Today’s quick hits include international pressure on the U.S. to avoid military action against Iran and President Trump’s warning he may invoke the Insurrection Act amid protests over federal immigration agents in Minnesota. A shooting involving federal law enforcement in North Minneapolis follows the killing of Renee Good by ICE officers. The U.S. seized a Venezuela-linked tanker as pressure on Caracas mounts, and HHS restored $2 billion in mental health and substance use grants after a brief rollback.
Mini-Report — Jan. 15, 2026: World Urges Restraint on Iran; Trump Threatens Insurrection Act
Today’s quick hits on major political and security developments.
Diplomatic Pressure on Iran: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked President Donald Trump to delay any U.S. military action against Iran, a senior U.S. official said Thursday. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Egypt — all U.S. partners — have also urged the administration to exercise restraint as Iran confronts nationwide protests.
Insurrection Act Threat: President Trump on Thursday warned he might invoke the Insurrection Act, which authorizes the deployment of federal troops to suppress civil unrest. The threat came amid intensifying protests over the arrival of federal immigration agents in Minnesota.
Minneapolis Incident: A shooting involving federal law enforcement was reported Wednesday in North Minneapolis, coming one week after Renee Good was shot and killed by officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the city. The incidents have heightened scrutiny of federal tactics in local communities.
Another Tanker Seized: The U.S. military seized a Venezuela-linked oil tanker in the Caribbean early Thursday, the U.S. Southern Command said. The seizure—reported hours before Venezuelan opposition and government representatives were due in Washington—was the sixth in recent weeks as the Trump administration increases pressure on Caracas, following earlier U.S. operations targeting Venezuelan authorities.
US President Donald Trump (L) whispers to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on October 13, 2025. Hamas handed over the 20 surviving Israeli hostages on October 13 under a ceasefire agreement, as the US president and other world leaders geared up for a summit on Gaza. The releases are part of a ceasefire agreement brokered by the US president, with Israel due in return to free nearly 2,000 detainees held in its jails in exchange. (Photo by Evelyn Hockstein / POOL / AFP) (Photo by EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)(Evelyn Hockstein / Pool / AFP via Getty Images)
Funding Reinstated: After a late-night rollback of roughly $2 billion in mental health and substance use grants, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed late Wednesday that the funds and grants are being restored. Officials said the reversal reinstates planned support for community programs and treatment services.
Extradition Blocked: California Governor Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he blocked Louisiana’s attempt to extradite a California doctor accused of mailing abortion pills, citing state protections and ongoing legal concerns around reproductive-care enforcement.
Pressure On Mexico Over Fentanyl: U.S. officials say Washington is intensifying efforts to persuade Mexico to allow joint operations that would target fentanyl production labs on Mexican soil. The push is part of a broader U.S. effort to curb the flow of fentanyl and dismantle cartel production and trafficking networks.
Congressional Oversight Standoff: Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the ranking Democrats on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, told MS NOW that the Pentagon has repeatedly declined to provide detailed cost estimates for U.S. military operations in Venezuela and the Caribbean, fueling tensions between lawmakers and the Defense Department over oversight.
See you tomorrow.
Originally published on MS NOW.
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