A U.S. judge ruled that President Donald Trump's administration acted against the law by stopping clean energy grants to Democratic-led states. The decision stated that these actions violated constitutional protections. The grants were meant to help create projects like battery plants and hydrogen technology.
Key Facts
President Trump's administration blocked $7.6 billion in clean energy grants.
The targeted states had voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said this act violated the Constitution's equal protection clause.
The grants were supposed to support clean energy projects in 16 states, including California and Washington.
The decision to cut funding came during a government shutdown in October.
The city of St. Paul, Minnesota, along with environmental groups, filed a lawsuit against this decision.
This ruling is the second legal challenge for Trump’s efforts to cut clean energy programs.
Another judge allowed work on an offshore wind farm for Rhode Island and Connecticut to continue.
Calor Madanescht was arrested after driving a U-Haul truck into a protest in Los Angeles supporting Iranian demonstrations. He faced a reckless driving charge and was released on his own recognizance. No injuries were reported from the incident.
Key Facts
Calor Madanescht, age 48, was the driver arrested.
He drove a U-Haul into a protest on Veteran Avenue in Los Angeles.
Police charged him with reckless driving, a misdemeanor.
Madanescht was released without having to pay bail.
Protesters at the scene removed signs from the truck and attacked Madanescht.
Officers then detained him, and no injuries were reported.
The truck was searched by police, but nothing important was found inside.
Videos showed the truck driving fast near the protesters on the sidewalk.
The Aurora City Council decided to limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The police chief of Aurora expressed concerns that this decision could make the community more vulnerable to crime. He stated that while the police will not enforce immigration laws, maintaining partnerships with federal agencies is important for public safety.
Key Facts
Aurora City Council passed a resolution to limit cooperation with ICE.
The resolution follows the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minnesota.
Investigators in the U.S. are examining if an ICE agent was justified in shooting a woman named Renee Good in Minneapolis. There are conflicting accounts from federal and state officials about the incident, which has sparked national protests. The investigation involves reviewing video footage and ICE's policies on the use of deadly force.
Key Facts
An ICE agent named Jonathan Ross shot Renee Good in Minneapolis.
The shooting incident has led to widespread protests across the U.S.
President Donald Trump's administration called Good a "domestic terrorist."
State officials said Good was trying to leave the scene when she was shot.
Videos from multiple angles show the incident from different perspectives.
Federal officials say the video proves Good was a threat, justifying the shooting.
State officials argue the video shows Good was not attempting to harm the officer.
ICE policy allows the use of deadly force if the agent believes they are in imminent danger.
Former special counsel Jack Smith will speak publicly to the House Judiciary Committee on January 22. He aims to explain his investigation into President Trump, focusing on Trump's role in the January 6 Capitol attack and handling of classified documents.
Key Facts
Jack Smith, the former special counsel, will testify publicly at a House Judiciary Committee hearing.
The hearing is scheduled for January 22.
Smith wants to address criticisms of his investigation into President Trump.
Previously, Smith spoke privately to the committee in December.
Smith's investigation into the January 6 Capitol attack found Trump had a significant role.
He also found strong evidence regarding Trump's handling of classified documents, suggesting Trump tried to obstruct justice.
The BBC is trying to dismiss a $5 billion lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump. The lawsuit claims that a BBC documentary edited his January 6, 2021 speech unfairly, making it seem like a call for violence. The BBC argues the US court has no authority over it and that the documentary didn't harm Trump.
Key Facts
President Trump filed a $5 billion lawsuit against the BBC.
The lawsuit is about how Trump's January 6, 2021 speech was edited in a documentary.
The BBC plans to argue that the court in Florida doesn't have the right to decide on this matter.
The BBC apologized for the edit but rejected the need for compensation.
The documentary did not air in the US, and the BBC claims it did not damage Trump.
Trump got re-elected after the documentary was shown, carrying Florida with a large majority.
The BBC claims the documentary didn't show "actual malice" toward Trump.
Internal BBC issues regarding the edit led to resignations of top officials.
Senator Mark Kelly filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense and its secretary, Pete Hegseth, claiming they violated his free speech rights through "punitive retribution." The lawsuit follows a dispute involving a video Kelly participated in, which reminded military members to reject illegal orders. President Trump and others criticized the video as seditious, resulting in an investigation and possible penalties for Kelly.
Key Facts
Senator Mark Kelly sued the Department of Defense and Navy, claiming they infringed on his free speech rights.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. district court in Washington, DC.
The conflict began with a video by Democratic lawmakers urging military members to refuse illegal orders.
President Trump and allies called the video "seditious" and criticized the lawmakers involved.
