Category: Unpresidential

FBI Agent Resigns as DOJ Blocks Renee Good Shooting Probe

FBI supervisor Tracee Mergen resigned from the Minneapolis field office after Washington leadership pressured her to abandon a civil rights investigation into ICE officer Jonathan Ross, who fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good on January 7. Such inquiries are standard procedure following officer-involved shootings. The Trump administration weaponized the Justice Department by instead investigating Good and her partner for alleged ties to left-wing protest groups, prompting at least six senior prosecutors in the Minneapolis U.S. attorney’s office to resign in protest.

Senior Justice Department officials have stated there are no plans to investigate whether Ross used excessive force when he fired multiple shots at the unarmed mother sitting in her vehicle. Federal investigators refused to cooperate with state and local Minnesota prosecutors seeking to open their own inquiry into the shooting. The New York Times video analysis found no evidence supporting Trump administration officials’ claims that Good attempted to ram Ross with her Honda Pilot, yet they publicly labeled her a “domestic terrorist.”

The Justice Department simultaneously opened investigations into Minnesota Democratic elected officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, scrutinizing whether they conspired to obstruct Trump’s immigration enforcement through public statements. Subpoenas were issued this week to their offices and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her’s office as part of this effort.

The department prosecuted three protesters—Nekima Levy-Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly—charging them with conspiracy for interrupting a church service to protest a pastor’s apparent ICE work, alleging they “intimidated, harassed, oppressed and terrorized the parishioners.” Federal judges denied prosecutors’ requests to detain the three while awaiting trial.

These actions reflect a coordinated strategy by the Trump administration’s Justice Department to shield federal immigration enforcement from oversight, punish Democratic critics of ICE operations, and criminalize protest activity opposing deportation policies, while Trump falsely claimed protesters were paid agitators.

(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/us/fbi-agent-ice-shooting-renee-good.html)

Trump Confirms Secret Sonic Weapon Used in Maduro Abduction

President Donald Trump confirmed the U.S. military deployed a secret sonic weapon during the January 3 abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, claiming “nobody else has it.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had previously alleged the device caused Venezuelan soldiers to bleed from the nose and vomit blood, with eyewitness accounts describing incapacitating effects including severe head pain and loss of motor control. Trump stated during a NewsNation interview that Americans should be “concerned” about the weapon’s power but refused to disclose operational details.

Sonic weapons use intense sound waves to debilitate targets through focused beams or high-frequency emissions, potentially causing headaches, balance disorders, confusion, and permanent hearing damage. According to witness statements cited by Leavitt, the weapon’s effects were severe enough to render soldiers unable to stand or move, with multiple personnel experiencing internal bleeding. Venezuela’s Interior Ministry reported at least 100 deaths in the compound raid, though the extent of casualties directly attributable to the sonic device remains unclear.

Russia has demanded further disclosure about the weapon, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating Moscow has tasked special services with obtaining additional information about Trump’s statements. Trump’s annexation ambitions toward Venezuela complicate the geopolitical context of the military operation. The raid followed Trump’s unsubstantiated allegations that Maduro was exporting prisoners and fentanyl to the United States.

Legal scholars have challenged the operation’s lawfulness. Notre Dame Law School professor Jimmy Gurule, a former assistant U.S. attorney, characterized Trump’s capture of Maduro as “clearly a blatant, illegal and criminal act.” While sonic weaponry itself is not prohibited under international law, the seizure of a foreign head of state without international authorization or due process violates established legal principles governing state sovereignty.

Trump has since revealed plans to access Venezuela’s oil reserves, stating the country “is going to be very successful, and the people of the United States are going to be big beneficiaries.” He posted on Truth Social that major oil companies plan to invest “at least 100 billion dollars” in Venezuela following the raid, indicating resource extraction objectives underlay the military operation beyond stated drug-trafficking and national security justifications.

(Source: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/trump-claims-secret-sonic-weapon-093315847.html)

Patel Purges FBI Agents Tied to Trump Criminal Investigations

FBI Director Kash Patel has orchestrated a systematic removal of senior agents from the bureau’s field offices, targeting officials directly involved in investigations of Donald Trump. The special agents in charge in Atlanta and New Orleans were ousted, along with the acting assistant director of the New York field office, while approximately six agents in Miami were forced out for their role in the Mar-a-Lago search that recovered classified documents stored at Trump’s Florida resort. Additional agents were removed for involvement in the Arctic Frost investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

The scale of these removals is unprecedented in FBI history, an agency traditionally staffed by non-political civil servants operating as an independent law enforcement body. Patel and his staff informed conservative media outlets they are committed to purging anyone involved in authorizing payments to confidential sources who identified January 6 insurrectionists, making clear the political targeting of personnel based on their prior investigative work.

