back in office.
The judge will now decide whether that report can ever be released.
In 2023, a grand jury indictment accused Trump of mishandling reams of classified documents inside Mar-a-Lago and then conspiring to obstruct attempts from federal authorities to get them back after he left the White House at the end of his first term.
Trump faced 40 separate charges stemming from allegations that he withheld hundreds of documents, some of which were pictured in boxes stashed in Mar-a-Lago bathrooms, according to photographs.
Judge Cannon ultimately dismissed the case after agreeing with Trump’s attorneys that the special counsel was unconstitutionally appointed and funded. Smith’s team appealed that decision but dropped the case altogether after Trump won the 2024 presidential election.
A first volume of Smith’s investigations into Trump was released in the days before the president returned to office, detailing his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and failure to stop a mob from ransacking the halls of Congress to do it by force.
But a second volume, on Smith’s Mar-a-Lago case, has remained under wraps.
Cannon’s 93-page order dismissing the case did not address allegations or evidence but focused solely on Trump’s arguments that the special counsel was unlawfully serving in the role.
Attorneys for the president wrote that the release of that report would “improperly endorse and give legal effect to Smith’s unlawful investigation and prosecution” and “irreparably harm” Trump and his former co-defendants.
Because Trump is a former defendant, he “unquestionably has direct, substantial, and compelling interests” to block the report’s release, attorneys wrote.
The release of the volume would “improperly endorse and give legal effect to Smith’s unlawful investigation and prosecution” and would “irreparably harm” Trump and his former co-defendants,” according to the filing.
Jack Smith’s first report, on Trump’s allegedly criminal attempts to overturn the 2020 election, was released shortly before Trump returned to office, but his report on the Mar-a-Lago case has remained under wraps (Getty Images)
“The court has already rightly determined that Smith was an unconstitutionally appointed and funded officer who could not, and did not, lawfully exercise executive power,” attorneys wrote. “The appropriate remedy is the invalidation of all of Smith’s [acts], including his subsequent preparation and submission of Volume II.”
The report is “inherently biased and one-sided” and reflects “opinions of an unconstitutionally appointed and funded federal official” who relied on “unlawfully obtained” evidence for a “political purpose,” attorneys said.
Trump and his former co-defendants no longer have access to the materials in this case while First Amendment groups and members of Congress seek the court’s permission to release Smith’s report, creating a “fundamentally unfair situation,” according to Trump’s team.
If those materials are publicly released, Smith and Trump’s political opponents will be able to “publicize the report’s allegations, giving them unwarranted credibility, while the individuals targeted by those accusations cannot defend themselves from Smith’s false and baseless attacks,” attorneys said.
In his explosive closed-door testimony to members of Congress last year, Smith said his investigation “developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election and to prevent the lawful transfer of power.”
“President Trump was by a large measure the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy,” he said. “These crimes were committed for his benefit. The attack that happened at the Capitol, part of this case, does not happen without him.”
Trump “caused” the violent attacks at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 and “exploited it,” Smith told lawmakers.
Smith is scheduled to testify publicly about Trump’s alleged crimes before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, January 22.
Donald Trump is demanding a federal judge block his Department of Justice from releasing Jack Smith’s report on the president’s alleged hoarding of government documents and classified materials at his Mar-a-Lago residence.
The president filed a motion Tuesday arguing that the release of the former special counsel’s "inherently biased” report would "irreparably harm” the president and his former co-defendants.
Florida District Judge Aileen Cannon — the Trump-appointed judge who dismissed the case against the president in 2024 — had previously blocked the Justice Department from sharing a redacted version of the Mar-a-Lago report with members of Congress, ensuring that Smith’s final report wouldn’t see the light of day during his first months back in office.
The judge will now decide whether that report can ever be released.
In 2023, a grand jury indictment accused Trump of mishandling reams of classified documents inside Mar-a-Lago and then conspiring to obstruct attempts from federal authorities to get them back after he left the White House at the end of his first term.
Trump faced 40 separate charges stemming from allegations that he withheld hundreds of documents, some of which were pictured in boxes stashed in Mar-a-Lago bathrooms, according to photographs.
Judge Cannon ultimately dismissed the case after agreeing with Trump’s attorneys that the special counsel was unconstitutionally appointed and funded. Smith’s team appealed that decision but dropped the case altogether after Trump won the 2024 presidential election.
A first volume of Smith’s investigations into Trump was released in the days before the president returned to office, detailing his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and failure to stop a mob from ransacking the halls of Congress to do it by force.
But a second volume, on Smith’s Mar-a-Lago case, has remained under wraps.
Cannon’s 93-page order dismissing the case did not address allegations or evidence but focused solely on Trump’s arguments that the special counsel was unlawfully serving in the role.
Attorneys for the president wrote that the release of that report would “improperly endorse and give legal effect to Smith’s unlawful investigation and prosecution” and “irreparably harm” Trump and his former co-defendants.
Because Trump is a former defendant, he “unquestionably has direct, substantial, and compelling interests” to block the report’s release, attorneys wrote.
The release of the volume would “improperly endorse and give legal effect to Smith’s unlawful investigation and prosecution” and would “irreparably harm” Trump and his former co-defendants,” according to the filing.
Jack Smith’s first report, on Trump’s allegedly criminal attempts to overturn the 2020 election, was released shortly before Trump returned to office, but his report on the Mar-a-Lago case has remained under wraps (Getty Images)
“The court has already rightly determined that Smith was an unconstitutionally appointed and funded officer who could not, and did not, lawfully exercise executive power,” attorneys wrote. “The appropriate remedy is the invalidation of all of Smith’s [acts], including his subsequent preparation and submission of Volume II.”
