Threats, Cover-Ups, and the Blueprint for 2028: How Authoritarianism Is Testing the System in Plain Sight
Authoritarian movements don’t arrive with marching bands — they arrive with threats, lies, and silence from people who know better. This week’s headlines expose a familiar pattern: violent rhetoric becoming normalized, powerful figures circling the wagons around Epstein-era accountability, and credible warnings that the groundwork for election manipulation is already underway. These aren’t isolated scandals. They are connected signals of a political ecosystem that thrives on intimidation, disinformation, and impunity — and they are happening right now, in public view.
Department of War Crimes
Families File First Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Deadly Boat Strikes
For the first time, family members of two men killed in a U.S. military strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging a controversial campaign of maritime strikes. The lawsuit, filed on January 27 in federal court in Massachusetts, was brought by the families of Chad Joseph (26) and Rishi Samaroo (41) — Trinidadian men who were killed in an October 14, 2025 missile strike off the coast of Venezuela while returning home from work. Plaintiffs argue the strike was unlawful under the Death on the High Seas Act and the Alien Tort Statute, alleging wrongful death and extrajudicial killing because Joseph and Samaroo were not involved in hostilities and were not given due process. The case, backed by civil liberties groups including the ACLU and the Center for Constitutional Rights, directly contests the administration’s framing of the campaign as part of a broader effort to target drug trafficking in international waters and marks the first federal court challenge to the operation.
Secretary of the Deep State
Unsealed Documents Show Marco Rubio Personally Approved Arrests of Pro-Palestine Student Activists
Government documents unsealed by a federal judge reveal that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally approved the arrest and removal of multiple international student activists at U.S. universities over their pro-Palestinian advocacy and writings, including protests related to the Gaza war. The internal memos, released as part of ongoing litigation challenging the Trump administration’s actions, show that officials justified targeting the students under a rarely used immigration statute tied to perceived foreign policy harm, despite concerns from some diplomats that their pro-Palestinian speech was protected by the First Amendment. A federal judge has described aspects of the broader policy as unconstitutional for chilling free expression, and legal challenges such as American Association of University Professors v. Rubio continue to examine whether such deportation efforts violated students’ rights.
Broligarchy
European Union Launches Formal Investigation Into Musk’s Grok AI Over Non-Consensual Sexual Deepfakes
The European Union’s executive arm has opened a formal investigation into Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot on the X platform to determine whether the company sufficiently complied with the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA) after the tool was used to generate and circulate non-consensual sexualized deepfake images, including of women and minors. EU officials, including tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen, emphasized that digitally undressing individuals without consent amounts to illegal and harmful content that member states will not tolerate, especially when images may amount to child sexual abuse material. The probe expands upon an existing 2023 investigation into X’s content moderation and recommendation systems and could expose the company to hefty fines of up to 6 % of global revenue if violations are found. The move follows sharp criticism and regulatory action across several countries after users exploited Grok’s image capabilities to produce sexually explicit imagery.
The Resistance
Commentary Urges Greater Civic Engagement and Collective Action Amid Political Crisis
In a commentary from the Sunny Apocalypse newsletter — a platform focused on grassroots resistance, civic engagement, and activism — the author calls on readers to “do more and get others involved” in efforts to address what they describe as the erosion of democratic norms and social decay in the United States. Writing from a perspective critical of current federal leadership and broader political trends, the piece urges individuals to engage in organizing, educate their communities, and take direct action to defend civil rights and democratic institutions. This framing reflects the newsletter’s advocacy-oriented mission to empower everyday people to participate in resistance and reform movements rather than serving as a neutral news report; positions and rhetoric are opinion-driven, consistent with the author’s broader emphasis on activism and community-building.
Commentary Argues Ethical Psychotherapy Is Unattainable, But Professional Codes Define Responsible Practice
In a recent Substack piece, therapist and writer Timothy Baxter argues that it is impossible to practice psychotherapy in an “ethical” way given inherent limitations and conflicts in the field. This perspective reflects a personal and critical viewpoint rather than a consensus within the mental health professions. In contrast, licensed psychotherapists and psychologists are bound by formal ethical codes that require adherence to principles such as confidentiality, informed consent, and prioritizing clients’ welfare, and they must navigate ethical dilemmas through established decision-making frameworks and continuing education. Professional ethics literature acknowledges the complexity and challenges of ethical practice — for example, dilemmas around boundaries, confidentiality, and dual relationships — and suggests strategies for managing these issues responsibly, even as no code can fully eliminate all ethical tension in practice. The debate about whether psychotherapy can ever be “perfectly ethical” is ongoing, but mainstream professional standards aim to guide responsible clinical care rather than declare the endeavor inherently unethical.
