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Picking the right fight: Congressional tensions rise in wake of Minnesota ICE-involved shooting

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We will know in short order if a political fight is brewing.
Such is the case in the past few days regarding congressional spending and war powers.
Article I, Section 9 declares, «No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.»
The most important power granted to Congress is over the federal purse strings. In other words, what Congress deems the federal government should spend.
There were calls from the left to hold up funding for the Pentagon or State Department after the U.S. strike in Venezuela. Now, there’s a debate about hamstringing the Department of Homeland Security and ICE after an agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.
Liberal Democrats are apoplectic.
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: PROGRESSIVES EYE SHUTDOWN LEVERAGE TO REIN IN ICE, VENEZUELA OPERATIONS
«A child has her lost her mom. And y’all want to pretend that it is OK,» said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, fighting back tears. «I am asking if there is anyone that will stand for the very people that elected us and sent us to Congress?»
«A lot of people are talking about different reforms, and that’s their prerogative,» said Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., the top Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee. «Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee have written [Chairman Andrew] Garbarino, R-N.Y., saying, ‘We’d like to have an oversight hearing on what’s happening with ICE.’ That’s a reasonable request.»
I pressed Thompson on whether Congress should use appropriations to effect change at ICE.
«That’s above my pay grade,» answered Thompson.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., is the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. He’s more aggressive about Congress exerting its muscle over the federal treasury.
Residents confront federal agents and Border Patrol agents over their presence in their neighborhood on Atlantic Boulevard in the Los Angeles suburb of Bell. California last year passed a law banning authorities from wearing masks. (Getty Images)
«We should use every means at our disposal to do it,» said Raskin. «Including the appropriations process.»
Sometimes that involves cutting off money. Sometimes that entails limiting spending. Sometimes lawmakers include language to forbid certain activities by federal departments or agencies. Or the legislative language might direct agencies to handle duties a particular way.
But some progressives are so enraged that they want to slash money for ICE. And maybe even shut down the government.
The next deadline is 11:59 p.m. EST Jan. 30, 2026.
«I am concerned about that,» House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told colleague Kelly Phares. «I think that’s a terrible idea.»
When asked about a possible shutdown over ICE, the speaker believed lawmakers could avoid that.
Republicans balk at any move by the left to reprise a government shutdown strategy after the 43-day shutdown last fall.
VANCE DEMANDS DEMOCRATS ANSWER WHETHER ICE OFFICER IN MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTING WAS ‘WRONG IN DEFENDING HIS LIFE’
«It will be weapons-grade stupid,» said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. «But I don’t put anything past them. So, maybe they’ve not learned anything from the fall shutdown, which was dumb.»
Congress has not yet addressed the funding bills for the Pentagon or State Department for fiscal year 2026. The same with DHS, although that bill is coming soon.
Funding for nine distinct sections of the federal government expires at the end of the day on Jan. 30. That includes DHS.
The House just approved a «minibus» spending package, tackling appropriations for energy and water programs, the Department of Interior and the Departments of Commerce and Justice and science programs. The plan is for the Senate to align with the House on these bills. But, regardless, Congress would probably have to approve another «continuing resolution» (CR) to keep the lights on in all other quarters of the federal government after the Jan. 30 deadline.
A CR simply renews all federal funding at present levels. So, it’s likely Congress would OK whatever spending bills they’ve worked out and put everything else in a CR to avoid a shutdown.
But some progressives have other ideas. They want to use this government funding deadline as «leverage» over ICE and operations related to Venezuela.
Passing a new DHS appropriations bill gives lawmakers opportunities to alter policy or contour the funding there. If both the House and Senate haven’t approved a full-year DHS spending package, Congress would simply re-up the current levels for the time being.
That is, unless Republicans lack the votes on their side, and they need Democrats to bail them out. Some progressive Democrats are pushing for a shutdown over the ICE issue alone. But it’s probably not going to come to that.

