President Donald Trump is in a disagreement with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over interest rates and the renovation costs at the Fed's building. Powell stated that the Department of Justice has brought criminal charges related to his testimony. This situation raises concerns about the independence of the Federal Reserve in setting interest rates without political influence.
Key Facts
President Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell have ongoing disagreements about setting U.S. interest rates.
The Federal Reserve is responsible for deciding interest rates, which affect the U.S. economy and indirectly, the global economy.
The U.S. Department of Justice issued criminal charges linked to Powell's testimony about Federal Reserve building renovations.
Powell suggests these actions are part of broader political pressure from the Trump administration.
Federal Reserve independence is crucial for market stability, both in the U.S. and globally.
Powell's term as Fed Chair ends in May, and he may be replaced by an economist who aligns more with Trump's views.
This conflict could impact U.S. and global financial markets, including U.S. Treasury stability.
There's concern about the U.S. administration potentially using Federal Reserve tools to influence international trade conflicts.
Democrat Mary Peltola, who used to be a U.S. Representative from Alaska, plans to run against Republican Senator Dan Sullivan in the upcoming midterm elections. She aims to make living in Alaska more affordable.
Key Facts
Mary Peltola is a Democrat and former U.S. Representative from Alaska.
She announced she will run for the U.S. Senate in the midterm elections.
Peltola will challenge Republican Senator Dan Sullivan.
Her goal is to make life more affordable for people living in Alaska.
She shared her announcement through a video message.
Mary Peltola, a Democrat, announced her run for the Senate in Alaska, possibly increasing Democrats' chances to gain control of the Senate. Peltola is challenging Republican Senator Dan Sullivan in a traditionally Republican state. This race is crucial as it could decide Senate control during the 2026 midterms.
Key Facts
Mary Peltola, a Democrat and former Representative, entered the Alaska Senate race.
Alaska is traditionally a Republican state, with President Trump winning by 13 percentage points in the last election.
Political analysts shifted Alaska's Senate race rating after Peltola's entry, making it more favorable for Democrats.
Peltola won a statewide election in 2022 but lost in 2024.
The Senate is currently held by Republicans with a 53-47 majority.
Democrats need to win in states that supported Trump to gain a Senate majority.
Other key states for Democrats include Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Maine.
A video went viral showing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent following a person into a porta-potty in Minnesota, leading to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS explained that the person was a male immigrant in custody and that agents must not leave anyone alone in enclosed spaces. The incident occurred amid heightened attention on ICE activities following a recent shooting in Minneapolis.
Key Facts
A video of an ICE agent following a person into a porta-potty in Minnesota went viral.
DHS clarified that the person in the video was a male immigrant, not a woman.
DHS stated it's policy not to let anyone in custody enter enclosed spaces alone.
The situation arises after the shooting of a U.S. citizen by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
The video received over 6.4 million views.
Representative Ilhan Omar called the incident "deeply alarming."
DHS plans to send more federal agents to Minneapolis for ongoing operations.
There have been calls from locals for ICE to leave the city.
President Donald Trump discussed the upcoming movie about First Lady Melania Trump, which will premiere at The Trump Kennedy Center on January 30. The film offers a behind-the-scenes look at Melania Trump and was acquired by Amazon MGM Studios for $40 million. Directed by Brett Ratner, it will also be available on Amazon Prime.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump shared positive remarks about the movie featuring First Lady Melania Trump.
The film "MELANIA" premieres at The Trump Kennedy Center on January 30 and will be available on Amazon Prime.
The movie is a documentary about Melania Trump’s journey to becoming the First Lady.
Amazon MGM Studios bought the film for $40 million, a significant deal for a political documentary.
The movie includes appearances by Donald Trump and their son, Barron, and Melania Trump is an executive producer.
Brett Ratner directed the film, marking his return to directing since 2017.
The movie has sparked interest due to Melania Trump's public appearances and bestselling memoir.
There is a noted improvement in relations between Trump and Amazon, which previously faced criticism from him.
