This bulletin highlights several fast-moving stories: a Trump-appointed judge temporarily barred officials from destroying or altering evidence after the fatal federal-agent shooting of Alex Pretti in Minnesota. President Trump warned that a large naval force was heading toward Iran as U.S. carriers and warplanes moved into the Persian Gulf, prompting threats of aggressive responses from Tehran. The U.S. struck a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the eastern Pacific—reported as the 36th known strike—while Trump claimed use of a so-called “Discombobulator” during the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Regulators also dropped an SEC suit against Gemini Trust, and EU authorities opened an investigation into X over AI-generated sexualized images.
Monday Mini-Report — Evidence Order, Iran Tensions, Maduro 'Discombobulator' and More (Jan. 26, 2026)
Here’s a compact, updated roundup of the key developments for Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.
A Closely Watched Case
A judge appointed by Donald Trump used the phrase 'destroying or altering evidence' in an order that temporarily bars Trump administration officials and employees from taking such actions. The restriction followed the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minnesota and aims to preserve relevant materials while the matter is reviewed.
“When you hear the phrase ‘destroying or altering evidence,’ it might conjure an image of a criminal organization hell-bent on covering up its misdeeds.”
Trump Warns of a Naval 'Armada' Near Iran
President Trump said late Thursday that a large naval force was heading toward Iran, renewing threats of U.S. military action nearly a month after protests erupted across the country. U.S. carriers and warplanes have moved into the wider Persian Gulf region, and Tehran and several regional allies warned they would respond aggressively to any strike.
U.S. Strike on Suspected Smuggling Boat
The U.S. military struck a boat it suspected of smuggling drugs, killing two people, the U.S. Southern Command said. Reports describe the action as the 36th known strike in a series of recent interdictions, and the first known boat strike in the eastern Pacific since the capture of Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela.
This photo provided by the U.S. Navy shows Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Dianna Hernandez directs an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Indian Ocean on Jan. 21, 2026. (Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Daniel Kimmelman/U.S. Navy via AP)(Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Daniel Kimmelman / U.S. Navy via AP)
On 'The Discombobulator'
In a New York Post interview, President Trump said the U.S. used a secret device he called "The Discombobulator" to disable Venezuelan equipment during the operation that captured Nicolás Maduro. He also renewed threats to conduct land strikes against drug cartels, including operations that could reach into Mexico.
Lindsey Halligan Leaves Justice Department
Donald Trump loyalist Lindsey Halligan, a former insurance attorney who had brought two unsuccessful cases related to the president's perceived enemies, is no longer a Justice Department employee, two sources told NBC News.
SEC Drops Case Against Gemini Trust
Federal regulators have agreed to dismiss a long-running lawsuit against Gemini Trust, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange founded by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss. The move is the latest example of the administration easing enforcement pressure on parts of the crypto industry.
EU Opens Probe Into X Over AI-Generated Sexualized Images
European Union regulators announced an investigation of Elon Musk’s social media platform X, saying it failed to stop the spread of sexualized images generated by artificial intelligence. The probe raises fresh scrutiny of how platforms police AI-manufactured content.
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