News for January 12, 2026

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration illegally blocked $7.6 billion in clean energy grants by targeting states that voted for Democrats.

Minnesota has sued the Trump administration to try to stop a large increase in ICE agents, saying the federal deployment is illegal and is causing harm in the state.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says the Department of Justice has subpoenaed the central bank and warned of a possible criminal indictment.

The DOJ has opened a criminal probe into the Federal Reserve’s $2.5 billion headquarters renovation, turning a long-running construction dispute into a new political fight with President Donald Trump.

Federal investigators say Stephen Spencer Pittman set fire to a Mississippi synagogue because of its Jewish ties, in what they describe as a targeted hate crime.

Sen. Mark Kelly sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Pentagon after they moved to reduce his military retirement rank and pay over his political speech.

MacKenzie Scott gave The Trevor Project $45 million, its biggest donation ever, as the group faces rising demand for LGBTQ+ youth crisis support.

Sir Richard Knighton said the UK is not ready for a full-scale war and warned that defence spending plans still need major choices and extra money.

A federal judge ordered the Health and Human Services Department to restore nearly $12 million in funding to the American Academy of Pediatrics while its lawsuit against the agency continues.

SoFi CEO Anthony Noto said President Donald Trump’s proposed 10% cap on credit card interest could push borrowers toward personal loans, which could help SoFi.

Wealthy donors gave large first-time checks to Donald Trump’s MAGA Inc. super PAC after his 2024 win, with William Ford among the new major backers.

Trump said the US is weighing “very strong” military options as Iran’s protests grow deadlier and the country faces rising unrest.