President Trump advised Republicans to be open-minded about the Hyde Amendment, which limits federal funding for most abortions. He emphasized the need to manage health insurance costs as the Affordable Care Act subsidies face challenges. The House is scheduled to vote on extending these subsidies, but Senate Republicans are hesitant.
Key Facts
President Trump urged House Republicans to reconsider the Hyde Amendment.
The Hyde Amendment prevents federal funds from being used for most abortions.
Republicans are looking for ways to reduce health insurance costs before the midterm elections.
Rising Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums are a concern for voters.
The House plans to vote on extending ACA subsidies, but Senate Republicans may not agree.
The Hyde Amendment does not block ACA plans from covering abortions if state or private funds are used.
Some Republicans want the Hyde Amendment included in any ACA subsidy extension.
Wyoming's top court ruled that abortion will remain legal in the state, striking down two laws that nearly banned the procedure, citing a violation of the state constitution. The court's decision challenges laws that included the first U.S. ban on abortion pills, which were passed by the state's legislature.
Key Facts
Wyoming's Supreme Court invalidated laws that nearly banned abortion.
The court said the laws violated the state's constitution, which protects a woman's right to make healthcare decisions.
The legal challenge was brought by four women, two obstetricians, an abortion advocacy group, and Wellspring Health Access, the only abortion provider in Wyoming.
The case revolved around two laws: one banning most abortions, the other explicitly banning abortion pills.
Abortion pills are the most common method of ending pregnancies in the U.S.
Governor Mark Gordon, a Republican, wants a constitutional amendment to ban abortion in Wyoming.
Since 2022, over a dozen U.S. states have attempted to enact strict abortion bans post the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
Some of these laws have been temporarily blocked by courts.
Five years after the January 6 Capitol riot, legal consequences have mostly faded following President Trump's pardons, but disagreements over the day's events persist. Public opinion is divided on the impact of the riot, with ongoing concerns about future political violence. A new Republican panel aims to investigate the previous investigation into this event.
Key Facts
President Trump pardoned nearly 1,600 people involved in the Capitol riot.
The White House released a report describing the event as peaceful and contested the 2020 election results.
The Republicans who voted to impeach Trump saw significant political consequences, with many losing office or choosing not to run again.
A recent poll shows that about half of Americans expect violence related to election outcomes.
Many people think that aggressive speech from politicians might lead to violence.
Political violence examples include incidents involving Charlie Kirk and Minnesota lawmakers.
Republicans created a new panel to re-investigate the events of January 6.
A plaque to honor Capitol riot responders will not be installed due to legislative issues.
President Donald Trump has warned that if Republicans lose control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections, he could be impeached. He emphasized the importance of Republicans maintaining their majority to avoid impeachment threats. All House seats and 33 Senate seats will be contested in the November elections.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke to Republicans about the risk of his impeachment if they lose the midterm elections.
The House has the power to impeach officials for serious misconduct.
The Senate holds a trial for an impeached president and can remove him with a two-thirds vote.
All 435 House seats and 33 Senate seats will be up for election in November.
Trump is encouraging redistricting maps to favor Republicans, a process known as gerrymandering.
Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina have implemented gerrymandering to benefit Republicans.
Democrats have also used gerrymandering in California.
Trump currently has an approval rating between 42-45% and faces challenges such as economic concerns and military actions.
President Trump warned Republicans that he could face impeachment if they do not perform well in the midterm elections. In other news, Wyoming's Supreme Court decided to keep abortion legal by overturning two laws. Additionally, at least 36 people have died in protests in Iran, which are happening because of problems with the country's economy.
Key Facts
President Trump told Republicans he might be impeached if they lose in midterm elections.
The Wyoming Supreme Court struck down two laws, keeping abortion legal in the state.
At least 36 people have died during protests in Iran related to economic issues.
The protests in Iran are ongoing and sparked by the country's economic struggles.
The midterm elections are considered important for both political parties in the U.S.
The Trump administration is starting a major immigration operation in Minneapolis, sending 2,000 federal agents. The operation is partly in response to concerns about fraud involving Somali residents.
Key Facts
The operation involves 2,000 federal agents in the Minneapolis area.
It is described as the largest immigration enforcement action ever by federal officials.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is leading the operation.
Acting Director Todd Lyons of ICE discussed the operation in an interview.
The operation links to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents.
It increases federal law enforcement presence in Minnesota.
There are tensions in the community and political concerns around the operation.
On the fifth anniversary of the January 6 Capitol attack, a smaller group of President Trump's supporters gathered at the Capitol. This marks the first anniversary since President Trump pardoned those involved in the 2021 event.
Key Facts
January 6, 2021, saw an attack on the U.S. Capitol by President Trump's supporters.
The mob aimed to stop the certification of the presidential election results.