The report is “inherently biased and one-sided” and reflects “opinions of an unconstitutionally appointed and funded federal official” who relied on “unlawfully obtained” evidence for a “political purpose,” attorneys said.
Trump and his former co-defendants no longer have access to the materials in this case while First Amendment groups and members of Congress seek the court’s permission to release Smith’s report, creating a “fundamentally unfair situation,” according to Trump’s team.
If those materials are publicly released, Smith and Trump’s political opponents will be able to “publicize the report’s allegations, giving them unwarranted credibility, while the individuals targeted by those accusations cannot defend themselves from Smith’s false and baseless attacks,” attorneys said.
In his explosive closed-door testimony to members of Congress last year, Smith said his investigation “developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election and to prevent the lawful transfer of power.”
“President Trump was by a large measure the most culpable and most responsible person in this conspiracy,” he said. “These crimes were committed for his benefit. The attack that happened at the Capitol, part of this case, does not happen without him.”
Trump “caused” the violent attacks at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 and “exploited it,” Smith told lawmakers.
Smith is scheduled to testify publicly about Trump’s alleged crimes before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, January 22.
Trump threatens Jack Smith as he testifies
President Donald Trump lashed out at former special counsel Jack Smith while he was testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
The president took to Truth Social to issue his threat against Smith.
"Deranged Jack Smith is being DECIMATED before Congress," he fumed. "It was over when they discussed his past failures and unfair prosecutions. He destroyed many lives under the guise of legitimacy. Jack Smith is a deranged animal, who shouldn't be allowed to practice Law. If he were a Republican, his license would be taken away from him, and far worse!"
"Hopefully the Attorney General is looking at what he's done, including some of the crooked and corrupt witnesses that he was attempting to use in his case against me," Trump added. "The whole thing was a Democrat SCAM — A big price should be paid by them for what they have put our Country through!"
President Donald Trump lashed out at former special counsel Jack Smith while he was testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
The president took to Truth Social to issue his threat against Smith.
"Deranged Jack Smith is being DECIMATED before Congress," he fumed. "It was over when they discussed his past failures and unfair prosecutions. He destroyed many lives under the guise of legitimacy. Jack Smith is a deranged animal, who shouldn't be allowed to practice Law. If he were a Republican, his license would be taken away from him, and far worse!"
"Hopefully the Attorney General is looking at what he's done, including some of the crooked and corrupt witnesses that he was attempting to use in his case against me," Trump added. "The whole thing was a Democrat SCAM — A big price should be paid by them for what they have put our Country through!"
Trump 'to start flying in controversial $400M Qatari jet this summer'
A controversial $400m Qatari-donated aircraft is expected to be ready for the president to use by the summer, the United States Air Force has said.
The exact date for delivery is yet to be confirmed, but it is believed the aircraft could make its debut as part of the celebrations planned for July when the U.S. celebrates 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
“The Air Force remains committed to expediting delivery of the VC-25 bridge aircraft in support of the Presidential airlift mission, with an anticipated delivery no later than summer 2026,” the Air Force said.
Donald Trump’s acceptance of the multimillion-dollar Boeing jet from the Qatari Royal Family has fueled criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, with close allies admitting it was a “stain on the administration”, and political opponents describing it as “the definition of corruption”.
Trump accepted the luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar as a stand-in for Air Force One in May 2025, saying only a “stupid person” would refuse the offer, and after complaining about the length of time it was taking the U.S. aircraft manufacturer to build replacements for the current fleet of two planes which have been in use since George H.W. Bush’s presidential term in the early 1990s.
The President defended his acceptance of the jumbo jet in a Truth Social post at the time, writing that it was a gift “given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME!”
The aircraft is likely the most valuable gift ever given to the U.S. by a foreign government, however, the extent of the upgrades required to make it an appropriate substitute for the existing presidential transport could be as much as $1bn.
The two Boeing VC25s – military versions of the 747 airliner – which currently make up the Air Force One fleet are highly-specialized purpose-built aircraft, which can refuel in flight, defend against missile attacks and are decked out with communications technology allowing the plane to operate as a military command center in the event of an incident such as a nuclear attack.
Nonetheless, Trump has long complained the aircraft used are outdated and cramped, while advisers have reportedly said long flights are uncomfortable because the seats don’t fully recline and the bathrooms are small.
Former president Barack Obama on Air Force One. He also had his own issues with the fleet (AFP/Getty)
In 2018, Trump approved a deal with Boeing worth $3.9bn for two unused 747s originally manufactured for a Russian airline.
But Boeing has fallen years behind schedule because of technical and staffing problems, and the Air Force recently indicated the first jet now won’t be ready until mid‑2028, just months before the scheduled end of Trump’s second term.
Trump showed off a model of the new “America First 250” plane in a flurry of social media posts on Boxing Day, including a photograph of him with the red, white and dark blue design in the Oval Office.
The design bears the slogan “America First” on the fuselage with “250” towards the empennage in reference to the nation’s forthcoming anniversary.
Despite outrage at the gift and suggestions in Congress that Trump’s acceptance of the jet potentially violated the U.S. Constitution’s emoluments clause, Justice Department lawyers moved quickly to rule that taking delivery of it would break no laws.
