Today’s Headlines: Democrats and the White House cut a last-minute deal to stop a government shutdown, temporarily boosting ICE funding while they argue over whether the agency should at least identify itself. The deal keeps most of the government running through September. ICE says it’s “drawing down” operations in Minnesota, but the damage is already done. Lawmakers visited a Texas detention facility where 5-year-old Liam Ramos is being held after being detained in Minnesota. His father says Liam is sick, withdrawn, and lethargic. New reporting shows just how much surveillance power ICE actually has, from facial recognition and license plate readers to phone location data, drones, and phone-hacking tools. On top of that, ICE is asking ad-tech and data brokers for access to location data. 

TikTok users say anti-ICE videos are mysteriously failing to upload or disappearing after the platform’s ownership change. TikTok says it’s a glitch. Sure. Meanwhile, Trump’s acting cybersecurity chief reportedly uploaded sensitive government documents to a public version of ChatGPT, which is now being investigated by DHS.

States are getting ready for possible ICE activity. New Jersey’s new governor announced plans for a public database where people can upload videos of ICE encounters, plus expanded “know your rights” efforts.

In non-ICE related news, a major lawsuit over social media’s impact on kids moves forward against Meta and YouTube after TikTok and Snap settled at the last second, there are reports that the Trump administration quietly met with Canadian separatists in Alberta, Tulsi Gabbard resurfaces in Georgia, and—because there’s always a grift—Melania Trump already teasing a spinoff to her undersold documentary.



Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:



AP News: Live updates: Democrats and White House reach deal to avert shutdown and fund Homeland Security for now

NY Time: Texas Democrats Call for Release of Liam Ramos, 5-Year-Old Detained by ICE

WaPo: The powerful tools in ICE’s arsenal to track suspects — and protesters - Washington Post

CNN: TikTokers say anti-ICE videos won’t publish. The company blames tech issues

Mediapost: ICE Issues RFI For 'Ad Tech Compliant' Data 01/27/2026

Politico: Trump’s acting cyber chief uploaded sensitive files into a public version of ChatGPT

Inquirer: Gov. Mikie Sherrill says N.J. will create a database for uploading videos of ICE: ‘Get your phone out’

CNBC: TikTok to settle as social media addiction trial involving Meta, YouTube moves forward

Financial Times: Albertan separatists accused of ‘treason’ over Trump administration meetings

WSJ: Spy Chief Tulsi Gabbard Is Hunting for 2020 Election Fraud

STL Today: Bondi picks St. Louis prosecutor to oversee election fraud case in Georgia

The Daily Beast: Melania Trump Boasts Her Flop Documentary Will Have Spinoff Series



Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson


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