The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers receive extensive training, including 56 days of classroom instruction and an average of 28 days of on-the-job training, with no requirements being cut. Training hours have increased from five days a week, eight hours a day to six days a week, twelve hours a day, maintaining the same total hours as before. The training covers arrest techniques, firearms, de-escalation, and constitutional rights, with additional specialized training for officers in elite units, and continues on the job with mentorship and monitored evaluations. DHS emphasized that these measures ensure ICE officers are highly prepared to enforce laws and protect communities.
The article discusses the start of Minnesota's 2026 legislative session, highlighting recent tragedies such as gun violence and federal interventions perceived as hostile. It emphasizes the state's ongoing efforts to respond to these issues, including a proposed $10 million relief fund for businesses affected by federal actions and legislation aimed at limiting ICE's access to schools to protect children. The piece also notes that all Republicans on the committee voted against related legislation.
Most Arizona Democrats in Congress, including Reps. Adelita Grijalva, Yassamin Ansari, and Sen. Ruben Gallego, announced they will not attend President Trump's State of the Union address, citing reasons such as viewing the event as a waste of time or a platform for pushing a partisan agenda. Sen. Mark Kelly stated he will attend, while Rep. Greg Stanton's plans remain unconfirmed.
The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to strike down President Trump's trade tariffs, ruling they were not authorized under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Trump deemed the decision "deeply disappointing" and plans to pursue new 10% global tariffs instead. Experts discussed the implications of the ruling, including potential impacts on trade negotiations and future tariff policies.
Following a Supreme Court ruling against his previous global tariffs, President Trump invoked a different law to impose new 10% sanctions, later increasing them to 15%.
In response to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling invalidating tariffs under the IEEPA, the White House quickly implemented a new 15% surcharge on most global imports using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, with certain exemptions and a duration limit of 150 days. The new tariffs, effective February 24, 2026, are based on international payment issues such as trade deficits and dollar depreciation, but exclude products under USMCA, Section 232, and some other categories. The administration plans to seek more permanent tariff measures, likely under Section 301, and importers are advised to monitor developments and prepare for compliance challenges.
President Trump criticized the Supreme Court's recent tariff decision on social media, describing the ruling as "ridiculous," "dumb," and "very internationally divisive."
The U.S. Supreme Court has accepted one new case for its 2026-2027 term and is scheduled to hear four arguments in this week's session, covering issues such as property confiscation related to Cuba, foreign sovereign immunity, procedural rules for case removal, and Takings Clause violations. Since the previous update, the Court has issued rulings in 12 cases this term, including a 6-3 decision nullifying President Trump's tariffs under the IEEPA. Additionally, President Trump has announced eight new judicial nominations, with six confirmed by the Senate since February 1, and there are currently 37 vacancies in the federal judiciary.
Matthew Moroun, owner of the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, donated $1 million to MAGA Inc., a pro-Trump political action committee, shortly before President Trump threatened to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. The donation and Moroun's recent meeting with U.S. officials have raised concerns among lawmakers that Moroun may be trying to influence the project, which is intended to provide a new border crossing and is expected to open this year. Moroun has not responded to inquiries, and the situation has prompted requests for documentation regarding his communications with White House officials.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has called for patience in investigating allegations against Rep. Tony Gonzales, who is accused of having an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide, though Gonzales denies the affair and claims blackmail. Johnson emphasized that investigations should be allowed to proceed before any resignation or action, despite calls from some members for Gonzales to step down. The controversy has intensified ahead of the March 3 primary as members of Gonzales' own party and House leadership closely monitor the situation.
According to PolitiFact's MAGA-Meter, President Donald Trump has kept about 19% of his campaign promises, including extending tax cuts and saving TikTok, while around 45% are in progress and 31% are stalled due to legislative or judicial hurdles. Some promises, such as ending the Ukraine-Russia war within 24 hours, remain unfulfilled. Overall, many of his commitments have seen partial progress or remain unachieved.
Dropkick Murphys will hold a free memorial acoustic concert in Minneapolis on March 6th to honor Alex Pretti and Renée Good, featuring local performers and supporting various local charities. The event will be livestreamed and aims to serve as both tribute and fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting organizations such as Neighbours Helping Neighbours and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. The band previously responded to Good's death by reworking their song “Citizen C.I.A.” into “Citizen I.C.E.” to protest immigration policies.
