latest news in politics
Austin Protests Intensify as Demonstrators Demand Removal of Federal Agents
Austin, Sunday, 11 January 2026.
Congressman Greg Casar joined 400 demonstrators at Austin City Hall for a third day of protests against ICE, amplifying local demands to remove federal operations following Renee Good’s death.
Trump Blocks Creditors From Seizing Venezuelan Oil Revenue Held in US
Washington D.C., Saturday, 10 January 2026.
President Trump issued an emergency order blocking creditors from seizing Venezuelan oil revenue in US accounts, prioritizing national stability over satisfying billions in outstanding corporate debt.
FCC Adjusts Foreign Drone Oversight with New Compliance Exemptions
Washington, Saturday, 10 January 2026.
Following the disruptive December 2025 placement of foreign drone components on its Covered List, the FCC issued a critical update on January 7, 2026, granting temporary exemptions for “Blue UAS” and products meeting “Buy American” standards until January 2027. This regulatory pivot aims to stabilize the U.S. commercial drone market, which faces severe supply chain volatility due to national security concerns. The most pressing insight for industry stakeholders is the strict new benchmark: systems must now feature over 65% U.S.-manufactured content to qualify as domestic end products, signaling a forced, rapid evolution toward localized manufacturing to ensure long-term operational viability.
New USPS Processing Rules End Guaranteed Same-Day Postmarks for Drop-Box Mail
Washington D.C., Saturday, 10 January 2026.
Recent operational changes mean drop-box mail may receive postmarks days after deposit, risking penalties for time-sensitive tax filings and ballot disqualifications unless manually stamped at counters.
Trump Reads Rubio’s Private Note Aloud During High-Level Oil Executive Summit
Washington D.C., Saturday, 10 January 2026.
During a televised White House meeting, President Trump broke protocol by reading Secretary Rubio’s private note aloud, revealing a specific strategic instruction to prioritize discussions with Chevron.
Federal Court Temporarily Restores $10 Billion in Social Safety Net Funding
Washington, Saturday, 10 January 2026.
A federal judge temporarily blocked the administration’s freeze on $10 billion in state funding, prioritizing immediate social stability over unproven fraud allegations while the legal challenge proceeds.
EPA Blocks Colorado's Coal Plant Shutdowns Over Grid Stability Concerns
Denver, Saturday, 10 January 2026.
On January 9, 2026, the EPA formally rejected Colorado’s regional haze reduction plan, which relied on the early retirement of coal-fired power plants. Signaling a regulatory pivot toward infrastructure stability, the agency determined that these facilities are critical for maintaining grid reliability amidst growing energy demands. This decision effectively halts the state’s decarbonization timeline, forcing Colorado to draft a new compliance strategy within two years or face a federally imposed plan. The ruling underscores the intensifying friction between state environmental mandates and the federal prioritization of energy security and baseload capacity.
Cost Analysis Favors East Wing Demolition for Trump’s $400 Million Ballroom Project
Washington D.C., Saturday, 10 January 2026.
Citing fiscal responsibility, officials claim demolishing the East Wing was cheaper than renovation, paving the way for a $400 million expansion that surprisingly necessitates altering the West Wing for symmetry.