Five years later, supporters returned to the Capitol on the anniversary.
This is the first time they returned since being pardoned by President Trump.
The gathering was smaller in size compared to the original event.
Five years after the events of January 6, there is still a lot of debate about how that day should be remembered. The conversation involves many people, including those who were present, like Congressional Correspondent Lisa Desjardins.
Key Facts
January 6 refers to an event that took place five years ago.
There is ongoing discussion about how to interpret and remember the events of that day.
Lisa Desjardins, a Congressional Correspondent, was at the Capitol during the event.
The debate about January 6's story has been ongoing for half a decade.
Many people have different views on what happened that day and its significance.
The U.S. Capitol is still affected by the events of January 6, five years after they happened. Geoff Bennett talked with Lisa Desjardins and Liz Landers about how the insurrection continues to impact Washington, D.C.
Key Facts
January 6 refers to the date in 2021 when there was an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
The incident continues to have ongoing effects on the Capitol and Washington, D.C.
The discussions about these impacts involved Geoff Bennett, Lisa Desjardins, and Liz Landers.
The event took place five years prior to the current discussions.
The Capitol building is the location where the U.S. Congress meets.
President Donald Trump pardoned over 1,500 people linked to the January 6 Capitol riot on his second inauguration day. Since then, at least 33 of those pardoned have faced new legal issues. A report by the House Judiciary Committee, led by Democrats, criticizes these pardons, linking them to public safety concerns.
Key Facts
President Trump pardoned over 1,500 people involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.
At least 33 pardoned individuals have been charged with or convicted of new crimes since the riot.
Crimes include offenses both before and after the riot, such as sexual assault, kidnapping, and drug trafficking.
A report from Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee claims these pardons harm public safety.
The report states that some pardoned individuals were already involved in serious crimes before January 6.
More than 20 of these individuals allegedly committed new crimes after the Capitol incident.
President Trump described the pardons as correcting what he saw as unjust treatment by the Justice Department.
The White House spokesperson criticized media focus on January 6, saying it distracts from issues Americans care about most.
The White House under President Donald Trump launched a webpage on January 6, 2026, marking the fifth anniversary of the Capitol riot. The website portrays the riot as a protest and blames Democrats and Nancy Pelosi for security failures and other issues. President Trump has also pardoned or commuted sentences for nearly 1,600 individuals involved in the January 6 event.
Key Facts
The webpage was launched on the fifth anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot.
The site claims the event was a protest, not an insurrection, with security failures blamed on Nancy Pelosi.
President Trump pardoned or commuted sentences for nearly 1,600 people involved in the January 6 riot.
The webpage accuses Democrats of staging a "real insurrection" by certifying Biden's 2020 election win.
Approximately 140 police officers were injured during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
The webpage asserts that Trump corrected a "historic wrong" with these pardons.
Prominent members of groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys were included in the pardons.
The Department of Justice has reported that Claudio Neves Valente, who killed two students from Brown University and an MIT professor, had planned the attacks for a long time. He left videos admitting his actions, which took place on December 13 and 15, in memory, though he did not explain why he targeted these individuals.
Key Facts
Claudio Neves Valente was identified as the shooter.
He killed two Brown University students and an MIT professor.
The attacks happened on December 13 and December 15.
He planned the shooting at Brown University for at least six semesters.
After the attacks, Valente's body was found in a New Hampshire storage unit.
Valente recorded videos where he admitted to planning the attacks but did not explain his motive.
He said he had no regrets or apologies for his actions.
President Donald Trump has pardoned Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar and his wife, following federal bribery charges against them in 2024. Despite the pardon, Trump expressed frustration as Cuellar plans to run for Congress again as a Democrat, and Trump stated he is opposing Cuellar's re-election bid.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump pardoned Henry Cuellar and his wife for bribery charges.
Cuellar and his wife were accused in 2024 of accepting almost $600,000 in bribes.
The bribes were allegedly from a Mexican bank and an Azerbaijani government-owned oil company.
Trump shared his decision to pardon Cuellar after reading a letter from Cuellar's daughter.
Despite the pardon, Trump is campaigning against Cuellar in the upcoming Congressional race.
Trump is supporting Judge Tano Tijerina as a preferred candidate over Cuellar.
Trump criticized Cuellar for running as a Democrat after receiving the pardon.
President Donald Trump warned House Republicans that he might face impeachment if the Republican Party loses its majority in the upcoming midterm elections. He made these comments at a meeting with House Republicans, expressing concerns over past impeachments and the challenges of maintaining political support.
Key Facts
President Trump addressed House Republicans, emphasizing the importance of winning the midterm elections to avoid impeachment.
Trump has been impeached twice in U.S. history, both times leading to Senate acquittal.
Midterm elections are typically challenging for the sitting president's party, which often loses seats.
