🏛️ Desk

Politico Wire

US Politics, Government, Elections, Policy developments

Back to Politics & Government 802 published briefings

Desk archive

Every published briefing in Politico Wire.

🏛️ Politico Wire Jan 26, 2026

ICE Agents' Immunity and Deadly Confrontations: Two Fatal Shootings in Minneapolis

Two separate fatal shootings by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis within a single month have brought renewed attention to the controversial practice of federal immunity and the use of force by law enforcement. The shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti have left the public questioning the role of ICE in communities and the consequences of the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has condemned the shootings and called for an end to ICE's deportation snatch

3 min read
🏛️ Politico Wire Jan 26, 2026

Protests Erupt in Minneapolis Over Fatal Shooting of ICU Nurse Alex Pretti

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old man with no criminal record, was reportedly killed in a confrontation with law enforcement officers. Video evidence and eyewitness accounts contradict the initial statements made by federal authorities. The shooting occurred less than three weeks after another deadly encounter between law enforcement and a Black man, Daunte Wright, in the same city.

3 min read
🏛️ Politico Wire Jan 26, 2026

Pam Bondi's Request for Minnesota Voter Rolls Sparks Controversy Amid ICE Surge and Local Tragedy

Minnesota has been in the spotlight recently due to a tragic shooting incident and growing ICE activity. US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to Minnesota governor Tim Walz, urging him to change course in the state. In the letter, Bondi requested access to Minnesota's voter rolls, data on those receiving public assistance, and the repeal of sanctuary city policies.

2 min read
🏛️ Politico Wire Jan 26, 2026

Winter Storm Claims at Least 15 Lives, Leaves 800,000 Without Power Across US

The U.S. has been hit by a devastating winter storm that has claimed at least 15 lives and left over 800,000 people without power. Thousands of flights have also been canceled as the country grappled with heavy snow, ice, and cold temperatures. The hardest-hit areas were Texas, which experienced blackouts and power outages, and New England.

2 min read
🏛️ Politico Wire Jan 26, 2026

ICE Protests and Winter Storms: A Week of Disruptions in the US

Last week, the United States faced a week of significant disruptions. In Minneapolis, independent photographer John Abernathy was tackled to the ground by ICE agents during a protest. An extreme winter storm hit at least twenty-six states, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power and causing widespread disruptions.

3 min read
🏛️ Politico Wire Jan 26, 2026

Maternity Wards Closing in LA and ICE Agents' Presence Sparks Protests: Two Crises Collide

Los Angeles maternity wards have been closing, leaving pregnant women with few options for delivering their babies. More than 26,500 people, predominantly Latino, have sought birthing care at Los Angeles County emergency rooms from 2016 to 2023. In Minneapolis, protesters gathered outside a hotel where they believed federal immigration agents were staying, leading to clashes with law enforcement.

2 min read
🏛️ Politico Wire Jan 26, 2026

Thousands Protest Against ICE and CBP in Minneapolis Following Fatal Shooting of Nurse

Thousands of people took to the streets of Minneapolis and other cities to call for an end to federal crackdowns. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety identified the man fatally shot by federal agents as Alex Pretti. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under investigation, and the identities of the agents involved have not been released.

3 min read
🏛️ Politico Wire Jan 26, 2026

Russian Family Among Deported Asylum Seekers Struggling in Legal Limbo in Costa Rica

A group of 200 people, including a Russian family, were deported from the United States to Costa Rica in February 2025. The deal came after the Trump administration denied these individuals the right to request asylum at the US-Mexico border and faced difficulties deporting them to their native countries.

3 min read
🏛️ Politico Wire Jan 26, 2026

Trump Administration's Childcare Funding Freeze Amid Allegations of Fraudulent Pardons

The White House is reportedly trying to freeze funding in five states over alleged fraud concerns. The states, all with Democratic-led governments, have been accused of mismanaging funds and failing to address fraud. The administration has not provided evidence of widespread fraud in the childcare programs.

2 min read
🏛️ Politico Wire Jan 26, 2026

Trump Administration Reviews Federal Officer Involved Shooting of Minneapolis Nurse

President Donald Trump has declined to comment on the appropriateness of the federal officer's actions in the fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti. The shooting sparked widespread outrage and protests in Minneapolis. Pretti was reportedly treating an injured protester when she was shot by a federal officer. The incident took place during ongoing protests against immigration enforcement in the city.

3 min read
🏛️ Politico Wire Jan 26, 2026

A Satisfying Saturday: Soccer, Sexual Abuse Trials, and Unusual Airport Finds

In Minneapolis, the soccer-loving community was left to grapple with the reality of violence in their streets. In New York, three brothers from a wealthy Florida family were brought to trial for their alleged roles in a decades-long reign of terror and depravity. At US airports, TSA agents continued to uncover unusual objects in carry-on luggage. In 2025, an imitation pipe bomb topped the list of most unusual finds, narrowly edging out turtles stashed away in a bra and a

3 min read
🏛️ Politico Wire Jan 26, 2026

Federal Judge to Hear Case on Minnesota's Controversial ICE Crackdown Following Two Fatal Shootings

A federal judge will hear arguments today on halting Minnesota's aggressive ICE crackdown, which has resulted in the fatal shootings of two US citizens by government officers in less than a month. The latest incident occurred on Saturday, January 23, when federal immigration officers shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Pretti, a US citizen, was reportedly not a target of the raid and was shot during a confrontation with ICE agents.

2 min read
🏛️ Politico Wire Jan 26, 2026

Minneapolis Stands Firm Amid Immigration Crackdown and Foreign Interventions: Aisha Chughtai's Resilience and Ryanair's Potential Use of Starlink

Minneapolis, a city in the United States, has been the target of ICE raids and aggression, leaving its residents feeling anxious and angry. Aisha Chughtai, the city council member representing the district where the incident occurred, expressed her determination to resist ICE's presence. Meanwhile, Ryanair, the Irish airline, is considering using Elon Musk's Starlink for in-flight wifi, despite the ongoing feud between the airline's boss and Musk.

3 min read
🏛️ Politico Wire Jan 26, 2026

Gold Prices Soar Above $5,000 an Ounce as Investors Seek Safe Haven Amid Political Turmoil

Gold prices jumped by 1.8% to $5,078 an ounce on Monday, breaking through the previous record of $1,921 an ounce, which was set back in September 2011. The surge in gold prices comes as fears of another US government shutdown loom, adding to concerns about the economic impact of the Trump administration's chaotic policies.

3 min read