Jerome Powell faces DOJ criminal probe; Trump says Iran wants to negotiate
The federal government has opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, but he says it’s retaliation for refusing to cut interest rates.
Plus, as deadly protests spread across Iran, President Donald Trump says the Iranian leadership has reached out to negotiate. But he’s also warning that the U.S. could act before any meeting takes place.
And Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem doubles down on her claim that the deadly ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis was justified after new video shows the officer’s perspective.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, January 12, 2026.
DOJ launches probe into Federal Reserve over building renovations
The Federal Reserve and its chair, Jerome Powell, are under the Trump administration’s microscope.
The Department of Justice has launched a criminal probe into Powell’s testimony about a major renovation project at the Fed.
In a video statement released Sunday, Powell said the DOJ subpoenaed the central bank on Friday and warned of possible criminal charges.
The investigation centers on Powell’s testimony last summer about a multi-year renovation of the Federal Reserve’s headquarters. It’s a project that has drawn increasing scrutiny from the trump administration.
Office of Management and Budget chair Russell Vought has accused Powell of overseeing what he calls an “ostentatious” renovation that could be “violating the law.”
Powell has forcefully pushed back, arguing the investigation has little to do with construction and much more to do with monetary policy.
“No one, certainly not the chair of the Federal Reserve, is above the law. But this unprecedented action should be seen in the broader context of the administration’s threats and ongoing pressure,” Powell said. “This new threat is not about my testimony last June or about the renovation of the Federal Reserve buildings. It is not about Congress’s oversight role. Those are pretexts. 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.”
— Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve
President Donald Trump, meanwhile, denied any role in the investigation.
In an interview with NBC News on Sunday, Trump said he knew nothing about the probe but criticized Powell’s leadership, saying he’s “Not very good at the Fed, and he’s not very good at building buildings.”
Trump to weigh Iran options soon: Report
Multiple outlets have reported that the White House is moving closer to a decision point on Iran, even as Trump says Tehran is now reaching out to talk.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump is set to meet with his top national security military leaders on Tuesday to discuss the next steps, including possible military action, as deadly protests inside Iran continue to escalate.
That follows reporting over the weekend by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, which first revealed that Trump had already been briefed on a range of military and non-military options. However, no final decision has been made.
The president has been steadily sharpening his rhetoric.
On Saturday, he posted on Truth Social that “Iran is looking at freedom, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help.”
Just a day earlier, Trump laid out a clear warning:
“So Iran is in big trouble. It looks to me that the people are taking over certain cities that nobody thought were really possible just a few weeks ago. We’re watching the situation very carefully. I’ve made the statement very strongly that if they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved. We’ll be hitting them very hard where it hurts.”
Overnight, however, the story took a new turn.
Aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters that Iran has now reached out directly, saying its leaders want to hold talks. Here was the exchange:
Trump: “They called.”
Reporter: “They called you?”
Trump: “Yesterday. Iran called to negotiate.”
Reporter: “Yesterday.”
Trump: “Yesterday. The leaders of Iran called. They want to negotiate. I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States. Iran wants to negotiate. Yes.”
Reporter: “Negotiate what?”
Trump: “We may meet with them. I mean, a meeting is being set up. But we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meetings. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called. They want to negotiate.”
On the ground, the situation remains volatile.
Protests continued Sunday in Tehran and other major cities, with crowds openly chanting for regime change. Video from inside the country shows fires, looting and heavy damage as security forces crack down. It’s all unfolding amid a widespread internet blackout.
Iran’s president has blamed foreign enemies for the unrest, while hardliners warned that anyone protesting would face severe punishment. The U.S.-based human activist news agency reports that more than 400 protesters have been killed and close to 11,000 detained.
Iran’s parliament speaker is warning that U.S. bases and shipping lanes would be targets if Washington intervenes militarily.
Investigation underway after U-Haul drives into protest crowd, driver arrested
A U-Haul truck drove into a crowd of demonstrators in Los Angeles’ Westwood neighborhood during an anti-Iranian regime protest on Sunday afternoon.
Authorities say one person was struck but was not seriously hurt. Paramedics evaluated two others who declined treatment.
After the truck stopped, demonstrators surrounded it and confronted the driver. At least one person smashed the driver’s side window with a flagpole.
A banner attached to the truck read “No shah. No regime. U.S.A.: don’t repeat 1953. No mullah.” It was a reference to the U.S.-backed coup that removed then-Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh.
Police say the driver was detained “pending further investigation.”
The FBI is now investigating the incident.
Noem defends ICE shooting as new video shows officer’s perspective
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reaffirmed her stance after a fatal ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis, asserting that the shooting was justified. Her comments were made alongside the release of a new video from the officer’s perspective.
The Department of Homeland Security reposted what appears to be a cellphone video recorded by ICE officer Jonathan Ross during the fatal encounter.