Lawmakers are working to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. The impeachment process is primarily led by Democrats who criticize Noem's management of ICE. However, it is unlikely to succeed due to Republican control in Congress.
Key Facts
Congress members, mainly Democrats, plan to impeach Secretary Kristi Noem.
The impeachment effort follows a fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen, Renee Nicole Good, by ICE officer Jonathan E. Ross.
Critics argue the officer acted inappropriately, while supporters claim it was self-defense.
The impeachment effort is unlikely to pass in the Republican-controlled House.
In the Senate, a two-thirds majority is required for impeachment, making it a difficult task.
Democrats say Noem mismanaged ICE and violated her duties.
There is disagreement on whether the incident was an act of domestic terrorism or an inappropriate use of force.
Public protests have occurred in response to the shooting and the handling of the incident.
President Donald Trump announced a plan to cap credit card interest rates at 10% for one year starting January 20, 2026. This proposal led to a drop in bank and credit card company shares. Lawmakers and banking groups say the cap would need Congress' approval and might limit credit access.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to limit credit card interest rates to 10% for a year, starting January 20, 2026.
The announcement caused shares in banks and credit card firms to drop.
Notable drops include Barclays shares falling 3.5% and declines for American Express, Visa, and Mastercard.
Banking associations argue that the cap could reduce credit availability for families and small businesses.
U.S. lawmakers state that a cap requires Congress to pass a bill.
In 2025, the Trump administration removed a regulation limiting credit card late fees.
A joint statement from five banking bodies expressed concern that such a cap could push consumers to more expensive credit options.
Billionaire Bill Ackman highlighted risks of card cancellations due to companies being unable to price credit risk adequately.
A new poll shows that more Americans are calling themselves political independents, which could be a challenge for President Trump and the Republicans in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Many independents currently show a slight preference for Democrats, mainly due to dissatisfaction with President Trump, although they are not strongly committed to the Democratic Party.
Key Facts
About 45% of U.S. adults now identify as political independents, an increase from two decades ago.
Independents have leaned more toward Democrats recently, but this shift is due to frustration with President Trump, not strong support for Democrats.
Young people, especially Generation Z and Millennials, are driving the rise in independents.
President Trump's approval rating among young men has seen a slight rise recently, even though overall support remains low.
Independents are more likely to describe themselves as moderates, unlike the increasingly polarized Democrats and Republicans.
Federal agents broke a car window and detained a man during an immigration operation at a gas station in St. Paul, Minnesota. The incident, which was captured on video, has drawn attention amid broader immigration enforcement activities in the state.
Key Facts
The incident happened on January 11 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Border Patrol agents smashed the window of a parked car and detained a man.
The event was part of an immigration enforcement operation, with footage showing agents using forceful methods.
Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino instructed bystanders to step back during the arrest.
Agents reportedly used pepper balls to control the crowd.
A second person was also detained, but the identities and immigration status of both individuals have not been disclosed.
Since December, over 2,000 immigration arrests have been made in Minnesota as part of this enforcement effort.
The Department of Homeland Security increased resources in Minnesota following another controversial incident in the state.
A video of a U.S. Border Patrol agent hugging a protester at an anti-ICE rally in Minneapolis went viral. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) commented on the incident, emphasizing the humanity and dedication of their officers amid increased immigration enforcement efforts. The hug happened amidst protests following a controversial ICE operation where a protester was shot.
Key Facts
A video showed a Border Patrol agent hugging a protester outside an ICE facility in Minneapolis.
The DHS spokesperson stated that officers work to make communities safer and face threats while enforcing laws.
The hug followed a conversation between the agent and the protester, who shared a background in the military.
The protest was part of ongoing demonstrations in response to an ICE operation where a 37-year-old was shot and killed.
DHS recently increased immigration enforcement, deploying many federal agents, including ICE and HSI, to Minneapolis-St. Paul.
The enhanced enforcement involved tackling issues like human smuggling and unlawful employment.
