1. Trump weighs scaling back Border Patrol in Minnesota amid standoff with state leaders: The president is considering reducing federal agents in Minnesota while sending Tom Homan to negotiate cooperation.
2. Gold surges above $5,000 as BRICS nations push away from the U.S. dollar: China is encouraging BRICS countries to abandon the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency and move toward gold.
3. Republicans revive earmarks to move legislation through Congress: With a razor-thin House majority, Republican leadership is turning back to earmarks, inserting roughly $16 billion in targeted spending into appropriations bills to secure votes.
4. U.S. prepares aggressive response to Iran after mass killings of protesters: Human rights observers estimate up to 30,000 Iranians killed and hundreds of thousands wounded after the regime opened fire on demonstrators. The United States is reportedly assembling target lists of Iranian officials and military assets as warships move closer to the Persian Gulf.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

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Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

1. The Liam story collapses as media walk back false claims about ICE: Multiple national outlets falsely reported that a five-year-old named Liam was used as "bait" to trap his father.
2. Trump administration considers a Cuban naval blockade: The White House is reportedly weighing a naval blockade to cut off oil and imports to Cuba, believing the regime is nearing collapse.
3. Minnesota businesses and schools strike to protest ICE operations: Walkouts and strikes are spreading across Minnesota in opposition to ICE enforcement.
4. Major winter storm threatens much of the country: A significant winter storm is expected to impact large portions of the South and beyond, with another potentially larger system forecast for next week. Listeners are urged to stay informed through local radio, avoid unnecessary travel, charge devices, and prioritize safety. Hoarding is unnecessary, but preparation and caution are essential as conditions deteriorate.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

www.erickerickson.com

1. Greenland deal details remain murky as Denmark rejects sovereignty transfer: President Trump continues to promote a "great deal" involving Greenland, but Denmark and Greenland's leaders have firmly rejected any surrender of sovereignty or territory.
2. Trump unveils ambitious real estate vision for Gaza: The administration floated a sweeping redevelopment concept for Gaza featuring tourism, skyscrapers, and large-scale investment. While potentially transformative on paper, the plan faces major obstacles.
3. Federal arrests follow church protest as Minnesota refuses cooperation: Attorney General Pam Bondi announced arrests connected to the disruption of City's Church in Minneapolis, including individuals accused of coordinating and filming the incident.
4. J.D. Vance defends ICE while criticizing Minnesota's sanctuary policies: Vice President J.D. Vance acknowledged mistakes by ICE agents and promised discipline where warranted, while reaffirming support for enforcement officers acting in self-defense.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

www.erickerickson.com

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

1. Trump announces Greenland deal and cancels threatened tariffs: President Trump says the U.S. will not pursue sovereignty or territorial control over Greenland, acknowledging Denmark's position while opening negotiations with European allies. In exchange, Trump pulled tariff threats against U.S. allies, triggering a major market rally with the Dow jumping more than 700 points. .
2. Gavin Newsom blocked from Davos in political humiliation: California Governor Gavin Newsom attempted to position himself as the Democratic alternative to Donald Trump by traveling to Davos for a Fortune Magazine event. The Trump administration worked with World Economic Forum officials to block Newsom from speaking, effectively canceling his planned rebuttal to Trump's Davos remarks and leaving Newsom sidelined after flying to Switzerland on taxpayer dollars.
3. Trump and Zelensky expected to meet amid European frustration: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to meet with President Trump at Davos as U.S. officials push for renewed attention to Ukraine.
4. ICE expands operations to Maine amid fraud and immigration concerns: According to the New York Times, ICE is expanding enforcement operations into Maine, where allegations of welfare fraud and immigration violations involving the Somali immigrant population persist. The move is expected to provoke left-wing activists and Democratic candidates but reflects ICE enforcing federal law in states that refuse cooperation, a situation created by Democratic leadership rather than federal policy.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

1. Markets react sharply to Trump's Greenland strategy and tariff threats: Investors are responding negatively to President Trump's handling of Greenland, NATO allies, and renewed trade war rhetoric. While there is broad agreement that Greenland is a strategic military asset, even Republicans are uneasy with the president's approach to claiming it as U.S. territory. Market pressure previously forced Trump to scale back tariffs, and many hope today's volatility sends a similar signal.
2. Supreme Court delays major tariff ruling, extending economic uncertainty: The Court declined to issue a decision on the constitutionality of Trump's tariffs, likely delaying a ruling until late February. Businesses continue struggling with compliance costs as new data shows 96 percent of tariff costs are paid by Americans, suppressing wage growth and raising prices. The delay reinforces that the Court moves on its own timetable, not political pressure.
3. Mexico hands over 37 cartel-linked suspects to U.S. authorities: Under sustained pressure from the Trump administration, Mexico transferred dozens of individuals tied to major drug cartels to U.S. custody. The move reflects a successful strong-arm strategy that advances American national security interests, despite Mexico's reluctance.
4. Trump threatens 200 percent tariff on French wine amid diplomatic standoff: After French President Emmanuel Macron declined to join a Trump-led Gaza peace board, the president threatened massive tariffs on French wine. Congress shows little interest in restraining presidential tariff authority, leaving markets and allies bracing for continued economic and diplomatic fallout.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

