Two Fatal Shootings by Federal Agents Ignite Minneapolis Fury

Federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis faced mounting scrutiny this weekend after the death of another US citizen an encounter with federal agents following large protests demanding the withdrawal of those forces from the city. Alex Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse, was shot and killed Saturday by a Border Patrol agent during what officials described as a “targeted operation” supporting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement action in a Minneapolis neighborhood. The Department of Homeland Security claimed Pretti approached agents while armed and resisted efforts to disarm him, prompting “defensive shots.” Videos circulated by witnesses appear to show agents tackling Pretti and removing his firearm before opening fire on him.

Earlier this month, ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37-year-old Reneé Good after agents confronted her in her car shortly after she dropped off her child at school. DHS officials claimed Good tried to “weaponize” her vehicle against an officer, a characterization disputed by state and local officials who cite video of the incident and have questioned whether the shooting was in self-defense.

Both deaths have fueled anger over Operation Metro Surge, a federal initiative that sent roughly 2,000 immigration and other federal agents into Minnesota, particularly the Twin Cities. Thousands of protestors joined a statewide “Day of Truth & Freedom” general strike and protests Friday, which continued through the weekend with vigils for Pretti and Good and marches demanding ICE’s removal from Minneapolis.

Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have condemned the federal crackdown as destabilizing and have urged President Trump to pull agents out of the state, while DHS and Border Patrol leaders have defended the operations and blamed “hostile” local conditions for recent confrontations.

 

Israel Recognizes Somaliland, Spawns Pushback from African States

Israel’s decision to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent state has thrust the territory in Somalia’s north into the center of a geopolitical contest, centered on the Horn of Africa.

Somaliland, which broke from Somalia in 1991, has built relatively functioning democratic institutions and security forces, contrasting sharply with Somalia’s chronic instability and aid dependence. Somaliland, in contrast to the rest of Somalia, was colonized by the British rather than the Italians.

Somalia condemned the move as a violation of its sovereignty, along with most African states, which warned it could destabilize a region already strained by conflict and shipping disruptions in the Red Sea. Taiwan, in contrast, welcomed Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. Somaliland is seen as a rare Taiwanese ally on the continent, and Taiwan opened reciprocal representative offices with Somaliland in 2020.

US President Donald Trump, in response to Israel’s decision, has said the US will not recognize Somaliland’s independence.

 

Trump Declares Venezuela Airspace Closed as Tensions Mount

President Donald Trump’s Truth Social post declaring Venezuela’s airspace “closed in its entirety” has escalated the standoff with Nicolás Maduro’s government, which denounced it as a “colonialist threat” to its sovereignty. The statement follows U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warnings of heightened risks from military activity and GPS interference, prompting airlines to cancel flights.

In retaliation, Venezuela revoked operating permits for six foreign carriers, accusing them of aiding U.S. “state terrorism.” This comes amid a major U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group and additional warships, aircraft, and troops to interdict drug shipments and pressure Maduro over alleged “narco-terrorist” ties.

Officials describe an upcoming “phase” blending covert and overt actions against drug networks, while avoiding explicit regime-change rhetoric. The operations have involved lethal strikes on suspected drug vessels, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirming three attacks in the Eastern Pacific that killed 14 people, leaving one survivor. Reports of earlier Caribbean strikes, including a second hit on survivors, have drawn human rights scrutiny and congressional probes over legality and targeting.

Maduro frames the pressure as a prelude to invasion but has signaled willingness for direct talks with Trump to de-escalate. Regional neighbors, strained by Venezuelan migration, now grapple with potential U.S.-Venezuelan conflict.

 

Dick Cheney, Architect of Post-9/11 Wars, Dies at 84

Dick Cheney, a dominant force in Republican politics and vice president under George W. Bush, died on November 3rd in Virginia at 84 from complications of pneumonia and cardiovascular disease, his family said. A former congressman from Wyoming, White House chief of staff, defense secretary and Halliburton chief executive, he helped steer the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq and expanded the reach of the modern national security state. Supporters credited him with a hard-line approach they argued kept the US safe after the 9/11 attacks, while critics faulted him for championing intelligence practices and war policies they said led to abuses and a protracted conflict in Iraq.​

At a funeral service at Washington National Cathedral, former President Bush and Cheney’s daughter Liz were among those delivering eulogies to an audience that included Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore and Dan Quayle, senior lawmakers of both parties and several Supreme Court justices. Trump administration officials, including President Donald Trump, were largely absent following years of Cheney’s public break with his party over the January 6 attack and the 2024 election. Cheney is survived by his wife, Lynne, their daughters, Liz and Mary, and seven grandchildren.

