Can Congress subpoena a journalist for reporting a Delta Force commander’s name?

Source: Expression
by Jacob Gaba

“On Jan. 7, the House Oversight Committee approved a subpoena for Seth Harp, an investigative journalist and contributing editor at Rolling Stone, for posting information about a Delta Force commander. Congress has broad authority to issue subpoenas. But it must show far more restraint when aiming them at journalists without any evidence of wrongdoing. … Paulina Luna of Florida’s 13th congressional district, who introduced the motion to subpoena Harp, said, ‘Putting a service member and their family in danger is dishonorable and feckless. Leaking classified information demands explanation and a criminal investigation.’ But publishing the news, even when the news contains classified information, is exactly the role of a journalist. And Rep. Luna did not cite any evidence that Harp broke the law to obtain the information.” (01/21/26)

https://expression.fire.org/p/can-congress-subpoena-a-journalist

In light of harsh repression in Iran, the US should grant Temporary Protected Status to Iranians already here

Source: Niskanen Center
by Idean Salehyan

“Over the past several weeks, protests have once again erupted across Iran, driven by a deepening economic crisis and broader demands for political accountability. In response, the Trump administration has issued strong rhetorical support for Iranian protesters and sharply criticized Tehran’s heavy-handed repression. President Trump and senior officials have repeatedly framed the demonstrations as evidence of the regime’s illegitimacy and brutality toward its own people. Yet there is a striking contradiction at the heart of the U.S. response. Even as the administration condemns Iran’s treatment of its citizens, it has suspended asylum hearings, maintained sweeping travel restrictions, and deported Iranian nationals from the United States. These actions undercut Washington’s professed concern for human rights and weaken the credibility of its support for protesters inside Iran.” (01/21/26)

https://www.niskanencenter.org/in-light-of-harsh-repression-in-iran-the-us-should-grant-temporary-protected-status-to-iranians-already-here/

When Will Democrats Realize That You Can’t Reform Fascism?

Source: the Philadelphia Inquirer
by Will Bunch

“Imagine this …. You’re minding your own business, or maybe picking up your kid at their school, when suddenly you find yourself in the middle of a platoon of masked, armed, camouflaged government agents. One thing leads to another, and in a flash, an agent has wrestled you to the ground, and is brandishing a weapon — maybe a Taser if you’re lucky. But what if I told you that lawmakers on Capitol Hill have a solution? They are proposing a brave new world, where now (flat on your back and gasping for air, and perhaps able to bravely manage to free your phone from your pocket) you could scan a federally mandated QR code on the agent’s uniform and find out the identity of the man who is currently pummeling you to within an inch of your life.” (01/21/25)

https://www.inquirer.com/columnists/attytood/mlk-ice-reform-defund-democrats-hmong-greenland-20260120.html

Nigeria: Ambush kills six regime troops

Source: ABC News

“Five soldiers and one police officer have been killed in an ambush in northwest Nigeria, the Nigerian army said on Tuesday. The attack occurred in Zamfara state on Monday, army spokesman David Adewusi said in a statement. … Northern Nigeria has been the hardest-hit part of the country, with a surge in kidnappings for ransom by gunmen across the northwest and north-central regions over the recent months, alongside an insurgency in the northeast. Boko Haram, Nigeria’s homegrown jihadis, took up arms in 2009 to fight Western education and impose their radical version of Islamic law.” (01/21/26)

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/ambush-northwest-nigeria-kills-5-soldiers-1-police-129411215

Trump Wants to Hit Us with a Huge Tax Hike for His Demented Greenland Dreams

Source: CounterPunch
by Dean Baker

“Donald Trump is taking his demented dreams to a new level in his quest to take over Greenland. The man who whined over not getting a Nobel Prize and then followed Hitler propagandist Joseph Goebbels lead in accepting a prize awarded to someone else, has now decided he wants Greenland. Trump is now proposing to whack us with a $75 billion tax increase to put pressure on Denmark and the rest of the EU to give him Greenland. … Well over 90 percent of the cost of a Trump tariff is borne by consumers or importers in the United States, not by the exporting countries. When Trump starts yelling ‘tariff, tariff, tariff,’ he is yelling ‘tax, tax, tax,’ and we’re the ones paying it.” (01/21/26)

https://www.counterpunch.org/2026/01/21/trump-wants-to-hit-us-with-a-huge-tax-hike-for-his-demented-greenland-dreams/

Phasing Out State Income Tax Key to Success in Dying Blue States

Source: Town Hall
by Betsy McCaughey

“Across the nation, states are fiercely competing for companies and population by slashing taxes. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is dooming her state to be the loser. In 2026, eight states are cutting their income taxes, and four others are reducing corporate tax rates. South Carolina is pushing ahead on legislation to phase out its income tax entirely over the next few years, joining nine other income-tax-free states. That’s bad news for New York. Saddled with a spendaholic governor and state legislature, New York is becoming increasingly unattractive to newcomers and businesses alike. On Tuesday, Hochul unveiled a record-breaking $260 billion state budget — two and a half times the size of Florida’s, despite Florida’s larger population.” (01/21/25)

https://townhall.com/columnists/betsymccaughey/2026/01/21/phasing-out-state-income-tax-key-to-success-in-dying-blue-states-n2669800

Steak ‘n Shake Offers Employees Bitcoin Bonus Program

Source: Bitcoin.com

“Starting March 1, Steak ‘n Shake will provide hourly employees at its company-operated restaurants with a bitcoin bonus of $0.21 for every hour worked. The BTC rewards will vest over a two-year period, allowing employees to collect their bitcoin after meeting the vesting requirement. The initiative, supported by Fold, reflects the company’s commitment to employee incentives while embracing digital assets.” (01/21/26)

https://news.bitcoin.com/steak-n-shake-offers-employees-bitcoin-bonus-program/