The U.S. Capitol dome Jan. 2, 2025 (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Why?
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., don’t want to go anywhere near another fight over government funding this year.
«Is ICE a red line in the funding fight? Must that be part of any funding bill?» CNN’s Manu Raju asked Jeffries.
«Our focus right now, in terms of the appropriations bill, are getting the three bills that are going to be on the floor today over the finish line. And then we’ll turn to the Homeland Security,» Jeffries said just hours before the House approved the triumvirate of other spending packages.
But I followed up, asking Jeffries about why Democrats wouldn’t assert themselves if this issue was so critical.
«No, what I’m focused on right now, Chad, is to make life better for the American people by extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits. Which, by the way, a lot of folks in this institution believe was not possible,» said Jeffries.
That’s a reference to the Democrats’ bill to renew the expired Obamacare subsidies that passed Thursday. Remember that extending those subsidies was at the heart of last year’s government shutdown.
Schumer punted as well when asked about ICE and congressional spending.
«Should ICE be abolished, senator?» one reporter asked.
«I have lots of problems with ICE,» Schumer replied.
JEFFRIES CALLS NOEM ‘STONE-COLD LIAR’ OVER MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTING RESPONSE, DEMANDS INVESTIGATIONS
«Should it be abolished?» the reporter followed up.
«Thank you,» said Schumer, walking through the Capitol Visitor’s Center from the House side toward the Senate side.
Yours truly jumped in.
«Why is there resistance to use the appropriations process, either for Venezuela or now certainly for ICE?» I asked Schumer. «Are you afraid of another government shutdown?»
Schumer didn’t reply.
«Senator, it does seem like you guys are not angling for a fight on ICE. Is that fair to say?» another reporter asked.
No response from Schumer.
«Why not use the appropriations process to rein in ICE, Leader Schumer?» someone hollered as he continued down the hall.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., walks to speak at a news conference after the weekly Senate Democratic policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol June 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Silence from the Senate’s top Democrat.
Fox is told that there’s no appetite from Democratic leaders for another shutdown. They fear that could upend their midterm strategy. So, they are trying to quash talk about defunding ICE in hopes they can maintain a fragile truce over government funding between now and Jan. 30.
There is no love lost between Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and ICE. Despite pushes from fellow progressives to lean into ICE funding, even she understands the pragmatism of Jeffries and Schumer on this issue.
«They’re responsible for leading an entire caucus that elects members from across the country. So, they’re in a different position,» said Ocasio-Cortez.
However, Ocasio-Cortez added that funding for ICE «exploded virtually overnight, and we are seeing the ramifications of it in terms of the abuse of power that is happening.»
She also mentioned that Democrats could pursue cuts for ICE in another funding round or if they win the House majority in the midterms.
But all of that is a long way off.
The Minnesota ICE shooting poses a political conundrum for Democrats.
Remember around this time last winter when Democrats were showing up at federal agencies, cursing like sailors and yelling about DOGE? The Democratic base accused its leaders of not «fighting» hard enough.
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Then Schumer agreed to help fund the government last March, sidestepping a government shutdown. That ignited an internecine brawl between Democrats on Capitol Hill. And it helped set the stage for the autumn government shutdown.
So, now we have a seismic event in Minnesota the is dominating the political landscape, perhaps on the level of George Floyd’s death in 2020. Democrats demand that their party use political tools available to them to «fight.» One avenue is appropriations and funding for DHS and ICE.
We’ll know soon if Jeffries and Schumer picked the «right» fight or if the Democratic base will demand a «new» fight.
minnesota,immigration,congress,house of representatives politics,senate,chuck schumer
INTERNACIONAL
France condemns Iran protest crackdown, weighs satellite internet aid amid blackout

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EXCLUSIVE: France’s ambassador to the United Nations said Paris has strongly condemned Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests, as the French government weighs possible satellite communications support to help Iranians circumvent a near-total internet blackout.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Jerome Bonnafont described what he said was an escalation in repression by Iranian authorities and outlined France’s response, including sanctions and diplomatic pressure.
«We have condemned very, very strongly, at the highest level, the repression against the popular movement in Iran,» Bonnafont said. «This time it seems to me that the repression is even more violent than it used to be.»
IRANIAN DISSIDENT UNLOADS ON AMERICAN LEFT’S SILENCE ON DEADLY PROTESTS
Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive for a summit at U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 22, 2025. (Ludovic MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)
His remarks come as France’s foreign minister confirmed Paris is studying the possible transfer of satellite terminals operated by Eutelsat to Iran, following a sweeping internet shutdown imposed by Iranian authorities during the unrest, and as the G7 issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests.
The foreign ministers of France, the United States and other G7 nations warned they were prepared to impose additional restrictive measures if Iran continues to violate international human rights obligations.

Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)
Earlier Tuesday, Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, urged France to support designating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization at the EU level during a call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
Asked whether France would back such a move, Bonnafont did not address the IRGC designation directly, instead emphasizing existing sanctions and international pressure.
«There are sanctions against the police of the regime. And there are sanctions also against several individuals, more than 200 people in Iran for these reasons,» he said.
«What we have to do is to condemn and to address the right message to the people in Iran and to the regime, so that the regime stops with this massive repression.»
IRAN’S KHAMENEI ISSUES DIRECT WARNING TO UNITED STATES IN RUSSIAN-LANGUAGE POSTS

NATO leaders pose in this shot taken in June. (Claudia Greco/Reuters)
NATO and Europe’s defense responsibility
Bonnafont also addressed repeated calls from President Donald Trump for European allies to shoulder more of NATO’s defense burden, arguing that Europe is already moving in that direction.
«There is a will by the Europeans to take the full responsibility of the protection of its own continent,» he said.
He stressed that the approach reflects a long-standing French position. «It is a very old theme for the French governments that there has to be within NATO an autonomous, self-capable entity for European defense,» Bonnafont said, referring to France’s long-standing advocacy for European strategic autonomy, a position repeatedly emphasized by President Emmanuel Macron.
TRUMP ISSUES STERN WARNING TO NATO AHEAD OF VANCE’S HIGH-STAKES GREENLAND MEETING

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France’s President Emmanuel Macron meet at Lancaster House in London, March 2, 2025. (Justin Tallis/Pool via Reuters)
Ukraine as a test case
Bonnafont pointed to Europe’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine as evidence that European governments are prepared to act collectively when core security interests are threatened.
«Ukraine has been attacked by Russia four years ago. Now it has been invaded by Russia, and it has decided to resist and to fight for its independence, its territorial integrity, its sovereignty,» he said.
He described European backing for Kyiv as both unified and extensive. «And Europeans are going in support of Ukraine. And what we are doing in terms of financial support is massive. What we are doing in terms of political support is unanimous,» Bonnafont said.
According to the ambassador, France and the United Kingdom are working to organize what he described as a «coalition of volunteers» to provide Ukraine with long-term security guarantees once negotiations with Russia become possible.
«When Ukraine enters into discussion with Russia, and when Russia accepts to enter into discussion with Ukraine, and when the elements of a peace, sustainable peace, are put on paper, Ukraine can have security guarantees,» he said.
Bonnafont also pointed to France’s domestic budget decisions as evidence that Europe is backing rhetoric with resources. «There is presently the negotiation of the next budget for France for 2026,» he said. «It includes a strong increase in our defense budget, and it is the only budget that is going to be increased in our whole budget this year.»
TRUMP ADMIN EXIT FROM UN, INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS RAISES QUESTION OF WHO’S NEXT

The Security Council meets at United Nations headquarters on June 13, 2025, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
UN reform and budget cuts
Beyond NATO and Europe’s defense posture, Bonnafont said France is pushing for institutional reform at the United Nations, where member states recently approved significant budget reductions. «The institution has to reform. It always has to reform,» he said.
«We decided by consensus with the American government and all the others a budget which presents a reduction of 20% of manpower and a reduction of 15% of the funds allocated to the U.N.,» Bonnafont added. «Give me another example of a public structure that is capable of such an effort in such a short time,» he said.
Despite the cuts, he defended the U.N.’s relevance. «Yes, we are serious about reform. Yes, we want it to be streamlined,» Bonnafont said. «But yes, we need the U.N. for the world.»
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A Palestinian boy walks near an UNRWA school sheltering displaced people that was hit in an Israeli strike, in Gaza City, July 5, 2025. (Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters)
UNRWA dispute and U.S. funding cuts
Asked about the U.S. decision to halt funding for several U.N. agencies, including UNRWA, Bonnafont defended the agencies, saying, «Organizations are more efficient when they are universal,» adding that participation remains a sovereign decision for the United States.
iran,france,nato,united nations,foreign policy,ukraine,europe,donald trump
INTERNACIONAL
Máxima tensión en Irán: Trump mantiene la opción militar y Teherán presiona a los países del Golfo

