More Minnesota protestors face federal investigation after disrupting a church service in St. Paul, the effects of Virginia Democrats’ election sweep begin to take shape, and the Pentagon purchases a curious new device as evidence has come to light about the so-called “Havana Syndrome.”
It’s Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and this is the news you need to know to start your day. Today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:
Anti-ICE Protestors Storm Minnesota Church
Federal authorities are investigating after anti-ICE activists stormed a church service in Minnesota. The protestors, accompanied by former CNN anchor Don Lemon, interrupted worship and demanded that congregants condemn ICE. The situation unfolded during the Sunday morning service at Cities Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in St. Paul. A group of anti-ICE activists entered the sanctuary mid-service and started chanting, shouting accusations, and filming the congregants. The protesters accused the church of supporting ICE because one of its staff pastors also serves as an acting field director for ICE’s St. Paul office. Several of the protestors are associated with groups that led demonstrations over the death of George Floyd. Lemon, who was with these protestors, has claimed that the disruption was simply free speech. But DOJ Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon told The Daily Wire that activists “don’t have a First Amendment right to trespass and invade a house of worship.” The Justice Department is investigating the incident for potential violations of the FACE Act and other laws.
Democrats’ Virginia Agenda
Virginia swore in its Democratic slate of leaders over the weekend, including Gov. Abigail Spanberger and Attorney General Jay Jones, and they, along with their congressional counterparts, are laying out a heavily leftist agenda. One of the first actions Spanberger took as governor was to end the state government’s support for ICE, rescinding an executive order signed last year by former Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. Jones put out a legal opinion shortly after he took office backing the push for redistricting. The new congressional map could be up for a vote in a few months ahead of the November midterm elections, and it could lead to four more seats for Democrats in the currently narrow Republican-majority House. Meanwhile, Democrats in Virginia’s General Assembly could bring other constitutional proposals to the ballot soon, such as placing a right to an abortion in the state’s constitution.
Did The U.S. Finally Crack The Havana Syndrome?
The Pentagon believes it may have solved a decade-long mystery surrounding Havana Syndrome, a mysterious ailment impacting American personnel stationed around the world. The story is equal parts terrifying and fascinating. At first, officials thought these were isolated and natural medical events. They called them “anomalous health episodes,” but over time, a clear pattern emerged. New victims were overwhelmingly coming down with the ailment while working sensitive diplomatic events in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, especially Cuba, thus the name Havana Syndrome. The Pentagon has been tight-lipped about the total number of cases, but reports say there have been at least 200 victims. Some are now permanently disabled, suffering from severe short and long-term memory loss. In the final days of the Biden administration, the Pentagon secretly purchased a device that emits high-frequency pulsed radio waves. Specific details of the purchase are sparse, but reports say it cost in the “eight-figure” range and was acquired covertly as part of an “undercover operation.”
