As the year 2026 began, President Donald Trump hosted his traditional New Year’s Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago. However, before the party commenced, Trump announced the removal of National Guard troops from several major U.S. cities. This decision followed a significant legal defeat at the Supreme Court, according to a report by NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez.
X, formerly Twitter, has transformed into a platform where the right engages with the extreme right, largely due to Elon Musk’s changes. These shifts, including relaxed content moderation and creator payouts, have incentivized a race to the bottom with bigotry and conspiracy theories gaining traction. Right-wing figures are now concerned as the platform loses its ability to unite the right, fostering internal conflict. Meanwhile, the Trump administration remains fixated on appeasing the online right, potentially alienating ordinary voters and jeopardizing the MAGA 2.0 coalition.
At a City Hall event, Senator Bernie Sanders swore in newly elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who campaigned on working-class priorities. Mamdani, echoing Sanders’ call, emphasized the need to tax the wealthy to fund initiatives like universal childcare and rent freezes, aiming to improve the lives of all New Yorkers. The mayor’s agenda included increasing corporate tax rates and taxes on high-income earners. The inauguration followed the backdrop of growing wealth disparities, with the world’s richest individuals accumulating trillions, prompting fresh demands for wealth taxes.
Finnish authorities have arrested two individuals linked to a cargo vessel, the Fitburg, suspected of damaging a telecom cable connecting Finland and Estonia. The ship, en route from Russia to Israel, was seized and its crew, consisting of individuals from various nations, are being questioned. The investigation includes travel bans for two other crew members and the discovery of sanctioned structural steel onboard. Authorities are investigating potential criminal charges related to the damage but have not speculated on possible state involvement, despite heightened concerns of hybrid warfare in the region.
A California federal judge criticized DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s decision to strip Temporary Protected Status from tens of thousands of immigrants from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua, deeming it “pretextual” and potentially driven by “racial animus.” Judge Thompson, citing the Administrative Procedures Act, found the decision “arbitrary and capricious” as it prioritized outcomes over legal compliance. The judge highlighted statements by Noem and Trump that reflected racist rhetoric, leading her to believe their policies promoted the debunked “replacement theory.” In response, the DHS assistant secretary blasted the order as “lawless” and “activist”.
Billionaires are vehemently opposing a proposed one-time wealth tax on the richest Californians, with some claiming they are fleeing the state to avoid the tax. Critics, like Chamath Palihapitiya and Bill Ackman, have characterized the initiative as an unacceptable seizure of assets. News outlets, such as the Washington Post, have also voiced their disapproval, while reports indicate that some investment firms are establishing new offices outside of California. Supporters of the tax, however, argue that it is a reasonable request for the wealthiest individuals to contribute to mitigate crises facing healthcare, education, and the broader economy, potentially raising approximately $100 billion in revenue for crucial programs.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani began his term by swiftly revoking most executive orders issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams, after his indictment on corruption charges. This move, one of several executive orders, aims to provide a “fresh start” while also vowing to reinstate some key orders, such as maintaining the Office to Combat Antisemitism. Mamdani also focused on housing, signing orders to revitalize the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants and establish task forces to expedite housing construction and streamline development processes, appointing left-wing activist Cea Weaver as the director of the Office to Protect Tenants. The mayor’s final executive order established new leadership roles and outlined the continued operation of several offices within his administration.
On Monday, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Ukraine of launching 91 drones at Putin’s official residence, claiming Russian air defense systems intercepted them. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied the accusation, attributing it to Russia’s attempts to undermine peace talks, and accusing Russia of fabricating events to justify further attacks. France also cast doubt on the claim, stating they found no solid evidence to support Russia’s accusations after consulting with their partners, viewing the claims as an attempt to derail the peace process. Despite this, Russia’s claim triggered condemnation from both Russia-aligned countries and the United States.
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Recent reports indicate that Venezuelan security forces have detained at least five Americans amidst the US’s increasing pressure campaign against President Nicolás Maduro. While the circumstances vary, with some possibly linked to drug smuggling, US officials believe the Maduro regime is using these detentions for leverage. The detentions follow a series of US actions, including strikes on drug boats and a port facility, and mirror tactics used by Russia. One of the detained Americans, identified by The New York Times, is James Luckey-Lange, whose family has been unable to contact him since December.
John Q. Hosedrinker