Other federal agencies like the FBI and DEA have been assisting ICE in these operations under administration directives.
The Trump administration revoked over 100,000 visas in 2025. Most of these visa cancellations involved people who were charged or convicted of crimes or who overstayed on business or tourist visas. This year saw a significant increase in visa revocations compared to the previous year.
Key Facts
Over 100,000 visas were revoked by the Trump administration in 2025.
The revocations included people charged or convicted with crimes like assault, theft, and driving under the influence.
Many of the visa cancellations were for individuals overstaying business or tourist visas.
Nearly 500 students lost their visas due to drug-related charges.
The number of visas revoked in 2025 was more than double compared to the number in 2024 under President Joe Biden.
President Trump is actively changing the U.S. immigration system during his second term.
A Gallup poll shows that more young Americans, specifically millennials and Generation Z, consider themselves political independents rather than affiliating with Democrats or Republicans. This trend could impact the upcoming 2026 midterm elections as independents might play a key role in deciding election outcomes.
Key Facts
A Gallup poll surveyed over 13,000 U.S. adults about political party identification.
In 2025, 45% of U.S. adults identified as independents, an increase from 2024.
Among Generation Z, 56% identified as independents, while 27% were Democrats and 17% Republicans.
Among millennials, 54% identified as independents, with 24% as Democrats and 21% as Republicans.
Older generations are more likely to identify with a political party, such as the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers.
More independents leaned toward the Democratic Party compared to the Republican Party.
The U.S. will hold midterm elections in November 2026, which could be influenced by the growing number of independents.
GoFundMe is reviewing a fundraiser set up for Jonathan Ross, an ICE agent who shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. The fundraiser has collected over $370,000, and it's under review to ensure it follows GoFundMe's rules. The incident has sparked protests and calls for thorough investigation, with differing views on the circumstances of the shooting.
Key Facts
GoFundMe is examining a fundraiser that raised over $370,000 for ICE agent Jonathan Ross.
Jonathan Ross shot Renee Nicole Good on January 7 in Minneapolis, which has led to protests.
The incident involves debates over immigration enforcement practices.
The Trump administration claims Good used her car as a weapon, defending Ross's actions as self-defense.
Local officials and protesters dispute this self-defense claim.
Minnesota Democrats want the investigation to include state authorities, not just federal.
GoFundMe prohibits fundraisers for those charged with violent crimes, but Ross has not been charged.
Billionaire Bill Ackman donated to Ross's fundraiser, citing belief in the presumption of innocence.
Recent polls show that Americans have a more positive view of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell compared to President Donald Trump. The polls come amidst a Justice Department investigation related to Powell's testimony about Federal Reserve building renovations. Powell claims the investigation is influenced by the Fed's decision to set interest rates independently.
Key Facts
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is viewed more positively than President Donald Trump in recent polls.
A Gallup poll shows 44% approve of Powell's performance, while 36% approve of Trump.
A YouGov poll shows Powell with a 37% approval rating, while Trump has a 41% approval but a 55% disapproval.
Powell is currently facing a DOJ investigation related to his Senate testimony about Fed building renovations.
The investigation focuses on renovations that went $600 million over budget, totaling $2.5 billion due to inflation and other factors.
Powell claims the investigation is actually about the Fed's interest rate decisions, not the renovation costs.
President Trump denies involvement in the investigation, stating he has no knowledge of it.
In St Louis, Missouri, several vervet monkeys are loose, causing concern among local animal control officials. People in the area are advised to avoid the monkeys, which have been seen in the city for several days. Officials are working to find and safely capture the animals.
Key Facts
Multiple vervet monkeys are loose in St Louis, Missouri.
The monkeys have been on the loose since at least Thursday.
Officials do not know where the monkeys came from.
People are advised to avoid the monkeys as they might act unpredictably.
A primate expert identified the loose monkeys as vervet monkeys, native to Africa.
Owning exotic animals like monkeys is not allowed in St Louis.
Local residents have seen the monkeys in the O'Fallon Park neighborhood.