Trump's speech took place on the anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot.
He previously faced impeachment for issues related to Ukraine and accusations of inciting the Capitol riot.
Trump spoke at the Kennedy Center, having renamed it after appointing a new board.
Economic challenges are a noticeable concern for Republicans as the midterm elections approach.
Some House Republicans have recently shown defiance by attempting to override Trump vetoes.
A major storm system is moving across the United States, expected to bring severe thunderstorms to ten states as it travels eastward. The National Weather Service (NWS) has identified areas in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and the Mississippi Valley as potentially facing severe weather. Rain and snowfall are also expected in various regions, with Northern Texas anticipating unusually high temperatures and low precipitation later in January.
Key Facts
The storm started on the West Coast and will move eastward, with severe storms possible in parts of Texas and Oklahoma from Wednesday night into Thursday.
On Thursday, the risk of severe storms extends to eastern Texas, Oklahoma, and parts of the Ozarks and Mississippi Valley.
There is a marginal risk of severe storms affecting southeastern Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois on Thursday.
By Friday, the storm risk will be smaller and more focused on Texas and Oklahoma.
Northern Texas has experienced mostly rain, with only 0.2 inches of snow in the Amarillo area so far, below the usual 7.6 inches for this time of year.
Snow is likely in areas like Boise City, Oklahoma, and Stratford, Texas, with chances up to 5 inches starting Thursday night.
Texas is expected to have above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation from January 11 to January 15.
No storm watches or warnings are currently issued for Texas by the NWS.
Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for governor in California, claims there is over $250 billion in fraud, waste, and abuse within the state’s programs, based on reports from a website he launched. California Governor Gavin Newsom's office denies these claims, while President Trump announced a federal investigation into the matter.
Key Facts
Steve Hilton claims massive fraud in California government programs, totaling over $250 billion.
The claims are based on reports gathered from a website Hilton set up, called Califraud.com.
Allegations include misuse of public funds in pensions, education, and housing programs.
Governor Gavin Newsom's office rejected Hilton’s claims, arguing the numbers are incorrect.
Newsom's administration states over $125 billion in fraud has been blocked since he took office.
President Trump announced a federal investigation into the fraud allegations in California.
President Donald Trump's approval rating among Republicans has dropped to its lowest level during his second term, according to a poll by The Economist and YouGov. The poll shows Trump's approval rating is 81% among Republicans, down from a previous high of 94% early in his term. The survey included 1,551 U.S. adults and has a 3.3% margin of error.
Key Facts
President Trump's approval rating among Republicans is currently 81%.
His disapproval rating among Republicans is 16%.
Overall, 39% of adults approve of Trump's job performance, while 56% disapprove.
The poll surveyed 1,551 U.S. adults between January 2 and January 5.
The margin of error for the poll is 3.3%.
Trump's highest Republican approval was 94% shortly after his second inauguration.
Approval ratings have varied, with 84% approval among Republicans noted in December.
Changes were noted in approval among different demographic groups, including a rise among Hispanics and men.
Doug LaMalfa, a Republican Congressman from California, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 65. His death affects the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, reducing it to a slim margin. President Donald Trump and others paid tribute to LaMalfa for his work and dedication.
Key Facts
Doug LaMalfa was a Republican Congressman from California.
He unexpectedly passed away at the age of 65.
President Donald Trump called LaMalfa a "great member" and noted his consistent support.
LaMalfa was first elected to Congress in 2013 and was a former rice farmer.
He focused on issues like water and agriculture during his time in office.
His passing reduces the Republican majority in the House to a narrow lead.
Governor Gavin Newsom of California has 14 days to announce a special election for LaMalfa's seat.
Indiana Representative Jim Baird was involved in a car accident that sent him to the hospital. His office stated he is expected to recover fully. President Donald Trump mentioned that Baird's wife was also hospitalized, but both are expected to be okay.
Key Facts
Rep. Jim Baird was in a car accident and went to the hospital.
His office expects him to completely recover.
President Trump mentioned the accident during a talk with House GOP members.
Baird's wife was also taken to the hospital but is expected to recover.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued an executive order specifying that the NYPD and several other city agencies will be supervised by the first deputy mayor. This led to online speculation that NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch was demoted, but both Mamdani and Tisch confirmed she reports directly to the mayor.
Key Facts
Mayor Zohran Mamdani placed several city agencies, including the NYPD, under the supervision of the first deputy mayor.
Mamdani clarified that NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch continues to report directly to him.
Previous New York City mayors have also given the first deputy mayor oversight of the NYPD.
Social media users speculated about a demotion for Tisch, but Mayor Mamdani denied this.
Tisch confirmed at a news conference that she reports directly to Mayor Mamdani.
Mamdani expressed readiness to work with Tisch to improve public safety in New York City.
