FBI assumes control in Minnesota ICE killing; Border Patrol shooting rocks Portland
Minnesota wants back into the investigation of a fatal ICE-related shooting. However, federal authorities are declining, leading to protests, political pressure and growing questions about decision-making authority.
Plus, protesters took to the streets overnight after two people were shot during a targeted Border Patrol stop in Portland. Homeland Security is calling it self-defense, but city leaders are calling for ICE to halt operations full stop.
And President Donald Trump says he canceled a planned second wave of military action against Venezuela.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, January 9, 2026.
FBI assumes control of ICE shooting probe, superseding Minnesota investigators
Minnesota law enforcement officials state they are evaluating their options following the FBI’s actions that effectively excluded them from the investigation into the deadly ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis. It comes as new details emerge about the ICE officer who fired the shot.
Thousands gathered overnight for a vigil and march to honor Renee Good, the 37-year-old mother who an ICE agent shot and killed.
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Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images -
Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images -
Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images -
Heather Diehl/Getty Images -
Heather Diehl/Getty Images -
Don Emmert/VIEWpress -
Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images -
Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images -
Joshua Lott/The Washington Post via Getty Images
In a statement, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said it “reluctantly” withdrew from the investigation after the FBI refused to allow state investigators access to case materials, scene evidence or investigative interviews. The case was originally meant to be a joint investigation.
Minnesota’s attorney general told CNN the move is “deeply concerning.” Gov. Tim Walz also voiced serious concerns after state officials were removed from the case.
“I think it’s clear to everyone, as they saw this, that it feels now that Minnesota has been taken out of the investigation, it feels very, very difficult that we will get a fair outcome. And I say that only because people in positions of power have already passed judgment — from the President, to the Vice President, to Kristi Noem (U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security) — have stood and told you things that are verifiably false, verifiably inaccurate.”
— Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz
The Department of Homeland Security is also conducting its own review — standard in use-of-force cases — but Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said publicly Thursday that the shooting was justified.
President Donald Trump also posted a video on Truth Social claiming the ICE officer was run over by the victim — though the video does not show that — and said the shooting appeared to be self‑defense.
Vice President JD Vance went further, even blaming the victim.
“I can believe that her death is a tragedy, while also recognizing that it’s a tragedy of her own making and a tragedy of the far left who has marshaled an entire movement, a lunatic fringe against our law enforcement officers,” Vance said. “There’s a part of me that feels very, very sad for this woman, not just because she lost her life, but because I think she is a victim of left‑wing ideology. What young mother shows up and decides they’re gonna throw their car in front of ICE officers who are enforcing legitimate law?”
Meanwhile, we’re learning more about the ICE officer involved in the shooting.
In a social media post, DHS reported that the officer was involved in an incident in June 2025, during which he sustained severe injuries after being dragged by a vehicle while trying to apprehend a suspect accused of sexual crimes against a child.
Court records identified the officer as Jonathan Ross, who has worked with ICE in Minnesota since at least 2017.
Portland border patrol shooting: DHS claims gang ties and self-defense
There’s growing outrage in Portland, Oregon, after U.S. Border Patrol shot two people during a targeted stop. DHS stated that the two individuals were allegedly linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, and that the passenger, not the driver, was the intended target of the stop.
In a statement, DHS said that when agents identified themselves, the driver “weaponized his vehicle” and attempted to run over the agents. Homeland Security has called the shooting an act of self-defense.
The Oregon attorney general has launched an investigation, vowing to determine whether any federal agent acted outside the scope of their lawful authority and to refer criminal charges if warranted.
Overnight, hundreds of protesters gathered at ICE’s Portland headquarters. The mayor and city council have called on ICE to suspend all operations in the city until a full and independent investigation is complete.
“Portland is not a training ground for militarized agents. When the administration talks about using full force, we are seeing what it means on our streets. The consequences are not abstract. They are felt in hospital rooms and living rooms in the quiet moments when families try to make sense of what happened, what is happening. We know what the federal government says happened here. There was a time when we could take them at their word. That time is long past. That is why we are calling on ICE to halt all operations in Portland until a full and independent investigation can take place.”
— Portland Mayor Keith Wilson
Portland has been a flashpoint in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown for months.
In September 2025, Trump deployed hundreds of National Guard troops to the city to “protect federal assets and personnel.” The president announced earlier this month that he would withdraw those troops following a setback for the administration at the Supreme Court.
Senate advances war powers measure in bipartisan vote on Venezuela
The Senate has taken steps to limit Trump’s war powers following his unexpected operation to seize Venezuela’s leader, and the political repercussions are unfolding quickly.
On Thursday, the Senate voted to advance a resolution that would require congressional approval before any new military action in Venezuela. It passed with unanimous support from Democrats and five Republicans, who broke ranks with the White House.
Supporters said this is about Congress reclaiming its constitutional role. The administration countered that, saying it’s about tying the president’s hands.
Democrats have argued that the Trump administration kept lawmakers in the dark about the Maduro operation even as the U.S. expanded its regional footprint.
“We now know that American troops were shot and injured in that attack. We didn’t find out until days later. Nobody in Congress was notified before the strike happened or even in the immediate aftermath. Now, we know that oil executives were briefed before the Gang of Eight,” Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also commented, saying the more people hear about what is happening in Venezuela, the more push back the administration will receive:
“The more the American people hear about what’s going on in Venezuela, and the more they learn about it, the less they’re going to like it, the more fiercely they will oppose it. This vote moves the resolution one step closer to final passage because Democrats forced Republicans to confront reality. The President is openly signaling a long-term military and financial commitment abroad. With no authorization, with no plan, another endless war.”