Despite claims from Noem and other Trump administration officials, including the president, that Ross was struck by the SUV, the video shows no contact.
In a statement, DHS said, “This footage corroborates what DHS has stated all along — that this individual was impeding law enforcement and weaponizing her vehicle in an attempt to kill or cause bodily harm to federal law enforcement.”
In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Noem defended her decision to publicly describe the shooting as a response to “domestic terrorism,” even though the investigation remains ongoing.
“Everything that I’ve said has been proven to be factual and the truth. This administration wants to operate in transparency. I have the responsibility as the secretary of Homeland Security to know this information as soon as possible. I had just been in Minneapolis the day before, I had already had conversations with officers on the ground and supervisors and knew the facts and decided that the department and the people of this country deserve to know the truth of the situation, of what had unfolded in Minneapolis.”
— Kristi Noem, DHS secretary
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., has sharply criticized those comments. Speaking with CBS News, Omar said administration rhetoric, including claims by Trump that the woman killed, Renee Good, was a paid agitator, is “not acceptable.”
“If they’re saying we shouldn’t believe our eyes, then let the investigation take place before you characterize this mother of three as a domestic terrorist. Prove to us what documentation you have that one, she was paid and two, that she was agitating when you can hear saying she’s not mad, she’s not upset, she’s clearly trying to waive cars to bypass her. And so it’s just this level of rhetoric is unjustifiable to the American people.”
— Rep. Ilhan Omar
Meanwhile, the fallout has intensified on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers have called for everything from a full investigation and changes to enforcement policy to defunding ICE and even impeachment proceedings against Noem.
US set for Greenland takeover talks
Trump administration officials are scheduled to meet with Danish representatives on Wednesday to discuss Greenland. This meeting takes place as the president repeatedly proposes U.S. control over the territory.
According to CBS News, the talks are expected to proceed quietly, but the stakes are anything but.
The White House has acknowledged that it’s reviewing a wide range of options for acquiring Greenland, including, at least rhetorically, the use of military force. Trump doubled down on that idea Friday: “I would, I would like to make a deal, you know, the easy way. But if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.”
That language has triggered sharp pushback on Capitol Hill. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said Congress would move quickly to block any military action:
“We will force a vote in the Senate about no U.S. military action in Greenland or Denmark. If we need to, we will get overwhelming bipartisan support that this president is foolish to even suggest this. We’re not going to do it the hard way, and we’re not going to do it the easy way, either. We’re going to continue to work with Denmark as a sovereign nation that we’re allied with, and we’re not going to treat them as an adversary or as an enemy.”
— Sen. Tim Kaine
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said the consequences would extend far beyond Denmark, adding that annexing Greenland would be the end of NATO.
“NATO would have an obligation to defend Greenland, and so query whether we would be at war with Europe, with England, with France,” Murphy said.
Leaders in both Denmark and Greenland have flatly rejected the idea, insisting the territory’s future is not negotiable.
Golden Globes kick off awards season with upsets and first-time wins
Award season has officially begun. The 83rd Golden Globe Awards kicked off Sunday night in Beverly Hills.
“One battle after another” won best comedy film, with Paul Thomas Anderson winning both best director and best screenplay. Teyana Taylor won best female supporting actor for her role in the film.
DRUMROLL PLEASE…
The #GoldenGlobes award for Best Picture – Drama goes to Hamnet! pic.twitter.com/kV1qXP56gs
— Golden Globes (@goldenglobes) January 12, 2026
Best drama film went to “Hamnet,” an adaptation about William and Agnes Shakespeare, which many considered an upset. Jessie Buckley won best actress in a drama film for her performance. Steven Spielberg was recognized as a producer on “Hamnet.” He told the audience he loved the book and praised director Chloe Zhao.
Timothee Chalamet picked up his first Golden Globe, winning best actor in a musical or comedy film for “Marty Supreme.” Wagner Moura won best actor in a drama for “The Secret Agent.”
And that’s a wrap on the 83rd Annual #GoldenGlobes!
You can rewatch the show tomorrow on @paramountplus! pic.twitter.com/i7BtkCNoy5
— Golden Globes (@goldenglobes) January 12, 2026
Comedian Nikki Glaser returned as host for the second year in a row, firing off jokes aimed at CBS, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kevin Hart.
More from Straight Arrow News:
Anti-ICE protests held nationwide after killing of Renee Good
Nationwide protests were held calling to get “ICE out for Good” on Saturday and Sunday. There were more than 1,000 events scheduled nationwide.
These protests were led by groups such as Indivisible, MoveOn Civic Action, the American Civil Liberties Union, Voto Latino, United We Dream, 50501, the Disappeared in America Campaign of the Not Above the Law coalition and others. They come in response to the death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer on Jan. 7.
Federal officials said the woman tried to “run over” agents in an “attempt to kill them.” But local officials and witnesses at the scene said she was no threat to the agents and the shooting was unjustified. Read the full story now>
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
