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Thursday, January 15, 2026

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2 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Bonkers Britain
News

Force Projection: Britain Will Send a Single Soldier to Greenland.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Britain is deploying a single soldier to Greenland as President Donald J. Trump continues to push for the territory to be transferred to the United States.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: One British soldier, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, British Defence Secretary John Healy, and President Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Healy announced the single soldier would take part in exercises at a press conference on January 14.

💬KEY QUOTE: “There is one UK military officer that is part of this reconnaissance group. It’s a reconnaissance group for a planned JEF-led Arctic endurance exercise.” John Healy.

🎯IMPACT: The British soldier is part of an exercise that could see tens of European troops deployed to Greenland.

IN FULL

British Defence Secretary John Healy has announced that the British military will be sending a single soldier to Greenland to support Denmark as part of a “reconnaissance group,” as President Donald J. Trump continues to insist that the territory should come under the control of the United States.

“There is one UK military officer that is part of this reconnaissance group. It’s a reconnaissance group for a planned JEF-led Arctic endurance exercise. We share President Trump’s concerns about the security in the High North, and you see this as part of NATO nd JEF nations,” Healy said in a press conference on January 14. Germany has also announced that a token force of 13 troops will also be sent to Greenland.

Earlier this week, reports emerged stating that British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was considering deploying troops to Greenland, after he and several other European leaders signed a letter suggesting they would defend Denmark’s sovereignty. However, many expected the number of troops involved in such a deployment to be higher than one.

The announcement comes amid heightened focus on Greenland, with President Trump having repeatedly stated that the U.S. intends to acquire the territory from the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump said on January 9 that the United States will take Greenland “whether Denmark likes it or not,” and reiterated that strategic competitors such as Russia and China would otherwise fill a security vacuum near North America.

Trump administration officials have also indicated potential near-term actions on Greenland, with White House Arctic policy chief Thomas Dans suggesting developments in “weeks or months” as the U.S. seeks to advance its Arctic agenda.

The strategic importance of Greenland has been underscored by changes within U.S. defense planning. In mid-2025, the Pentagon shifted responsibility for Greenland’s defense from U.S. European Command to U.S. Northern Command, aligning oversight of the territory with the command that focuses on homeland defense.

Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, has significant geopolitical value due to its location between North America and Europe, across the Atlantic, and between North America and Russia, across the Arctic. It is also rich in rare-earth minerals and freshwater reserves, but the Danes have done little to develop it over several hundred years, and the great majority of its small population are indigenous Inuit.

Image by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street.

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18 minutes ago
News
UK

Senior Shadow Cabinet Member Fired Over Alleged Plot to Defect to Farage.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Robert Jenrick, the now-former Shadow Justice Secretary for the Conservative (Tory) Party in Britain, has been sacked by party leader Olukemi “Kemi” Badenoch for allegedly plotting to defect to Nigel Farage’s Reform Party.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, Nigel Farage, and other Tory and Reform Party figures.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 15, 2026, in the United Kingdom.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I was presented with clear, irrefutable evidence that he was plotting in secret to defect in a way designed to be as damaging as possible to his Shadow Cabinet colleagues and the wider Conservative Party,” said Badenoch.

🎯IMPACT: Jenrick’s sacking has sparked speculation of major defections to Reform among Conservative lawmakers, as the populist party is increasingly displacing the formerly governing establishment center-right party in Britain.

IN FULL

Robert Jenrick has been removed from his role as the British Conservative (Tory) Party’s Shadow Justice Secretary, Robert Jenrick, by the party’s Nigeria-raised leader, Olukemi “Kemi” Badenoch, following allegations that he was secretly preparing to defect to Nigel Farage‘s Reform Party. Conservative sources said Badenoch acted after being presented with what they described as “totally irrefutable” evidence that Jenrick intended to defect, including a draft resignation speech and reports that he had held meetings with senior figures in Reform.

