The Follow Up

Overview

Key U.S. political, legal, economic, and security developments on January 13, 2026 centered on immigration enforcement and protests, Supreme Court arguments on transgender athletes, new terrorism designations, economic messaging from the White House, and multiple federal enforcement and regulatory actions.

Domestic Politics, Economy, and Regulation

White House economic messaging and auto industry

The White House promoted the administration’s economic record and the recovery of the U.S. auto sector in a Michigan-focused event and related communications:

The administration highlighted what it described as strong growth in real wages and easing inflation, claiming:
- Core and headline inflation have averaged about 2.4% since President Trump took office, which it says is lower than rates under the prior administration.
- Real private-sector weekly earnings are on track to rise roughly 4% in the president’s first full year back in office, implying an estimated $1,100 increase in real annual pay for the average private-sector worker.
- Goods-producing sectors, including manufacturing, construction, and mining and logging, were described as on pace for even larger real annual earnings gains.
- Vehicle prices were said to be declining, with U.S. auto sales in 2025 reportedly the strongest since 2019, improving affordability for car buyers.
In a Michigan appearance framing an “auto industry revival,” the White House said the past year was the strongest for new vehicle sales since 2019.
The administration outlined several planned policy steps:
- Creation of a new Department of Justice division—a “legal strike force” led by an assistant attorney general—to pursue fraud.
- A plan for the federal government to purchase $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities, described as intended to lower mortgage rates.
- A pledge to halt certain federal payments to jurisdictions characterized as “sanctuary” cities or states beginning February 1, and a claim that children’s payments to some states have been frozen.

These figures and proposals were presented in White House communications and have not yet been fully evaluated by independent budget or economic scorekeepers.

Securities regulation: SEC statement on Regulation S-K

The Securities and Exchange Commission posted a statement titled “Statement on Reforming Regulation S-K” by Chair Paul S. Atkins dated January 13, 2026. The statement signaled the agency’s interest in revisiting disclosure requirements under Regulation S‑K, which governs many public company reporting obligations.
Full text details were not accessible via automated tools due to SEC technical access limits, but the statement reflects an active agenda on corporate disclosure reform.

FTC enforcement: alleged violations by payment processors

The Federal Trade Commission filed a motion in federal court seeking to hold operators of a payment processing business in contempt for allegedly violating a 2015 FTC order.
The agency alleges the operators systematically processed credit card payments for prohibited transactions despite the prior order.
The FTC is seeking at least $52.9 million in consumer relief from Cliq, Andrew Phillips, and John Blaugrund.

Source: FTC press release.

Immigration, Law Enforcement, and Protests

Nationwide fallout from Minneapolis ICE shooting

Protests continued nationwide following the January 7, 2026 shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis.
Large demonstrations and vigils in Minneapolis and other U.S. cities have focused on ICE use of force and broader immigration enforcement policies, according to major national outlets.
Civil liberties and immigrant rights groups have called for investigations and changes to ICE operations, while the administration has simultaneously emphasized expanded enforcement actions.

Sources: reporting from the New York Times, CNN, PBS NewsHour, Reuters, USA Today.

DHS criticism of Minnesota officials over ICE detainers

The Department of Homeland Security escalated its public dispute with Minnesota state and local leaders:

DHS issued a statement calling on Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to honor ICE arrest detainers for more than 1,360 people in state custody whom DHS describes as “criminal noncitizens,” including individuals it characterizes as violent offenders.
DHS asserted that Governor Walz has refused to cooperate with ICE and alleged that nearly 470 “criminal noncitizens” have been released from Minnesota custody since President Trump took office.
In a companion release highlighting immigration enforcement activities in the state, DHS said that in a recent phase of “Operation Metro Surge,” its law enforcement components arrested individuals it labeled as rapists, armed robbers, and drug traffickers “just yesterday” in Minnesota.

These are DHS characterizations; independent state or local responses were not included in the federal releases.

ICE arrests tied to high-profile cases

DHS and ICE publicized several arrests involving noncitizens alleged to be involved in serious crimes or to have violated immigration law while holding sensitive positions:

Alleged Tren de Aragua gang member
- ICE Homeland Security Investigations arrested Yorvis Michel Carrascal Campo in Colorado Springs on January 8, 2026.
- DOJ charging documents allege Carrascal Campo, associated with the Venezuelan-origin Tren de Aragua gang, faces murder, racketeering, and drug trafficking charges in New Mexico.
- A federal indictment claims that on or about June 16, 2024, multiple Tren de Aragua members kidnapped, tortured, and strangled a man in New Mexico.
- DOJ records state an immigration judge issued a final order of removal for Carrascal Campo on June 11, 2024.
New York City Council employee
- ICE announced the arrest of Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, described as a New York City Council employee who allegedly lacked work authorization, entered the U.S. on a B‑2 tourist visa in 2017 with a required departure date of October 22, 2017, and has a prior arrest for assault.
- ICE stated Rubio had no lawful immigration status at the time of his employment.
Des Moines Public Schools superintendent
- ICE’s Des Moines field office reported the arrest of Ian Andre Roberts, identified as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, calling him a “criminal illegal alien” with a prior final order of removal and weapons charges.
- ICE reported recovering a loaded handgun, approximately $3,000 in cash, and a fixed-blade hunting knife during the arrest.