Republicans backing Trump pushed back hard, arguing this isn’t another forever war.
“Here’s the distinction, because you all want to kind of take it back to Iraq or Afghanistan or something like that. Very different here. He’s talking about working with them on an economic basis as allies, and that’s for the mutual benefit of Venezuela and our country. That benefits both of us. That’s not boots on the ground,” Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., said.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he respects the Senate’s decision but that “they’re dead wrong.”
“There’ll be plenty of people here to make sure this doesn’t happen. They’re gonna own screwing up the best chance we’ve ever had to liberate the people of Venezuela and make our country safer from drug poisoning,” Graham said.
Trump reacted online, blasting the Republicans who crossed him and saying they should be ashamed. He called the War Powers Act unconstitutional and said another vote is coming next week.
On Friday morning, he posted that he had canceled a second wave of attacks against Venezuela because of cooperation from the country’s new leaders.
Meanwhile, Democrats warn Venezuela may not be the end of it, pointing to Trump’s comments about Greenland and elsewhere.
The resolution still faces tough challenges — it needs House approval first, and Trump could veto it afterward. However, the message from the Senate is clear: Congress is no longer willing to stay silent as the president signals a broader use of American power abroad.
Protests spread across Iran as crowds rally after call from exiled prince
Anti-regime protests continue to spread across Iran with new images showing crowds in the streets, fires burning and open chants against the country’s leadership. Demonstrations were reported in Tehran and multiple cities after Iran’s exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, called for people to take to the streets at the same hour.
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Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Kermanshah, Iran on January 8, 2026. The nationwide protests started in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar against the failing economic policies in late December, which spread to universities and other cities, and included economic slogans, to political and anti-government ones. (Photo by Kamran / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images) -
Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Kermanshah, Iran on January 8, 2026. The nationwide protests started in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar against the failing economic policies in late December, which spread to universities and other cities, and included economic slogans, to political and anti-government ones. (Photo by Kamran / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)
Video circulating online shows fireworks and firecrackers in neighborhoods. Protesters set fire to a statue of Qassem Soleimani, and crowds chanted “Death to Khamenei.”
Witnesses reported that internet and phone services were shut down shortly after the protests started, a step groups say often indicates an upcoming crackdown. Pahlavi called the moment a test, urging Iranians to remain disciplined and unified and warning the regime that the world is watching.
From Washington, Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. supports peaceful protest, while again pressing Iran to return to negotiations over its nuclear program.
The unrest has been fueled by economic collapse, with markets and bazaars closing in solidarity with the protesters. For now, the protests against the Islamic Republic remain leaderless but are growing.
House votes to extend ACA subsidies
House lawmakers voted to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that expired on Dec. 31, 2025, raising insurance costs for millions of Americans. The House approved a three-year extension of the tax credits Thursday, passing the bill 230 to 196. Seventeen Republicans joined all Democrats in voting “Yes.”
The bill now heads to the Senate, where its path is far less certain. Still, supporters say the vote matters, especially as consumers face higher premiums after subsidies expired at the start of the year.
Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., called the vote a first step, saying, “Let’s celebrate a victory for getting something done, then we’ll start working on the policy issue next week, focusing on what’s common ground in the Senate.”
Trump has urged Republicans to remain flexible on health care, particularly as midterm elections approach and voter anxiety over rising costs remains at the forefront.
Miami stuns Ole Miss in Fiesta Bowl thriller
In Glendale, Arizona, the Miami Hurricanes — a team many critics said didn’t belong in the College Football Playoff — took on Ole Miss, a program that entered the Fiesta Bowl amid some chaos after head coach Lane Kiffin left for LSU before the playoff run was even over.
Miami led 17-13 at the half, but Ole Miss rallied in the second, taking the lead a couple of times and going up 27-24 with under three minutes to play. That’s when Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck — the former Georgia star — took over. Beck led Miami on a 75-yard drive, then capped it himself by running it in from three yards out with just 18 seconds left.
The final score: Miami 31, Ole Miss 27.
The Hurricanes are advancing to the national championship game on Monday, January 19, at their home stadium, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. They will face the winner of Friday night’s semifinal in Atlanta: the unbeaten, top-ranked Indiana or the 13-1, fifth-ranked Oregon.
With arguably the two best quarterbacks in the nation — Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore — this matchup promises to be an exciting game.
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‘Only time will tell’: Trump says US could be in Venezuela for years
President Donald Trump says the United States could be in Venezuela for years to support his administration’s plan to stabilize the country after President Nicolás Maduro’s capture by U.S. special forces. The comments came during a lengthy interview with The New York Times on Wednesday.
Trump did not provide a precise time frame for U.S. intervention in the South American country. But when asked if it could be as long as a year, he said it would be “much longer.”
The Trump administration conducted a successful raid on Maduro’s compound in the early morning on Jan. 3. The raid captured Maduro and his wife and killed about 70 Venezuelans and Cubans, most of whom were the leader’s security guards. Venezuelan officials said the attack did kill civilians but have not released a definite figure. Trump said the effects of the operation reverberated past the borders of Venezuela. He believes that other leaders in the region will now fall in line with his wishes. Read the full story now>
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
