In Case You Missed It … This Week in News

A lot happened in the world this week – Make sure you didn’t miss it with Liberty Nation GenZ’s weekly news roundup!

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Nicolás Maduro Arrives in New York City by Helicopter

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, arrived in New York City by helicopter in New York City on January 3. They landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Upstate Newburgh around 5 p.m. and then arrived at a Manhattan heliport before 7 p.m. before being transferred in an armed tactical vehicle called a “Bearcat.”

The World Responds to the Capture of Maduro

Friends and foes alike issued statements in response to the US military attack on Caracas. Germany said the situation is complex and international law must apply. France noted that the transition in Venezuela needs to be “peaceful” and “democratic.” Israel congratulated Washington for the “decisive resolve and the brilliant action” of officials. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it a “dangerous precedent.”

‘Don-roe Doctrine’: Trump Defends Venezuela Operation

President Donald Trump touted the Venezuela operation as the “Don-roe Doctrine.” In December 1823, former President James Monroe warned European powers against interfering in the Western Hemisphere, a warning that became a staple of US foreign policy for more than 200 years.

‘I’d Be Concerned’: Marco Rubio Issues Warning to Cuba

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a warning to Cuba on January 3, telling reporters that “I’d be concerned.” Speaking to the media at the president’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Rubio stated that the island nation is being “run by incompetent, senile men, and in some cases not seen now, but incompetent nonetheless.” He also suggested that Maduro’s guards and the nation’s spy agency were “full of Cubans,” adding that “this poor island took over Venezuela.”

Wisconsin Judge, Convicted of Helping Immigrant, Resigns

Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan resigned on January 3, one month after being convicted of obstruction for helping an immigrant evade federal officers. In a letter to Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI), Dugan said she is stepping down because the case against her has been a distraction. “As you know, I am the subject of unprecedented federal legal proceedings, which are far from concluded but which present immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary. I am pursuing this fight for myself and for our independent judiciary,” Dugan said in her letter. The Wisconsin GOP has been working to impeach Dugan since her December conviction.

Monday, January 5, 2026

Rubio: US Will ‘Quarantine’ Venezuelan Oil

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday explained how the US will temporarily keep control over Venezuela before a new government is in place by taking command of its oil industry. “Well, first of all, what’s going to happen here is that we have a quarantine on their oil. That means their economy will not be able to move forward until the conditions that are in the national interest of the United States and the interests of the Venezuelan people are met,” Rubio told ABC News.

White House Blasts Democrat Sen. Murphy’s Venezuela Comments  

Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) on Sunday delivered a stinging rebuke to the Trump administration for its successful incursion into Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro and shuttle him off to the US to stand trial. The White House did not take long to answer back.

Expert: Biden Pension Is Largest Ever for an Ex-President

Due to his lengthy career in political office, former President Joe Biden is pulling down a $417,000 taxpayer-funded pension, the largest ever for a former chief executive, National Taxpayer Union Foundation Vice President Demian Brady tells The New York Post.

Danish PM to Trump: ‘Stop the Threats’ Over Greenland

Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday issued a personal appeal to the United States to stop threatening to take territory away from “a historically close ally.”

“It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the need for the United States to take over Greenland,” Frederiksen said.

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Trump: US May Reimburse Oil Companies for Rebuilding Venezuela Wells

President Donald Trump on Monday said he believes the US oil industry can get Venezuela’s oil infrastructure humming in less than 18 months. And he added that US companies may be paid for their efforts. “A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent, and the oil companies will spend it, and then they’ll get reimbursed by us or through revenue,” Trump told NBC News.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting Officially Shuts Down  

It’s a day many conservatives long wished to see. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the former primary funder of PBS, NPR and other local radio and TV stations across the US, on Monday announced its official closure, months after Congress stripped it of more than $1 million in government grants.

Trump Rips Walz: ‘Caught Red-handed’

Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, embroiled in a massive scandal over childcare fraud in his state conducted by Somali immigrants, announced Monday that he will not run for a third term in office, something he had already stated was in the cards. President Donald Trump responded with severe criticism of 2024 Democratic Party presidential nominee Kamala Harris’s running mate.

Maduro Arraigned in US Court, Pleads Not Guilty

Toppled Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were formally arraigned on Monday on drug trafficking and other charges in a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan. The pair pleaded not guilty. Their next court date has been scheduled for March 17.

Stephen Miller Dismisses Notion of War Over Greenland

White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller on Monday scoffed at the idea of Denmark and the US waging a war for Greenland, the Arctic island coveted by President Donald Trump.

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Trump: Venezuela to Turn Over 30-50 Million Barrels of Oil to US

President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that the temporary government ruling Venezuela following the toppling of President Nicolás Maduro will be handing over an oil bonanza to the US.

Trump: If GOP Loses Midterms, I’ll Be Impeached Again

President Donald Trump had a stark message for House Republicans meeting at an all-day retreat at the Trump-Kennedy Center on Tuesday: win in November or there’ll be another impeachment.

Hilton Cuts Ties With Minneapolis Hotel After ICE Agents Denied Rooms

Hilton Hotels on Tuesday removed from its system a Minneapolis-area hotel after it garnered national attention for refusing to offer rooms to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Walz Gives Order to Prepare National Guard After ICE Shooting

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued an order on Wednesday to put the National Guard on standby after a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot a woman, identified as 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Good tried to run the agent over with her vehicle.

ICE Agent ‘Seems to Have Shot in Self-Defense,’ Says Trump

President Donald Trump reacted to a video on Wednesday of a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shooting a woman in Minneapolis as her car accelerated toward him.

Trump Proposes Increasing 2027 Military Budget to $1.5 Trillion

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the 2027 military budget should be greatly expanded due to national security concerns.

Trump Says He Will Ban Large Investors From Buying Houses

President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that he will “immediately” take steps to ban large investors from purchasing single-family homes.