The move was framed by allies of the Tory leader as an effort to maintain discipline and authority at a time of growing pressure from the right. However, Jenrick was widely regarded as a threat to Badenoch’s leadership, having steadily increased his popularity while she has presided over a collapse in the party’s poll numbers. One ally of Jenrick argued, “This is just a move to take Robert out. There was no reason for him to defect. Many of us saw him as leader elect. This could backfire badly on her.”

Farage acknowledged contact with Jenrick but denied any imminent defection agreement, stating that while discussions had taken place, nothing had been formally agreed. Notably, while Jenrick adopted a strong populist stance on issues such as immigration ahead of the Tories’ ouster by Labour in mid-2024, he campaigned against Brexit in 2016, and was associated with many of the Tories’ liberal policies while they were in office, leading Farage and others in Reform to question his authenticity.

If Jenrick were to join Reform, he would follow other former senior Tories such as Nadine Dorries and Lee Anderson.

Image by 10 Downing Street.

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47 minutes ago
Immigration

Trump Considers Invoking Insurrection Act Amid Minnesota Unrest.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy U.S. military forces to Minnesota as protests escalate against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, federal immigration agents, protesters, and violent anti-ICE protestors.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Trump referenced the Insurrection Act in a January 15, 2026, post on Truth Social in response to ongoing violent anti-ICE demonstrations in Minneapolis, Minnesota

💬KEY QUOTE: “If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT.” – Donald Trump.

🎯IMPACT: Invoking the Insurrection Act would allow President Trump to deploy U.S. military forces to the streets of Minneapolis to quell anti-ICE disorder.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump stated on Thursday that he will invoke the Insurrection Act in response to ongoing violent protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minneapolis, Minnesota, unless state and local officials obey federal orders and end the demonstrations. The rarely used federal law would allow President Trump to deploy U.S. military forces to the city to quell the unrest.

“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State,” Trump wrote in a post Truth Social on Thursday.

The Insurrection Act was first used by President Thomas Jefferson in 1807, though its use has been relatively rare in subsequent years. George H.W. Bush was the last U.S. president to invoke the act in 1992 to deploy troops to Los Angeles in response to the Rodney King riots.

Civil unrest in Minneapolis has intensified in recent days following the fatal shooting of an anti-ICE activist after she attempted to run over a federal immigration officer last week. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported late Wednesday that two individuals attacked an ICE agent with a broomstick and a snow shovel during an attempted detention of a Venezuelan man. The Venezuelan man was shot in the leg during the incident.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Outrage as Judge Reduces Charges of Migrant Who Impregnated 10-Year-Old.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: An Italian judge downgraded sexual assault charges against a 29-year-old migrant who impregnated a 10-year-old girl, sparking widespread outrage.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: A 29-year-old Bangladeshi migrant, a 10-year-old girl, and Italian politicians.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The abuse occurred in the summer of 2024 at the Hotel Il Cacciatore migrant centre in Collio, Lombardy, Italy.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The mere five-year sentence handed down to a person responsible for the atrocious and unspeakable violence against a child leaves me stunned.” – Simona Bordonali, a lawmaker from the League (Lega) party that forms part of Italy’s ruling coalition.

🎯IMPACT: The reduced sentence has provoked anger among Italian politicians and citizens, questioning the proportionality of justice in cases involving minors.

IN FULL

A court ruling in Italy has ignited widespread backlash after a judge downgraded charges against a 29-year-old Bangladeshi migrant who impregnated a 10-year-old girl at a migrant reception center. The abuse took place in the summer of 2024 at the Hotel Il Cacciatore in Collio, Lombardy, a facility housing roughly 20 asylum seekers.

The child, originally from sub-Saharan Africa, was taken to hospital after her mother noticed troubling changes in her behavior and complained of abdominal pain. Medical tests revealed the girl was pregnant, and she later underwent an abortion.

