Monday, Jan. 12
DOJ subpoenaed central bank, criminal indictment threatened
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the Department of Justice served the central bank with subpoenas relating to Powell’s testimony to the Senate Banking Committee in June over the Fed’s $2.5 billion office building renovations, according to The Associated Press. The DOJ also threatened a criminal indictment.
“The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the president,” Powell said.
President Donald Trump stated he was unaware of the investigations into Powell, according to the AP.
Tuesday, Jan. 13
Prosecutors quit, tensions rise in Minnesota amid protests
Demonstrations took place across Minneapolis on Tuesday as federal officers used tear gas and eye irritants against protestors, according to the AP.
At least five prosecutors resigned regarding how the U.S. Justice Department is handling the investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Good, according to the AP.
Students in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, staged a walkout to protest the Trump administration’s immigration sweeps, according to the AP. Another demonstration took place outside a Minneapolis hotel while officers stood inside.
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act in Minneapolis
Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy troops to Minneapolis as protests spread across the city, according to the AP.
The threat comes one week after Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer and one day after a man was shot and wounded by an officer who was attacked with a shovel and a broom handle.
“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State,” Trump said on social media.
Thursday, Jan. 15
Trump presented with Nobel Peace Prize by Venezuelan opposition leader
Trump was presented with the Nobel Peace Prize by Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado after meeting at the White House, according to the AP.
Machado gave Trump the medal “as a recognition for his unique commitment to our freedom,” according to the AP.
“María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done,” Trump said on social media. “Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!”
The Nobel Institute stated that Machado could not award the prize to Trump.
Friday, Jan. 16
US, Danish, Greenlandic officials meet to discuss Greenland
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt met to discuss Trump’s goal to take control of Greenland, according to the AP.
The officials agreed to form a high-level working group to see if the countries can create a compromise. Løkke Rasmussen said the group will hold its first meeting “within a matter of weeks.”
Trump said the U.S. needs control of Greenland for its national security, justifying the need by claiming Russia and China have their own designs on Greenland, according to the AP.
Sunday, Jan. 18
Conservative influencer chased off by counterprotestors in Minneapolis
Conservative influencer Jake Lang was chased off by counterprotestors at his anti-Islam, anti-Somali and pro-ICE rally in Minneapolis, according to the AP.
Lang took to social media before the demonstration and said he would “burn a Quran” at City Hall, according to the AP. It was not clear if he carried out that plan.
Hundreds of counterprotestors showed up at the rally, and Lang was seemingly injured when he left the scene, with bruises and scrapes.
