Trump Threatens Insurrection Act Amid Minnesota Protests
President Donald Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to ongoing protests against federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, potentially allowing for the deployment of U.S. troops to manage civil unrest. This threat comes amid heightened tensions following a recent surge in federal officers in the area, which residents have described as overwhelming and invasive. Local leaders have expressed opposition to the use of military forces in this context.
Verizon Restores Service After Major Wireless Outage
Verizon announced on Wednesday night that its wireless service was restored after a significant outage that affected millions of customers across the U.S. for much of the day, with reports of service issues peaking at around 33,000 by 8 p.m. ET. The company, which serves over 146 million customers, stated that account credits would be issued to affected users and encouraged them to restart their devices if they continued to experience problems. In response to the outage, New York State Assembly member Anil Beephan, Jr. called for an investigation by the Federal Communications Commission, citing concerns over public safety and the reliability of communications infrastructure.
House passes bipartisan spending package after shutdown
On January 14, the House passed a bipartisan spending package providing full-year appropriations for Financial Services, National Security, and the State Department by a vote of 341 to 79, following the end of the recent government shutdown. This followed an earlier House vote on January 8, which approved funding for Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy, and Interior by 397 to 28, with the Senate now considering the legislation. Lawmakers face a new funding deadline on January 30, 2026, as they work to finalize nine remaining spending bills.
US Mortgage Rates Drop to Lowest Since September 2022
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in the U.S. fell to 6.06% on January 15, down from 6.16% the previous week, marking its lowest level since September 2022, according to Freddie Mac. This decline has led to a notable increase in mortgage applications, with a 28.5% rise reported by the Mortgage Bankers Association for the week ending January 9, driven by a 40% surge in refinance activity. Experts anticipate that these lower rates may stimulate housing activity, potentially leading to increased sales and construction in the coming months.
Trump and Schumer Meet to Discuss Immigration and Funding
Former President Donald Trump met with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer at the White House to discuss issues including federal immigration operations and funding for the Gateway tunnel project. Schumer urged Trump to withdraw ICE agents from major cities, citing public safety concerns, while also requesting the release of already allocated funds for the tunnel project and a three-year extension on Obamacare subsidies. The meeting is notable as Trump and Schumer rarely interact directly.
