Monthly Archives: January 2026

MN Gunowner’s Caucus Responds to the Shooting Death of Alex Pretti

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January 24, 2026By//  by Bryan Strawser

We are deeply concerned by this morning’s reports that a federal law enforcement operation in Minneapolis resulted in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by federal agents. According to local officials, the man was legally armed, a firearm was recovered at the scene, and he is believed to have been a lawful gun owner and permit to carry holder.

Many critical facts remain unknown.

We do not yet have an independent account of what initiated the encounter or what triggered the use of deadly force. Despite widespread speculation regarding intent, there has been no evidence produced indicating an intent to harm the officers. We are calling for a full and transparent investigation by both state and federal authorities.

Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms—including while attending protests, acting as observers, or exercising their First Amendment rights. These rights do not disappear when someone is lawfully armed, and they must be respected and protected at all times.

Source:MN Gunowners Caucus https://gunowners.mn/press-release-shooting-death-alex-pretti/

Twin Cities Bookstores Contend With ICE

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Just as booksellers in Washington, D.C. and Chicago faced hardship when the Trump administration sent National Guard members and federal agents to their cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul’s indie booksellers say they have been negatively impacted by the deployment of ICE agents that began in December and accelerated after the holidays.

While most of the dozen booksellers that PW spoke to this past week report that the financial impact has been minimal, as sales typically slow down in January, every bookseller stressed the emotional toll the experience has taken on them and their customers, especially following the murder of poet Renee Good by an ICE agent on a residential street in Minneapolis on January 7.

All of the booksellers PW spoke to emphasized their commitment to serving as a community hub, where information about one’s Constitutional rights and resources for non-citizens are readily available. Every bookstore is currently handing out free whistles; some are also giving away anti-ICE posters and signs and participating in patrolling and protesting.

Inkwell Booksellers, located in a large industrial space across the Mississippi River from downtown, has established itself as a place for activists to drop off and pick up deliveries. “We have the space,” owner Elizabeth Foster told PW.

A few Minneapolis booksellers requested anonymity: one bookseller expressed concerns for the store’s “more vulnerable customers,” saying that ICE is harassing and detaining Indigenous people, as well as children.

“One of the concerns that we have about talking,” an employee at one bookstore in the vicinity of Good’s murder said, “is we don’t want the stuff that we are doing to make our store and our staff a target.” Like every bookstore PW reached out to, this bookstore is maintaining regular hours and an unlocked door, with signage stating that all are welcome to enter except for ICE agents.

Full Post @ Publishers Weekly https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/99471-twin-cities-bookstores-contend-with-ice.html

Greenland decides for itself!

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The Bureau of Liberal International strongly condemns the flow of threats from the President of the United States and members of his administration against the Kingdom of Denmark and the autonomous region of Greenland.

The American President has claimed that the United States must control Greenland for reasons of American national security. He and members of his administration have mentioned various means of gaining control, ranging from a purchase to outright military aggression.

The Bureau of Liberal International strongly supports the position of the Governments of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark that only the people of Greenland can decide the future status of Greenland.

Any American aggression against Greenland would violate international law. Such aggression would also be thoroughly absurd, as Greenland, the rest of the Kingdom of Denmark, and the United States are all members of NATO.

The Bureau of Liberal International notes that the United States has signed declarations in which it guarantees that it will not challenge Greenland’s status as part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The Bureau further notes that Denmark and Greenland have concluded agreements with the United States that effectively allow the establishment of any defence installations the United States may wish to build in Greenland, as well as the conduct of any security activities it may wish to pursue.

Liberal International stands for a world order based on the rule of law and respect for national integrity and sovereignty. This commitment includes respect for the right of the people of Greenland to determine their future, as established within the legal framework of the Kingdom of Denmark.

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Minnesota sues Trump admin over sweeping immigration raids in Twin Cities

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Lawsuit comes nearly a week after ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old Minneapolis woman during federal operation.

Greg Wehner Reports @ FOX NEWS

Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul sued the Trump administration Monday, seeking to block a massive federal immigration enforcement surge they say has flooded the Twin Cities with armed agents, sparked fear and unrest, and interfered with state and local authorities, according to court filings.

The lawsuit names Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, top officials with DHS, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, along with the federal agencies themselves.

“We’re here to announce a lawsuit we’re filing against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to end the unlawful, unprecedented surge of the federal law enforcement agents into Minnesota,” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said during a news conference Monday. “We allege that the obvious targeting of Minnesota for our diversity, for our democracy and our differences of opinion with the federal government is a violation of the Constitution and of federal law.”

