“At least five senior FBI leaders who were promoted by former Director Christopher Wray have been notified they are being demoted or reassigned, extending a purge that began last week at the Justice Department across the street from the FBI headquarters,” CNN reports.

NPR: “While many people had no criminal record prior to committing crimes on Jan. 6, NPR has identified dozens of defendants with prior convictions or pending charges for crimes including rape, sexual abuse of a minor, domestic violence, manslaughter, production of child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking.”

“Congress passed a law shutting down TikTok, and President Trump flouted it. Congress required advance notification for firing inspectors general, and the Trump administration ignored it. Congress approved trillions of dollars in spending on a multitude of federal programs, and Mr. Trump froze it,” the New York Times reports.

“The new administration is quickly demonstrating that it does not intend to be bound by the legal niceties or traditional checks and balances of its relationship with Congress. That has infuriated Democrats but drawn shrugs and approval from Republicans who say Mr. Trump is delivering what he promised even if it comes at the expense of Congress’s authority and constitutional status as a coequal branch of government.”

“Mr. Trump is also clearly embarking on a test of what he can cow a Congress under total Republican control into swallowing. Early indications are that it will be a lot.”

CNN: “Some of these people are now taking dramatic measures to protect themselves and their families, according to interviews with nearly a dozen people on Patel’s list or who fear they’ll be scrutinized by the Patel-run FBI.”

“The list includes a blend of high-profile figures and lesser-known officials who might be more vulnerable if Patel pursues retribution.”

“Trump administration officials are pressing federal agencies to dig deeper to find diversity workers to push out of the government,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

Washington Post: “That chaotic story that unfolded eight years ago with Trump’s ban on travel from Muslim-majority countries repeated itself in his second term with an abrupt clampdown on federal spending this week that spiraled into a quasi-government shutdown.”

“By the time the White House rescinded the freeze on Wednesday, the scare had briefly disrupted Medicaid payments, senior meals, special education and housing stipends. It also punctured the sense of accomplishment among Trump officials eager to take the levers of power in a more orderly and effective manner than last time.”