Prosecutors initially charged the perpetrator with aggravated sexual assault against a minor. However, the judge reclassified the offense as sexual acts with a child, a lesser charge under Italian law, as he claimed to be in a relationship with the child. Combined with a fast-track trial procedure that automatically reduced the penalty by one-third, the decision resulted in a meager five-year prison sentence.

During proceedings, the migrant’s lawyers argued there was no violence, a position that played a role in the court’s dubious decision to downgrade the charges. The court’s formal reasoning is expected to be filed within 90 days.

The ruling has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from the League (Lega) party, which is a junior partner of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy (FdI) party in Italty’s ruling coalition. League lawmaker Simona Bordonali said, “The mere five-year sentence handed down to a person responsible for the atrocious and unspeakable violence against a child leaves me stunned.” She called for changes to sentencing laws to ensure punishments reflect the gravity of crimes against minors.

League leader Matteo Salvini also condemned the decision, calling it “appalling” and “unacceptable.”

The case has reignited Italy’s broader debate over migration, crime, and public safety. Prime Minister Meloni has repeatedly argued that failures in border enforcement can have serious social consequences. However, while her government has reported sharp declines in illegal arrivals following an initial increase early in her term, it has also expanded legal migration channels to address supposed labor shortages, drawing criticism from immigration skeptics.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Bonkers Britain
Immigration

France BANS British Anti-Migration Activists for Disrupting Illegal Boat Crossings.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ten members of a British anti-illegal immigration group were prohibited from entering France after being accused of destroying small boats used by migrants crossing the English Channel.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Activists from the Raise the Colours group and the French Interior Ministry.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Prohibition enacted on Tuesday; actions took place along the northern French coastline.

🎯IMPACT: Cross-Channel migration remains high, with over 41,000 people making the journey last year, despite the British government paying the French government tens of millions of pounds to stop the crossings. French action against British activists for destroying the boats the French authorities are failing to seize themselves increases the perception that Paris is not really interested in ending the crisis.

IN FULL

French authorities have barred ten members of the British anti-mass migration activist group Raise the Colours from entering or remaining in France, citing their involvement in actions targeting migrant boats along France’s northern coastline. The French Interior Ministry confirmed on Wednesday that the ban was imposed on Tuesday and applies to individuals within the movement who have taken action on French soil to disrupt illegal immigration to Britain.

In a statement, the ministry said the activists had been involved in operations against boats linked to cross-Channel migration and had also carried out “propaganda activities” along the coast. Notably, the British government has been paying the French government tens of millions of pounds annually to stop these boats, but it has failed to do so.

Cross-Channel migration remains a politically charged issue in Britain, where more than 41,000 people arrived in small boats last year, according to government data. While that figure is below the record 45,000 crossings seen in 2022, it remains extremely high by historical standards.

Public concern in Britain has been heightened by a series of criminal cases involving migrants who entered the country by boat. In one recent case, a migrant was convicted of raping a teenage girl within weeks of his arrival.

Critics argue that France is to some extent actively facilitating crossings, at times distributing life jackets and other safety equipment to migrants preparing to launch boats from French beaches rather than detaining or otherwise deterring them.

Deportations from Britain to France remain limited. Estimates from 2024 suggested that only around 0.5 percent of boat migrants had been removed.

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By Popular Demand.
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15 hours ago
Crime
Economy
Immigration

Mass Deportations Have Made Homes More Affordable, Boosted Wages, and Cut Crime.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Trump’s administration achieved significant reductions in crime, improved housing affordability, and boosted wages for American workers through strict immigration enforcement and mass deportations.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, American workers, law enforcement, and local jurisdictions impacted by immigration policies.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Throughout 2025, with notable impacts in cities such as Washington, D.C., Chicago, Memphis, and New Orleans.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Under President Trump, the America First promise is a reality. While Democrats fight to sabotage these gains and drag us back to the chaos of open borders, skyrocketing costs, and rampant crime, President Trump remains unwavering in his commitment to delivering the security, prosperity, and safety the American people deserve.” – White House statement

🎯IMPACT: Reduced crime rates, increased wages for blue-collar workers, improved housing affordability, and improved safety in America’s cities.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump’s focus on border security and immigration enforcement has produced tangible benefits for Americans in his first year back in office. Large-scale deportations are contributing to falling home prices in 14 of the top 20 metropolitan areas that have significant populations of illegal immigrants by reducing pressure on housing, showing year-over-year declines in December. Notably, three areas that experienced slight price increases were all sanctuary cities.

