Six Democrats urge military members to 'refuse illegal orders' in viral video; Hegseth responds

The Senate has backed a resolution that allows President Donald Trump to continue military actions in Venezuela without prior congressional notification, following a tie-breaking vote by Senator J.D. Vance. This resolution defeats efforts to limit the president's war powers regarding Venezuela, where tensions have escalated significantly.

Two pivotal Senate Republicans, Josh Hawley and Todd Young, have withdrawn their support for a war-powers resolution that aimed to limit President Trump's military authority in Venezuela, following assurances from officials that there are no plans for U.S. ground troops in the country. This decision comes amid Trump's criticism of five GOP senators who previously sided with Democrats on the issue.

A California court has allowed the state's new congressional redistricting plan, approved by voters in November, to proceed, potentially enabling Democrats to gain five additional House seats. This decision comes amid ongoing legal challenges from Republicans regarding the redistricting process.

YouTuber Nick Shirley is set to testify before Congress on January 21 regarding a significant fraud investigation in Minnesota, which is estimated to involve up to $9 billion in misappropriated funds, including a $250 million COVID relief scheme. This hearing aims to address the extensive fraud network that has emerged in the state.

A federal appeals panel has upheld California's Proposition 50, allowing temporary changes to congressional district maps aimed at benefiting Democrats, amidst a Republican effort to block these changes. This decision comes as a response to gerrymandering actions in Texas, where Republican leaders sought to redraw maps to increase their representation in the US House.

A federal court upheld California's new congressional map, which was designed to enhance Democratic representation, ruling that its approval by voters protects it from allegations of illegal racial gerrymandering. This decision reinforces the political landscape shaped by the state's electorate.

Donald Trump signed a bill on January 14, 2026, allowing whole and 2% milk to be served in US school cafeterias, effectively overturning the Obama-era restrictions on higher-fat milk options. This legislation, known as the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, also opens the door for non-dairy drinks like fortified soy milk to be included in school menus in the near future.

A recent poll indicates that 70% of Americans oppose U.S. military strikes against Iran, reflecting a bipartisan consensus against intervention amid ongoing protests in the country. This sentiment is echoed by both Republicans and Democrats, highlighting a significant public reluctance to engage militarily.