1. New data shows Americans paying the price for tariffs: According to reporting cited by the Wall Street Journal, roughly 96 percent of tariff costs have been paid by American consumers, not foreign companies. While tariff revenue has helped reduce the federal deficit, wage growth has slowed and prices have risen on affected goods. A pending Supreme Court ruling could force massive reimbursements if the tariffs are ruled unconstitutional.
2. China's population collapse accelerates as birth rates hit historic lows: China's birth rate fell another 17 percent, marking the lowest number of births since records began in 1949. Analysts point to authoritarian governance, economic stagnation, and war footing under Xi Jinping as reasons families are opting out of having children. Similar demographic self-destruction is emerging in the West, including Britain's sharply rising abortion rates.
3. Trump grants clemency to congressman's son amid humanitarian concerns: President Trump commuted the sentence of James Philip Womack, the son of Arkansas Congressman Steve Womack, who was imprisoned for distributing methamphetamine. The White House cites good behavior and severe family health crises, raising debate over whether the decision reflects compassion or political favoritism.
4. Supreme Court to hear major case on Federal Reserve independence: The Supreme Court will hear arguments over whether President Trump can remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook for cause. Jerome Powell's decision to attend signals an escalating standoff with the White House as the Fed weighs rate decisions amid inflation concerns. The case could redefine presidential power over the central bank.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

1. White House plans to allow 401(k) withdrawals for home down payments: The Trump administration is preparing a proposal that would let Americans tap their 401(k) retirement accounts without penalty to fund home down payments. The plan, expected to be unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos, could give first-time buyers a boost, though details are still being finalized.
2. Kevin Hassett likely staying close to the White House, not the Fed: Despite speculation that Kevin Hassett could be headed for the Federal Reserve, signals from the president suggest Hassett will remain a trusted economic adviser inside the White House. While he was reportedly interested in the Fed chairmanship, his candid style may have ultimately kept him out of contention.
3. Iranian protests crushed as regime escalates violence: Reports indicate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has violently suppressed protests, with thousands allegedly killed. While the president has suggested executions were halted, protesters appear to have been gunned down instead, extinguishing hopes that outside pressure would materialize.
4. New polling shows immigration is Trump's weakest issue: Voters increasingly believe immigration enforcement has become overly aggressive, particularly following the Renee Good shooting and deportations involving non-violent individuals. Independents and Hispanic voters want deportations prioritized toward criminals and gang members, while broader economic anxiety is now being tied directly to the GOP heading into the midterms.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.

1. Allies warn against U.S. strikes on Iran amid regional instability: Israel, Arab nations, and European partners are urging President Trump not to launch military strikes on Iran, warning of dangerous spillover effects. Protests inside Iran have slowed after hopes of U.S. intervention faded, raising concerns that thousands of demonstrators were killed while waiting for help that never came.
2. NATO responds to Greenland tensions as impeachment talk emerges: NATO allies, including Britain, have symbolically deployed assets to Greenland in response to U.S. pressure on Denmark. While Denmark is open to expanded U.S. military cooperation, aggressive rhetoric has strained alliances, with some Republicans warning that any invasion could trigger impeachment proceedings.
3. Democrats consider government shutdown over ICE funding: With the Department of Homeland Security budget unresolved, Democrats are pushing to defund or radically reform ICE. Republicans are refusing to concede, even as bipartisan negotiations continue over long-overdue FEMA reforms within DHS.
4. U.S. expands financial pressure on Iran's shadow banking system: The Trump administration has imposed new sanctions targeting international shell companies used to funnel money to the Iranian regime. Several major Iranian banks have collapsed amid tightening restrictions, signaling an aggressive non-military strategy to undermine Tehran's leadership.

Erick Erickson breaks down the four major stories you need to know before the day ends. From political power plays in Washington to breaking developments the mainstream media is ignoring, this rapid-fire update cuts through the noise.

Text ERICK to 33-777 for "Show Notes" and to stay updated on all things Erick Erickson.

Stay grounded, stay informed, and keep the faith.