From Housing Purges to Epstein Delays: The System Is Breaking in Public
If today’s news feels chaotic, that’s because the chaos is the point. In just the last 24 hours, we’ve watched federal agencies tighten housing rules that threaten vulnerable families, immigration enforcement spiral into deadly violence and diplomatic incidents, and the Justice Department once again promise transparency on the Epstein files without delivering a date. Add collapsing approval ratings, corporate price-gouging fallout, and open normalization of authoritarian rhetoric, and the pattern is impossible to miss. This isn’t governance — it’s damage control dressed up as power.
Civil War II
Man Tackled After Spraying Rep. Ilhan Omar With Unknown Substance at Minneapolis Town Hall
A man sprayed an unknown substance toward U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall event in Minneapolis, but she was unharmed and continued speaking afterward. Security and police tackled and arrested the suspect after the substance, described as vinegarlike in smell, was released. Local officials, including Minneapolis’ mayor, condemned the attack and stressed that such behavior “will not be tolerated” in public civic forums.
Florida Man
Florida GOP Governor Candidate James Fishback Faces Allegations of Relationship Beginning When Partner Was a Minor
Republican Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback is under scrutiny after court documents allege he had a romantic relationship with a former partner that began while she was a minor, claims he strongly denies. According to a Petition for Injunction filed in Leon County, the woman says she joined Fishback’s organization at age 16 and that a relationship began before she turned 18, with Fishback allegedly instructing her to keep it secret. Fishback has denied wrongdoing, noting that a judge rejected a protective order request and that no criminal charges have been filed, while his campaign downplays the allegations as politically motivated.
World War III
Doomsday Clock Set to 85 Seconds to Midnight in 2026, Closest Ever to Catastrophe
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced that the Doomsday Clock has been moved to 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been since its inception in 1947. The Science and Security Board cited a failure of global leadership, rising geopolitical tensions among major powers, escalating nuclear risk, unchecked artificial intelligence development, worsening climate change impacts, and growing biological threats as key factors driving the decision. The symbolic move reflects the organization’s urgent warning that humanity is at elevated risk of global catastrophe unless decisive action is taken to reduce existential threats.
Broligarchy
Amazon Announces 16,000 Job Cuts Globally as AI Push and Restructuring Continue
Amazon confirmed it is laying off 16,000 corporate employees worldwide in the latest round of cuts tied to post-pandemic restructuring and an intensified focus on artificial intelligence and efficiency. The layoffs follow a previous round announced late last year, bringing the total planned corporate job reductions to roughly 30,000 roles. Company leaders say the changes aim to streamline decision-making and boost AI-driven initiatives, while local business groups express concern about potential impacts on office districts and regional labor markets.
Jared Kushner Was Listed as a Female Voter in New York Records — Election Board Says It Was a Database Error
Public records showed that Jared Kushner, senior adviser to President Donald Trump and his son-in-law, was registered to vote as female in New York after his 2009 registration, sparking surprise and commentary in 2017. Officials later clarified that a data-entry or database error at the New York State Board of Elections — not Kushner himself — led to his gender being listed incorrectly for several years until it was corrected. The episode occurred amid broader scrutiny of Kushner’s administrative paperwork and federal disclosures during his White House tenure.
Obergruppenführer Nosferatu
Axios: Trump Team Blame Game After False “Massacre” Claim on Alex Pretti Shooting
According to Axios, political friction has erupted within the Trump administration after Homeland Security rapidly pushed a false narrative that Alex Pretti intended a “massacre” of federal agents, a claim echoed on X by senior adviser Stephen Miller. The initial assertion was based on unverified Customs and Border Patrol reports and was contradicted by bystander video showing no evidence of such intent. As the backlash grew, President Trump privately revisited strategy and personnel in the Minnesota immigration enforcement operation, highlighting broader disorganization and internal tensions over how to handle the fallout from the controversial federal killing.
Cheeto von Taco Schitzenpantz
Trump Says Iran “Wants to Talk” as U.S. Aircraft Carrier Strike Group Deploys Near Middle East
President Donald Trump said he believes Iran has reached out for negotiations with the United States even as a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group — led by the USS Abraham Lincoln — has been deployed to the Middle East amid rising tensions over Tehran’s crackdown on protests and concerns about its nuclear program. Trump described the military buildup as a “big armada” intended to pressure Iran while keeping diplomatic channels open, though Iranian officials have denied recent negotiation requests and warned that threats will only increase regional instability. The situation reflects ongoing friction over both human rights and strategic security issues.
