January 12, 2026
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Welcome to the news for independent thinkers
Leading the News . . .
DOJ subpoena detonates Fed-White House war . . . Jerome Powell revealed the Justice Department has hit the Fed with subpoenas and floated criminal charges over his testimony on a lavish $2.5 billion renovation. The move marks a sharp escalation in Donald Trump's long-running fight with the central bank over interest rates. Markets now brace for turbulence as legal pressure collides with monetary policy. Associated Press
For Years, Powell Avoided Fighting Trump. That's Over . . . Jerome Powell broke his usual restraint with a blunt video accusing the Trump administration of using criminal subpoenas to bully the Fed into cutting rates. Casting the Justice Department probe as a direct threat to central bank independence, Powell signaled he won't quietly absorb political pressure. Wall Street Journal
Tillis says Justice Department credibility in doubt after Fed subpoena . . . .Sen. Thom Tillis vowed to block any Federal Reserve nominees from Donald Trump until the legal cloud over Chair Jerome Powell is resolved. The move follows confirmation of a Justice Department grand jury subpoena tied to Powell's testimony on a costly Fed renovation. Tillis warned the fight now threatens institutional credibility, not just central bank independence. Washington Times
Politics
Walz Admin Ordered Fraud Unit to Stand Down Early in His Term, Whistleblowers Say . . . Whistleblowers say Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's administration shut down criminal fraud investigations starting in 2019, even as abuse spread through a child care subsidy program. A GOP lawmaker overseeing fraud prevention reports insiders at the Department of Human Services were ordered to stand down after uncovering systemic scams. The claims point to bureaucratic protection, stalled justice, and taxpayer dollars left exposed. Daily Signal
'MESSAGE RECEIVED': Inside the White House Reaction to Pro-Life Backlash After Trump Abortion Comment . . .. After pro-life leaders rejected President Donald Trump's admonition to be "a little bit flexible" on the Hyde Amendment, some White House officials are looking to walk back that statement, three sources familiar with the administration's thinking told The Daily Signal. Many pro-life leaders objected to the call to be flexible on Hyde, which bans taxpayer-funded abortion, and the administration has received their message, the sources said. Daily Signal
Anti-Trump FBI agent fueled Arctic Frost probe . . . An FBI supervisor who blasted Donald Trump online helped spark the Arctic Frost investigation, pushing to name the former president as a target while circulating left-wing media to justify it. Records sent to Congress show Special Agent Timothy Thibault drove early authorization for the probe and leaned on activist-aligned outlets to build momentum. The disclosures revive concerns of politicized law enforcement inside the bureau. Just the News
'I Think We Don't Like Them': Trump Says MAGA Has No Room for Antisemites . . . Donald Trump moved to shut down a growing internal fight by declaring there's no place in the GOP or MAGA for antisemitic activists. In an Oval Office interview with The New York Times, Trump said such figures aren't wanted, a sharp break from past tolerance. The remarks isolate extremists like Nick Fuentes and appear to contrast somewhat with JD Vance, who's warned against ideological gatekeeping. New York Times
I don't think we like them either!
Culture
Judge pulls plug on SPLC smear suit . . . A federal judge tossed a conservative nonprofit's defamation lawsuit against the Southern Poverty Law Center, halting a case that challenged the group's notorious hate labeling. The suit argued the SPLC smeared a mainstream immigration watchdog by branding it a hate group, a tactic critics say chills dissent and muddies debate. The dismissal reverses earlier momentum and reinforces the SPLC's legal shield. Daily Signal
Historic synagogue torched again in Mississippi . . . The same Jackson synagogue bombed by the Klan in the 1960s was attacked again over the weekend, with a suspect arrested after setting a fire at Beth Israel Congregation. City officials say the blaze was deliberate and are treating it as terrorism. The attack revives grim echoes of past antisemitic violence and raises fresh questions about public safety and radical hate resurfacing in modern America. Daily Wire
Stars turn Golden Globes into anti-ICE protest . . . At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, numerous Hollywood figures used the high-profile stage to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Celebrities including Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, Natasha Lyonne, Jean Smart and Ariana Grande wore black-and-white pins reading "BE GOOD" and "ICE OUT" on red carpets and in the ballroom to honor Good's memory and criticize ICE enforcement policies. Washington Examiner
They are supposed to be creative. So could they please do something unexpected for once?
