GovBrief Today header

What Happened Today – February 3, 2026

Minnesota is broken and getting worse.

ICE killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti. But the rot goes deeper than the shootings. In open court today, a government attorney told a federal judge that “the system sucks. The job sucks” before adding she wished she would be held in contempt so she could sleep.

She’s not alone. Fourteen other prosecutors and a supervising FBI attorney have resigned recently. She stayed because she realized she could get people out from the inside. Another judge cited 96 court orders that DHS has violated across 74 cases.

Today, Governor Tim Walz demanded that the government account for all Minnesota children in federal custody. He said that no one in the government would tell him. That’s not surprising. The attorney told the judge today that they were working 600 habeas corpus cases in Minnesota.

We’ve emailed 5,900+ stories over 369 straight nights. The algorithm doesn’t always show them to you. Subscribe now at govbrief.today

#GovBriefToday #Resist

🟠 GovBrief Intensity Score 112
Elevated Activity. Watch for distractions.
Volume: Normal (16)
Severity: Moderate (1.75)
Defining Moments: 0
Previous 5 Days
🚨273|🚨176|🔴139|🚨200|🟠116
100 = normal day. Volume is headline count. Stories weighted by significance. Defining Moments are the ones history remembers.
Today's Quote
The system sucks. This job sucks. I wish you would hold me in contempt so I would have a full 24 hours sleep.
DOJ attorney Julie Le to Judge Jerry Blackwell when asked to explain why DHS missed court deadlines, on February 3, 2026.
Yesterday's Most Read

Trump calls on Republicans to "nationalize" voting and take control of elections from states in at least 15 places he calls "crooked."

Today’s GovBrief News


Foreign Relations 1 of 16

Colombian President Petro meets Trump at White House after year of tensions, needing a special State Department permit to enter the country after his visa was revoked.

Petro demands U.S. return Maduro for Venezuelan trial

Source: UPI

February 3, 2026

Health 2 of 16

Illinois joins the World Health Organization's global disease surveillance network after Trump pulled the U.S. out, becoming the second state after California to maintain WHO ties independently.

No financial obligation, Illinois contributes expertise

Source: WLS Chicago

February 3, 2026

Health 3 of 16

South Carolina's measles outbreak reaches 876 cases with 800 unvaccinated, as a separate outbreak hospitalizes four patients at a Florida university campus.

788 children, 354 people quarantined

Source: CIDRAP

February 3, 2026

Voting Rights 4 of 16

Trump doubles down on nationalizing elections, telling GOP lawmakers the federal government "should get involved" to count votes in states he calls "crooked," drawing bipartisan rejection.

Thune, Schumer both rejected federal election takeover

Source: USA Today

February 3, 2026

Economy 5 of 16

Stephen Miran resigns as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers after his temporary Federal Reserve term expired, clearing the board vacancy for Trump's Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh.

Voted against interest rate hold all 4 meetings

Source: CNBC

February 3, 2026

Military 6 of 16

U.S. Africa Command deploys military team to Nigeria after Trump threatened the country over alleged Christian persecution, following December airstrikes against Islamic State affiliates.

168 abducted last month

Source: The Associated Press

February 3, 2026

Military 7 of 16

U.S. F-35 shoots down Iranian drone "aggressively approaching" the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, 500 miles from Iran's coast, days before scheduled nuclear talks.

Iran's IRGC also harassed US tanker same day

Source: BBC

February 3, 2026

Justice Dept 8 of 16

At least 14 federal prosecutors have left or announced plans to leave the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's office over the Trump administration's immigration enforcement and its response to two civilian killings.

FBI supervisory agent resigned last month

Source: The Associated Press

February 3, 2026

Courts 9 of 16

Federal judge bars Homeland Security officers from using tear gas and projectile munitions on peaceful protesters outside Portland's ICE building unless someone poses an imminent threat of physical harm.

Chemical munitions used on children, elderly Jan. 31

Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting

February 3, 2026

Courts 10 of 16

Government attorney tells federal judge "this job sucks" after being ordered to explain why DHS missed multiple deadlines to release five detainees who never should have been arrested.

600+ habeas petitions filed in Minnesota since Jan. 1

Source: Minnesota Public Radio

February 3, 2026

Immigration 11 of 16

Governor Walz demands Homeland Security Secretary Noem disclose how many Minnesota children are in federal detention, calling the administration's immigration sweep "chaos" that has left classrooms half empty.

Five demands including reinstating sensitive locations policy

Source: WDIO Duluth

February 3, 2026

Immigration 12 of 16

Small Business Administration bars green card holders and all non-citizens from its main lending program starting March 1, reversing December rules that allowed up to 5% foreign ownership.

Immigrants start businesses at twice the U.S.-born rate

Source: CBS News

February 3, 2026

Congress 13 of 16

Senator Mitch McConnell, 83, checks himself into hospital with flu-like symptoms, adding to health concerns after two episodes of going unresponsive at the podium in 2023.

Longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history

Source: Newsweek

February 3, 2026

Congress 14 of 16

Trump signs bill ending partial shutdown, but a Feb. 13 deadline to fund Homeland Security looms as Democrats demand ICE body cameras, no masks, and an end to roving patrols.

ICE funded separately through OBBBA

Source: USA Today

February 3, 2026

Media 15 of 16

Trump calls CNN's Kaitlan Collins "the worst reporter" and criticizes her for not smiling after she pressed him on the Epstein files and justice for survivors.

Musk & Lutnick named in files

Source: The Independent

February 3, 2026

Fighting Back 16 of 16

New York Attorney General Letitia James deploys volunteer legal observers to monitor and document ICE enforcement actions statewide, citing Minnesota shootings as warning of unchecked federal operations.

Observers won't interfere, will wear ID vests

Source: ABC News

February 3, 2026

Share this brief:

Get the daily brief in your inbox

Subscribe Free