Blue-collar wages have also increased at the fastest pace in decades, with truck drivers and construction workers, whose sectors have been heavily infiltrated by sometimes dangerously unqualified illegal immigrants, among those seeing substantial pay raises. Real wages for American workers are projected to have risen by 4.2 percent overall during President Trump’s first full year back in office.

Between January and December 2025, employment increased by two million native-born Americans, while 662,000 foreign-born workers experienced job losses, indicating that the administration’s policies are rebalancing the economy away from cheap foreign labor.

The near-halt to illegal immigration and increase in deportations, particularly in America’s interior, has also been accompanied by the country’s largest-ever single-year decline in murders last year, along with reductions in rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, shooting deaths, traffic fatalities, and overdose fatalities—with the last of these likely to have been further influenced by the administration’s aggressive military action against drug traffickers in Latin America.

In Washington, D.C., murders fell by 60 percent, carjackings decreased by 68 percent, and overall crime dropped by nearly a third, according to the White House. Chicago, subject to the administration’s Operation Midway Blitz against illegal immigrants, posted its lowest number of murders since 1965, while Memphis had fewer than 200 murders for the first time since 2019, and New Orleans achieved its lowest homicide rate in nearly 50 years.

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By Popular Demand.
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16 hours ago
Lawfare
Politics

Democrats Win Redistricting Battle at Ninth Circuit.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federal judges dismissed Republican claims that California’s Proposition 50 gerrymandered map is discriminatory, allowing the state to proceed with redrawn congressional districts.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: California Governor Gavin Newsom (D), Attorney General Rob Bonta (D), Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D), and Republican challengers led by State Assemblymember David Tangipa (R).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued on Wednesday by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals after a December hearing.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The decision upholds the will of the people. It also means that, to date, every single challenge against Proposition 50 has failed.” – Attorney General Rob Bonta.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling could allow Democrats to secure up to five additional seats in the U.S. House, bolstering their efforts in the 2026 midterms.

IN FULL

California Democrats secured a legal victory Wednesday as a panel of federal judges rejected Republican claims that Proposition 50, a measure allowing the state to redraw congressional districts, is discriminatory. The measure, approved by voters last November, is expected to help Democrats gain up to five additional U.S. House seats, potentially aiding their efforts to reclaim Congress in the 2026 midterms.

Governor Gavin Newsom (D), who spearheaded the Prop 50 initiative, celebrated the decision on social media. Newsom’s office posted, “Can’t spell Republican without an L,” on X (formerly Twitter), while Newsom himself posted the phrase “FAFO,” an acronym for “F—k around and find out.”

Republicans argued that the redrawn districts unfairly favor Latino voters at the expense of other racial groups. However, Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) praised the court’s decision, stating, “The decision upholds the will of the people. It also means that, to date, every single challenge against Proposition 50 has failed.” He added, “I couldn’t be prouder of my team for successfully defending this ballot initiative in court on behalf of Governor Newsom and Secretary of State Weber.”

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling after a three-day hearing in December. California voters had approved the new district map in November, and this decision further solidifies its implementation. State Assemblymember David Tangipa (R), part of the Republican group challenging the measure, previously indicated plans to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court should the Ninth Circuit rule against the plaintiffs.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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16 hours ago
News

ICE Agent Suffered Internal Bleeding After Being Struck by SUV During MN Shooting.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross was injured during an incident where he fatally shot anti-ICE activist Renee Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE agent Jonathan Ross, Renee Good, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred last week in Minneapolis; Ross was hospitalized and later released.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The officer was hit by the vehicle. She hit him. He went to the hospital. A doctor did treat him. He has been released,” – Kristi Noem.