These accounts come from ICE and DHS news releases; independent court outcomes or defense statements were not included in those documents.

Treasury actions on alleged fraud in Minnesota Somali community

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced actions targeting what it described as extensive government benefits fraud schemes in Minnesota involving some money service businesses and financial institutions.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking in Minneapolis, said Treasury has:
- Issued notices of investigation to multiple money services businesses operating in Minnesota.
- Coordinated with the IRS, which initiated audits of banks and other institutions suspected of laundering fraud proceeds.
- Helped establish a task force to investigate misuse of pandemic-era tax incentives and misuse of 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
- Launched a whistleblower rewards program to pay cash incentives for information on fraud related to these schemes.

News coverage has noted the political tension surrounding these moves, given the focus on Minnesota’s Somali American community and broader disputes between the Trump administration and Minnesota officials.

Source: U.S. Treasury press release and corroborating coverage by major outlets.

Supreme Court and Federal Judiciary

Supreme Court hears cases on transgender athletes in sports

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two consolidated cases challenging state laws in Idaho and West Virginia that bar transgender girls and women from competing on girls’ and women’s sports teams in schools.
The cases test whether such bans violate Title IX and constitutional protections.
Reporting from multiple outlets indicated that several conservative justices appeared inclined to uphold the state bans, raising questions about definitions of sex and gender, competitive fairness, and the scope of Title IX.
The outcome could affect laws in more than two dozen states that have enacted similar restrictions on transgender athletes.

Sources: SCOTUSblog, the New York Times, CNN, AP, USA Today, CBS News, The 19th News.

FTC contempt action (see above) and other federal litigation

The FTC’s contempt motion against payment processors (see “FTC enforcement” above) advanced existing federal litigation originally rooted in a 2015 order.
No major Supreme Court opinions were issued on January 13 itself; the day was devoted to the transgender-athletes arguments.

Foreign Policy and National Security

U.S.–Panama relations and critical infrastructure

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha.
According to the State Department, they discussed opportunities to deepen U.S.–Panama collaboration, with emphasis on:
- Expanding security cooperation to combat narcotrafficking and transnational crime.
- Supporting Panama’s efforts to ensure its critical infrastructure remains protected.
The meeting fits within broader U.S. regional security and economic engagement in Central America and the Caribbean.

Source: U.S. State Department readout.

U.S.–India strategic and energy cooperation

Secretary Rubio held a call with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
The State Department said the conversation included:
- Discussion of India’s enactment of the “Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India” bill, a new nuclear energy framework.
- U.S. interest in using the new law to expand civil nuclear cooperation, open additional opportunities for American firms in India’s energy market, and advance shared energy security and critical mineral supply chain goals.
- Review of ongoing bilateral trade agreement talks and a shared interest in strengthening economic and commercial ties.

Source: U.S. State Department readout.

U.S.–Armenia relations and economic framework

In Washington, Secretary Rubio met with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
Public remarks before the meeting stated that the United States and Armenia would sign and continue implementing the so‑called TRIPP agreement.
According to the State Department, U.S. officials present TRIPP as opening Armenia to increased business and economic prosperity without infringing on Armenian sovereignty.

Source: U.S. State Department.

Terrorist designations targeting Muslim Brotherhood branches

The U.S. government announced coordinated terrorism-related sanctions and designations:

The State Department designated the Lebanese Muslim Brotherhood as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
Muhammad Fawzi Taqqosh was individually designated as an SDGT.
The Treasury Department, in coordination with State, designated the Egyptian and Jordanian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as SDGTs, alleging they provide material support to Hamas.
Officials described these steps as the “opening actions” in an ongoing U.S. effort that is expected to include further designations against Muslim Brotherhood chapters considered to support violence or destabilization.

Sources: State Department and Treasury Department announcements.

Counter-drone capabilities and homeland defense

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 announced its first acquisition under the Pentagon’s “Replicator 2” initiative, awarding a contract for two DroneHunter F700 counter‑drone systems.
The systems are expected to be delivered by April and are intended to help counter unmanned aerial system (UAS) threats in the U.S. homeland, including drones operating near critical infrastructure or sensitive sites.
Defense reporting indicates the DroneHunter F700 uses sensors and net-based capture mechanisms to intercept hostile or unauthorized drones.

Sources: U.S. Department of War release (mirrored on public sites), Military Times and other defense-focused outlets.

DHS technology development: stopping small vessels at sea

The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate published a feature on a maritime security prototype called the Compact Very High-Power System for Small Craft (CVSC).
According to DHS:
- The CVSC uses high‑energy microwaves—described as highly energized radio-frequency pulses—to temporarily disable the motor electronics of small watercraft such as jet skis and small boats, enabling law enforcement to stop vessels without kinetic force.
- Follow-on demonstrations are scheduled for early next year to further test performance and safety.

Source: DHS Science & Technology Directorate.

U.S. support for security at the 2026 Winter Games

The State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) announced it will lead U.S. security operations supporting the American presence at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
DSS plans to:
- Staff a 24/7 Joint Operations Center at the U.S. Consulate in Milan for the duration of the Games.
- Coordinate with U.S. and Italian authorities as well as the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
The role is formalized through a memorandum of understanding between DSS and the USOPC.