latest news in politics
Strategic Analysis at Risk: Gabbard Ally Departs Amidst White House Friction
Washington, Thursday, 29 January 2026.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence faces deepening instability following the resignation of the National Intelligence Council chairman, a key ally of Director Tulsi Gabbard. This departure marks the second leadership vacuum in the intelligence community’s top analytical body within a year, raising serious concerns about the consistency of U.S. strategic assessments. The exit coincides with reports of growing friction between Gabbard and the White House, exemplified by her exclusion from high-stakes operational planning regarding Venezuela—a move aides reportedly attributed to her non-interventionist stance. For global markets and geopolitical observers, this internal discord suggests a fragmentation in U.S. foreign policy execution. With Five Eyes partners already expressing hesitation over intelligence sharing, the administration’s inability to maintain a cohesive intelligence front presents a tangible risk to long-term geopolitical stability.
Supreme Court Schedules Conference to Evaluate Trump’s Appeal in Carroll Civil Case
Washington D.C., Thursday, 29 January 2026.
The Supreme Court has officially placed President Trump’s petition regarding the E. Jean Carroll civil verdict on the docket for its February 20 closed-door conference. In this pivotal legal juncture, the Justices will determine whether to review the 2023 federal jury decision that found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, resulting in a $5 million penalty. The appeal hinges on the controversial admission of “propensity evidence” during the trial, specifically the “Access Hollywood” tape and testimony from other accusers, which the defense argues violated federal evidence rules. While the Court historically accepts fewer than 2 percent of such petitions, this case carries significant weight regarding the interpretation of evidentiary standards in high-profile civil litigation. A decision on whether to grant the writ of certiorari could be announced as early as late February, potentially setting the stage for a historic ruling on the boundaries of legal accountability for public figures.
Trump Taps Prosecutor Colin McDonald to Head New Federal Anti-Fraud Division
Washington D.C., Thursday, 29 January 2026.
President Trump nominated Colin McDonald to lead a new national fraud division. The “fearless” prosecutor previously convicted a corrupt police chief who squandered stolen funds on Elton John tickets.
States Move to Eliminate Homeowner Property Taxes Amid Warnings of Revenue Crisis
Austin, Thursday, 29 January 2026.
Legislators in Georgia, Florida, and Texas are advancing plans to abolish homeowner property taxes to combat soaring valuations, risking billions in lost revenue and threatening essential local services.
FBI Executes Search Warrant at Fulton County Election Center Amid Renewed 2020 Probe
Atlanta, Wednesday, 28 January 2026.
On January 28, 2026, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Georgia’s Fulton County Elections Hub, marking a significant escalation in the investigation regarding the 2020 election. This enforcement action follows a recent Department of Justice lawsuit demanding access to specific ballot records, signaling a pivotal and aggressive shift in federal scrutiny regarding local election administration and document retention.
Rubio Signals Readiness for Force During Senate Defense of Venezuela Strategy
Washington D.C., Wednesday, 28 January 2026.
Secretary Rubio characterized the ousting of Maduro as a precise law enforcement operation rather than war, yet starkly warned the Senate that the U.S. reserves the right to employ force if the new interim leadership deviates from American interests.
Trump Removes Minnesota Border Commander Following Fatal Shootings and Disputed RNC Narrative
Minneapolis, Wednesday, 28 January 2026.
The administration ousted commander Greg Bovino hours after the RNC circulated his discredited claims characterizing a shooting victim as a domestic terrorist, signaling a strategic pivot in Minnesota’s enforcement leadership.
Top Vatican Ally Labels ICE 'Machinery of Death' in Call to Block Funding
Washington D.C., Wednesday, 28 January 2026.
On January 26, 2026, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, a key U.S. ally of Pope Leo XIV, escalated tensions between the Catholic Church and the White House by branding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) a “lawless organization” and a “machinery of death.” Speaking following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, Tobin explicitly urged voters to pressure lawmakers against renewing ICE funding. This sharp rebuke marks a significant political pivot, positioning the Church in direct opposition to the administration’s enforcement strategies ahead of crucial congressional appropriations votes.
White House Distances Itself from Stephen Miller Following Misleading Minneapolis Shooting Claims
Washington D.C., Wednesday, 28 January 2026.
Stephen Miller faces isolation after admitting potential protocol breaches in Alex Pretti’s shooting, contradicting his own discredited claim that the victim was a “would-be assassin.”