 

Gridlock Over Obamacare Subsidies Keeps Government Shutdown

Federal operations remain partially shuttered after Congress failed to reach a budget deal by Thursday night, forcing thousands of government workers into furlough and suspending non-essential services nationwide. The standoff has intensified amid President Trump’s threat to urge GOP senators to eliminate the filibuster for this bill, prompting pushback from the Senate GOP leadership, which has vowed to protect the filibuster

Senate Democrats seek renewal of enhanced Obamacare subsidies, a central sticking point in talks. Republicans criticize the cost of those subsidies, which they say benefit largely wealthier people. With both sides entrenched, critical deadlines for federal agencies and assistance programs loom for next week, though two federal judges ruled today that the USDA must use $5-6 billion in contingency funds to fund the SNAP program. The Trump administration has signaled openness to using those funds, asking for guidance from the court.

As of Friday, informal negotiations remain in progress as the Senate remains in recess until Monday.

 

Trump Administration May Be Eyeing Venezuela Military Targets

The United States is reportedly poised to launch military strikes against Venezuelan targets, aiming to pressure President Nicolas Maduro’s regime, which is accused of running a major drug cartel.

Unnamed sources told the Miami Herald that U.S. strikes could target military facilities “at any moment,” although President Trump has not publicly confirmed a final decision. The Trump administration has also conducted at least 14 operations against small vessels, claiming these actions target drug trafficking.

Tensions are escalating as U.S. forces deploy near Venezuela, and international concern is growing over potential conflict.

 

Charlie Kirk’s Funeral Draws Thousands Amid Political Shockwave

Charlie Kirk, a leading voice in conservative youth politics, was remembered this week at a widely attended funeral service in Glendale, Arizona, following his assassination earlier this month. Kirk’s rise from founding Turning Point USA in 2012 to becoming a prominent figure in national debate drew tens of thousands to pay their respects at the stadium in his adopted home state.

The service, highlighted by tributes from politicians and Christian music performers, reached capacity as mourners traveled from across the country to honor his legacy. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and a host of speakers focused on Kirk’s commitment to engaging young Americans in public life. 

The assassination rattled the American political landscape. On the night of September 10, Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University when a rifle shot from a nearby rooftop fatally wounded him. In the chaos that followed, emergency responders rushed Kirk to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police soon apprehended Tyler James Robinson, a 22-year-old with documented ideological motivations and evidence tying him to the shooting, such as Discord messages and text messages. The investigation remains active as Robinson begins court appearances. 

Kirk’s parents, colleagues, and friends attended the Arizona services, echoing the outpouring of grief that has swept much of the politically active youth community. Funeral organizers noted the breadth of Kirk’s impact, with lines forming early and a roster of influential speakers reflecting on his trademark energy and message. As Turning Point USA faced unprecedented uncertainty, Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk was unanimously elected to succeed him as CEO and Chair by the organization’s board.

Abbott Signs Trump-Backed Redistricting Map

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a new congressional redistricting map into law, pushed by Donald Trump and designed to flip up to five U.S. House seats from Democrats to Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms. The move came after a charged legislative session, including a two-week walkout by over 50 Texas House Democrats, who allege the map illegally weakens Black and Hispanic voting power and have vowed legal challenges.

In response, California’s Democratic-led legislature passed a map aiming for five new Democrat-leaning districts, explicitly calculated to offset Texas’s gains. This map is set for a voter referendum in November. Missouri’s GOP governor Mike Kehoe announced a special session to redraw maps with the aim of targeting Democrat Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City seat and potentially shifting the delegation to 7-1 Republican. These rapid escalations, spurred by Trump’s call for mid-decade redistricting, highlight a broad partisan arms race over control of the House as both parties seek every advantage before the 2026 elections.

 

Trump Revives Obama Russiagate Accusations Following Gabbard Claims

Former President Donald Trump has renewed allegations against Barack Obama following claims by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that the Obama administration politicized intelligence regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Gabbard presented declassified documents she says prove Obama’s team fabricated intelligence to undermine Trump’s victory. She called it a deliberate effort to “usurp the will of the American people.” Trump echoed her accusations, labeling the actions “treason” and calling for accountability.

Obama’s office dismissed the claims as “outrageous” and insisted the evidence does not contradict long-standing findings by bipartisan Senate committees and the intelligence community that Russia sought to influence, but did not alter, the 2016 election.

Gabbard has referred her findings to the Justice Department, whose investigators have yet to corroborate her allegations against Obama.

 

Texas GOP Unveils Map to Flip Seats, Faces Dem Opposition

Texas Republicans unveiled a proposed congressional redistricting map Wednesday, aiming to flip five Democratic-held seats and solidify GOP control after explicit urging from President Donald Trump. The draft, released during a special legislative session called by Governor Greg Abbott, would increase Republican-held House seats from 25 to potentially 30, drawing new boundaries primarily in the Houston, Dallas, Austin, and South Texas regions.

