Trump Administration Declines USMCA Renewal, Opens Talks on New Trade Changes 
Russian Attacks Kill Three in Eastern Ukraine as Civilian Casualties Mount 
Taiwan Simulates Chinese Blockade and Invasion in Major Civil Defense Drill 
US Appeals Court Limits ICE Detention Without Bond Hearings After 90 Days 
UN Warns of Looming Human Rights Catastrophe in Sudan’s Al-Obeid 
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of 702 Federal Regulations in Major Deregulation Push 
Russia’s Deadly Kyiv Missile and Drone Attack Kills 27 as Zelensky Urges Faster Air Defense Support 
Khamenei Funeral Draws Thousands as Iran Stages Nationwide Week of Mourning 
France Battles Mediterranean Wildfires as Heatwave Fuels Fire Risk 
US Ambassador Prioritizes Cook Islands Critical Minerals, Warns of China’s Pacific Influence 
NRC Proposes Radiation Rule Changes to Boost U.S. Nuclear Power Expansion Under Trump 
Trump Offers to Help Advance Ukraine Peace Talks in Call With Putin 
South Korea Warns Won Is Undervalued, Boosts FX Coordination With Japan 
Air Force Investigates Officer After Capitol Protest Calling for Trump, Vance Impeachment 
Iran Holds State Funeral for Ali Khamenei as Security Fears Shape Succession 
Kim Jong Un Oversees North Korea Destroyer Missile Tests, Orders Rapid Naval Deployment 
DHS Investigates Cyber Breach in Homeland Security Information-Sharing Network 
Following the impeachment trials, Joe Biden’s Cabinet nominees resume their confirmation hearings with Judge Merrick Garland set to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week. In a prepared statement prior to his hearing, Garland stressed the importance of enforcing the law as fairly as possible.
Garland, who is nominated for the Attorney General post of the Justice Department, will be appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. Through a prepared statement, Garland said that the Attorney General must act as a lawyer for the people and not the president. In the statement, Garland also outlined his plan to prioritize civil rights work following the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests that began after the deaths of several Black Americans by the police. Should Garland be confirmed by the Senate, he would be inheriting a DOJ that has become controversial throughout Donald Trump’s term in office, as the agency has been accused of acting as Trump’s personal lawyers.
“It is a fitting time to reaffirm that the role of the attorney general is to serve the Rule of Law and to ensure equal justice under the law,” said Garland in his statement.
Garland also addressed domestic terrorism and increasing threats from extremist groups in his statement. The federal appeals court judge noted his work in the DOJ where he supervised the prosecution during the 1995 Oklahoma city bombing. Garland also cited the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol, calling the incident a “heinous attack that sought to distrust a cornerstone in our democracy; the peaceful transfer of power to a newly-elected government.” At the moment, the DOJ has charged over 200 people with federal crimes surrounding the riots.
Texas is currently suffering from a snowstorm that left many without power and heating. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki says Biden will be visiting the state as soon as this week following his declaration of emergency.
“He is eager to go down to Texas and show his support,” said Psaki, speaking on ABC News. “But he’s also very mindful of the fact that it’s not a light footprint for a president to travel to a disaster area. He does not want to take away resources or attention.”