🎯IMPACT: Ross is recovering from his injuries, and the incident has raised questions about law enforcement safety and procedures.

IN FULL

Jonathan Ross, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who shot anti-ICE activist Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when she drove her SUV at him last week, suffered internal bleeding in his torso following the incident, according to two U.S. officials briefed on his condition. The officials said the severity of the bleeding remains unclear.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Ross was injured. Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged Ross’s hospitalization during a press briefing on January 7, saying he was treated and released the same day.

“The officer was hit by the vehicle. She hit him. He went to the hospital. A doctor did treat him. He has been released,” Noem told reporters at the time. She described Ross as an experienced law enforcement officer who acted to protect himself and others.

The shooting occurred during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Federal officials have said Good used her vehicle as a weapon and accelerated toward officers, prompting Ross to fire. Good, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene. Good had previously trained with anti-ICE activists.

Ross is a 10-year ICE veteran and had previously been injured by a vehicle in June, when he was dragged by a car while trying to detain a migrant pedophile. That incident required hospital treatment and 33 stitches.

U.S. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino said Ross “has had several threats against his life” following the Minneapolis shooting, and is currently recovering in a secure location.

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
Immigration
News

Trump Freezes Visas for 75 Countries, Including Russia, Iran, Somalia.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has frozen visa processing for 75 countries, including Russia and Iran, as part of a broader effort to reassess immigration procedures and address national security concerns.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, the State Department, and various countries.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The indefinite visa freeze is set to take effect on January 21, 2026, with escalating tensions surrounding Iran and ongoing protests in the region.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people.” – State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott.

🎯IMPACT: The freeze aims to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who could become public charges, while signaling a strong stance against Iran’s crackdown on protesters.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has ordered a temporary halt to visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Russia, Iran, and Somalia, as his administration moves to overhaul immigration screening procedures. An internal State Department memo directs U.S. consulates to deny visa applications while the government reassesses its vetting standards. The freeze is scheduled to take effect on January 21, 2026.

Countries impacted by the suspension include Afghanistan, Iraq, Brazil, and Somalia. Somalia has drawn particular attention from the administration following reports of widespread fraud tied to members of the Somali community in Minnesota. The visa pause is the latest step in a broader immigration crackdown that has already seen the revocation of more than 100,000 visas in 2025, the highest total on record, as officials expand background checks and enforcement measures.

The State Department memo also instructs consular officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to depend on public assistance after arriving in the United States. Officers are directed to consider factors such as the applicant’s health, age, and English language ability. “The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” said State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott.

The administration has simultaneously tightened other visa policies, including denying entry to foreign nationals suspected of traveling to the U.S. primarily to give birth in order to secure citizenship for their children. Officials say the measures are intended to curb abuse of the immigration system and protect taxpayer resources.

The visa freeze comes amid escalating tensions with Iran. President Trump has warned Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that “strong action” will follow if the regime proceeds with executions of detained protesters. Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, has indicated that trials and executions could be fast-tracked.

As tensions rise, the United States has ordered evacuations from several military installations in the region, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses approximately 10,000 U.S. troops. The administration has also signaled it is considering further steps, including potential strikes on nonmilitary sites in Tehran.

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
NatSec
World

Danish Foreign Minister Cites ‘Fundamental’ Differences on Greenland’s Future After White House Talks.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. and Danish officials met at the White House to discuss Greenland’s future amid President Donald J. Trump’s interest in acquiring the territory.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen, Greenland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Motzfeldt, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and President Donald Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday, at the White House in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We still have a fundamental disagreement, but we also agree to disagree.” – Lars Loekke Rasmussen

🎯IMPACT: The meeting highlighted ongoing tensions over Greenland, though signaled some possible progress on a potential new security agreement for the critical Arctic island.

