Trump, Iran exchange threats

View online.

YOUR MORNING

January 2, 2026

Good morning, NewsNation. For more fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 – Download the NewsNation app here >

Did a friend send you this newsletter? Subscribe to this newsletter and more here >

Trump, top Iranian officials exchange threats over protests roiling Iran

'Locked and loaded': President Donald Trump and top Iranian officials traded barbs this morning over deadly economic protests in parts of the Islamic Republic. The exchanged threats mark escalating tensions between the countries after the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites in June. Details >

Trump: The president warned Iran on social media that if it "violently kills peaceful protesters," the U.S. "will come to their rescue." He added: "We are locked and loaded and ready to go." At least seven people have been killed so far in the violence. Read more >

Iran: The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council alleged the U.S. and Israel were encouraging the demonstrations, and an adviser to Iran's supreme leader warned that "any interventionist hand that gets too close to the security of Iran will be cut." Details >

SBA bans nearly 7,000 borrowers in Minnesota amid fraud scandal

Fraud fallout: Nearly 7,000 borrowers in Minnesota have been suspended for suspected fraudulent activities, Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler said. In total, the borrowers were approved for 7,900 loans worth approximately $400 million, she added. What we know >

Housing: Investigations into alleged fraud in Minnesota's social service programs have expanded into housing. "We have boots on the ground right now," HUD Secretary Scott Turner said in an interview, adding that investigations into public housing in Minnesota are ongoing. Details >

Child care: The Trump administration also announced it is suspending certain child care funds to the state as the sweeping federal probe into the fraud allegations continues. The latest >

Who is Nick Shirley, YouTuber behind viral Minnesota fraud video? >

DHS auditing immigration cases amid alleged fraud >

Minnesota pays millions to assisted living facilities linked to fraud defendant >

'It could have been me:' Woman recalls chaos near deadly Swiss bar fire

Deadly fire: Grace Rocoffort de Vinnière was on her way home from a New Year's Eve party when she witnessed the aftermath of the Swiss Alps bar fire. "My friend and I looked at each other, and we said wow…there's something really bad going on," she told NewsNation. The interview >

Bar blaze: The chaos had been triggered by a fire inside Le Constellation bar, which killed at least 40 people and injured 115 others. Officials are still determining the exact number of casualties, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Details >

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani cancels orders from ex-Mayor Eric Adams

Orders revoked: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed a flurry of executive orders on his first day in office, including one to cancel most executive orders issued by former Mayor Eric Adams following his indictment. Mamdani's proposals by the numbers >

Refresh: A federal grand jury indicted Adams on corruption charges in September 2024 on accusations he took money from Turkey to help facilitate a Turkish consulate in the city. The case was eventually dropped by the Justice Department. Details >

Take a look at Zohran Mamdani's multi-billion dollar proposals >

Andy Cohen takes aim at Eric Adams' 'chaotic' tenure as NYC mayor >

Zohran Mamdani delivers first remarks as NYC mayor >

Drugmakers to raise prices on at least 350 meds: Report

Drug prices: The cost of at least 350 drugs in the U.S. is expected to increase this year, according to new data from a health care research firm. The median price hike hovers at around four percent. The latest >

Drugmakers: The analysis comes after the Trump administration enforced its Most Favored Nation policy on more than a dozen drugmakers, procuring agreements they will offer medications at the same price as the lowest they sell it globally. Read more >

EPA urged to classify abortion drugs as pollutants >

Where food, power and gas prices are headed in 2026 >

Deadly superbug is spreading, CDC says: Here's where >

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING 👀

Trump meets U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue.
Arraignment set for Tina Lai, one of the suspects charged with planning New Year's Eve attacks in Southern California.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said he is open to holding talks with the Trump administration.

The father of a missing 5-year-old boy in Alabama has been taken into custody after explosive materials were found at his home, authorities said. The investigation >

Police in Kansas are warning parents about the TikTok "Door Kick Challenge." Here's why >

A woman was killed in a suspected mountain lion attack while hiking in Colorado. Read more >

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a 77-year-old woman who went overboard a cruise ship that sailed out of Florida. What to know >

A man is accused of stabbing a KFC employee in Nevada after getting upset over gravy in his order, authorities said. Details >

Three inmates who escaped from a jail in Georgia and were caught in Florida last week are accused of kidnapping a Lyft driver and threatening her life, according to authorities. The investigation >

A woman is accused of defrauding the state of Mississippi out of more than $96,000 in public assistance funds through SNAP and other programs. Read more >

The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced it is delaying the cancellation of thousands of migrant truck driver licenses. The threat to withhold federal funding looms >