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FBI searches WaPo reporter’s home in leak probe spurring press-freedom concerns
19 hours ago•Source: Axios
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Five flashpoints ignite backlash against ICE enforcement
Americans are increasingly uneasy about broad ICE enforcement after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis, with Axios outlining five flashpoints: Good’s Minnesota shooting; DHS/DOJ investigations into ICE’s Minnesota raid; a CBP shooting in Portland; a Minnesota woman dragged from her car during an ICE operation in a viral video; and the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s claim that ICE held tribal members, fueling protests and political backlash as polls show many view ICE as making the country less safe (47%) and a majority say Good’s shooting was not justified (50%).
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Democratic Rift Widens Over ICE Response After Minneapolis Shooting
House Democrats are divided over how to respond to sharp anti-ICE sentiment following the Minneapolis shooting of Renee Good, with some lawmakers pushing impeaching DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and others advocating tighter ICE oversight through funding changes and a QR-code on agents’ uniforms; leadership is trying to keep caucus focus on economy, affordability and health care, and while some push for funding cuts or policy changes, several centrists say defunding ICE is unlikely.
ICE Shootings: Less External Scrutiny Than Local Police Incidents
A Minneapolis shooting by an ICE agent underscores weaker external accountability for ICE compared with local police: police shootings typically trigger multi‑agency reviews and potential prosecutions, while ICE cases stay largely inside federal channels with limited outside oversight. The Trump administration’s stance has blocked or paused DOJ pattern‑and‑practice investigations into police—and is unlikely to pursue one into ICE—raising concerns about accountability for immigration agents. Minnesota officials are exploring state charges, and observers call for a formal DOJ probe into ICE’s use of force.
Noem tightens congressional access to ICE detention centers after Minnesota shooting
Noem announced a policy requiring seven‑days’ advance notice and her personal approval for congressional visits to ICE detention facilities, citing safety concerns after an ICE officer killed a Minnesota mother. The move repeats a funding workaround linked to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and comes amid ongoing legal battles, including a federal judge’s stay that previously allowed unannounced access as lawmakers press for oversight; three Minnesota Democrats were blocked from a facility amid the dispute.
Key Texas Developments and Elections to Watch in 2026
In 2026, Texas will see significant developments including criminal trials related to the Uvalde school shooting, a lawsuit over prison air conditioning, evolving hemp laws, a review of the USMCA trade deal, and the launch of a school voucher program, alongside ongoing debates over the Ten Commandments in schools, school accountability, vaccine exemptions, flood warning systems, and a legal challenge to a dementia research fund.
"Washington State Considers Statewide Rent Caps to Stabilize Housing Market"
Washington State is considering a bill to cap residential rent increases at 7 percent annually, following in the footsteps of Oregon and California. The bill, which has already passed the House of Representatives, aims to address the housing crisis as the number of rent-burdened households in the US reaches a record high. The proposed measure has garnered significant attention and support from residents like Dominique Horn, who has struggled to keep up with soaring rents and fears becoming homeless.