La grave crisis de Irán está a un paso de cruzar una línea sin retorno en una región que amenaza con convertirse otra vez en un foco de guerra marcado por intereses geopolíticos.
Con más de 3400 muertos, riesgo de ejecuciones sumarias y más de 10.000 detenidos, el presidente estadounidense, Donald Trump, tiene sobre la mesa una nueva opción militar, aunque en las últimas horas matizó sus amenazas y afirmó que las matanzas en Irán “han cesado”.
Leé también: Tensión en Irán: una multitud despide a los miembros de las fuerzas de seguridad que murieron en las protestas
Entre la evacuación del personal no esencial de las bases estadounidenses en el área, la sensación que predominaba en la región era de un ataque inminente. “Siente que necesita hacer algo”, resumió una persona del entorno presidencial norteamericano citada este miércoles de forma anónima por la CNN.
Desde Europa, están convencidos de que la Casa Blanca ya se inclinó por la opción militar, aunque el cese de la represión señalado por Trump podría detener esos planes. Poco antes, un funcionario europeo, citado por Reuters, había alertado que un ataque podría concretarse en las próximas 24 horas. También una fuente israelí señaló que el mandatario republicano “parecía haber tomado la decisión de intervenir”.
Solo faltaría determinar el alcance y el momento de esa eventual ofensiva.
¿Una nueva Venezuela?
El gobierno teocrático iraní fue sacudido por las más extendidas protestas antigubernamentales desde el triunfo de la revolución islámica de 1979.
El analista Said Chaya, miembro del Comité Medio Oriente del Consejo Argentino para las Relaciones Internacionales (CARI), dijo que “todo parece indicar que va a haber una serie de ataques”.
“Irán ha ido a buscar a los países del Golfo y Turquía para que hagan la gestión con Trump y eviten un ataque. La promesa fue: ´si ustedes no logran detener la ofensiva vamos a atacar objetivos de Estados Unidos dentro de sus respectivos países’“, afirmó Chaya, director de las carreras de Ciencia Política y Relaciones Internacionales de la Universidad Austral. En la imagen, tomada de un video que circula en redes sociales, manifestantes bailan y aclaman alrededor de una fogata tras salir a las calles a pesar de una intensificación en las medidas represivas en Teherán el 9 de enero de 2026. (UGC vía AP, Archivo)
“Esto es una posibilidad. Esperamos que se puedan contener las intenciones de Estados Unidos, que entienda que Irán no es Venezuela y la región es mucho más volátil. Es una región mucho más inestable que América Latina y ahí reside el problema”, alertó el analista.
Las alternativas que maneja Trump en Irán
Trump tiene entre sus opciones bombardear Irán, como ocurrió en junio pasado cuando atacó plantas nucleares durante la guerra de 12 días entre Israel e Irán. Pero descarta de plano cualquier presencia militar en el terreno. No quiere una guerra prolongada.
Según la CNN, una opción es atacar instalaciones relacionadas con los servicios de seguridad responsables de la represión de las masivas protestas que sacuden el país.
Pero el riesgo es grande. Por un lado, expertos en Washington temen que un colapso del gobierno teocrático desestabilice aún más la región. Las experiencias sobre la desintegración política en Irak, Siria y Libia, entre otros países, no pueden ignorarse con facilidad. Pero además existe un peligro latente de una contraofensiva iraní a gran escala.
Leé también: Venezuela reinició las clases, pero hay gran ausentismo y temor por un discurso oficial de “adoctrinamiento”
El gobierno de los ayatolá, encabezado por el líder supremo Ali Jamenei, advirtió que, en caso de un ataque, Teherán tomará como blanco todo objetivo estadounidense e israelí en la región. Sus vecinos del Golfo, que albergan varias bases norteamericanas, lo saben. Ya en junio pasado Irán bombardeó una base de EE.UU. en Qatar, aunque bajo aviso para evitar grandes daños.
Pero también hay temor de un resurgimiento de los “grupos proxy” iraníes, diezmados por la guerra de Gaza y en el Líbano.
El mundo diplomático le exigió al Hezbollah libanés, aliado de Teherán y cuyo poder de fuego quedó reducido por casi dos años de enfrentamiento con Israel, que garantice su no intervención en un hipotético nuevo conflicto. Pero voceros del grupo armado islámico dijeron que solo se abstendrían si no está en juego la existencia del estado de Irán, es decir, la revolución islámica.
En tanto, reportes de inteligencia norteamericana, citados por la prensa local, alertaron que Irán está lista para atacar bases estadounidenses en Medio Oriente, incluidas las de Irak y Siria. Estados Unidos tiene desplegadas fuerzas en toda el área. De hecho, mantiene el cuartel general de su mando central en Al Udeid (Qatar) y la sede de la Quinta Flota de la Armada en Bahréin.
Desde Teherán apuestan a controlar la situación. “Tras tres días de operación terrorista, ahora hay calma. Tenemos el control total”, dijo el canciller iraní Abbas Araghchi a Fox News.
“Nos han dicho que las matanzas en Irán están cesando. Han cesado y no hay planes para ejecuciones”, dijo Trump este miércoles en un acto en el Despacho Oval. La pregunta es si eso será suficiente para cambiar los planes de la Casa Blanca.
Irán, Donald Trump
INTERNACIONAL
Ya hay actor confirmado para interpretar a Ozzy Osbourne en su biopic