Federal Court Dismisses DOJ Effort to Force Oregon to Hand Over Unredacted Voter Rolls
In United States of America v. Oregon, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the State of Oregon and Secretary of State Tobias Read in September 2025, seeking to compel the state to provide complete, unredacted voter registration data, including full names, dates of birth, addresses, and other sensitive personal information, on the claim that withholding it violated federal voting laws like the National Voter Registration Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1960. Oregon declined, citing privacy concerns and state authority over election administration. In January 2026, a federal judge dismissed the DOJ’s lawsuit, ruling that the department had not met the legal standards required to obtain such sensitive information and that federal law does not require states to turn over detailed voter data without a demonstrated basis tied to specific discriminatory practices. The decision represents a setback for broader federal efforts to obtain statewide voter rolls from numerous states on similar grounds. Make sure to support Democracy Docket as they are the main front line of defense to save our democracy in the judicial branch.
Federal Judge Orders ICE Chief to Appear in Court or Face Contempt Over Detention Hearing Failures
A U.S. District Court judge in Minnesota has threatened **Todd Lyons, Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with contempt of court after finding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) repeatedly failed to provide required bond hearings for detained immigrants. The judge’s three-page order directs Lyons to appear in person before the court on Friday to explain why he should not be held in contempt, noting a pattern of moving detainees between states and prolonging detention without timely hearings. The judge signaled that he would rescind the contempt order if the specific petitioner in the underlying habeas case is released before the hearing, underscoring ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement practices and judicial oversight of detainee rights.
About 31,000 Kaiser Permanente Nurses and Health Workers Begin Open-Ended Strike in California and Hawaii
Tens of thousands of nurses and other healthcare professionals represented by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) walked off the job on January 26, 2026, in an open-ended strike at Kaiser Permanente facilities across California and Hawaii. The approximately 31,000 striking workers — including registered nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, and specialist clinicians — have been without a contract since September 2025 and are demanding safer staffing levels, fair wages, and improved working conditions. Union leaders allege that negotiations stalled after Kaiser allegedly walked away from national bargaining talks in December and that the company engaged in unfair labor practices; Kaiser has characterized the strike as unnecessary, noting it has offered significant wage increases and that facilities remain open during the action. The strike spans more than two dozen hospitals and hundreds of clinics and is set to continue until a new agreement is reached.
American Gestapo
Political Commentator Reports ICE Using Long-Range Acoustic Device at Close Range
On X, political commentator Ed Krassenstein posted that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) appeared to be using a long-range acoustic device (LRAD) weapon at close range against protesters or individuals during an enforcement action, asserting this as “BREAKING” information. The post reflects Krassenstein’s interpretation of events shared on social media and should be understood as commentary; LRADs — handheld or vehicle-mounted sound cannon-style devices used for crowd control by law enforcement — do exist and are used by various agencies, but the claim that ICE specifically deployed one in a particular incident has not been independently verified by major news outlets or official statements at this time. Ed Krassenstein is a well-known political commentator with a large social-media following, not a dedicated news organization, and his posts often blend commentary with reporting of rapidly evolving events.
Commentary Compares Expanded ICE Enforcement to 19th-Century Slave Patrols Amid Minneapolis Tensions
In a commentary titled “How ICE Is Mimicking 19th Century Slave Patrols,” the author argues that the expansion of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — including the deputization of local law enforcement to carry out federal immigration functions — echoes historical practices of community surveillance and pursuit seen in the pre-Civil War era. The piece notes that ICE has entered into more than 1,100 agreements with state and local agencies to perform immigration actions, a marked increase from previous years, and links this growth to broader federal immigration enforcement trends. While this framing draws on historical analogy and political critique, it reflects opinion-driven analysis rather than neutral reporting; credible news outlets have documented the dramatic expansion and controversy around ICE operations, particularly in Minnesota’s “Operation Metro Surge,” where thousands of agents have been deployed and where courts, local leaders, and civil liberties groups have sharply challenged enforcement tactics. It is important to separate the analytical comparison in the commentary from documented facts about ICE’s operational agreements and ongoing legal disputes.
