Friday, 16 January 2026

Trump threatened tariffs against countries that oppose U.S. acquisition of Greenland, escalating pressure on European allies as his special envoy stated the deal 'should and will be made.' Trump reiterated he may impose tariffs on 'countries that don't go along with Greenland.'

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump during a White House meeting, which Trump claimed was awarded for 'the work I have done.' Norwegian politicians criticized the action as 'absurd,' and Nobel officials clarified that Trump is not recognized as the prize laureate.

Trump appointed a seven-member 'board of peace' to oversee Gaza reconstruction efforts, chaired by Trump and including figures such as Tony Blair, Jared Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The Trump administration acknowledged deporting college student Amy Lucía López Belloza in November as a 'mistake.' López was detained at Boston's airport and flown to Honduras two days later while attempting to surprise her family.

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration's efforts to obtain sensitive voter information from California represents a threat to democracy, blocking the Justice Department's attempt to access the data.

A medical examiner found that detainee Geraldo Lunas Campos died of asphyxiation at an ICE detention camp in Texas, raising the possibility his death could be investigated as a homicide.

Trump administration plans to pardon former Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced, who accepted a plea deal over campaign finance violations. Vázquez endorsed Trump in 2020.

Trump administration officials moved to seize editorial control of Stars and Stripes, striking a policy requiring the military publication to maintain a civilian editor and independent ombudsman, drawing criticism from press advocates.

Trump administration officials indicated plans to halt scheduled coal plant shutdowns, though aging plants are breaking down and costs could run to the billions. The effort faces significant practical and financial challenges.

Trump administration officials met with Venezuelan officials from the Maduro successor regime while María Corina Machado, the opposition leader, vowed to become Venezuela's president. The meetings suggested Trump backs the incumbent regime over the opposition.