As the fifth anniversary of the January 6th Capitol attack approaches, the official plaque intended to honor law enforcement for their defense of democracy remains missing. Despite being mandated by law, the plaque has not been installed, with its whereabouts currently unknown, although it is believed to be in storage. House Speaker Mike Johnson has yet to unveil the plaque, and the Department of Justice is attempting to dismiss a lawsuit seeking its display. In the absence of the official memorial, many members of Congress have installed replica plaques outside their offices to ensure the events of January 6th are not forgotten.
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The Department of Justice has only released a small fraction of the Epstein files, as revealed in a recent court filing. Despite a federal law mandating release by December 19th, only about 12,285 documents have been published. While the department cites the protection of victims’ identities and the vast number of documents as reasons for delays, Democrats have intensified criticism, accusing the Trump administration of “lawlessness” and demanding the release of unredacted files. Several key figures are also mentioned in these files, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who is under investigation as well.
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The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the entity distributing federal funding to PBS and NPR, voted to dissolve on Monday. This decision followed congressional defunding efforts spurred by President Trump’s administration, who had accused public broadcasting of liberal bias. CPB’s final act aims to protect public media’s integrity and democratic values, according to President and CEO, Patricia Harrison. Despite the defunding, the board of directors remains confident that public media will survive.
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The Department of Homeland Security reported that a Minnesota Hilton hotel canceled reservations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after they booked rooms using government emails and rates. The hotel’s operators stated they were not allowing ICE agents to stay. While a Hilton spokesperson initially stated that the cancellation did not reflect Hilton’s values and that they were investigating, the hotel chain later announced it would remove the hotel from its system and reinforce its standards. The incident sparked controversy, including both negative and positive reviews, and the hotel owner, Everpeak Hospitality, stated they do not discriminate and are working to accommodate the impacted guests.
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At Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market, a massive 243-kilogram bluefin tuna fetched a record-breaking 510 million yen ($3.2 million) at the first auction of 2026. The winning bid was placed by Kiyomura Corp., owned by Kiyoshi Kimura of the Sushi Zanmai chain, surpassing his previous record. The prized tuna, caught off the coast of Oma, is known for its high quality and cost 2.1 million yen per kilogram. This New Year’s auction highlights the cultural significance of tuna in Japanese cuisine and the ongoing recovery of the Pacific bluefin tuna population.
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A silent march was held in Crans-Montana to honor the 40 victims of a New Year’s Eve bar fire that also left many injured. Mourners gathered for a mass, then processed to the site of the fire, Le Constellation, where they left tributes and offered applause for first responders. Authorities have identified all fatalities and opened a criminal investigation into the bar managers, suspecting involuntary homicide and other charges. The investigation is focused on the fire’s rapid spread, potentially caused by candles and non-compliant materials, and authorities are also assessing safety measures.
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Several political figures, including leaders from the Liberal Democrats, Green Party, and SNP, have criticized the US military action, urging the UK Prime Minister to condemn it as a violation of international law. Senior Labour MP Emily Thornberry echoed these concerns, stating the strikes were illegal and could embolden Russia and China. Although a limited number of Labour MPs have publicly condemned the US action, further criticism may arise in the House of Commons. The UN Security Council, with the UK as a permanent member, is discussing the operation, with the UK representative expressing a desire for a peaceful transition in Venezuela while reaffirming commitment to international law.
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Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro entered a New York federal court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. The charges include conspiracy, cocaine importation, and weapons offenses, alleging that Maduro worked with drug cartels. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Maduro’s legal team is expected to challenge the legality of his arrest, arguing immunity. This dramatic U.S. intervention, which the U.S. defends as a law enforcement action, has triggered global condemnation, an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, and diverse responses from the Venezuelan government and international actors, with implications for the country’s oil reserves and political future.
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Judge Hannah Dugan, recently convicted of obstruction, has resigned from her position as a Milwaukee County circuit court judge. Following her conviction on December 19th, Dugan faced pressure from state Republicans who threatened impeachment. The conviction stemmed from an incident where Dugan aided an undocumented immigrant in evading federal officers during an arrest attempt in her courtroom. In her resignation letter, Dugan cited the immense challenges of the ongoing legal proceedings and the need to avoid a partisan battle in the state legislature, allowing for a permanent judge to be in place.
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Eva Schloss, step-sister of Anne Frank and Holocaust survivor, has passed away at the age of 96. Schloss was the co-founder and honorary president of the Anne Frank Trust, and dedicated her life to educating others about the Holocaust. Having survived Auschwitz, along with her mother, Schloss tirelessly worked to overcome hatred and prejudice through her work in Holocaust education, including speaking to young people across Europe. The King of England expressed his deep sadness and admiration for her.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Minneapolis Hilton Reverses Decision, Apologizes for Canceling ICE Reservations
The Department of Homeland Security reported that a Minnesota Hilton hotel canceled reservations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after they booked rooms using government emails and rates. The hotel’s operators stated they were not allowing ICE agents to stay. While a Hilton spokesperson initially stated that the cancellation did not reflect Hilton’s values and that they were investigating, the hotel chain later announced it would remove the hotel from its system and reinforce its standards. The incident sparked controversy, including both negative and positive reviews, and the hotel owner, Everpeak Hospitality, stated they do not discriminate and are working to accommodate the impacted guests.
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