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What Happened Today – January 13, 2026

Three members of the Oglala Sioux nation remain detained by ICE after five days.

Legally, they’re citizens by statute and treaty and completely outside immigration jurisdiction. DHS refuses to tell tribal officials anything about them unless the Lakota consent to an ICE presence on tribal lands.

In Detroit, a factory worker heckled the president over his Epstein relationship. Trump mouthed “fuck you” twice and flipped him off. Ten years ago, that moment would have severely damaged a presidency. Today the White House called it appropriate. 

And in Minnesota, six federal prosecutors quit rather than investigate Becca Good, the widow of the woman ICE killed last week.

As a witness, please tell your networks what’s actually happening. The algorithm won’t do it, and conservative media is spinning different stories to their supporters. The midterms are nine months away, and Congress is up for grabs. We can stop this dizzying descent.

We’ve emailed 5,600+ stories over 348 straight nights. Stop hoping the algorithm shows them to you. govbrief.today


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🚨 GovBrief Intensity Score 200
Extreme. History will remember.
Volume: Normal (18)
Severity: High (2.78)
Defining Moments: 3
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Today's Quote
Well, that’s their problem. That’s their problem. I disagree with him. I don’t know who he is, don’t know anything about him, but that’s going to be a big problem for him.
Donald Trump speaking to reporters on January 13, 2026, about Greenland’s premier declaring that his people would choose Denmark over the US.
Yesterday's Most Read

Study of 5,000 pages of FDA documents found abortion pill decisions followed scientists' evidence-based recommendations, undercutting Kennedy's rationale for new safety review.

Today’s GovBrief News


Foreign Relations 1 of 18

Vance and Rubio to host Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers Wednesday as Trump continues threatening "easy way" or "hard way" takeover of Arctic island.

Bipartisan delegation in Copenhagen Friday

Source: Euronews

January 13, 2026

Health 2 of 18

FDA deletes webpage warning parents about dangerous bogus autism treatments including chelation therapy promoted by David Geier, the anti-vaccine activist Kennedy hired to study debunked vaccine link.

Page "retired"

Source: Ars Technica

January 13, 2026

Health 3 of 18

Louisiana indicts California doctor for mailing abortion pills in 2023, asks governor to approve extradition warrant despite California shield law protecting providers from out-of-state prosecution.

Second out-of-state doctor indicted

Source: The Louisiana Illuminator

January 13, 2026

Censorship 4 of 18

Kari Lake blocks Radio Free Europe from broadcasting into Iran via Kuwait transmitter despite Trump's support for protesters.

Radio Free Europe operating 75 years

Source: Mediaite

January 13, 2026

Censorship 5 of 18

Smithsonian submits more exhibit documents to White House after administration demanded lists of all displays, objects, and wall text ahead of 250th anniversary.

21 museums, National Zoo under review

Source: The Associated Press

January 13, 2026

Economy 6 of 18

Trump nominates WeatherTech founder David MacNeil to Federal Trade Commission seat left vacant after he fired both Democratic commissioners in March, triggering pending Supreme Court case.

2 Dem commissioners fired in March

Source: Reuters

January 13, 2026

Military 7 of 18

Defense Secretary Hegseth directs Pentagon to integrate Grok into military networks despite CSAM and antisemitic controversies.

6,000 sexually suggestive images produced hourly

Source: Ars Technica

January 13, 2026

Justice Dept 8 of 18

Justice Department accuses Trump-appointed judge of "gross abuse of power" for questioning why Lindsey Halligan continues calling herself U.S. attorney after court ruled her appointment unconstitutional.

Serving unlawfully since Sept. 22

Source: CBS News

January 13, 2026

Justice Dept 9 of 18

Justice Department says "no basis" exists to investigate ICE agent who killed Renee Good in Minneapolis, six days after shooting that majority of Americans call unjustified.

Over half of voters say unjustified

Source: USA Today

January 13, 2026

Immigration 10 of 18

Federal agents use tear gas, pepper balls, and flash bangs against Minneapolis protesters as DHS deploys 2,800 officers in what administration calls "largest operation in DHS history."

2,000 ICE, 800 CBP in Minneapolis

Source: The Guardian

January 13, 2026

Immigration 11 of 18

Federal contract filing reveals 31 ICE vehicles operating in Twin Cities "lack the necessary emergency lights and sirens" required by agency handbook and Minnesota law.

$47K emergency kit order Tuesday

Source: Wired

January 13, 2026

Immigration 12 of 18

ICE arrests dozens of refugees in Minnesota who entered legally and passed security screenings, transfers them to Texas detention after administration suspended the green card process they're accused of not completing.

About 100 detained & transferred to Texas

Source: The New York Times [gift link]

January 13, 2026

Immigration 13 of 18

Immigration agents choked citizens, immigrants and protesters with banned tactics at least 40 times in the past year.

Over 40 cases in past year

Source: ProPublica

January 13, 2026

Immigration 14 of 18

Oglala Sioux Tribe demands release of three tribal members held at ICE facility in Minneapolis, says U.S. citizens by statute are "categorically outside immigration jurisdiction."

Detained at homeless encampment since Friday

Source: The Associated Press

January 13, 2026

Immigration 15 of 18

Rubio informs federal court U.S. has no way of locating 137 Venezuelans unlawfully deported under Alien Enemies Act, argues due process hearings would harm foreign policy interests.

Released by El Salvador in July swap

Source: CNN

January 13, 2026

Congress 16 of 18

House Oversight chair launches contempt proceedings against Bill Clinton after he defied subpoena to testify on Epstein ties, threatens Hillary Clinton if she skips Wednesday hearing.

17 WH visits, 25+ flights

Source: The Hill

January 13, 2026

Media 17 of 18

Trump gives middle finger and mouths "fuck you" to Ford worker who yelled "pedophile protector" during Michigan plant tour, White House calls gesture "appropriate and unambiguous response."

Worker suspended pending investigation

Source: The Detroit Free Press

January 13, 2026

Fighting Back 18 of 18

Six federal prosecutors resign in Minnesota after Justice Department pushed investigation into Renee Good's widow while refusing to open civil rights probe into agent who killed her.

Lead fraud prosecutor among those quitting

Source: Newsweek

January 13, 2026