Trump’s trip to Europe was delayed this week due to technical problems with Air Force One (AFP/Getty)
Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House lawyer David Warrington said they had concluded the donation of the aircraft was “legally permissible.”
This week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt joked about the benefits of Trump’s acceptance of the Qatari jet after an Air Force One plane experienced technical difficulties.
Trump’s jet was forced to turn back to Joint Base Andrews Tuesday evening while en route to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The White House said the plane suffered a “minor electrical issue” and turned around about 30 minutes into the trip out of an “abundance of caution.”
Leavitt said to reporters that a Qatari jet sounded “much better”.
The Independent has contacted the United States Air Force for comment.
A controversial $400m Qatari-donated aircraft is expected to be ready for the president to use by the summer, the United States Air Force has said.
The exact date for delivery is yet to be confirmed, but it is believed the aircraft could make its debut as part of the celebrations planned for July when the U.S. celebrates 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
“The Air Force remains committed to expediting delivery of the VC-25 bridge aircraft in support of the Presidential airlift mission, with an anticipated delivery no later than summer 2026,” the Air Force said.
Donald Trump’s acceptance of the multimillion-dollar Boeing jet from the Qatari Royal Family has fueled criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, with close allies admitting it was a “stain on the administration”, and political opponents describing it as “the definition of corruption”.
Trump accepted the luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar as a stand-in for Air Force One in May 2025, saying only a “stupid person” would refuse the offer, and after complaining about the length of time it was taking the U.S. aircraft manufacturer to build replacements for the current fleet of two planes which have been in use since George H.W. Bush’s presidential term in the early 1990s.
The President defended his acceptance of the jumbo jet in a Truth Social post at the time, writing that it was a gift “given to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, NOT TO ME!”
The aircraft is likely the most valuable gift ever given to the U.S. by a foreign government, however, the extent of the upgrades required to make it an appropriate substitute for the existing presidential transport could be as much as $1bn.
The two Boeing VC25s – military versions of the 747 airliner – which currently make up the Air Force One fleet are highly-specialized purpose-built aircraft, which can refuel in flight, defend against missile attacks and are decked out with communications technology allowing the plane to operate as a military command center in the event of an incident such as a nuclear attack.
Nonetheless, Trump has long complained the aircraft used are outdated and cramped, while advisers have reportedly said long flights are uncomfortable because the seats don’t fully recline and the bathrooms are small.
Former president Barack Obama on Air Force One. He also had his own issues with the fleet (AFP/Getty)
In 2018, Trump approved a deal with Boeing worth $3.9bn for two unused 747s originally manufactured for a Russian airline.
But Boeing has fallen years behind schedule because of technical and staffing problems, and the Air Force recently indicated the first jet now won’t be ready until mid‑2028, just months before the scheduled end of Trump’s second term.
Trump showed off a model of the new “America First 250” plane in a flurry of social media posts on Boxing Day, including a photograph of him with the red, white and dark blue design in the Oval Office.
The design bears the slogan “America First” on the fuselage with “250” towards the empennage in reference to the nation’s forthcoming anniversary.
Despite outrage at the gift and suggestions in Congress that Trump’s acceptance of the jet potentially violated the U.S. Constitution’s emoluments clause, Justice Department lawyers moved quickly to rule that taking delivery of it would break no laws.
Trump’s trip to Europe was delayed this week due to technical problems with Air Force One (AFP/Getty)
Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House lawyer David Warrington said they had concluded the donation of the aircraft was “legally permissible.”
This week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt joked about the benefits of Trump’s acceptance of the Qatari jet after an Air Force One plane experienced technical difficulties.
Trump’s jet was forced to turn back to Joint Base Andrews Tuesday evening while en route to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The White House said the plane suffered a “minor electrical issue” and turned around about 30 minutes into the trip out of an “abundance of caution.”
Leavitt said to reporters that a Qatari jet sounded “much better”.
The Independent has contacted the United States Air Force for comment.
Trump claims China doesn’t use wind power - but the world’s largest wind farm is there
Donald Trump has dragged China into his blistering attacks against wind energy, describing nations that buy wind turbines as “stupid”.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos yesterday (21 January), the POTUS made several dubious claims about Greenland, NATO and renewable energy.
Trump has consistently criticised the green energy drive, dubbing wind and solar as “the scam of the century” while keeping the US as the world’s biggest fossil fuel producer. Last year, the US administration suspended leases on all US offshore wind projects, citing national security concerns, and is currently embroiled in a legal challenge with Danish energy firm Ørsted.
What Trump said about wind energy at Davos
Addressing the WEF on the event’s third day, Trump claimed that China makes "almost all” of the world’s wind turbines, which he continues to refer to as “windmills”.
“Yet I haven’t been able to find any windfarms in China,” he said during a speech that lasted over an hour. “Did you ever think of that? It’s a good way of looking. China is very smart. They make [wind turbines].”
Trump went on to argue that China sells wind turbines to other countries for a “fortune”. “They sell them to the stupid people that buy them, but don’t use them themselves,” he adds.
China responds to Trump’s wind claims
Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, was quick to rebuke the claims. Speaking at a press conference today (22 January), he said: “China’s efforts to tackle climate change and promote the development and application of renewable energy in the world are obvious to all.”
“As a responsible developing country, China is willing to work with all parties to continue to promote the global green and low-carbon transformation.”
Is China ignoring green energy?
According to energy think tank Ember, China’s wind generation in 2024 equalled 40 per cent of global wind generation, despite an increase in fossil fuel generation.