Notably, Houston's 9th District, currently majority-minority and represented by Al Green (D), would be redrawn into a seat won by Trump by 15 points in 2024. The plan also forces Democratic members in Austin and Dallas, including Reps. Greg Casar, Lloyd Doggett, Julie Johnson, and Marc Veasey, into more competitive or even primary battles. In South Texas, current Democratic districts would be tilted toward Republicans by adding more GOP voter pockets while shifting Democratic areas to current more Republican-leaning districts.

Democrats have denounced the mid-cycle redistricting as an overtly partisan attempt to capture seats and to circumvent ongoing legal challenges to the state’s 2021 map. State Rep. Gene Wu (D) called the proposal a “corrupt, racially-motivated gerrymander,” and Democrats are contemplating a quorum break, potentially fleeing the state to stall the vote, despite updated House rules allowing $500-per-day fines for absences. National Democratic groups are mobilizing resources and volunteers to fight the changes and prepare for legal battles, and Democratic-controlled state legislatures may take up their mid-cycle redistricting in hopes of capturing GOP-held seats in their states.

 

Zohran Mamdani Wins Democratic Mayoral Primary in NYC Upset

Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Queens assemblymember and democratic socialist, won New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary last Tuesday, defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. With almost all precincts reporting, Mamdani’s lead appears insurmountable.

Mamdani, an immigrant from Uganda, has served in the New York State Assembly since 2021, championing progressive policies like fare-free transit and rent protections. His campaign was noted for energizing young and progressive grassroots voters.

Republicans have quickly framed the win as evidence of a leftward shift among Democrats. GOP leaders warned of what they perceive as his radical policies, while Democratic establishment figures, including Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, have so far withheld endorsements.

Mamdani will face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the general election, with some Mamdani opponents calling on Sliwa to drop out to help consolidate the anti-Mamdani vote.

 

House Advances Reconciliation Bill as Trump Tariffs in Limbo

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), a reconciliation bill that extends and expands major provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, increases the child tax credit temporarily, removes taxes on tips for workers in certain industries, and introduces new administrative requirements for Medicaid eligibility. The legislation also includes spending cuts, rescinds some unspent energy funds, revises Opportunity Zones, and imposes new fees on electric and hybrid vehicles. Over ten years, the bill is projected to increase primary deficits by nearly $2.8 trillion. The bill now moves to the Senate, where significant changes are expected before final passage.

Separately, in a setback for President Trump, federal judges ruled that his recent tariffs exceeded presidential authority in imposing sweeping tariffs on imports from most countries and that only Congress held such authority. However, the tariffs will remain in effect while the administration appeals the decision. Trump has since announced additional tariffs on steel imports.

 

Harrison Ruffin Tyler, Grandon of 10th President, Dies at 96

Virginia businessman Harrison Ruffin Tyler died last Sunday at 96. Tyler, a noted preservationist of Virginia history, was perhaps most noted for being the last living grandson of the 10th US President John Tyler, who was born in 1790 and left office in 1845.

This genealogical quirk was made possible by President Tyler and his son, Lyon Gardiner Tyler, both having children late in life, allowing the lives of the three men to span nearly the entire existence of the US as a country and across all 47 presidential administrations, from Washington’s first term to Trump’s second.

 

Terrorist Attack in Indian-Administered Kashmir Kills 26

On Tuesday, gunmen attacked tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, killing 26 people, mostly Indian nationals, in the deadliest civilian assault in the region in over two decades. The Resistance Front (TRF), a group linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility, though Pakistan’s government denied involvement and called for a neutral investigation.

India responded by downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan, closing the main border crossing, expelling diplomats, and suspending the Indus Water Treaty, a longstanding water-sharing agreement. Pakistan retaliated by shutting its airspace to Indian flights and halting bilateral trade. Both nations revoked visas for each other’s citizens, and minor cross-border exchanges of gunfire were reported, though without casualties.

The incident has sharply escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, further destabilizing already fraught relations and risking renewed hostilities over the disputed Kashmir region.

 

Conclave to Meet in May to Choose Francis's Successor

A papal conclave, a gathering of Catholic cardinals eligible to vote, will meet in May to elect Pope Francis’s successor.  The conclave, the first since 2013, will take place in the Sistine Chapel and will be private from observers.

Speculation on papal contenders has begun, with much of the focus on the ideological direction of the Catholic Church. Francis was considered a liberal by most observers, and another liberal elected could cement some of Francis’s efforts to steer the Catholic Church towards a more pastoral approach and adapt its engagement with modern societal issues. A win by a conservative could reverse these trends, while a  win by a moderate could be a wildcard.

