US Politics

A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Department of Justice to unseal records tied to the recent seizure of 2020 election ballots and documents in Fulton County, Georgia, by Tuesday, directing the agency to place warrant materials and related filings on the public court docket with only limited, court-approved redactions, in a case that has drawn national attention to federal actions involving Georgia’s 2020 vote.

New DHS data show that less than 14% of individuals arrested by ICE during the Trump administration had violent criminal records. The official statistics, not previously reported in this detail, offer a comprehensive look at who was targeted in federal immigration enforcement operations. The figures distinguish between violent offenses, non-violent crimes, and immigration-related violations. The data provide an evidence-based view of the criminal histories of those detained and add clarity to public debates over immigration policy, enforcement priorities, and public safety impacts across the United States.

President Donald Trump signed a short-term funding bill after the House of Representatives approved it in a close 217–214 vote, ending a partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government. The legislation funds major departments and agencies, allows furloughed workers to return, and restores many services that had been reduced or delayed. The Senate passed the bill earlier by voice vote, sending it to the president for final approval. The measure provides temporary relief while Congress continues to debate longer-term budget issues and future government spending deadlines.

Minnesota’s top corrections official says it is unclear when federal immigration agencies will reduce enforcement forces in the state after a recent fatal shooting by federal agents. The official reports limited federal communication on a possible drawdown, as investigations into the incident continue and state authorities seek more information on how ongoing operations may affect local corrections and community safety.

A federal judge on Monday ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to halt the planned termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals, one day before protections were scheduled to expire for an estimated 350,000 immigrants.

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon says he offered to surrender to authorities over charges tied to his coverage of a protest at a church but claims federal agents were dispatched to take him into custody anyway. Officials have not confirmed his account or released full case details, and key information about the protest, the exact nature of the charges, and the law enforcement agency involved remains limited. No public timeline of events or court schedule has been issued as questions continue about the handling of Lemon’s surrender.

The White House is preparing a $12 billion U.S. stockpile of critical and rare earth minerals, according to an official. The move aims to secure supplies of materials vital to defense, technology, and industry, amid concerns over dependence on foreign sources and potential supply chain disruptions. The planned stockpile would draw on national assessments of critical minerals and expand existing strategic reserve practices. Industry and policymakers are closely watching how the program will be structured, how materials will be sourced and stored, and what it may mean for global mineral markets.

Former federal prosecutors who worked on January 6 Capitol riot cases have drafted a memo giving Congress a detailed strategy to investigate alleged excessive force and potential violations by ICE agents in Minneapolis. The document urges Congressional committees to seek records, compel testimony, review use-of-force policies, and hold public and closed hearings. It outlines possible subpoenas, evidence-handling procedures, and engagement with local groups and experts. The memo does not reach conclusions on the allegations and serves as a roadmap for potential oversight.