United States Politics and Government

• Trump Changes Course in Minneapolis, and Social Media Giants Face Big Tobacco-Style Lawsuits - Plus, Mamdani’s snowstorm recommendation.
• Trump Administration Takes Another Stake in Rare Earth Sector - The administration announced a $1.6 billion deal with USA Rare Earth. The firm also does business with Cantor Fitzgerald, which is run by the sons of President Trump’s commerce secretary.
• Alex Pretti Shooting Poses a Question for the Right: Who’s a Conservative? - Republicans wrestle with Trump administration positions that seem to contradict their beliefs on gun rights, states’ rights and limited use of federal power.
• NATO Chief Says Europe Is ‘Dreaming’ if It Thinks It Can Defend Itself Without U.S. - Mark Rutte, the secretary general of the alliance, told members of the European Parliament that President Trump was “doing a lot of good stuff.”
• Under Biden Administration, Justice Dept. Began Examining Ilhan Omar’s Finances - The inquiry, initiated by the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, appears to have stalled for lack of evidence.
• They ‘Had Done Everything Right.’ ICE Detained Them Anyway. - Dozens of refugees with valid status have been sent from Minnesota to Texas to be revetted, prompting a lawsuit. Those released have had to pay their way back.
• Trump Administration Tries to Control Minneapolis Shooting Narrative, and Winter Storm Shatters Records - Plus, High January is the new Dry January.
• A Crisis of Confidence for ICE and Border Patrol as Clashes Escalate - Current and former officials describe growing frustration and disillusionment with the Trump administration’s approach, even as they support the goal of immigration enforcement.
• Trump’s Foreign Policy Is Stuck in the 16th Century - The president’s approach is not just chaos or an updated version of 19th-century great-power competition.
• George Cabot Lodge, Last of His Family to Battle a Kennedy, Dies at 98 - The two Massachusetts clans faced off in elections for decades, until a final 1962 Senate race. Despite his loss, Mr. Lodge praised his opponent, Ted Kennedy.