The Headlines – January 12, 2026

Host: Tracey Mumford
Podcast: The Headlines (The New York Times)

Episode Overview

This episode covers a series of major developments in U.S. politics, law enforcement, and international affairs. The main stories include a Justice Department investigation targeting Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, a surge of federal agents in Minneapolis in response to protests and alleged welfare fraud, escalating US-Iran tensions amid protests in Iran, controversy over Elon Musk's Grok AI tool, and insights into life under Russian occupation in Ukraine.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Justice Department Opens Investigation into Fed Chair Powell

Timestamps: 00:43 – 02:30

• Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Chair, revealed he is the target of a criminal investigation by the Justice Department, following months of tension with the Trump administration.
• The investigation focuses on whether Powell lied to Congress about expensive renovations at the Fed headquarters, significantly over budget.
• Powell characterized the move as intimidation from the administration, citing its ongoing attempts to pressure the Fed for lower interest rates.
• The episode highlights the Trump administration's broader attacks on Fed independence, including attempts to fire Lisa Cook (Biden appointee), which is now headed to the Supreme Court.

Notable Quotes:

• “No one, certainly not the chair of the Federal Reserve, is above the law. But this unprecedented action should be seen in the broader context of the administration’s threats and ongoing pressure.” – Political Analyst [00:43]
• “The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the president.” – Political Analyst [01:27]

Contextual Note:
President Trump, despite nominating Powell, has become a vocal critic, demanding lower rates. He denies political motivation, stating “what should pressure him is the fact that rates are far too high.” [02:04]

2. Federal Agents Surge in Minneapolis Amid Protests

Timestamps: 02:30 – 05:19

• Widespread protests erupted nationwide in the wake of an ICE agent killing Renee Good in Minneapolis, coinciding with a new deportation push by the Trump administration.
• Kristi Noem (Homeland Security Secretary) confirmed on Fox News a significant surge of federal agents headed to Minnesota, labeling the state "ground zero" for welfare fraud (claims not substantiated) and making accusations of organized resistance against ICE.
• Local and state politicians condemned the federal response and the administration's framing of the killing.
• Minneapolis Police Chief described dramatic increases in 911 calls, with disturbing details:
  • Arrested individuals’ cars left unattended in the street, sometimes rolling away.
  • Pets left in vehicles.
  • Reports of ICE officers pepper spraying civilians.

Notable Quotes:

• “We’re sending more officers today and tomorrow they'll arrive.” – Kristi Noem [03:08]
• “It is ground zero for stealing of taxpayer dollars and protecting criminals—billions and billions of dollars.” – Kristi Noem [03:20]
• “We had that happen. We had another time where there was a dog in the car and they left the dog in the car.” – Minneapolis Police Chief [04:52]
• “Even this morning, we’ve gotten calls for individuals who were pepper sprayed by ICE.” – Minneapolis Police Chief [04:58]

3. U.S.-Iran Crisis Escalates

Timestamps: 05:19 – 07:20

• President Trump warns "military options are on the table" as Iran intensifies its crackdown on anti-government protests, asserting a U.S. red line if demonstrators are killed.
• Hundreds of casualties reported, with the internet cut and videos of body bags emerging; Iran's parliamentary speaker threatens retaliation against U.S. targets if attacked.

Notable Quotes:

• “They're starting to [cross the red line], it looks like, and there seem to be some people killed that aren't supposed to be killed.” – Donald Trump [05:25]
• “But we’re looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it and we're looking at some very strong options.” – Donald Trump [05:38]
• “If the U.S. does strike Iran, U.S. military and shipping lanes will be our legitimate targets.” – Iran’s speaker of Parliament (reported by host) [07:10]

4. Backlash Against Musk’s Grok Chatbot

Timestamps: 07:20 – 08:46

• Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok, integrated with X (formerly Twitter), faces international bans due to its role in generating sexualized images of real people, including minors.
• Case in point: Grok created altered images in response to online requests, circumventing existing safeguards.
• Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brazil (pending) are blocking the tool; French authorities have initiated legal inquiries.
• Musk asserts consequences for accounts that exploit the technology while limiting AI image creation to paying users, a step heavily criticized by UK officials as inadequate.

Notable Quotes:

• “It simply turns an AI feature that allows the creation of unlawful images into a premium service.” – UK Prime Minister (reported by host) [08:40]

5. Life Under Russian Occupation in Ukraine

Timestamps: 08:46 – 10:48

• Times reporter Maria Verenikova shares testimonies from Ukrainians fleeing Russian-held territories.
• Children report being barred from learning Ukrainian, instead receiving Russian-centric propaganda and pseudo-military training.
• Artwork and curriculum are militarized; some children adopt Russian government narratives, blaming Ukraine for starting the war due to pervasive messaging.

Notable Quotes:

• “For example, the Ukrainian language—they were not able to learn it anymore; they were studying a lot of Russian history. And in that Russian history, there is already a bit about when Russia occupied their house, which is called liberating.” – Maria Verenikova [09:08]
• “Some children, they do fall for [Russian propaganda] and believe in what they have been told. For example, one boy … told me that he indeed started believing that Ukraine had started the war and was bombing his hometown, Kherson.” – Maria Verenikova [10:11]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Political Analyst on Fed independence: “This unprecedented action should be seen in the broader context of the administration’s threats and ongoing pressure.” [00:43]
• Minneapolis Police Chief on ICE conduct: “We had that happen. We had another time where there was a dog in the car and they left the dog in the car.” [04:52]
• Donald Trump escalating military threat: “They're starting to [cross the red line], it looks like, and there seem to be some people killed that aren't supposed to be killed.” [05:25]
• Maria Verenikova on occupation schooling: “Instead of some flowers, they would be drawing weapons.” [09:33]

Important Timestamps

• Jerome Powell investigation recap: 00:43 – 02:30
• Protests and Minneapolis police on ICE tactics: 02:30 – 05:19
• US-Iran escalation: 05:19 – 07:20
• Grok AI controversy: 07:20 – 08:46
• Life under Russian occupation in Ukraine: 08:46 – 10:48

Summary

Today’s episode delivers rapid-fire, deeply reported updates on legal and political drama surrounding the Federal Reserve, the escalation of aggressive immigration enforcement in Minneapolis and its social fallout, the evolving US posture toward unrest in Iran, international attempts to regulate problematic AI tools, and harrowing first-person accounts of Russian indoctrination in occupied Ukrainian regions. For listeners, the episode paints a vivid picture of global turmoil, domestic standoffs, and technological controversy as the critical stories shaping 2026.