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Republicans Struggle to Respond to Shooting

January 25, 2026 at 6:18 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man by a federal agent in Minneapolis has set off alarm bells among Republicans, fueling worries within the party about a potential backlash to violent tactics by the Trump administration in its immigration crackdown,” the New York Times reports.

“Some Republicans came forward on Sunday to vigorously defend the administration and place blame for the death of the man, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a U.S. citizen, on forces on the left who oppose President Trump’s immigration policies. But many party leaders stayed silent, and some G.O.P. lawmakers both in the center and on the hard right raised grave concerns, suggesting a rare moment of dissent over a killing carried out in broad daylight and recorded by bystanders.”

House Democrats Call for Noem’s Impeachment

January 25, 2026 at 6:16 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“A House Democratic caucus call on Sunday lit up with calls to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and travel to Minnesota in support of anti-ICE protesters after the shooting of Alex Pretti,” Axios reports.

Josh Shapiro Not Popular with Democratic Officials

January 25, 2026 at 6:14 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is wildly popular with voters in his critical battleground state. But among some top Democrats there who know him personally, feelings are lukewarm — sometimes even resentful,” Axios reports.


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James Comer Calls on Trump to Pull ICE Out of Minnesota

January 25, 2026 at 4:18 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer suggested on Sunday that President Donald Trump should pull back the thousands of federal officers deployed to Minneapolis, becoming the first prominent Republican to urge Trump to consider local officials’ requests for respite from the aggressive immigration crackdown that has led to two deaths, multiple shootings by federal immigration agents and widespread protests,” NOTUS reports.

Said Comer:  “If I were President Trump, I would almost think about, OK, if the mayor and the governor are going to put our ICE officials in harm’s way, and there’s a chance of losing more, you know, innocent lives or whatever, then maybe go to another city.”

Extra Bonus Quote of the Day

January 25, 2026 at 4:15 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“What’s the plan, Donald Trump? What is the plan? What do we need to do to get these federal agents out of our state? If fear, violence and chaos is what you wanted from us, then you clearly underestimated the people of this state and nation.”

— Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), quoted by CBS News.

Generational Change Roils the Congressional Black Caucus

January 25, 2026 at 3:05 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Politico: “A new generation of Black Democrats is running in the midterms, aiming to inject a younger vision into an aging Congressional Black Caucus. And in some cases, that means primarying incumbents.”

“The wave of new candidates comes amid an identity crisis for the Democratic Party, which has splintered along generational and ideological lines as the party searches for new leaders in the second Trump era, both for this November and the open presidential race in two years.”

Vote Counting, Felon Voting and a Warning Sign

January 25, 2026 at 2:59 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Just for members: The latest issue of Ballot Access News.

This issue covers a major Supreme Court ruling strengthening candidates’ rights to challenge election laws that produce inaccurate vote totals, even when the outcome isn’t in doubt.

Join now to continue reading.

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What Trump Is Thinking About

January 25, 2026 at 1:22 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

President Trump posted a long Truth Social rant about his new ballroom — amid devastating winter storms and fallout from federal agents shooting a protester in Minneapolis.

He complained that his “gift to the American people” is not being properly appreciated.

Bonus Quote of the Day

January 25, 2026 at 1:18 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“There have been three killings in Minneapolis since the beginning of the year. Two have been committed by federal agents, one ICE, and the other border control. That’s what we’re dealing with here.”

— Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), quoted by the Wall Street Journal.

China’s Top General Accused of Giving Secrets to U.S.

January 25, 2026 at 12:56 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“China’s senior-most general is accused of leaking information about the country’s nuclear-weapons program to the U.S. and accepting bribes for official acts, including the promotion of an officer to defense minister,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

The Immigration Crackdown Meets the Camera

January 25, 2026 at 12:46 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

President Trump has lost control of his immigration message.

CNN reported Friday that Trump has been “privately frustrated” by the chaos in Minneapolis, which has begun to overwhelm his administration’s carefully managed narrative.

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Quote of the Day

January 25, 2026 at 11:56 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“I think the death of Americans, what we’re seeing on TV, it’s causing deep concerns over federal tactics and accountability. Americans don’t like what they’re seeing right now…. He’s getting bad advice right now. The president needs to let the American people — what is the solution? How do we bring this to conclusion? And I think only the president can answer that question, because it’s complicated. We have to enforce federal laws, but we need to know, what is the endgame? And I don’t think it’s to deport every single non-U.S. citizen.”

— Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R), on CNN.

Trump Won’t Attend Super Bowl

January 25, 2026 at 11:50 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

President Trump told the New York Post that he’s not going to the Super Bowl this year because “it’s just too far away.”

The game is being played in Santa Clara, CA.

Trump also slammed halftime performers Bad Bunny and Green Day: “I’m anti-them. I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible.”

Ted Cruz Ridiculed Trump’s Tariffs in Secret Recordings

January 25, 2026 at 10:57 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican eyeing a 2028 White House run, torched Vice President Vance and ridiculed President Trump’s tariff policy during private meetings with donors,” Axios reports.

“The recordings — nearly 10 minutes in total — provide an unvarnished look at how Cruz is positioning himself as a traditional free trade, pro-interventionist Republican ahead of a possible 2028 primary campaign against the less hawkish Vance.”

“During his talks, Cruz cast Vance as a pawn of conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson.”

Eleanor Holmes Norton Won’t Run Again

January 25, 2026 at 10:56 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Eleanor Holmes Norton, Washington’s nonvoting delegate to the House for more than three decades, will not seek a 19th term in office,” Politico reports.

“Norton’s campaign on Sunday filed a termination notice with the Federal Election Commission, essentially signaling an end to her campaign.”

Videos Contradict U.S. Account of Minneapolis Shooting

January 25, 2026 at 8:55 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Federal agents claimed Alex Pretti forced their hand, alleging he “violently resisted” disarmament until the officers fired “defensive shots,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“Bystander footage appears to tell a different story. A frame-by-frame review by The Wall Street Journal shows a federal officer pulling a handgun away from Pretti. Less than a second later, an agent fires several rounds. Pretti died at the scene.”

Europe’s $1 Trillion Race to Build Back Its Defense Industry

January 25, 2026 at 8:47 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Trump’s overtures about acquiring Greenland are now reviving questions among the U.S.’s North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies over whether Europe can make enough of its own weapons to fight independently of America,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“Defense analysts and lawmakers mainly conclude yes, but not just yet.”

“The continent’s once-sclerotic defense industry is churning out drones, tanks, ammunition and other weaponry at its fastest pace in decades as the region looks to rearm in the face of Russian aggression and divides with Washington. But there is still some way to go.”

Washington Post: Trump is breaking the old global order; allies brace for economic risks.

Labor Secretary’s Bodyguard Put on Leave Amid Probe

January 25, 2026 at 8:39 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“A security officer assigned to protect Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer was placed on leave as officials investigate an alleged romantic relationship between them,” Bloomberg Law reports.

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About Political Wire

goddard-bw-snapshotTaegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.

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