But in 2025, China hit a new milestone in its energy transition, with wind and solar power together generating more than a quarter (26 per cent) of the country’s electricity in April. This surpassed the previous record of 23.7 per cent set a month earlier in March 2025.
At the same time, fossil fuel generation declined by 3.6 per cent year-on-year across the first four months of 2025. Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) found that China is now in a relative decoupling stage – when emissions rise more slowly than GDP.
Between 2015 and 2023, its consumption-based emissions rose by 24 per cent, while its GDP grew by over 50 per cent during the same time.
“There are growing indications that emissions from the power generation and transport sectors have already peaked,” the report states.
China’s decoupling comes as the country leads the race in renewable development, with 180 GW of solar and 159 GW of wind power projects already under construction. This is almost twice as much as the rest of the world combined, and is enough to power all of South Korea, according to data from Global Energy Monitor.
The world’s largest wind farm
Despite Trump’s inability to spot any wind turbines in China, the country is home to the world’s largest wind farm, which is visible from space.
Located in the vast desert region of western Gansu, construction of the Gansu Wind Farm began in 2009, with the first phase being completed just a year later. It already features more than 7,000 turbines.
Once it’s completed, it is scheduled to have an installed capacity of 20GW, enough to power around 15 million homes.
Donald Trump has dragged China into his blistering attacks against wind energy, describing nations that buy wind turbines as “stupid”.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos yesterday (21 January), the POTUS made several dubious claims about Greenland, NATO and renewable energy.
Trump has consistently criticised the green energy drive, dubbing wind and solar as “the scam of the century” while keeping the US as the world’s biggest fossil fuel producer. Last year, the US administration suspended leases on all US offshore wind projects, citing national security concerns, and is currently embroiled in a legal challenge with Danish energy firm Ørsted.
What Trump said about wind energy at Davos
Addressing the WEF on the event’s third day, Trump claimed that China makes "almost all” of the world’s wind turbines, which he continues to refer to as “windmills”.
“Yet I haven’t been able to find any windfarms in China,” he said during a speech that lasted over an hour. “Did you ever think of that? It’s a good way of looking. China is very smart. They make [wind turbines].”
Trump went on to argue that China sells wind turbines to other countries for a “fortune”. “They sell them to the stupid people that buy them, but don’t use them themselves,” he adds.
China responds to Trump’s wind claims
Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, was quick to rebuke the claims. Speaking at a press conference today (22 January), he said: “China’s efforts to tackle climate change and promote the development and application of renewable energy in the world are obvious to all.”
“As a responsible developing country, China is willing to work with all parties to continue to promote the global green and low-carbon transformation.”
Is China ignoring green energy?
According to energy think tank Ember, China’s wind generation in 2024 equalled 40 per cent of global wind generation, despite an increase in fossil fuel generation.
But in 2025, China hit a new milestone in its energy transition, with wind and solar power together generating more than a quarter (26 per cent) of the country’s electricity in April. This surpassed the previous record of 23.7 per cent set a month earlier in March 2025.
At the same time, fossil fuel generation declined by 3.6 per cent year-on-year across the first four months of 2025. Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) found that China is now in a relative decoupling stage – when emissions rise more slowly than GDP.
Between 2015 and 2023, its consumption-based emissions rose by 24 per cent, while its GDP grew by over 50 per cent during the same time.
“There are growing indications that emissions from the power generation and transport sectors have already peaked,” the report states.
China’s decoupling comes as the country leads the race in renewable development, with 180 GW of solar and 159 GW of wind power projects already under construction. This is almost twice as much as the rest of the world combined, and is enough to power all of South Korea, according to data from Global Energy Monitor.
The world’s largest wind farm
Despite Trump’s inability to spot any wind turbines in China, the country is home to the world’s largest wind farm, which is visible from space.
Located in the vast desert region of western Gansu, construction of the Gansu Wind Farm began in 2009, with the first phase being completed just a year later. It already features more than 7,000 turbines.
Once it’s completed, it is scheduled to have an installed capacity of 20GW, enough to power around 15 million homes.
Trump admin hunting for defectors to topple another regime by year's end: report
Riding high after the dramatic ouster of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, the Trump administration is now zeroing in on Cuba, hunting for government insiders willing to cut a deal and help dismantle the Communist regime by the end of the year.
That's according to exclusive reporting in the Wall Street Journal, which said administration officials believe Cuba's economy is teetering on the brink of collapse after losing its vital Venezuelan oil lifeline.
"I strongly suggest they make a deal. BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," President Donald Trump warned in a Jan. 11 Truth Social post, threatening "NO MORE OIL OR MONEY" to the island nation.
The Trump team is holding meetings with Cuban exiles and civic groups in Miami and Washington, searching for somebody inside Havana's government who might see the writing on the wall. The brazen Jan. 3 military raid that captured Maduro — which killed 32 Cuban soldiers and intelligence operatives— is being used as an implicit warning to Cuba's leaders about what's to come if they don't negotiate.
U.S. intelligence painted a bleak picture of Cuba's economy, with chronic shortages of basic goods, medicines, and rolling blackouts. With Venezuelan oil supplies drying up, economists warn Cuba could run out of fuel within weeks. The administration is also targeting Cuba's overseas medical missions, the regime's most important cash source, through visa bans.
For Trump and his Florida-tied inner circle, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, son of Cuban immigrants, toppling Cuba's regime represents a defining legacy moment. Yet experts warn the Venezuela playbook may not work in Cuba's single-party Stalinist state, where civil society barely exists, and no opposition movement stands ready.