La vida de Ozzy Osbourne, uno de los íconos más controvertidos y carismáticos de la música, llegará al cine con una producción respaldada por Sony Pictures. El proyecto, en desarrollo desde hace seis años, avanzó de forma decisiva en los últimos meses. El rodaje contará con un actor que, según los productores, posee un talento sobresaliente.
La película busca retratar los momentos más intensos de la carrera y vida personal del artista británico, conocido como el “Príncipe de las Tinieblas”. El estreno aún no tiene fecha confirmada, pero la expectativa crece entre los fanáticos del género y la industria cinematográfica.
La biografía cinematográfica de Osbourne se suma a la tendencia de llevar a la pantalla la vida de figuras legendarias de la música. El éxito de películas como las dedicadas a Freddie Mercury, Elton John o Ray Charles impulsó a los estudios a buscar nuevas historias.
Sony Pictures inició este proyecto en 2021, con la colaboración de la familia Osbourne y el guionista Lee Hall, responsable del libreto de Rocketman. La noticia sobre el avance de la producción fue confirmada en una reciente entrevista.
Jack Osbourne, hijo del cantante, compartió detalles sobre el estado del filme durante su participación en el programa Influenced, conducido por Billy Morrison. “Tenemos a nuestro elegido, no puedo decir más, pero es un actor fenomenal. Ya tenemos director y estamos reescribiendo el guion”, afirmó Jack Osbourne. La declaración confirmó que la película entró en una etapa clave de desarrollo.

De acuerdo con las declaraciones de Jack Osbourne recodigas por American Song Writer, el equipo creativo ya cuenta con director, actor principal y guionista. El joven productor recalcó que la preproducción llevó varios años debido al deseo de plasmar fielmente la vida y legado de Ozzy.
“Estamos a toda máquina en la siguiente fase de desarrollo. Es una película interpretada que venimos desarrollando con Sony desde hace como seis años”, indicó.
El guion, a cargo de Lee Hall, promete una narrativa intensa y honesta, evitando idealizaciones o simplificaciones. Hall fue responsable de uno de los biopics musicales más exitosos de la última década, lo que genera expectativas sobre la profundidad que tendrá el retrato de Osbourne.

Durante los años de preproducción, Ozzy Osbourne mostró cierto escepticismo respecto al avance del proyecto, según relató su hijo. En diversas ocasiones, el cantante manifestó cansancio ante las actualizaciones sobre reuniones y negociaciones. “Solo dime cuándo se estrena para que pueda verla”, respondía Osbourne a los informes de progreso. La película, sin embargo, siguió adelante pese a las dudas iniciales.
Ozzy falleció en julio, antes de que pudiera ver el resultado final de la obra que narra su vida. El músico expresó en vida su deseo de asistir al estreno, aunque reconocía el largo trabajo que implica una producción de esta magnitud. “Para cuando terminen esta película, ya estaré muerto. Quiero estar vivo para poder verla”, expresó en una oportunidad, según indicó American Song Writer.
A pesar de su ausencia, los productores y la familia aseguraron que el filme respetará la esencia del artista. La dirección aspira a que la película no solo funcione como homenaje, sino que también logre conectar con nuevas generaciones. La promesa es contar la historia de Ozzy Osbourne con una mirada auténtica y sin filtros.
Según especialistas de la industria, el desafío radica en equilibrar la fidelidad biográfica con el atractivo narrativo. El caso de Osbourne resulta especialmente complejo, debido a los excesos y polémicas que marcaron su carrera. La colaboración familiar y el trabajo de un guionista experimentado ofrecen garantías sobre el resultado final.

La película buscará retratar no solo los éxitos musicales del artista, sino también los desafíos personales que enfrentó a lo largo de su vida. El objetivo central será mostrar al ser humano detrás de la figura mediática, sin omitir sus contradicciones ni sus momentos de vulnerabilidad.
El legado de Ozzy Osbourne perdura a través de su música y de la influencia que ejerció sobre generaciones de artistas. La biopic en proceso pretende consolidar ese impacto y acercar su historia a un público amplio. La producción de Sony Pictures, junto a la familia Osbourne, trabaja para asegurar que la memoria del “Príncipe de las Tinieblas” permanezca vigente.
Arts / Culture / Entertainment,North America,Obituaries,Los Angeles
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