Economist Tracker Shows Donald Trump’s Approval Rating Near Second-Term Lows
The Economist presidential approval tracker charts public sentiment toward President Donald Trump’s performance, showing his job approval hovering at historically weak levels for his second term. Recent YouGov/Economist polling indicates that roughly 37–39 % of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance while a solid majority disapprove, marking some of the lowest net approval figures of his presidency so far. The data also show notable dissatisfaction among key groups — including women and independents — and ongoing volatility tied to issues like the economy, immigration, and federal enforcement actions. This long-running interactive tracker captures the shifting political landscape as Trump’s approval fluctuates week to week.
After Industry Donations, Trump Administration Revokes Nursing Home Staffing Rule
The Trump administration revoked a federal rule that would have required higher staffing levels in nursing homes after executives from major eldercare providers donated millions to a pro-Trump super PAC and secured a private meeting with the president. The rule — originally intended to improve resident care by increasing hours from nurses and aides — was scrapped after industry legal challenges and political pressure, prompting critics to call the decision a reversal of long-sought protections for elderly Americans. Opponents argue that adequate staffing saves lives, and its repeal undermines efforts to address chronic neglect in long-term care facilities.
Trump Says Asylum Seekers Should ‘Apply for Refuge Elsewhere,’ Amplifying Hardline Immigration Stance
Former President Donald Trump posted on Politico’s X account that asylum seekers should apply for refuge in other countries rather than the United States, reflecting his administration’s aggressive immigration restrictions and efforts to limit access to U.S. asylum protections. This stance aligns with broader policies that have paused asylum processing, narrowed eligibility, and pushed third-country removal agreements for migrants, measures critics say undermine international refugee law and protections for people fleeing persecution.
Trump Says He Signed an Executive Order Restricting Immigration, Calls It “Defending America”
In a recent The Wine Press post, former President Donald Trump claims he signed a sweeping executive order restricting immigration and frames the move as essential to “defending America.” The article highlights Trump’s assertion that the order tightens asylum eligibility, expands border enforcement powers, and reshapes U.S. immigration policy without new legislation. Supporters praise the directive for asserting stronger control over migration, while critics argue it undermines legal asylum protections and exceeds executive authority.
Department of War Crimes
Analysis: AI-Driven Targeting and Lack of Accountability After U.S. Military Strike in Caribbean
A Drey Dossier analysis highlights deep concerns about a U.S. military strike in the Caribbean on September 2, 2025, in which two survivors of an initial attack were later killed, raising questions about legality and accountability. The article points to shifting Pentagon narratives and the possible use of AI targeting systems that could delay or obscure human decision-making. Critics argue that international law protects shipwrecked or incapacitated people and that the absence of clear documentation from military leadership suggests systemic avoidance of responsibility. The piece frames this event as emblematic of broader issues with automated warfare and eroding accountability structures.
The Resistance
Lemkin Institute Warns U.S. Government Is Normalizing Nazi-Era Rhetoric and Symbols
The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security issued a statement expressing deep concern that rhetoric and symbolism tied to Nazism and white supremacist extremism are increasingly tolerated or echoed within U.S. government institutions. The Institute criticized officials for downplaying extremist content in public life and highlighted examples including dismissive responses to Nazi-linked group chats and social media posts from a federal agency that echoed slogans reminiscent of Nazi language. The organization says this pattern erodes democratic norms and could contribute to extremist mobilization if unchecked.
California Senate Passes “No Kings Act” to Make It Easier to Sue Federal Agents for Civil Rights Violations
The California Senate has passed a bill known as the “No Kings Act” (Senate Bill 747) designed to make it easier for residents to sue federal officers — including ICE and Border Patrol agents — for civil rights violations under state law. The measure aims to fill a legal gap left by decades of U.S. Supreme Court rulings narrowing the ability to hold federal agents accountable in court. Supporters say the bill will give victims a first-in-the-nation legal pathway to seek damages when federal law enforcement allegedly violates constitutional rights, while critics argue it oversteps state authority. The vote reflects growing state-level resistance to federal immigration enforcement tactics and heightened scrutiny after high-profile confrontations involving federal agents.