The timing of these firings coincided with former special counsel Jack Smith’s Capitol Hill testimony defending his prosecution decisions in both the classified documents case and the election interference investigation. Smith testified that his investigative approach was legally sound, but Republican lawmakers attacked him for alleged bias while Trump demanded Attorney General Pam Bondi investigate Smith during the hearing itself.

The FBI Agents Association has stated that firing agents without evidence of misconduct or proper legal cause violates proper procedure, yet Patel has proceeded without restriction. Prior to these removals, Patel fired a dozen agents for kneeling during a racial justice protest following George Floyd’s death, demonstrating a pattern of personnel decisions based on political alignment rather than professional standards.

The Trump Justice Department had already removed most senior FBI leadership in Washington before Patel took office, establishing the institutional groundwork for this continued dismantling. Some terminated agents, including former acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll, are pursuing legal action against Patel, challenging the legality of dismissals conducted without documented cause.

(Source: https://www.ms.now/news/kash-patel-fbi-senior-agents-ousted-trump-jan-6-mar-a-lago)

Trump Demands Jack Smith Prosecution After Election Conspiracy Testimony

President Donald Trump demanded prosecution of former special counsel Jack Smith on Truth Social following Smith’s House Judiciary Committee testimony on Thursday, labeling him “Deranged” and accusing him of perjury and destroying lives. Smith had testified that he possessed evidence “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Trump conspired to overturn the 2020 election, investigating both the January 6 Capitol riot and classified documents stored at Mar-a-Lago.

During his public testimony, Smith stated he anticipated the Trump Department of Justice would attempt to indict him, characterizing Trump’s social media attacks as intimidation tactics and warnings to others who challenge the president. Smith declared he would not be intimidated and affirmed his team followed department policy, facts, and law in their investigation, which produced proof of serious crimes.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has already acted on Trump’s prior social media suggestions to prosecute perceived enemies, initiating charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, former FBI Director James Comey, and former National Security Advisor John Bolton. Trump continues to falsely claim the 2020 election was rigged, repeating this assertion at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week while predicting prosecutions of unspecified individuals responsible for the alleged fraud.

Smith’s testimony directly contradicted Trump’s assertions, with the former prosecutor explaining that his investigation followed established legal procedures and produced substantial evidence of criminal conduct. Trump’s demand for Smith’s prosecution exemplifies his pattern of weaponizing the Justice Department against adversaries and leveraging federal power to silence critics and investigators.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/deranged-jack-smith-should-be-prosecuted-trump-calls-for-special-counsels-indictment-in-angry-truth-social-post/)

Trump Chairs New Board of Peace, Isolates Western Allies

President Donald Trump signed a charter establishing his “Board of Peace” at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 23, 2026, positioning himself as permanent chairman of the body. Trump declared the board “one of the most consequential bodies ever created,” though major Western allies including the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Sweden, and Slovenia declined to participate, citing concerns about the organization’s structure, mandate expansion beyond Gaza, and the involvement of authoritarian figures like Vladimir Putin.

The board’s charter grants Trump chairmanship that can only be terminated through his voluntary resignation or unanimous Executive Board vote determining incapacity—a provision that effectively insulates him from removal. Countries contributing over $1 billion receive permanent membership status, while standard members serve three-year terms, creating a two-tiered system based on financial commitment that blurs governance with fundraising.

More than 20 countries, including Argentina, Turkey, Hungary, Israel, Qatar, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan, committed to joining, while Russia and China received invitations without confirming participation. Trump withdrew Canada’s invitation after a dispute with Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Belgium publicly denied signing despite initial White House claims of its participation, undermining the organization’s credibility before its formal launch.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Tony Blair, and World Bank President Ajay Banga form the founding Executive Board under Trump’s direct authority. Rubio contrasted the board’s promised “action” against the United Nations’ “strongly worded statements,” signaling Trump’s intent to position this body as a replacement framework for international conflict resolution independent of existing multilateral institutions.

France explicitly stated the board’s charter “goes beyond the sole framework of Gaza and raises serious questions” about undermining United Nations principles, while British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper documented objections to Putin’s potential participation in a peace mechanism given his active war in Ukraine. The selective membership and Trump-controlled structure demonstrate an attempt to construct an alternative international order bypassing democratic oversight and established diplomatic norms.

(Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world/europe/trump-board-of-peace-countries-davos-cost-nato-what-know-rcna255433)

Trump Suggests Switzerland Tariffs Stemmed From Friction With Swiss President – The New York Times

President Trump disclosed that he imposed a 39 percent tariff on Switzerland in August 2024 after a personal dispute with then-President Karin Keller-Sutter during a phone call he characterized as adversarial. Trump stated he initially planned a 30 percent rate but increased it to 39 percent after Keller-Sutter repeatedly objected, saying her repetitive pushback and aggressive tone “rubbed me the wrong way.” The tariff far exceeded rates negotiated with the European Union at 15 percent and Britain at 10 percent, revealing that personal friction—not trade policy analysis—determined the rate.

Trump recounted that Keller-Sutter emphasized Switzerland’s small size and inability to absorb such tariffs, to which Trump responded by referencing the U.S. trade deficit with the country. The Swiss central bank had noted that gold bullion and bars—which comprised roughly two-thirds of Swiss exports to the United States at that time—should not be counted in trade balance calculations, undermining Trump’s rationale. Trump’s acknowledgment that the tariff was retaliatory rather than economically justified contradicts any legitimate trade policy framework.

After the rate hike, Trump said “all hell really broke out” and that Rolex and other Swiss representatives lobbied to reduce the tariff. Trump eventually cut the rate to 15 percent, matching the European Union’s rate. Keller-Sutter’s presidential term ended in December, and Trump later remarked that Switzerland exists only because of U.S. support, stating “They’re only good because of us,” a comment that prompted gasps from World Economic Forum attendees in Davos.

Trump’s public explanation reveals how personal grievance and authoritarian impulse shape his trade decisions rather than coherent economic strategy. Using tariffs as punishment for perceived disrespect weaponizes trade policy as a tool for enforcing personal loyalty, establishing a pattern where foreign leaders must defer to Trump’s demands or face economic retaliation regardless of factual merit or proportionality.

(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/us/politics/trump-switzerland-tariffs-personal-friction.html)

Trump Repeats White Genocide Conspiracy at Davos

President Donald Trump reiterated the white genocide conspiracy theory at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Wednesday, claiming that white people in South Africa are "being systematically targeted and killed." When asked by a reporter if white genocide was occurring in South Africa, Trump stated, "What's happening in South Africa is terrible" and asserted, "We have seen the numbers, we have seen the records, and it is taking place," without providing evidence or specifics.

Trump has previously promoted this false narrative, telling South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House that he possessed a video showing "burial sites" of "over 1,000" white farmers—a claim The New York Times reported was fabricated. Multiple media outlets have debunked Trump's claims through fact-checking, contradicting his repeated assertions that white farmers are being "brutally killed" and their land confiscated as part of a systematic genocide.

In 2025, Trump drastically reduced refugee admissions to 7,500 from the previous 125,000, reserving record-low slots predominantly for white Afrikaner South Africans. Trump claimed this action was necessary because white farmers faced persecution, though he later stated race made "no difference" in the decision. The U.S. State Department labeled Afrikaners a "racial minority" facing "government-sponsored race-based discrimination," validating Trump's framing of the issue.

Trump also boycotted the G20 Summit in South Africa, stating the U.S. would not attend because the country "refuses to acknowledge or address the horrific Human Rights Abuses endured by Afrikaners." This selective focus on white South Africans while disregarding documented violence affecting other populations aligns with white nationalist rhetoric that weaponizes real land reform debates to advance supremacist agendas.

The white genocide conspiracy theory is a political myth rooted in ethnic hatred and pseudoscience, designed to justify white nationalist commitments and calls to violence. Trump's amplification of this baseless theory at an international forum legitimizes extremist propaganda and contradicts factual reality: white people are not facing extermination or systematic elimination in South Africa or elsewhere.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/it-is-taking-place-trump-talks-white-genocide-at-davos/)

Trump Sues JPMorgan Chase and CEO for $5B, Alleging They ‘Debanked Him’ After Capitol Riot

Trump filed a $5 billion lawsuit in Florida against JPMorgan Chase and CEO Jamie Dimon on January 22, 2026, claiming the bank “debanked” him for political reasons following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. According to the suit, JPMorgan Chase notified Trump in February 2021 that his accounts would be closed within two months. Trump’s legal team, led by attorney Alejandro Brito, alleges the bank made this decision based on “political and social motivations” and “woke” beliefs rather than legitimate business concerns.