IN FULL

The U.S. and Denmark remain at odds over the future of Greenland, but discussions will continue, according to Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen. Following a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Rasmussen described the talks as “frank but also constructive,” focusing on security in Greenland, but stated “fundamental” differences remain.

“We still have a fundamental disagreement, but we also agree to disagree,” Denmark’s Foreign Minister admitted.

The meeting included Denmark’s Rasmussen, Greenland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Motzfeldt, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other officials. The Danish delegation proposed a high-level working group to address concerns while respecting Denmark’s sovereignty. “We agree that it makes sense to try to sit down on a high level,” Rasmussen said, though he acknowledged that a resolution may not be achievable.

Meanwhile, President Donald J. Trump reiterated the United States’s interest in acquiring Greenland for national security purposes, stating after the White House meeting, “We need Greenland for national security, so we’re going to see what happens.” He also noted that NATO could play a pivotal role, arguing in a post on Truth Social earlier on Wednesday, “NATO becomes far more formidable and effective with Greenland in the hands of the UNITED STATES.”

Greenlandic officials, however, rejected the notion of U.S. ownership. Vivian Motzfeldt emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with the U.S., but said, “That doesn’t mean that we want to be owned by the United States.” Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also affirmed Greenland’s alignment with Denmark, stating, “If we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark.”

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18 hours ago
William Upton
Lawfare

E. Jean Carroll Asks Supreme Court to Reject Trump’s Defamation Appeal.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Attorneys for writer and fabulist E. Jean Carroll are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reject an appeal filed by President Donald J. Trump that seeks to overturn a $5 million verdict in a civil case, where Trump was found liable for battery and defamation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: E. Jean Carroll, her legal team, President Trump, and the Supreme Court.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Carroll’s Brief in Opposition was filed with the high court on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Petitioner now seeks to litigate these evidentiary issues yet again. But his petition suffers from a fatal defect: It does not challenge the Second Circuit’s alternative holding that petitioner failed to show that any error affected his substantial rights.” — Carroll’s Brief in Opposition

🎯IMPACT: Trump is currently requesting the Supreme Court review and overturn the $5 million defamation verdict, citing “indefensible evidentiary rulings” made by the district court.

IN FULL

Attorneys for writer and fabulist E. Jean Carroll are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reject an appeal filed by President Donald J. Trump that seeks to overturn a $5 million verdict in a civil case, where Trump was found liable for battery and defamation. In a Brief in Opposition filed by Carroll‘s legal team on Wednesday, her attorneys contend that President Trump‘s request for review suffers from procedural flaws and lacks legal merit.

“Petitioner now seeks to litigate these evidentiary issues yet again. But his petition suffers from a fatal defect: It does not challenge the Second Circuit’s alternative holding that petitioner failed to show that any error affected his substantial rights,” Carroll’s filing states, continuing: “Thus, this Court would have no basis for disturbing the judgment below even if it were to answer all three questions presented in petitioner’s favor.”

“The problems don’t end there. Each of the questions presented suffers from additional serious vehicle problems. And none implicates a genuine circuit split,” the Brief in Opposition contends, adding: “As for the merits, the Second Circuit correctly held that the district court acted within its discretion in admitting the challenged evidence. Certiorari should be denied.”

In November last year, Trump’s attorneys filed a request for the Supreme Court to review and overturn the defamation verdict, arguing that the district court engaged in error by issuing a “‘series of indefensible evidentiary rulings,’ improperly admitting highly inflammatory propensity evidence against President Trump.”

The 2023 lawsuit saw a $5 million jury verdict that held him liable for sexually abusing and defaming the writer, but not liable for rape. Carroll, who claims to have been attacked by multiple men over several decades, accused President Trump of raping her nearly 30 years ago in a prestigious department store, in changing rooms that are usually locked and attended by staff. No eyewitness testimony, relevant surveillance footage, or forensic evidence was produced.

The President was ordered to pay Carroll $83 million in a second civil trial, a decision that Trump is also appealing. He has consistently denied the allegations.

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