Mark Kelly is a U.S. Senator from Arizona and a former Navy pilot and astronaut.
The Department of Defense launched an investigation into Kelly, with a possible court-martial.
Pete Hegseth issued a formal letter accusing Kelly of undermining military order and seeking to reduce his rank and retirement pay.
A Democratic U.S. Representative is introducing a bill to prevent President Trump from buying or using force to acquire Greenland. This comes as a counter to a Republican bill that would give Trump authority to pursue the purchase of the island, which is a part of Denmark. Both bills face significant opposition and are unlikely to pass.
Key Facts
A House Democrat introduced a bill to block Trump from acquiring Greenland.
President Trump has shown interest in purchasing Greenland or acquiring it by force.
The Democratic bill prevents U.S. funds from being used for this purpose.
A Republican bill was also introduced that supports Trump's efforts to acquire Greenland.
Greenland officials and Denmark have stated that Greenland is not for sale.
Recent international incidents, like military operations in Venezuela, have increased concerns over U.S. foreign policy actions.
Many lawmakers oppose the idea of the U.S. trying to acquire Greenland by military means.
A former U.S. Navy sailor, Jinchao Wei, was sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison for spying for China. Wei was convicted of sharing military secrets while serving on a naval ship in San Diego.
Key Facts
Jinchao Wei, also known as Patrick Wei, was a former U.S. Navy sailor.
He was sentenced to 200 months in prison for espionage.
Wei was arrested in 2023 while working on the USS Essex in San Diego.
He had access to sensitive information due to his security clearance.
A Chinese intelligence officer recruited him through social media.
Wei was convicted of espionage and other related charges in August.
A second sailor involved in the case received a 27-month prison sentence.
The U.S. State Department has revoked over 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office, as part of a strict immigration policy. This includes students and specialized workers, with revocations primarily due to law enforcement encounters or criminal activity. The administration's policies include increased deportations, stricter visa rules, and expanded vetting processes.
Key Facts
Over 100,000 visas have been revoked since President Trump returned to office.
This figure includes 8,000 students and 2,500 specialized workers.
The visa revocations are often due to criminal activity encounters, though not all resulted in charges.
The revocations represent a 150% increase from 2024.
The State Department has started a Continuous Vetting Center to ensure visa compliance.
There have been over 2.5 million voluntary departures and deportations reported.
Critics argue these actions sometimes target non-criminals and those with differing political views.
The administration has been scrutinized for potential free speech violations and use of force during immigration enforcement.
Some Democrats in Congress are pushing to cut funding for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) after recent events. The movement includes not only progressives but also some moderate members of the party. The issue is becoming a topic of debate as Congress approaches a deadline for government funding decisions.
Key Facts
Democrats in Congress are advocating for reducing ICE's funding.
Recent shootings in Minneapolis and Portland have intensified this push.
Moderates in the party, not just progressives, are joining the call to "defund ICE."
Rep. Scott Peters said ICE's funding is bigger than many militaries worldwide.
Rep. Delia Ramirez distinguishes between "defund" and "abolish" ICE.
Some centrist Democrats oppose defunding and instead support policy changes.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries commented on ICE funding during a press conference.
Republicans control Congress, making ICE funding cuts unlikely.
Senate Republican leaders are being cautious about the Department of Justice's investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. They emphasize the importance of the Fed's independence in making monetary decisions without political influence. Some Republicans are skeptical that Powell did anything illegal, while others are waiting for more information from the investigation.
Key Facts
Senate Republicans are cautious about the DOJ's investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
They stress the importance of the Fed's independence from political pressure.
Senate Majority Leader Thune emphasized a quick resolution to ensure monetary policy remains independent.
Some senators, like Dave McCormick and John Kennedy, doubt Powell's involvement in illegal activities.
Senators Collins and Murkowski expressed trust in Powell's integrity after speaking with him.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis believes the American people need answers about Powell's past testimony.
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the DOJ's probe, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized it as an attack on the Fed's independence.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries believes there is no basis for targeting Powell criminally.
Nearly 15,000 nurses in New York City went on strike, seeking better working conditions and safer staffing levels. The strike involves nurses from three major hospital systems: Mount Sinai, Montefiore, and NewYork-Presbyterian. The main issues include staffing shortages, cuts to healthcare benefits, and workplace safety concerns.
Key Facts
Around 15,000 nurses are participating in the strike.
The strike affects three major hospital systems: Mount Sinai, Montefiore, and NewYork-Presbyterian.
Nurses want safer staffing levels, healthcare benefits, and protections against workplace violence.
In 2021, New York established a law for hospitals to outline staffing plans, including nurse-to-patient ratios.