Report Highlights Ongoing Failures in ICE Reporting and Rising Deaths in Immigration Detention
A recent analysis of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) detention system underscores persistent failures in transparency and reporting around deaths in custody, even as the number of detainees reaches record highs. Advocates and watchdogs say the agency has repeatedly failed to fully disclose information Congress requested about several detainee deaths, exacerbating concerns about accountability and oversight. In 2025, at least 32 people died in ICE custody, the deadliest year in more than two decades, with fatalities from medical emergencies, suspected neglect, and other causes. In early 2026, multiple additional deaths — including four reported in ICE custody in the first ten days of January — continue to draw scrutiny. Separately, an autopsy ruled the January 3, 2026 death of Geraldo Lunas Campos at the Camp East Montana detention facility a homicide, feeding broader criticism of conditions and treatment in U.S. immigration detention. Critics and human-rights groups argue that declining facility inspections and inadequate medical care contribute to preventable deaths and that the agency’s reporting remains incomplete despite legal and legislative pressure.
ICE Agents’ Reported Security Role at Milan-Cortina Olympics Sparks Controversy in Italy
Reports indicate that agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — specifically from its Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division — are expected to provide security support for the United States delegation at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy, under the umbrella of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, with all actual security operations remaining under Italian authority. While ICE personnel will not conduct immigration enforcement abroad, the announcement has ignited backlash among Italian officials and activists, including Milan’s mayor, who have criticized the agency’s reputation due to its controversial domestic enforcement actions and recent deadly incidents involving federal agents. Opponents argue the presence of ICE at the Games is inappropriate, underscoring tensions over immigration policy and public safety even as the U.S. embassy and Italian authorities offer differing statements about the scope of the deployment.
Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and Some Agents Expected to Leave Minneapolis Amid Backlash Over Immigration Enforcement
Top U.S. Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino and several of his agents are expected to depart Minneapolis and return to their assigned sectors as early as Tuesday, according to multiple news outlets citing sources familiar with federal planning. The announcement comes amid intense public criticism and political pressure following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge, a large immigration enforcement deployment in Minnesota. Local leaders including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have engaged in talks with the White House, signaling a shift toward de-escalation and a reduction in the federal presence. While the Department of Homeland Security has publicly defended Bovino’s broader role, the partial withdrawal reflects growing scrutiny of the enforcement tactics and their impact on community relations.
Pennsylvania County Evicts ICE Over Unpaid Rent Amid Broader Backlash Against Federal Immigration Enforcement
A local government in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania terminated its lease with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after the agency reportedly failed to pay more than $115,000 in back rent for office space, with county officials publicly demanding that ICE “pack your shit” and leave. The eviction occurred amid wider national criticism of ICE’s domestic operations, including controversy over recent interior enforcement tactics and public outrage over deadly encounters involving federal immigration agents. In his commentary, political writer Scott Dworkin framed the eviction as symbolic of broader resistance to the Trump administration’s hard-line immigration policies and highlighted calls from figures like Rep. Sarah McBride for increased oversight or impeachment of Department of Homeland Security leadership, though the piece itself is opinion-driven and not a neutral news report.
Cheeto von Taco Schitzenpantz
Trump Signs Executive Order to Speed Wildfire Rebuilding, Federalizes Permitting in Burn Zones
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at accelerating the rebuilding process in areas of Los Angeles County devastated by the January 2025 wildfires, according to multiple news reports on Thursday. The order — described by the White House as “Accelerating rebuilding in wildfire-devastated Los Angeles” — permits federal agencies to override local permitting requirements and allows builders in the affected zones to self-certify reconstruction plans in an effort to reduce red tape and ease bottlenecks for residents seeking to rebuild homes. Nearly 3,000 rebuild applications have reportedly already been filed in Los Angeles County under the new guidelines. While supporters say the move will help fire survivors quickly restore their properties, critics have raised concerns about federal overreach and the potential sidelining of local planning and environmental review processes. This action follows earlier executive efforts to streamline federal wildfire response and prevention programs.
