In a surprising turn of events, Democrat Taylor Rehmet secured a victory in a special election runoff for the Texas Senate, marking a significant win for the party. Rehmet, a machinist and Air Force veteran, triumphed over Republican Leigh Wambsganss in a district previously leaning heavily towards Republicans, with endorsements from figures like President Trump. This win, which saw Rehmet outperform expectations in the prior election, has spurred optimism among Democrats as they approach the midterms. The seat became available when Republican state Sen. Kelly Hancock was appointed acting state comptroller.
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The Nation magazine has nominated the city of Minneapolis and its people for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. This nomination recognizes the city’s resistance against violent authoritarianism, specifically in response to the deployment of federal agents targeting immigrant communities. Despite facing harassment, detention, and even fatalities, the people of Minneapolis have responded with peaceful mass demonstrations, calling for the withdrawal of federal agents. Furthermore, they have demonstrated mutual support and care for targeted neighbors through various acts of aid and solidarity.
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Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee are requesting immediate access to the complete Jeffrey Epstein case files, citing an “urgent” need due to a forthcoming hearing. The committee’s inquiry, addressed to Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, questions the Justice Department’s release of only half of the estimated files, including substantial redactions. This request follows similar demands from other members of Congress, seeking to fulfill oversight responsibilities and ensure transparency. The lawmakers aim to ensure redactions comply with legal requirements, questioning whether the Trump administration is withholding documents without proper justification, despite the Justice Department’s defense of its actions.
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In October 2025, Maher Tarabishi, the primary caretaker of his son Wael, was detained by ICE during a scheduled check-in. Wael, who suffered from Pompe disease, a rare genetic condition, passed away on January 23rd. The family requested Maher’s release to attend the funeral, but this request was denied by ICE. Homeland Security accused Maher of ties to a terrorist organization, which his family and attorney deny, as Maher had been allowed to stay in the U.S. under supervision due to his son’s medical needs.
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Newly released files from the US Department of Justice regarding Jeffrey Epstein shed light on his connections with prominent figures, including Bill Gates and Elon Musk. The documents reveal alleged extramarital affairs involving Gates and show Musk actively pursuing visits to Epstein’s island, contradicting previous claims. Also mentioned are emails showing Howard Lutnick, Trump’s Commerce Secretary, arranging a visit to Epstein’s island. Despite the release, a group of Epstein’s alleged survivors claim that some abusers remain shielded, and have requested further disclosures.
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Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a stern warning to protesters after the arrest of Don Lemon, emphasizing the right to worship freely and safely under the Trump administration. Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles on federal civil rights charges related to his coverage of a protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, and faces charges of conspiracy and interfering with First Amendment rights. Bondi described the protest as a “coordinated attack,” with the arrest of Lemon coming at her direction. The White House celebrated the arrest, while many journalists and Democratic lawmakers have criticized the move.
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A U.S. District Judge has ordered the release of 5-year-old Liam Conjeo Ramos and his father from a Texas detention center by Tuesday. The judge’s ruling criticized the government’s pursuit of deportation quotas, potentially traumatizing children. The boy’s detention by ICE agents in Minneapolis sparked nationwide protests, and attorneys state the family is legally in the U.S. as part of an asylum claim, while officials claim their parole expired. Congressional representatives have visited the detained father and son, noting the boy’s exhaustion and concerns for the mental health of other detainees.
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The Justice Department under Donald Trump is facing accusations of withholding legally required records related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, despite releasing a large volume of documents. Critics, including lawmakers and survivor groups, argue that the released files are heavily redacted and incomplete, potentially shielding powerful figures and re-traumatizing victims. The partial release has sparked outrage, with demands for the full, unredacted files to ensure transparency and accountability. The Justice Department, however, maintains its approach is justified by privacy and legal concerns, prompting further scrutiny of their handling of the Epstein case.
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The FBI’s special agent in charge of the Atlanta field office, Paul Brown, was removed from his position after raising concerns about the Justice Department’s renewed investigation into Fulton County’s role in the 2020 election. Sources indicated Brown questioned the probe into unsubstantiated voter fraud allegations and refused to execute searches and seizures related to the election. This change came as the FBI executed a search warrant at the Fulton County Elections Hub, seizing election records. This investigation is occurring despite multiple audits and court rulings confirming the legitimacy of the 2020 election results in Georgia.
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Bruce Springsteen debuted his protest song, “Streets of Minneapolis,” at First Avenue in Minneapolis, shortly after it reached No. 1 on iTunes. The song, released in response to the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents, was written to address federal immigration enforcement and the Trump administration. The song, dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, quickly gained popularity with over 5 million views on YouTube and nearly 500,000 likes on Instagram. Reactions to the song varied, with Homeland Security and the White House issuing statements criticizing its message.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
ICE Denies Detainee Funeral Access After Son’s Death, Sparking Outrage
In October 2025, Maher Tarabishi, the primary caretaker of his son Wael, was detained by ICE during a scheduled check-in. Wael, who suffered from Pompe disease, a rare genetic condition, passed away on January 23rd. The family requested Maher’s release to attend the funeral, but this request was denied by ICE. Homeland Security accused Maher of ties to a terrorist organization, which his family and attorney deny, as Maher had been allowed to stay in the U.S. under supervision due to his son’s medical needs.
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