The union claims hospitals might reduce safe staffing standards and healthcare benefits.
The union requests additional safety measures like metal detectors after recent violent incidents.
Hospital management proposed a single $4,500 payment to nurses for benefits, staffing, or wages.
Responses from some hospital representatives were not available.
President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Iran. He stated the decision on social media, but details are limited. The move is part of ongoing pressure on Iran regarding its nuclear program and handling of protests.
Key Facts
President Trump declared a 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Iran.
The announcement was made via a social media post on Trump's website, Truth Social.
No specific countries were mentioned, but several major economies, like Russia and China, trade with Iran.
Trump has increased pressure on Iran over its nuclear activities and recent protests.
Military actions against Iran are still considered, with possible US strikes, if necessary.
Trump has criticized Iran's response to antigovernment protests.
The US previously bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities in June.
Human rights groups report casualties in Iran, with limited information due to an internet blackout.
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez claims President Donald Trump has committed actions that could lead to impeachment. She says these actions involve misuse of federal funds and crossing constitutional lines. Her comments add to the ongoing debate over Trump's conduct and the possibility of impeachment.
Key Facts
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a U.S. Representative from New York, says Trump has committed impeachable offenses.
She argues that the misuse of federal funds by Trump violates the Constitution.
Impeachment doesn't need proof of a crime but rather "high crimes and misdemeanors."
Ocasio-Cortez feels accountability is crucial in government.
Some Democrats push for impeachment, but Republican leaders dismiss these calls.
Trump warned his supporters of potential impeachment if Republicans lose future elections.
The topic remains controversial within political discussions.
A House Republican introduced a bill that would let President Trump annex Greenland and make it a U.S. state. The proposal is unlikely to succeed and has been dismissed by lawmakers from both parties.
Key Facts
A Republican representative from Florida proposed the "Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act."
The bill would give President Trump the power to annex Greenland, which belongs to Denmark.
The idea includes turning Greenland into a U.S. state with quick approval from Congress.
Greenland is a Danish territory, and taking it by force could lead to a NATO response.
Lawmakers from both parties generally oppose acquiring Greenland by force.
The bill is intended to show support for President Trump’s interests.
The proposal is similar to previous unsuccessful attempts to buy Greenland.
Minnesota and Illinois filed lawsuits against the Trump administration to block immigration enforcement actions in their states, which they describe as militarized. They claim these actions disrupt state efforts to maintain the safety and well-being of their residents. The lawsuits assert that these measures target Democratic-led areas, allegedly as political retaliation.
Key Facts
Minnesota and Illinois sued the Trump administration over immigration enforcement actions.
The lawsuits allege the administration is acting like military occupiers.
They claim the focus is on Democratic-run cities.
Illinois says their law stops state police from enforcing federal immigration laws.
The Trump administration's actions purportedly endanger community safety.
A 2017 Illinois law, updated in 2021, prevents police from acting on federal immigration laws.
The administration is accused of targeting perceived political opponents.
Minnesota has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop more federal immigration agents from being sent to the state. The lawsuit claims this increase is unconstitutional and disrupts local life. It follows an incident where a person was killed by an immigration agent, leading to protests.
Key Facts
Minnesota is suing the Trump administration over the deployment of federal immigration agents.
The state claims this deployment is unconstitutional and disrupts local governance.
The lawsuit follows protests after a person was killed by an immigration agent in Minneapolis.
Minnesota's Attorney General says the agents' presence causes chaos and violates the state's authority.
The Trump administration states the agents are needed to manage undocumented migrants and ensure safety.
Minneapolis police reported significant overtime costs due to incidents involving immigration agents.
Homeland Security plans to send more agents to Minnesota as part of Operation Metro Surge.
Illinois and Chicago have filed a similar lawsuit against the increase in federal immigration agents.
Around 15,000 nurses in New York City went on strike, demanding better pay, more staff, and better security measures at hospitals. Mayor Zohran Mamdani showed support by visiting the nurses on the picket line.
Key Facts
15,000 nurses in New York City are on strike.
They are asking for higher wages.
They want more staff for safer working conditions.
They are calling for improved security at hospitals.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited them on the picket line.
Federal investigators are looking into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's congressional testimony regarding the central bank's renovation. Powell claims this investigation is meant to weaken the Federal Reserve's independence.
Key Facts
The investigation is being conducted by federal authorities within the Trump administration.
The focus of the investigation is Jerome Powell's congressional testimony.
The testimony in question is related to a renovation project at the Federal Reserve.
Jerome Powell argues that the investigation is an attempt to challenge the Federal Reserve's independence.
The Federal Reserve is the central bank of the United States.