Animal control is actively searching for the monkeys but hasn't found them yet.
Residents of The Villages, a retirement community in Florida known for supporting President Donald Trump, are planning a protest against his administration's immigration enforcement. This comes after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota. The protest is organized by local Democratic and nonpartisan groups.
Key Facts
A protest in The Villages, Florida, is organized by the Villages Democratic Club and Villagers4Democracy.
The protest is a response to the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minnesota.
The Villages is a community that largely supported President Trump in the 2024 election.
Protests about the ICE shooting have occurred across the United States, mainly in Democratic areas.
The ICE agent shot Good, claiming self-defense, during an incident in Minneapolis.
The Trump administration and Minnesota leaders have differing views on the incident.
Local concerns at the protest also include issues such as control of oil tankers in Venezuela and U.S. plans for Greenland.
President Donald Trump is using creative financial strategies to fund his policy goals without needing Congress's approval. He is using government entities like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to access funds, aiming to lower mortgage rates and support other initiatives. These actions are unconventional and bypass the typical congressional process.
Key Facts
President Trump is looking for ways to spend money without involving Congress.
He is using $200 billion from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for mortgage bonds.
$20 billion from a Treasury fund was used for Argentina.
Critics say these methods are unusual and lack congressional oversight.
The White House says Trump's actions support an "America First" agenda.
There is concern about long-term consequences of using Federal Reserve funds this way.
Trump aims to avoid increasing the deficit or raising taxes.
A new survey shows that many Americans are worried about President Trump's close connections with major technology companies like Google and Apple. The survey highlights concerns that these companies have too much influence in Washington, especially in shaping policies related to artificial intelligence (AI). Most people want states to have the power to create their own AI laws.
Key Facts
A majority of registered voters are concerned about President Trump's ties with big technology companies.
49% believe Trump promotes a pro-Big Tech agenda in his AI policies.
61% think major tech firms have too much influence over U.S. policies.
57% support states creating their own laws to address AI issues.
Only 24% believe states should be blocked from making AI laws to avoid complex regulations.
69% think AI might reduce job opportunities.
The survey included 1,800 registered voters with a margin of error of ±2 percentage points.
President Donald Trump's administration has launched a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell concerning the costs of building renovations, which the president has criticized. Kevin Hassett, a top economic advisor in the White House, commented on the probe, noting it is a legal matter concerning the Fed's independence. Meanwhile, several lawmakers have voiced concerns, criticizing the investigation as a potential threat to the central bank's independence.
Key Facts
The Trump administration started a criminal probe into the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
The investigation focuses on Powell's testimony about the high costs of Fed building renovations.
President Trump has criticized the Fed for not lowering interest rates faster, which he believes affects the economy.
Kevin Hassett, a White House economic advisor, emphasized respecting the independence of the Fed and the Justice Department.
Some lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, criticized Trump for the probe as a threat to the Fed's independence.
Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Thom Tillis were among those voicing concern, with Warren calling it an abuse of power.
Jerome Powell responded with a statement defending the Fed's independence in setting interest rates based on economic conditions.
A Minnesota restaurant owner named Juan Manuel Arellano Zepeda was reported missing by his family but was later found to be detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas. Arellano Zepeda, who has lived in the U.S. for 25 years and has no criminal record, is currently in an ICE facility awaiting immigration proceedings because he does not have legal immigration status.
Key Facts
Juan Manuel Arellano Zepeda is a restaurant owner from Bloomington, Minnesota.
He was reported missing by his family after not arriving at work on January 6.
ICE detained him as part of an operation named Metro Surge because he has no legal immigration status in the U.S.
Arellano Zepeda has lived in the U.S. for 25 years and has no criminal record.
His family confirmed his detention through social media posts from ICE.
Initially held near Minneapolis, he was transferred to an ICE facility in El Paso, Texas.
Arellano Zepeda's family members, who are U.S. citizens, were not immediately informed of his detention.
ICE has no legal requirement to notify families about the detention of their relatives.