Riding high after the dramatic ouster of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, the Trump administration is now zeroing in on Cuba, hunting for government insiders willing to cut a deal and help dismantle the Communist regime by the end of the year.
That's according to exclusive reporting in the Wall Street Journal, which said administration officials believe Cuba's economy is teetering on the brink of collapse after losing its vital Venezuelan oil lifeline.
"I strongly suggest they make a deal. BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," President Donald Trump warned in a Jan. 11 Truth Social post, threatening "NO MORE OIL OR MONEY" to the island nation.
The Trump team is holding meetings with Cuban exiles and civic groups in Miami and Washington, searching for somebody inside Havana's government who might see the writing on the wall. The brazen Jan. 3 military raid that captured Maduro — which killed 32 Cuban soldiers and intelligence operatives— is being used as an implicit warning to Cuba's leaders about what's to come if they don't negotiate.
U.S. intelligence painted a bleak picture of Cuba's economy, with chronic shortages of basic goods, medicines, and rolling blackouts. With Venezuelan oil supplies drying up, economists warn Cuba could run out of fuel within weeks. The administration is also targeting Cuba's overseas medical missions, the regime's most important cash source, through visa bans.
For Trump and his Florida-tied inner circle, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, son of Cuban immigrants, toppling Cuba's regime represents a defining legacy moment. Yet experts warn the Venezuela playbook may not work in Cuba's single-party Stalinist state, where civil society barely exists, and no opposition movement stands ready.
Firestorm ignites as secret ICE memo authorizes agents to storm homes with no warrants
A memo newly revealed on Wednesday outlined how Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conspired to ignore the Fourth Amendment's restrictions on unreasonable search and seizure, by asserting power to enter people's homes without a warrant.
This revelation triggered outrage from legal experts and politicians on social media, with demands for answers and accountability.
"This is likely not legal and will be challenged in court," wrote attorney Eva Golinger.
"Blatantly unconstitutional. This is what a police state looks like," wrote the Republicans Against Trump account on X.
"HOLY CRAP," wrote American Immigration Council senior fellow Aaron Reichlin-Melnick. "An ICE whistleblower just revealed a secret memo authorizing ICE officers to break into homes without a judicial warrant, which DHS's own legal training materials say is unconstitutional! ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth."
"Some of the most powerful officials at DOJ have no respect for the Fourth Amendment," wrote civil rights litigator Patrick Jaicomo. "The Bondi AEA memo made that clear in the spring ... It’s still shocking to see this. Feds can’t enter homes without warrants, and warrants must be issued by judges, not ICE agents."
"Every American — Republican and Democrat — should be outraged by this assault on freedom and privacy," wrote Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), whose state has for weeks been flooded with ICE agents as Trump fixates on an obsession with the Somali diaspora community in Minneapolis.
"Plainly unconstitutional and unlawful," wrote former Michigan Rep. Justin Amash, who temporarily left the Republican Party over his opposition to President Donald Trump.
"A whistleblower just revealed a secret ICE Memo authorizing federal agents to storm homes w/out judicial warrants," wrote former Justice Department official Brian Farnkoff. "ICE issued the memo in May and has since covered it up — disseminating it primarily verbally. It’s stunning and in blatant contravention of the Fourth Amendment."
"Yeah I am not voting to give whatever ICE has become more tax payer money," wrote Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). "It’s no longer an immigration enforcement arm of the US government."
A memo newly revealed on Wednesday outlined how Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conspired to ignore the Fourth Amendment's restrictions on unreasonable search and seizure, by asserting power to enter people's homes without a warrant.
This revelation triggered outrage from legal experts and politicians on social media, with demands for answers and accountability.
"This is likely not legal and will be challenged in court," wrote attorney Eva Golinger.
"Blatantly unconstitutional. This is what a police state looks like," wrote the Republicans Against Trump account on X.
"HOLY CRAP," wrote American Immigration Council senior fellow Aaron Reichlin-Melnick. "An ICE whistleblower just revealed a secret memo authorizing ICE officers to break into homes without a judicial warrant, which DHS's own legal training materials say is unconstitutional! ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth."
"Some of the most powerful officials at DOJ have no respect for the Fourth Amendment," wrote civil rights litigator Patrick Jaicomo. "The Bondi AEA memo made that clear in the spring ... It’s still shocking to see this. Feds can’t enter homes without warrants, and warrants must be issued by judges, not ICE agents."
"Every American — Republican and Democrat — should be outraged by this assault on freedom and privacy," wrote Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), whose state has for weeks been flooded with ICE agents as Trump fixates on an obsession with the Somali diaspora community in Minneapolis.
"Plainly unconstitutional and unlawful," wrote former Michigan Rep. Justin Amash, who temporarily left the Republican Party over his opposition to President Donald Trump.
"A whistleblower just revealed a secret ICE Memo authorizing federal agents to storm homes w/out judicial warrants," wrote former Justice Department official Brian Farnkoff. "ICE issued the memo in May and has since covered it up — disseminating it primarily verbally. It’s stunning and in blatant contravention of the Fourth Amendment."
"Yeah I am not voting to give whatever ICE has become more tax payer money," wrote Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). "It’s no longer an immigration enforcement arm of the US government."
Trump snubbed by every major ally
Following a rambling speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in which he slammed multiple European nations, President Donald Trump was snubbed by every major U.S. ally at his “Board of Peace” signing ceremony.
