Five-year-old Génesis Ester Gutiérrez Castellanos, a US citizen, was deported to Honduras with her mother, Karen Guadalupe Gutiérrez Castellanos, due to a 2019 administrative deportation order against Gutiérrez. Despite having a pending U visa application and a stable life in the US, Gutiérrez was detained by ICE agents following a police response to a domestic disturbance. Held in a hotel without legal representation, they were deported shortly after, a situation that activists see as part of a trend of mass deportations under the current administration, especially impacting US citizen children. Gutiérrez has made the difficult decision to send Génesis back to the US while she seeks to return to reunite with her daughter.
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On January 25, 2026, Border Patrol agents fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, with video evidence contradicting the administration’s initial claims of self-defense. Despite this evidence, the Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, falsely asserted Pretti was a “domestic terrorist” who intended to harm law enforcement. This blatant disregard for facts, however, faced significant pushback from Republican officials and the NRA, prompting a retreat from the White House. The administration demoted Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and sent border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota while also ceasing to defend the killing.
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Sources indicate the White House is developing a strategy to assist federal agents in removing individuals, aiming to minimize community unrest. While avoiding direct condemnation of the slain protester, Alex Pretti, as some in the Trump administration did, the speaker primarily criticized local leadership in Minneapolis. The speaker placed blame on the Minneapolis Mayor and Governor for the lack of leadership. Ultimately, the speaker suggested that the lack of calm and order in the community was intentionally fostered by local leaders.
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TikTok users in the US have reported issues with the platform, specifically being unable to use the word “Epstein” in messages, alongside claims of censorship regarding content about ICE raids and protests. These issues arose shortly after TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, was forced to divest a majority stake to US investors. California Governor Gavin Newsom is launching a review into whether TikTok is violating state law by censoring Trump-critical content, while the platform attributes the problems to a “major infrastructure” issue caused by a power outage. The Independent has reached out to TikTok for further clarification on the issues and how the ownership change will impact content moderation.
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The US has expressed concerns that Europe is indirectly funding the Russia-Ukraine war by purchasing refined Russian oil products from India, even while Washington imposes tariffs on New Delhi. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Europe’s recent free trade agreement with India, dubbed the “mother of all trade deals”, allows this to occur. The US argues that while it has worked to destabilize Moscow’s energy trade and made significant sacrifices, Europe continues to benefit economically from loopholes in the global oil trade. The trade deal between the EU and India is set to boost economic ties between the regions despite US tariffs and global trade disruptions.
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Leaked audio recordings reveal Senator Ted Cruz criticizing former President Trump’s tariff policies and Vice President J.D. Vance. In the recordings, Cruz warned donors that Trump’s tariffs could damage the economy, leading to potential impeachment, and described a tense phone call with Trump regarding the matter. Cruz also accused Vance of being influenced by Tucker Carlson and pushing for anti-interventionist policies, including the ousting of national security advisor Mike Waltz. Furthermore, Cruz discussed his struggles with the White House in regards to a trade agreement with India, mentioning resistance from Peter Navarro, Vance, and, at times, Trump.
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President Trump has announced the US will increase tariffs on South Korean imports to 25%, citing South Korea’s slow approval of a trade deal reached last year. The South Korean government has stated it was not officially notified of the decision and is seeking urgent talks with the US to address the issue. The initial trade agreement included a $350 billion investment from South Korea into the US. Trump has previously used tariffs as a foreign policy tool, most recently threatening Canada and the UK with tariffs in unrelated trade disputes.
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Justice Bennathan noted that Donald Trump’s statements, which were not given under oath, could be considered by the jury but cautioned against relying heavily on them. Trump had contacted police reporting an assault after a video call with the alleged victim and later described what he witnessed as “brief but prevalent”. The defense argued Trump was an unreliable witness motivated by jealousy, while the prosecution highlighted the urgency in his call. The case concerns Rumiantsev, who denies the strangulation allegations, claiming consensual sex and self-defense, and the trial is ongoing.
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A recent focus group of young Republican voters revealed significant hesitancy towards Vice President J.D. Vance as a potential 2028 presidential candidate. Eight out of nine participants did not name Vance as their preferred candidate, citing concerns about his perceived ties to the political establishment and perceived shifts in his stances on key issues. These Gen Z voters instead expressed interest in alternative candidates, including Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, and other rising figures within the Republican Party. This lack of enthusiasm presents a potential challenge for Vance, particularly given Donald Trump’s lukewarm support and the possibility of Trump himself seeking a third term.
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Amidst controversy, the Trump administration has been accused of secretly planning to send ICE agents to provide security for the U.S. delegation at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy. Despite initial denials, and then confirmations, Italian officials have vacillated on the matter. The plan has ignited anger and sparked calls to prevent ICE agents from entering the country, with critics citing concerns over the agency’s history of violence and overreach. While the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has confirmed ICE’s involvement in assisting with security, Italian authorities continue to deny the agency will operate within the country.
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US Citizen, 5, Deported to Honduras: Latest Case in Trump Immigration Policies
Five-year-old Génesis Ester Gutiérrez Castellanos, a US citizen, was deported to Honduras with her mother, Karen Guadalupe Gutiérrez Castellanos, due to a 2019 administrative deportation order against Gutiérrez. Despite having a pending U visa application and a stable life in the US, Gutiérrez was detained by ICE agents following a police response to a domestic disturbance. Held in a hotel without legal representation, they were deported shortly after, a situation that activists see as part of a trend of mass deportations under the current administration, especially impacting US citizen children. Gutiérrez has made the difficult decision to send Génesis back to the US while she seeks to return to reunite with her daughter.