National Security
U.S. Steps Up Planning for Possible Action in Iran . . . Donald Trump is set to review retaliation options as Iran cracks down on protesters, signaling Washington may move beyond warnings. The menu reportedly includes cyberattacks, sanctions, online pressure campaigns, or even military strikes. Top aides including Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth are expected to weigh in, raising stakes for a regime already on edge. Wall Street Journal
Trump committed to helping these people. We cannot allow a repeat of hungry in 1956 when Eisenhower suggested there would be help on the way and there was none. For better or worse, he has already committed us to doing something.
Trump Warns Cuba: Make A Deal 'Before It's Too Late' . . . President Donald Trump delivered a clear warning to Cuba on Sunday, urging the communist island nation to make a deal with the United States and saying that there would be nor more "oil or money" going to Cuba from Venezuela. "Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela," Trump explained. "In return, Cuba provided 'Security Services' for the last two Venezuelan dictators, BUT NOT ANYMORE!" Daily Wire
Cut to the News attorneys have drawn up language for a proposed deal to be presented to Cuban : "Get the hell out, and stay out."
'I've Never Seen Anything Like It': Maduro's Security Guard Lays Out What It's Like Facing U.S. Military . . . Security insider describes U.S. raid that crushed Maduro's guard. A man claiming to have served as security for Nicolás Maduro says American troops slipped past defenses undetected and overwhelmed Venezuelan forces with ruthless efficiency. Despite being outnumbered, roughly 20 U.S. operators allegedly killed hundreds without suffering injuries, using blistering precision fire and advanced technology. The insider calls it a one-sided massacre, citing an intense sound weapon that sealed the mismatch. Daily Wire
Radical ICE Watch groups surge after Good's death . . .
Following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, activists linked to "ICE Watch"–style networks are stepping up recruitment and training to shadow federal immigration agents nationwide. Groups like Monarca have held packed sessions in Roseville, Minnesota, urging volunteers to track, document and "annoy" ICE actions ("like mosquitoes") and expanding rapid-response trainings that are fully booked. Critics warn such activities could endanger participants and risk obstruction charges, while supporters say they're exercising First Amendment monitoring rights. Daily Wire
Neil Young Demands People 'Rise Up'
You should also know
U-Haul truck drives through crowd of Iranian protesters in Los Angeles . . . Chaos tore through a pro-Iranian freedom rally in Los Angeles after a U-Haul truck forced its way into a crowd, sending demonstrators fleeing in panic. The vehicle carried a blunt anti–regime change message warning the U.S. against repeating past meddling. At least two people were treated for injuries as authorities scrambled to secure the scene. Daily Mail
Longevity boom cashes in on fear of aging . . . In a casino-adjacent convention hall, thousands of wellness devotees pitched radical life-extension hacks, from ozone-infused blood to vibrating platforms and pricey supplements. The spectacle highlights a booming anti-aging industry fueled by distrust of mainstream medicine and deep-pocketed customers chasing youth at any cost. Critics warn the movement thrives on hype, risk, and unproven science, but demand keeps surging as longevity becomes big business. Washington Post
Oh, come on. Snake oil salesmen are a hallowed American tradition.
Bob Weir dies at 78 . . . Bob Weir, a founding force behind the rambling sound and nonstop touring ethos of the Grateful Dead, has died at 78. Weir helped turn San Francisco's 1960s counterculture into a lasting musical empire built on marathon jams and loyal fans. He passed peacefully of underlying lung complications after successfully battling cancer. Associated Press
Guilty Pleasures
News Digest: Man who swallowed jewel finally passes it to police . . . Police recovered a rare Fabergé pendant after tailing a suspect for six days until the luxury loot passed naturally. The gold-and-diamond piece, inspired by the Bond film Octopussy, emerged intact—price tag and all—valued at £14,250. No surgery, no damage, just patience, plumbing, and a very uncomfortable wait for justice to glitter again. Sky News
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