JPMorgan Chase rejected the allegations, with a spokesperson stating the bank “does not close accounts for political or religious reasons” and instead closes accounts that “create legal or regulatory risk.” The bank further stated it “regret[s] having to do so but often rules and regulatory expectations lead us to do so.” The bank’s official response to the lawsuit was direct: “While we regret President Trump has sued us, we believe the suit has no merit,” and affirmed its right to defend itself in court.

The lawsuit emerges two months after CEO Dimon publicly declined to fund Trump’s proposed 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom, estimated at $400 million. During a November 2025 CNN interview, Dimon explained that JPMorgan Chase maintains strict policies on government contracts and avoids appearances of “buying favors,” citing concerns about regulatory scrutiny from future administrations. The ballroom is being funded by Trump and other donors including Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and the Winklevoss twins, but not JPMorgan Chase.

Dimon has previously contradicted Trump’s claims about their relationship. During the 2024 election, Trump falsely claimed Dimon had endorsed him for president, a claim JPMorgan Chase publicly denied. On January 21, 2026, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Dimon stated, “I don’t like what I’m seeing,” indicating continued skepticism of Trump’s policies and actions.

(Source: https://people.com/trump-sues-jpmorgan-chase-5-billion-11890840?utm_campaign=peoplemagazine&utm_content=photo&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_term=69729ffbffed3f00012671e0&fbclid=IwdGRjcAPgaTVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeLrOftBb_toUMg2YdBsQXRbIDpfcjXp5Npq52X3y9puC9kMJxCy86kH861ag_aem_b3_ScplyKwJuYqHYFrd_xQ)

Trump Denies Nobel Prize Letter Despite Greenland

President Trump denied caring about the Nobel Peace Prize during a late-night gaggle with reporters Monday after attending the college football championship in Miami, despite having sent a letter to Norway’s Prime Minister explicitly linking his Greenland annexation threats to Norway’s failure to award him the prize. In the letter, Trump stated he no longer feels obligated to prioritize peace because Norway did not recognize him for allegedly stopping “8 Wars PLUS,” a claim unsupported by fact.

When confronted by a reporter about the letter’s direct connection between the Nobel Prize and his Greenland ambitions, Trump flatly denied the letter’s contents and his interest in the award. Trump claimed Norway controls the Nobel Prize committee and asserted he does not care about Norway’s opinion, while simultaneously defending his accomplishments and insisting he has saved “tens of millions of lives” by stopping multiple conflicts.

Trump’s denial contradicts the documented letter he sent to Norway, in which he explicitly conditioned his commitment to peace on receiving international recognition. Trump previously linked his Greenland acquisition push to Norway’s refusal to award him the Nobel Peace Prize, directly connecting territorial aggression to personal grievance over the award.

The contradiction between Trump’s written statements and his public denial demonstrates his pattern of disavowing documented communications when challenged by press. Trump has previously published private messages from foreign leaders on social media without authorization, establishing his willingness to weaponize diplomatic correspondence for personal or political purposes.

Trump’s false claim of stopping eight wars remains unsubstantiated, and the Nobel Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, not controlled by the Norwegian government as Trump asserted. His late-night denial represents another instance of Trump contradicting his own documented actions when confronted by journalists.

(Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-makes-stunning-denial-reporter-141659650.html)

Federal Prosecutors Subpoena Minnesota Democrats on Immigration

Federal prosecutors issued subpoenas on Tuesday to at least five Minnesota Democratic officials, including Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, State Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. The subpoenas demanded documents related to their policies on immigration enforcement and represent an expansion of the Department of Justice investigation into their response to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations in the state.

The investigation centers on whether elected officials in Minnesota conspired to impede federal immigration agents who have been deployed to the state since last month. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche accused Frey and Walz of “encouraging violence against law enforcement” and referred to their actions as “terrorism,” though there is no evidence either man incited violence or engaged in terrorist activity. The subpoenas do not cite a specific criminal statute, but prosecutors are examining the officials’ public statements and conduct regarding the federal crackdown.

The investigation follows the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good, an unarmed mother of three, by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis this month. The shooting triggered sustained protests against federal agents in the city, prompting Frey to publicly demand that agents leave and Walz to criticize their conduct. The Justice Department has vowed to arrest anyone impeding the agents’ mission.

The inquiry into the Minnesota officials’ speech and conduct targeting federal immigration enforcement directly examines political expression protected by the First Amendment. The investigation’s expansion to include state and county prosecutors suggests the Trump administration intends to use federal law enforcement to punish Democratic officials for criticizing immigration operations. The Department of Justice has previously initiated investigations into Walz and Frey regarding allegations they conspired to impede Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations through public statements.

(Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/us/politics/subpoena-minnesota-democrats-immigration.html)

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