Canada’s Mark Carney Says He Stood By His Davos Comments Despite U.S. Claims of a Walk-Back
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has publicly reaffirmed that he “meant what I said” in his remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, pushing back against assertions from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that he walked back his comments during a call with President Donald Trump. In his speech in Switzerland, Carney warned against great powers using economic integration as leverage and urged middle powers to act collectively — a message widely interpreted as a critique of shifting U.S. trade policies. After Bessent claimed on U.S. television that Carney had recanted those points, Carney told reporters in Ottawa that he had instead explained to Trump that Canada plans to diversify trade beyond the United States and that his Davos remarks stand as delivered. The diplomatic row comes amid broader tensions over tariffs, trade strategy, and competing visions for global economic leadership.
S.S. GOP Titanic
Minnesota GOP Candidate Drops Out, Blasts Trump-Led ICE Surge
Minnesota Republican Chris Madel, an attorney and gubernatorial candidate, announced he is withdrawing from the state’s 2026 governor’s race, citing growing concern over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis and what he described as “retribution on the citizens of our state.” Madel, who had also provided legal counsel to an ICE agent involved in a controversial federal shooting, framed his departure as a protest against aggressive federal immigration tactics he said were unconstitutional and damaging to local communities — especially following fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by federal agents. His exit highlights intra-party tensions within the GOP over immigration policy and comes amid broader national outrage and legal disputes surrounding Operation Metro Surge, including the high-profile death of ICU nurse Alex Pretti and other enforcement actions that have sparked protests and political backlash.
Department of Injustice
Federal Appeals Court Refuses Review of Ruling That Alina Habba’s Appointment Was Unlawful
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has declined to rehear or expand a panel ruling that former Trump personal attorney **Alina Habba was unlawfully appointed as the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, leaving intact lower-court findings that her tenure exceeded the legal limits for acting appointments under federal statute. A three-judge panel had previously upheld a district court’s determination that the administration’s maneuvers to keep Habba in office after her 120-day interim term expired violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and related appointment law, disqualifying her from serving in that role. When the Department of Justice asked the full Third Circuit to reconsider the decision, the court refused, further solidifying the ruling and increasing the likelihood the dispute will be taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court. Habba resigned from the post following the appeals court decision but has indicated she may attempt to return to the role if higher judicial review overturns the ruling.
Epstein Trump Pedo”Files”
Epstein Noise Is Getting Louder — Facts Still Matter
The Epstein ecosystem is exploding again — not with new evidence, but with tabloids, viral audio clips, anonymous “friends,” and recycled rumors racing ahead of verification. Today’s EpsteinWiki roundup cuts through the chaos, separating documented facts from unverified claims, and flagging where speculation is being dressed up as truth. Accountability requires receipts, not vibes — and Resistance Kitty is here to remind you that misinformation doesn’t help survivors or justice. Facts do.
What We Are Watching Today
- NTSB Holds Meeting on Cause of 2025 Midair Collision Over Potomac River Live
- Maryland Lawmakers Discuss Congressional Map Redistricting
- President Trump Remarks in Clive, Iowa
Today’s Call to Action
- Donate To The MN Front Lines
- Alex Pretti is an American Hero
- Our Savior’s Community Service Wishlist
- Crisis Nursery
- Sign These Petitions
- Read Today’s Survival Guide: #188 Gas, Chemical Irritants, and Crowd-Control Weapons — How to Protect Yourself and Recover Safely
- Call Your Senators and demand they defund all of DHS
- Download, Share and Read the Beginner’s Resistance Survival Guide
- Send These Letters
- Not One More Dime: Tell the Senate to Reject Funding for DHS
- Tell Senators: Publicly commit to vote against funding DHS and their violent federal takeovers of our cities now.
- End Trump’s politically-motivated threats, arrests, and prosecutions!
- Tell Your Attorney General: Keep ICE Out of Public Schools
None of this works without exhaustion and denial. Threats only succeed when they silence, cover-ups only hold when scrutiny fades, and election manipulation only works if people look away before it starts. The throughline in every story this week is accountability — who demands it, who dodges it, and who pays the price when it disappears. History is clear on this part: democracies don’t collapse all at once. They erode when warning signs are treated as noise instead of alarms.