Ellison said the deployment of thousands of armed and masked DHS agents to Minnesota has done “serious harm” to the state, calling for what he described as a “federal invasion” of the Twin Cities and Minnesota to stop.

The plaintiffs accuse federal immigration agents of carrying out militarized raids across the Twin Cities, including stops at schools and hospitals, engaging in racial profiling, warrantless arrests and excessive force, and overwhelming local law enforcement, while claiming the operation was politically motivated retaliation rather than legitimate immigration enforcement.

“DHS agents have sown chaos and terror across the metropolitan area,” Ellison said. “Schools have gone [into] lockdown. Entire districts have had to cancel school for tens of thousands of students to ensure safety and offer online education.”

“Local businesses are struggling,” he added. “Revenues are down, and some retail stores, daycares and restaurants have actually closed because people are afraid to go out.”

The lawsuit comes nearly a week after an ICE agent shot and killed a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman during a federal enforcement operation in south Minneapolis.

Full Report @ Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/us/minnesota-sues-trump-admin-over-sweeping-immigration-raids-twin-cities

Liberal International Supports a Peaceful Democratic Transition in Venezuela

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05/01/2026

The people of Venezuela have for too long been denied the right to be governed by their democratically elected representatives. In the 2024 presidential election, Edmundo González, with the popular support of María Corina Machado, won the mandate of the Venezuelan people. That victory stands in stark contrast to preceding decades marked by stolen elections, systematic human rights abuses, political repression, and the forced exodus of millions of Venezuelans.

When “Chavista” Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian regime entrenched itself in power in 2012, liberals gathered one year later at the 59th Congress of Liberal International to demand “the restoration of democracy, rule of law, and freedom” in Venezuela. That Congress further affirmed its full support for the democratic opposition in its peaceful and united efforts to restore a democratic system that guarantees civil and property rights for all. Today, the Bureau of Liberal International welcomes the long-overdue opportunity for the Venezuelan people to finally realise these fundamental rights.

The Bureau of Liberal International is clear: the international community, together with Venezuelans around the world, will accept nothing less than a credible and transparent roadmap for a peaceful and prompt transition to full democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. This transition must be led by the democratically elected President of Venezuela, Edmundo González, supported by parliamentarians elected democratically in 2015 . In pursuit of this goal, strong and coordinated international engagement — including clear diplomatic and security guarantees — is essential in order to avoid chaos and bloodshed and to uphold stability in the region. The Bureau further underscores the need for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, as an essential step toward rebuilding trust.

Liberal International remains steadfast in our conviction that all countries have a duty to uphold international law, democracy, and fundamental freedoms.

Source:Liberal International @ https://liberal-international.org/news-articles/democratic-transition-venezuela/

DHS Warns Any Action By Americans Will Be Treated As Domestic Terrorism

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The Onion reports

January 8, 2026

WASHINGTON—Claiming that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who fatally shot 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Renee Good as she drove away from him was “fully justified,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned Thursday that any action taken by Americans would be treated as domestic terrorism. “Make no mistake: Anything and everything Americans do, from the second they wake up to the second they fall asleep, will be treated as a national security threat and dealt with accordingly,” said Noem, who added that even seemingly trivial activities like picking up groceries, calling friends on the phone, or sneezing would warrant the use of lethal force by a federal agent. “To any U.S. resident currently considering leaving your house, walking down the street, breathing, or hugging your loved ones, you have been warned. We will find you. And we will kill you.” Noem added that she had formally charged over 340 Americans with acts of domestic terrorism for engaging in the act of being born.

Source:The Onion https://theonion.com/dhs-warns-any-action-by-americans-will-be-treated-as-domestic-terrorism/

Czech Republic Legalizes Personal Marijuana Possession

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Prague, Czechia: Legislation legalizing the personal possession of cannabis took effect in the Czech Republic on January 1st.

Under the law, which was passed last year, those 21 or older may home-cultivate (up to three plants) and possess (up to 100 grams) cannabis in private without penalty. Adults may also legally possess lower amounts of cannabis (up to 25 grams) outside their homes.

Possessing larger quantities of cannabis or engaging in cannabis sales remains subject to civil and/or criminal penalties.

The Czech Republic is one of several European countries that have recently taken action to eliminate marijuana possession penalties. Last year, German lawmakers approved legislation permitting those 18 or older to possess limited quantities of cannabis. Lawmakers in Luxembourg and Malta have also enacted similar policies.

Source:NORML https://norml.org/news/2026/01/08/czech-republic-legislation-takes-effect-legalizing-personal-marijuana-possession/