DOJ Withdraws Subpoena for Medical Records of Over 3,000 Transgender Youth After Legal Challenge
The U.S. Department of Justice has dropped its subpoena seeking medical records for more than 3,000 transgender youth treated at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles after families filed a lawsuit arguing the request violated patient privacy and constitutional rights. The settlement halts demands for identifying information through 2029 and requires the DOJ to return or destroy already obtained data. Families welcomed the decision but caution that future appeals could affect long-term privacy protections.
Analysis: Corporate Profit Expansion, Not Taxes, Drove Recent U.S. Inflation
A recent Substack analysis argues that the dominant driver of U.S. inflation in the post-pandemic period was not taxes, government spending, or wages but a surge in corporate profit margins. According to decomposition data cited in the post, corporate profits accounted for roughly half of price increases from 2019 through 2022, a dramatic shift from historical norms where profits played a small role. The author contends that many firms exercised pricing power by raising and maintaining high prices even after input costs declined, and that policies focusing solely on fiscal or tax causes overlook the role of market power in sustaining elevated prices.
How to Protect Yourself From Sonic Weapons Like LRAD at Protests
A guide on protecting yourself from sonic weapons such as long-range acoustic devices (LRAD) explains practical steps protesters can take to reduce the risk of hearing injury and harm. Sonic weapons emit extremely loud sound designed to disperse crowds and can cause pain, disorientation, or permanent hearing damage if encountered at close range. Experts recommend moving out of the direct sound beam, using high-quality hearing protection like OSHA-rated earplugs or earmuffs, and seeking sturdy shelter behind dense materials if exposure is imminent. The guidance emphasizes situational awareness and quick response to avoid the most harmful effects of acoustic crowd-control devices.
American Gestapo
ICE Agents Attempted to Enter Ecuadorian Consulate in Minneapolis, Prompting Diplomatic Protest
Federal immigration officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attempted to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis without permission, but consulate staff blocked the approach and prevented entry, according to the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry, which has filed a formal protest with the U.S. Embassy in Quito over the incident. Under international law, foreign consulates are protected territory, and unauthorized access by law enforcement is generally prohibited. The attempted entry occurred amid a large federal immigration operation in Minneapolis that has drawn national scrutiny after controversial shootings and protests.
Man Killed by Federal Immigration Agent in Minneapolis Was Known to Feds, Sources Say
A Headline USA report cites CNN and unnamed sources claiming that Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old man fatally shot by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis, was already on federal law enforcement’s radar after an earlier confrontation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents the week before his death. According to the report, Pretti had been tackled and injured during that prior encounter as officers chased what he described as a family on foot, and his name may have been logged in federal databases before the fatal incident. Federal officials maintain the shooting occurred after Pretti resisted and allegedly carried a weapon, but video evidence and eyewitness accounts have cast doubt on that narrative.
DHS Tells Congress Two Federal Officers Fired Guns in Fatal Alex Pretti Shooting in Minneapolis
The Department of Homeland Security informed Congress that two federal officers — one from U.S. Border Patrol and another from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — fired their weapons during an encounter that resulted in the death of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. DHS officials said Pretti resisted an attempted arrest and officers shouted that he had a gun before shots were fired. Preliminary reviews are underway by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility, and the incident has intensified protests and national debate over federal immigration enforcement tactics.
The Inverted Panopticon: How Western Surveillance Networks Might Be Weaponized Against Their Own Citizens
In The Inverted Panopticon, Shanaka Anslem Perera warns that modern surveillance systems designed by Western governments and tech infrastructures could backfire — turning the tools meant to monitor threats into mechanisms that expose and control the public instead. The article argues that by building centralized networks with single points of failure, states risk creating vulnerabilities that adversaries or internal actors can exploit, effectively weaponizing the surveillance apparatus against the populace. This inversion of the classic “panopticon” concept highlights dangers in conflating public safety with unchecked data gathering and network control.