 

Trump Administration Deals With Fallout from Leaked Chat

A leaked Signal chat involving senior Trump administration officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Vice President JD Vance, and Defense secretary Pete Hegseth, has sparked controversy over its discussion of airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen. The chat, which inadvertently included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed sensitive details about US military planning and intelligence-sharing with Israel. Israeli officials reportedly expressed anger over the exposure of intelligence provided by their sources in Yemen, while critics argue the leak may have compromised U.S. intelligence operations and endangered lives.

The Trump administration has denied that classified information was shared, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe testifying that no sources or methods were disclosed.

President Trump so far has defended Waltz, who is believed to have added Goldberg to the chat, as a "good man.” Trump has continued to refuse calls to remove Waltz from his administration.

 

Musk’s Role in DOGE Ignites Layoff Wave, Controversy

Elon Musk, in his role as de facto head of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has continued his controversial role in aggressively pursuing federal workforce reductions, which have already impacted tens of thousands of federal workers in layoffs and buyout offers.

The Trump administration has escalated these efforts, ordering federal agencies to submit plans for "large-scale reductions in force" by mid-March, as well continuing its return to office mandates for federal workers.

Musk's leadership style, which includes demanding productivity justifications from employees via email, has drawn criticism. At a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump hinted at further dismissals for those who fail to respond to Musk's directives.

These actions have raised concerns and sparked legal challenges about the impact on public services. Critics argue that many of Musk has too much power in the administration and questioned his authority to make these decisions. Musk has been classed as a “special government employee” in his role in the administration.

 

Tense Trump/Zelensky Meeting Ends Without Deal

Tensions flared during a high-stakes meeting at the White House Friday amongst President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an Oval Office meeting in front of the press. The discussion, meant to serve as precursor to a press conference later in the afternoon, started out positively before devolving into a near shouting match among the three leaders.

After discussing the potential mineral rights deal during the meeting, Zelensky expressed concerns about trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of any potential deal to end hostilities, which both Trump and Vance pushed back against. Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for the military and economic aid provided by the US during the war. Trump also pushed back against Zelensky’s assertion that Putin would not honor a peace deal, though he declined to lay out specific consequences should Putin not honor the terms of any peace deal that is signed.

After the meeting, Trump asked Zelensky and the Ukrainian delegation to leave the White House, canceling the planned lunch and press conference. In a subsequent Truth Social post, Trump accused Zelensky of disrespecting the United State, saying he would only he would only work with Zelensky again when Zelensky “is ready for Peace.”

In an interview with Bret Baier on Fox News, Zelensky said the argument at the White House was “no good,” but continued to praise the US for its partnership. Zelensky also responded that he did not feel like he owed Trump an apology while also defending his earlier statements about distrusting Putin as a partner in diplomatic talks.

 

Trump Administration Kicks Off With Immigration Enforcement, Federal Workforce Changes

Newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump has kicked off his administration with deportation efforts, federal workforce restructuring, and a brief effort to temporarily freeze a host of government funding programs. Supporters of the president are hailing what they perceive as Trump fulfilling his campaign promises, while his opponents criticize what they call a chaotic start to his nascent presidency.

Trump, following his declaration of an emergency at the southern border in response to a high level of border crossings, has green lit military presence along the border. The deployment of at least 1,500 troops aims to provide logistical and surveillance support to regular Border Patrol units.

Across the US, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has conducted raids targeted those residing illegally in the US. While the administration has promised to target those with criminal histories as a priority for arrest and removal, many of those arrested do not have criminal histories aside from their initial illegal crossing.

Trump has also aimed to shake up the federal workforce, instituting a return to office mandate in an aim to induce attrition and to more fully utilize federal office space. The administration has also offered voluntary severance packages, giving an early February deadline to accept. The same email announcing those voluntary severance packages implied that layoffs are expected in the future and that workers should not expect their positions are guaranteed.

The administration also controversially froze federal funding to programs not providing direct payments to US citizens. The directive, both broad and vague, created confusion over its scope, though the administration said Medicare and Social Security would not be affected. The order was later halted by a federal judge.

 

H-1B Visa Debate Exposes Division in Conservative Ranks

A heated debate over H-1B visas has emerged among conservatives, highlighting tensions between right-leaning tech industry advocates and "America First" supporters within President-elect Donald Trump's base. The controversy has been particularly visible on social media, where figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, both Trump advisers, have faced backlash for supporting the visa program. Musk has emphasized what he calls a "permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent" in the U.S., while in an X post Ramaswamy criticized American culture for prioritizing mediocrity over excellence, suggesting a need for foreign tech talent.

This stance has sparked the ire of other osn the right,  many of whom view the H1-B program as undercutting wages of American citizens through. Opponents of the program have posted screenshots of H-1B jobs, many of which have listed salaries close to the American median or even below.

As this debate unfolds, it may pose a significant challenges for Trump as he navigates between the GOP’s newfound tech industry support and the expectations of his broader voter base.