Key Takeaways
- President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota following violent clashes involving ICE agents.
- A federal appeals court overturned a ruling that had released Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil from immigration detention.
- National security nominees testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, addressing questions about unlawful military orders.
- A family member of Lance Twiggs disputed reports of his full cooperation with investigators in the Charlie Kirk murder case.
Deep Dive
- President Trump threatened on January 16, 2026, to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, blaming state and local leaders for encouraging lawlessness that led to violent clashes with ICE agents.
- The threat followed an ambush on an ICE agent by three individuals, including one reportedly an illegal immigrant from Venezuela with prior convictions; the agent shot one attacker in the leg.
- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey were criticized for their responses, with reports indicating local law enforcement cannot assist federal immigration agents.
- A poll indicated 53% of adults, primarily Democrats and Independents, viewed the shooting death of an ICE suspect as unjustified, while over two-thirds of Republicans supported the ICE officer involved.
- A federal appeals court overturned a ruling that had ordered the release of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil from immigration detention.
- Khalil, arrested by ICE in March, was subject to deportation under a law concerning potential adverse foreign policy consequences, a determination made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- The ruling stated the initial district court judge lacked jurisdiction to release Khalil while his immigration case was pending, emphasizing immigration proceedings must follow executive branch procedures.
- This decision highlighted that federal appellate court review is only applicable after established executive branch procedures are followed.
- Legal analysis suggests the Supreme Court may not need to take up Mahmoud Khalil's case unless a circuit split occurs.
- Mike Davis of the Article III Project explained that the Third Circuit's ruling correctly applied the law in this context.
- Davis advised the Trump administration to house immigrants subject to deportation in Delaware, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, as these states are bound by the Third Circuit's decision.
- Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd, nominated for NSA, and Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan, nominated for U.S. Southern Command, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
- Democrats, including Sen. Alyssa Slatkin and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, questioned the nominees regarding potential unlawful military orders, including targeting citizens.
- Both nominees stated they had never received an illegal order and affirmed they would seek clarification or refuse any order deemed illegal by legal advisors.
- A family member of Lance Twiggs, roommate of accused Charlie Kirk killer Tyler Robinson, disputes claims that Twiggs fully cooperated with investigators.
- The relative stated Twiggs did not voluntarily come forward and only provided information when compelled by authorities, contradicting earlier reports.
- Twiggs and the suspect, Tyler Robinson, allegedly spent time together in an online world, playing games and being part of a Discord group.
- The family member expressed 100% certainty that authorities have the correct suspect, Tyler Robinson, who is scheduled to appear in court today.