Live Border Patrol Shooting in Rural Area Raises Questions Amid Federal Immigration Enforcement Surge
A live report described a Border Patrol agent shooting and wounding a suspect during a rural operation near the U.S.-Mexico border, part of a broader federal immigration enforcement surge. The incident occurred near Arivaca, Arizona, after the suspect allegedly fired on a federal helicopter and exchanged gunfire with agents. This shooting comes amid heightened tensions following other fatal encounters between federal immigration officers and U.S. civilians during enforcement actions, particularly in Minneapolis.
Controversy in Minneapolis Over Use of LRAD Sonic Devices During Anti-ICE Protests
Claims circulated on social media and local reporting allege that law enforcement deployed long-range acoustic devices (LRAD) — powerful sonic systems originally used for military and crowd control — during anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis. Critics say the devices were allegedly used at close range against demonstrators to disperse crowds. However, local media reporting indicates it was the Minnesota State Patrol and allied agencies, not ICE itself, that deployed the LRAD to communicate and disperse protesters. The broader protests are part of ongoing unrest tied to Operation Metro Surge and heightened federal immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities.
HUD Orders Nationwide Citizenship Verification for Tenants in Federally Funded Housing
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued a new directive requiring public housing authorities and owners of HUD-funded housing to verify the citizenship or immigration status of all tenants within 30 days. The order follows an internal audit that flagged nearly 200,000 records, including tenants listed as ineligible or deceased. HUD says the policy is intended to ensure limited housing resources are reserved for eligible households, but housing advocates warn the rapid verification process could increase housing instability and administrative pressure on already-strained agencies.
Texas GOP Escalates Attack on Biden With Impeachment Push and Election Policy Battles
Texas Republican leaders are intensifying efforts against President Joe Biden and federal election policies, advancing impeachment rhetoric while reshaping state political strategy. The push comes amid wider national GOP moves to challenge Biden’s administration and influence election rules, including actions in the Texas Legislature that reflect deep partisan divides over voting rights and federal oversight. These developments form part of broader Republican efforts to contest federal authority and reinforce state control over elections and governance structures.
Department of Injustice
FBI Opens Probe Into Minnesota Signal Chats Tracking Federal Immigration Agents
The FBI has launched an investigation into encrypted Signal group chat networks used by Minnesota residents to share real-time information about federal immigration enforcement activities, including license plates and agent movements, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. The probe was prompted after a journalist publicly shared portions of these chats, drawing federal scrutiny over whether protest coordination crossed legal boundaries. Civil liberties advocates warn that sharing legally obtained information about public operations is protected under the First Amendment, heightening tensions amid ongoing protests triggered by recent fatal shootings of civilians by immigration agents in Minneapolis.
Epstein Trump Pedo”files”
Epstein Files Still Held up by DOJ Delays as New Controversies Emerge
New developments in the Jeffrey Epstein case highlight ongoing delays and unanswered questions as the Department of Justice again promises to complete the release of Epstein-related files without providing a firm timeline. Alongside renewed reporting on alleged secret settlements, financial entanglements, and stalled disclosures, today’s update underscores how accountability continues to lag years after Epstein’s death — and why full transparency remains essential.
What We Are Watching Today
- President Trump & Treasury Secy. Scott Bessent Host Summit to Launch Trump Accounts Live
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio Testifies on Venezuela Policy Live
- Federal Reserve Chair Powell Holds First Briefing Since Criminal Investigation
New Resistance Resources
Today’s Call to Action
- Listen to New Epstein Info Session Hosted on X Spaces with Dr. Kek and Survivor Juliette Bryant
- Read Today’s Resistance Survival Guide: #189 How to Be a Witness Without Becoming the Next Victim
- Sign These Petitions
- Donate to Mutual Aid for MN
- Contact your Senators
- Demand that they vote NO on any DHS bill that does not work to stop ICE’s reckless attacks
- Send These Prewritten Emails
- Register and Attend An Event
- Wednesday, January 28, 8 – 9pm EST Let’s Hold ICE & CBP Accountable Members Call
- Thursday, February 5, 8 – 9pm EST Eyes on ICE: Document and Record
Resistance Kitty isn’t here to normalize this mess. When institutions fail in broad daylight, silence becomes complicity and distraction becomes strategy. The through-line today is accountability delayed, denied, or buried under procedure — whether it’s housing, immigration, elder care, or elite impunity. Stay focused, stay loud, and don’t let manufactured confusion replace memory. Systems don’t collapse quietly. They collapse when people stop looking away.