Trump officially launched the Board of Peace as an international body intended to resolve global conflicts, starting with the reconstruction of Gaza.
The board has drawn significant controversy due to the inclusion of several authoritarian leaders and a controversial $1 billion membership fee structure.
Leading an ‘illiberal state’
Trump met with Hungary Prime Minster Victor Orbán on Friday. (MEGA)© Knewz (CA)
Among those invited and confirmed are Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, often described as “Europe’s last dictator,” who has accepted the invitation; Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has allegedly offered to pay the $1 billion membership fee, but with conditions; Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, described as leading an “illiberal state,” who has agreed to participate; Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, a former military general described by media as a “strongman,” who has accepted the invitation; Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was invited as Turkish officials are already involved in the board’s Gaza-focused executive committee; and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has officially accepted the invitation.
Putin suggested his membership fee be paid using Russian assets currently frozen in the United States. He framed this as a way to use those funds for humanitarian efforts, specifically the restoration of the Gaza Strip.
“Not a single representative from a Western European country was present at the launch Thursday morning,” The Daily Beast noted.
Hamas-funders and Qatar leaders showed up for Trump
Trump said leaders in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are ‘friends of’ his. (MEGA)© Knewz (CA)
“Fewer than 20 nations made an appearance, among them Gulf States like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, along with Argentina and Paraguay. The number stands well below the 35 anticipated by senior White House officials,” the outlet added.
“Every one of them’s a friend of mine,” Trump said from the sparsely populated stage. “In this group I like every single one of them, can you believe it? Usually I have about two or three that I can’t stand.”
“They’re great people,” he added. “They’re great leaders.”
Members are invited for a three-year stint, but a permanent seat requires a contribution of $1 billion within the first year.
‘Real estate fantasies’
Jared Kushner was once Trump’s ‘secretary of everything.’ (MEGA)© Knewz (CA)
Critics have mocked the $1 billion membership fee for permanent board members, with Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) calling it “Cash for Trump” or an attempt to fund an overseas “slush fund.”
The Founding Executive Board: includes Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Long Island real estate attorney turned special envoy Steve Witkoff and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Opponents have dismissed the plan as a series of “real estate fantasies” rather than a diplomatic strategy, particularly regarding Trump’s suggestions to build a “Riviera of the Middle East” in Gaza. Others have mocked the initiative as resembling a “Trump board game” or compared it to what they described as a delusional, dictatorial “Trump UN.”
One social media user snarked, “So laughable, having Putin and Trump on a PEACE council. And the billions go where? Lol.”
Following a rambling speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in which he slammed multiple European nations, President Donald Trump was snubbed by every major U.S. ally at his “Board of Peace” signing ceremony.
Trump officially launched the Board of Peace as an international body intended to resolve global conflicts, starting with the reconstruction of Gaza.
The board has drawn significant controversy due to the inclusion of several authoritarian leaders and a controversial $1 billion membership fee structure.
Leading an ‘illiberal state’
Trump met with Hungary Prime Minster Victor Orbán on Friday. (MEGA)© Knewz (CA)
Among those invited and confirmed are Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, often described as “Europe’s last dictator,” who has accepted the invitation; Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has allegedly offered to pay the $1 billion membership fee, but with conditions; Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, described as leading an “illiberal state,” who has agreed to participate; Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, a former military general described by media as a “strongman,” who has accepted the invitation; Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was invited as Turkish officials are already involved in the board’s Gaza-focused executive committee; and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has officially accepted the invitation.
Putin suggested his membership fee be paid using Russian assets currently frozen in the United States. He framed this as a way to use those funds for humanitarian efforts, specifically the restoration of the Gaza Strip.
“Not a single representative from a Western European country was present at the launch Thursday morning,” The Daily Beast noted.
Hamas-funders and Qatar leaders showed up for Trump
Trump said leaders in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are ‘friends of’ his. (MEGA)© Knewz (CA)
“Fewer than 20 nations made an appearance, among them Gulf States like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, along with Argentina and Paraguay. The number stands well below the 35 anticipated by senior White House officials,” the outlet added.
“Every one of them’s a friend of mine,” Trump said from the sparsely populated stage. “In this group I like every single one of them, can you believe it? Usually I have about two or three that I can’t stand.”
“They’re great people,” he added. “They’re great leaders.”
Members are invited for a three-year stint, but a permanent seat requires a contribution of $1 billion within the first year.
‘Real estate fantasies’
Jared Kushner was once Trump’s ‘secretary of everything.’ (MEGA)© Knewz (CA)
Critics have mocked the $1 billion membership fee for permanent board members, with Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) calling it “Cash for Trump” or an attempt to fund an overseas “slush fund.”
The Founding Executive Board: includes Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Long Island real estate attorney turned special envoy Steve Witkoff and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Opponents have dismissed the plan as a series of “real estate fantasies” rather than a diplomatic strategy, particularly regarding Trump’s suggestions to build a “Riviera of the Middle East” in Gaza. Others have mocked the initiative as resembling a “Trump board game” or compared it to what they described as a delusional, dictatorial “Trump UN.”
One social media user snarked, “So laughable, having Putin and Trump on a PEACE council. And the billions go where? Lol.”
Federal officers detain a 5-year-old boy who a school official says was used as 'bait'
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A 5-year-old boy arriving home from preschool in Minnesota was taken by federal agents along with his father to a detention facility in Texas, school officials and the family's lawyer said, making him the fourth student from his Minneapolis suburb to be detained by immigration officers in recent weeks.