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Trump Administration’s Response to Alex Pretti Shooting: No Admission of Lying
On January 25, 2026, Border Patrol agents fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, with video evidence contradicting the administration’s initial claims of self-defense. Despite this evidence, the Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, falsely asserted Pretti was a “domestic terrorist” who intended to harm law enforcement. This blatant disregard for facts, however, faced significant pushback from Republican officials and the NRA, prompting a retreat from the White House. The administration demoted Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and sent border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota while also ceasing to defend the killing.
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Trump Team Demands Right to Destroy Evidence in Alex Pretti Shooting, Judge Blocks
Sources indicate the White House is developing a strategy to assist federal agents in removing individuals, aiming to minimize community unrest. While avoiding direct condemnation of the slain protester, Alex Pretti, as some in the Trump administration did, the speaker primarily criticized local leadership in Minneapolis. The speaker placed blame on the Minneapolis Mayor and Governor for the lack of leadership. Ultimately, the speaker suggested that the lack of calm and order in the community was intentionally fostered by local leaders.
Read More
TikTok Blocks Epstein Mentions, Anti-Trump Content, and ICE Criticism
TikTok users in the US have reported issues with the platform, specifically being unable to use the word “Epstein” in messages, alongside claims of censorship regarding content about ICE raids and protests. These issues arose shortly after TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, was forced to divest a majority stake to US investors. California Governor Gavin Newsom is launching a review into whether TikTok is violating state law by censoring Trump-critical content, while the platform attributes the problems to a “major infrastructure” issue caused by a power outage. The Independent has reached out to TikTok for further clarification on the issues and how the ownership change will impact content moderation.
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Trump Slams EU-India Trade Deal, Accuses Europe of Funding War Against Itself
The US has expressed concerns that Europe is indirectly funding the Russia-Ukraine war by purchasing refined Russian oil products from India, even while Washington imposes tariffs on New Delhi. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Europe’s recent free trade agreement with India, dubbed the “mother of all trade deals”, allows this to occur. The US argues that while it has worked to destabilize Moscow’s energy trade and made significant sacrifices, Europe continues to benefit economically from loopholes in the global oil trade. The trade deal between the EU and India is set to boost economic ties between the regions despite US tariffs and global trade disruptions.
Read More
Cruz Claims Vance, Navarro Blocked India Trade Deal; Mocks Trump Tariffs in Leaked Audio
Leaked audio recordings reveal Senator Ted Cruz criticizing former President Trump’s tariff policies and Vice President J.D. Vance. In the recordings, Cruz warned donors that Trump’s tariffs could damage the economy, leading to potential impeachment, and described a tense phone call with Trump regarding the matter. Cruz also accused Vance of being influenced by Tucker Carlson and pushing for anti-interventionist policies, including the ousting of national security advisor Mike Waltz. Furthermore, Cruz discussed his struggles with the White House in regards to a trade agreement with India, mentioning resistance from Peter Navarro, Vance, and, at times, Trump.
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Trump Imposes 25% Tariffs on South Korean Imports
President Trump has announced the US will increase tariffs on South Korean imports to 25%, citing South Korea’s slow approval of a trade deal reached last year. The South Korean government has stated it was not officially notified of the decision and is seeking urgent talks with the US to address the issue. The initial trade agreement included a $350 billion investment from South Korea into the US. Trump has previously used tariffs as a foreign policy tool, most recently threatening Canada and the UK with tariffs in unrelated trade disputes.
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Judge Urges Caution on Barron Trump’s Account in Alleged Attack Case
Justice Bennathan noted that Donald Trump’s statements, which were not given under oath, could be considered by the jury but cautioned against relying heavily on them. Trump had contacted police reporting an assault after a video call with the alleged victim and later described what he witnessed as “brief but prevalent”. The defense argued Trump was an unreliable witness motivated by jealousy, while the prosecution highlighted the urgency in his call. The case concerns Rumiantsev, who denies the strangulation allegations, claiming consensual sex and self-defense, and the trial is ongoing.
Read More
Young Trump Voters Reject Vance as Unfit MAGA Successor
A recent focus group of young Republican voters revealed significant hesitancy towards Vice President J.D. Vance as a potential 2028 presidential candidate. Eight out of nine participants did not name Vance as their preferred candidate, citing concerns about his perceived ties to the political establishment and perceived shifts in his stances on key issues. These Gen Z voters instead expressed interest in alternative candidates, including Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, and other rising figures within the Republican Party. This lack of enthusiasm presents a potential challenge for Vance, particularly given Donald Trump’s lukewarm support and the possibility of Trump himself seeking a third term.
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Trump’s ICE Plan for Olympics Sparks Outrage and Calls for Boycott
Amidst controversy, the Trump administration has been accused of secretly planning to send ICE agents to provide security for the U.S. delegation at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy. Despite initial denials, and then confirmations, Italian officials have vacillated on the matter. The plan has ignited anger and sparked calls to prevent ICE agents from entering the country, with critics citing concerns over the agency’s history of violence and overreach. While the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has confirmed ICE’s involvement in assisting with security, Italian authorities continue to deny the agency will operate within the country.
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