Federal officials say violent unrest in Minneapolis directly derailed an immigration enforcement operation, allowing a criminal suspect to escape while leaving a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent permanently injured. U.S. Border Patrol Commander at Large Greg Bovino said agents were forced to abandon a targeted arrest after crowds interfered, assaulted officers, and turned the scene chaotic. As a result, the suspect remains at large—a failure Bovino blamed on politicians and activists who, he said, encouraged confrontation with federal law enforcement.
The unrest followed the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, during the same early-morning enforcement action. Federal officials said Pretti approached Border Patrol agents while armed with a 9mm handgun and violently resisted attempts to disarm him. Authorities said the operation was targeting Jose Huerta-Chuma, an illegal immigrant with a criminal history that includes domestic assault, disorderly conduct, and driving without a valid license. Medical personnel rendered aid at the scene, but Pretti was pronounced dead; state officials confirmed he had a valid permit to carry a firearm.
During the clashes, Homeland Security officials said a protester bit off part of an ICE agent’s finger as officers attempted to control the crowd. ICE Executive Assistant Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations Marcos Charles said the agent received immediate medical care but is now permanently maimed. Charles warned of an increase in violence against federal law enforcement amid ongoing anti-ICE protests, noting that ICE has arrested more than 3,400 illegal aliens in Minnesota since operations began, including individuals tied to gangs and other serious criminal activity.
A Maryland Democrat is advancing legislation aimed at stripping anonymity from ICE agents accused of violent or unconstitutional misconduct, proposing a new “digital unmasking” process to preserve identifying data so victims can seek accountability in court. The bill is being introduced by Maryland State Delegate David Moon, a longtime Judiciary Committee leader, who says the measure is narrowly tailored to serious cases involving alleged civil rights violations or criminal conduct by federal agents operating without visible identification.
Under the proposal, courts would be authorized to order the preservation and disclosure of “identifying digital data” in qualifying cases, including license plate records, cell phone and cell tower data, GPS and location information, facial recognition results, StingRay records, and other recoverable digital identifiers. Access to the data would be limited to court-ordered civil rights lawsuits or criminal proceedings, with the law scheduled to take effect on Oct. 1, 2026, allowing time for state agencies and courts to establish compliance procedures. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has appeared publicly with Moon, though the delegate did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the legislation.
Moon introduced the bill one day after Renee Nicole Good, 37, was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis during an enforcement encounter that was captured on cellphone video and sparked nationwide protests. Federal officials said the agent acted in self-defense after Good allegedly drove her vehicle toward him, with the Department of Homeland Security describing the incident as an act of domestic terrorism. Democrats and local activists have disputed that characterization, calling for investigations and prosecutions, while critics of the Maryland bill warn that exposing agents’ identities could endanger law enforcement officers and undermine federal authority.
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., is expanding a federal investigation into alleged large-scale fraud within Minnesota’s social services programs, according to a committee press release. Comer has requested a staff-level briefing and all related documents from the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) concerning its review of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), citing concerns over misuse of taxpayer funds and inadequate oversight.
The request follows the OLA’s recent performance audit of DHS Behavioral Health Administration grants covering the period from July 1, 2022, through 2024. The audit concluded that the administration “did not comply with most requirements we tested and did not have adequate internal controls over grant funds.” Comer also sent a letter to Minnesota Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and demanded that temporary DHS Commissioner Shireen Gandhi appear for an in-person, transcribed interview on January 30, 2026, warning that failure to comply could result in the use of compulsory process.
The investigation was launched last month, prior to a viral exposé by independent journalist Nick Shirley, who has since testified before Congress regarding alleged systemic fraud in the state. According to the committee, criminals in Minnesota are estimated to have stolen roughly $9 billion in taxpayer funds intended for child nutrition programs, autism services, housing assistance, and Medicaid recipients—claims that have intensified scrutiny of Democratic leadership in the state and fueled broader national debates over government oversight and accountability.
A massive winter storm sweeping across much of the United States has led to widespread disruptions, with more than 4,000 flights canceled Saturday and power outages surpassing 130,000 customers by early evening, according to tracking data. Forecasters warned that snow, sleet, freezing rain, and dangerously cold temperatures will affect the eastern two-thirds of the country through early next week, with particularly severe impacts expected across the South and Midwest. The National Weather Service described the system as unusually expansive and long-lasting, warning of “crippling to locally catastrophic” ice accumulation in parts of the Southeast.
President Donald Trump approved federal emergency disaster declarations for multiple states, including South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, and Texas, calling the storms “historic.” Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have declared weather emergencies, according to the Department of Homeland Security. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said tens of thousands of residents—particularly in southern states—were without power, while utility crews worked to restore service amid worsening conditions.
Travel disruptions are expected to continue into the week, with more than 9,000 additional U.S. flights canceled for Sunday, according to FlightAware. Major airlines including Delta Air Lines and JetBlue announced sweeping schedule adjustments, particularly affecting major hubs along the East Coast and in the South. Grid operators and utilities also warned of the risk of further outages as record cold and dangerous wind chills push deeper into the Great Plains, prompting officials to urge Americans to stock up on food and fuel and limit travel during the storm’s peak.
President Donald Trump confirmed he will not attend the Super Bowl this year, citing both the distance to California and strong objections to the event’s entertainment lineup. Speaking to The New York Post during an Oval Office interview, Trump criticized the selection of Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny for the halftime show and the inclusion of Green Dayin the opening ceremony, noting that both acts have publicly opposed his administration and its policies. “I think it’s a terrible choice,” Trump said, adding that the performers were divisive rather than unifying.
Trump also pointed to logistics, saying the game’s location ultimately factored into his decision. “It’s just too far away,” he said, noting that he would consider attending if the event were closer. The president made history last year by becoming the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl, when he watched the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans. He has previously described the selection of Bad Bunny for Super Bowl LX as “absolutely ridiculous.”
Bad Bunny—whose real name is Benito Ocasio—has previously attacked U.S. immigration enforcement, using profane language to describe ICE agents and claiming he avoided touring in the United States out of concern that agents would be present near concert venues. The three-time Grammy winner also dismissed criticism that none of his songs are in English, advising detractors to learn Spanish. The controversy surrounding the halftime show has fueled broader criticism of the NFL’s entertainment choices and reignited debates over politics, culture, and national sporting events.