Federal agents took Liam Conejo Ramos from a running car in the family's driveway Tuesday afternoon, Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik told reporters Wednesday. The officers told him to knock on the door to his home to see if other people were inside, “essentially using a 5-year-old as bait," she said.
ICE vehicles sit in the background as federal immigration agents listen to US Vice President JD Vance speak at an industrial shipping facility on the administration's economic agenda and impacts on the Midwest in Toledo, Ohio, on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Jim Watson/Pool Photo via AP)© The Associated Press
The father told the child's mother, who was inside the home and has not been named, not to open the door, Stenvik told reporters Thursday.
School officials said the agents wouldn’t leave Liam with another adult who lives at the home or an official from the school district. But on Thursday, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in an online post that the father asked for the child to stay with him and that they are together at an immigration lockup in Dilley, Texas.
The family, who came to the U.S. in 2024, has an active asylum case and had not been ordered to leave the country, Stenvik said.
“Why detain a 5-year-old?” she asked. "You cannot tell me that this child is going to be classified as a violent criminal.”
McLaughlin said in a statement Wednesday that “ICE did NOT target a child.” She said Immigration and Customs Enforcement was arresting the child’s father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, who McLaughlin said is from Ecuador and in the U.S. illegally. He fled on foot, “abandoning his child,” she said.
“For the child’s safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias,” McLaughlin said, adding that parents are given the choice to be removed with their children or have them placed with a person of their choosing.
Minnesota has become a major focus of federal immigration sweeps. Greg Bovino, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official who has been the face of the crackdowns, said immigration officers have made about 3,000 arrests in Minnesota in the last six weeks.
Others offered to take the child
Stenvik suggested that the father did not run. She said another adult who lives at the home was outside when the father and son were taken, but agents wouldn't leave Liam with that person.
Mary Granlund, school board chair for Columbia Heights Public Schools, told reporters Thursday that she had told agents she would take the child before they left with him.
Rachel James, a Columbia Heights city council member who lives nearby the family, said she saw another neighbor from across the street tell the agents they had papers authorizing them to take care of Liam on behalf of the parents. The agents ignored them, James said.
The family's lawyer, Marc Prokosch, said Thursday that he assumes Liam and his father are in a family holding cell but that they have not been able to have "direct contact" with them.
“We’re looking at our legal options to see if we can free them either through some legal mechanisms or through moral pressure," he said at a news conference.
Vice President JD Vance met with Minneapolis leaders Thursday and said he heard the “terrible story” but later learned the boy was only detained, not arrested.
“Well, what are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a 5-year-old child freeze to death? Are they not supposed to arrest an illegal alien in the United States of America?” said Vance, noting that he's the parent of a 5-year-old.
Vance wasn’t asked about why immigration officers allegedly wouldn’t leave the boy with the other adult who lives at the home and offered to take him.
Conditions at the Dilley lockup
Families are reporting that children are malnourished, extremely ill, and suffering profoundly from prolonged detention at the Dilley lockup, where conditions are worse than ever, said Leecia Welch, chief legal counselor at Children’s Rights. Welch visited the facility last week as part of a lawsuit over the welfare of immigrant children in federal custody.
“The number of children had skyrocketed and significant numbers of children had been detained for over 100 days,” Welch said. The administration in December acknowledged that about 400 children had faced extended detention.
“Nearly every child we spoke to was sick,” Welch said.
Students kept home after their classmates were detained
Columbia Heights Public Schools has five schools and about 3,400 students from pre-K to 12th grade, according to its website. Most come from immigrant families, Stenvik said.
Before Liam, A 17-year-old was taken Tuesday while heading to school, and a 10-year-old and a 17-year-old have also been taken, Stenvik said. Attendance has dropped over the past two weeks, including one day where about one-third of the students were out from school, she said.
“Over the last few weeks, ICE agents have been roaming our neighborhoods, circling our schools, following our buses, coming into our parking lot multiple times and taking our kids,” said Stenvik, adding that this is causing “trauma.”
Ella Sullivan, Liam’s teacher, described him as “kind and loving.”
“His classmates miss him,” she said. "And all I want is for him to be safe and back here.”
___
Golden reported from Seattle. Associated Press reporters Valerie Gonzalez in McAllen, Texas, Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, and Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu contributed to this story.
Hallie Golden And Sarah Raza, The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A 5-year-old boy arriving home from preschool in Minnesota was taken by federal agents along with his father to a detention facility in Texas, school officials and the family's lawyer said, making him the fourth student from his Minneapolis suburb to be detained by immigration officers in recent weeks.
Federal agents took Liam Conejo Ramos from a running car in the family's driveway Tuesday afternoon, Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik told reporters Wednesday. The officers told him to knock on the door to his home to see if other people were inside, “essentially using a 5-year-old as bait," she said.
ICE vehicles sit in the background as federal immigration agents listen to US Vice President JD Vance speak at an industrial shipping facility on the administration's economic agenda and impacts on the Midwest in Toledo, Ohio, on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Jim Watson/Pool Photo via AP)© The Associated Press
The father told the child's mother, who was inside the home and has not been named, not to open the door, Stenvik told reporters Thursday.
School officials said the agents wouldn’t leave Liam with another adult who lives at the home or an official from the school district. But on Thursday, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in an online post that the father asked for the child to stay with him and that they are together at an immigration lockup in Dilley, Texas.
The family, who came to the U.S. in 2024, has an active asylum case and had not been ordered to leave the country, Stenvik said.
“Why detain a 5-year-old?” she asked. "You cannot tell me that this child is going to be classified as a violent criminal.”
McLaughlin said in a statement Wednesday that “ICE did NOT target a child.” She said Immigration and Customs Enforcement was arresting the child’s father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, who McLaughlin said is from Ecuador and in the U.S. illegally. He fled on foot, “abandoning his child,” she said.
“For the child’s safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias,” McLaughlin said, adding that parents are given the choice to be removed with their children or have them placed with a person of their choosing.
Minnesota has become a major focus of federal immigration sweeps. Greg Bovino, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official who has been the face of the crackdowns, said immigration officers have made about 3,000 arrests in Minnesota in the last six weeks.
Others offered to take the child
Stenvik suggested that the father did not run. She said another adult who lives at the home was outside when the father and son were taken, but agents wouldn't leave Liam with that person.
Mary Granlund, school board chair for Columbia Heights Public Schools, told reporters Thursday that she had told agents she would take the child before they left with him.
Rachel James, a Columbia Heights city council member who lives nearby the family, said she saw another neighbor from across the street tell the agents they had papers authorizing them to take care of Liam on behalf of the parents. The agents ignored them, James said.
The family's lawyer, Marc Prokosch, said Thursday that he assumes Liam and his father are in a family holding cell but that they have not been able to have "direct contact" with them.
“We’re looking at our legal options to see if we can free them either through some legal mechanisms or through moral pressure," he said at a news conference.
Vice President JD Vance met with Minneapolis leaders Thursday and said he heard the “terrible story” but later learned the boy was only detained, not arrested.
“Well, what are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a 5-year-old child freeze to death? Are they not supposed to arrest an illegal alien in the United States of America?” said Vance, noting that he's the parent of a 5-year-old.
Vance wasn’t asked about why immigration officers allegedly wouldn’t leave the boy with the other adult who lives at the home and offered to take him.
Conditions at the Dilley lockup
Families are reporting that children are malnourished, extremely ill, and suffering profoundly from prolonged detention at the Dilley lockup, where conditions are worse than ever, said Leecia Welch, chief legal counselor at Children’s Rights. Welch visited the facility last week as part of a lawsuit over the welfare of immigrant children in federal custody.
“The number of children had skyrocketed and significant numbers of children had been detained for over 100 days,” Welch said. The administration in December acknowledged that about 400 children had faced extended detention.
“Nearly every child we spoke to was sick,” Welch said.
Students kept home after their classmates were detained
Columbia Heights Public Schools has five schools and about 3,400 students from pre-K to 12th grade, according to its website. Most come from immigrant families, Stenvik said.
Before Liam, A 17-year-old was taken Tuesday while heading to school, and a 10-year-old and a 17-year-old have also been taken, Stenvik said. Attendance has dropped over the past two weeks, including one day where about one-third of the students were out from school, she said.
“Over the last few weeks, ICE agents have been roaming our neighborhoods, circling our schools, following our buses, coming into our parking lot multiple times and taking our kids,” said Stenvik, adding that this is causing “trauma.”
Ella Sullivan, Liam’s teacher, described him as “kind and loving.”
“His classmates miss him,” she said. "And all I want is for him to be safe and back here.”
___
Golden reported from Seattle. Associated Press reporters Valerie Gonzalez in McAllen, Texas, Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, and Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu contributed to this story.
Hallie Golden And Sarah Raza, The Associated Press
Pam Bondi 'enraged' over judge's refusal to charge Don Lemon: report
Attorney General Pam Bondi was reportedly "enraged" after a Minnesota federal magistrate judge refused to sign off on charging Don Lemon.
"The Attorney General is enraged at the magistrate judge's decision, a source told CNN.
Bondi was seeking charges for Lemon after he showed up to report on anti-ICE protesters at a Minnesota church.
"I'm just here photographing, I'm not part of the group… I'm a journalist," Lemon said at the time of the protest.
Without confirming the details surrounding Lemon, Bondi revealed on Thursday that the DOJ had "arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong, who allegedly played a key role in organizing the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota."
Attorney General Pam Bondi was reportedly "enraged" after a Minnesota federal magistrate judge refused to sign off on charging Don Lemon.
"The Attorney General is enraged at the magistrate judge's decision, a source told CNN.
Bondi was seeking charges for Lemon after he showed up to report on anti-ICE protesters at a Minnesota church.
"I'm just here photographing, I'm not part of the group… I'm a journalist," Lemon said at the time of the protest.
Without confirming the details surrounding Lemon, Bondi revealed on Thursday that the DOJ had "arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong, who allegedly played a key role in organizing the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota."
Was he asked to leave though??
Because if he was asked and he didnt comply, he was trespassing
Michael Fanone Clashes With Ivan Raiklin During Recess In Jack Smith Hearing
Former Capitol Police Officer Michael Fanone clashed with Ivan Raiklin during a recess in the House Judiciary Committee hearing with former Trump Special Counsel Jack Smith.
www.youtube.com
Former Capitol Police Officer Michael Fanone clashed with Ivan Raiklin during a recess in the House Judiciary Committee hearing with former Trump Special Counsel Jack Smith.
‘F**k yourself’: Ex-officer beaten in Jan 6. riot shouts to GOP lawmaker
Former special counsel Jack Smith, who brought two now-defunct criminal cases against President Donald Trump, defended the integrity of his investigation dur...
www.youtube.com
