Partial Government Shutdown

On Saturday, Jan. 31 the government entered a partial shutdown with the main point of disagreement being funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following the shooting deaths of two US citizens in Minneapolis. Democrats want the bill to include changes to immigration enforcement, which would include a code of conduct for federal agents and requirements for agents to show identification. Currently, the White House and Democratic lawmakers have made a deal to temporarily keep current funding to DHS for the next two weeks while negotiations are finalized. While this shutdown isn’t expected to last as long as the record-breaking shutdown in the fall of 2025, funding has already temporarily lapsed for the Pentagon and the Department of Transportation. House lawmakers will return on Monday, Feb. 2 to work on passing funding legislation.

Anti-ICE Protests Continue in Minnesota and Italy 

Following the shooting deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, anti-ICE demonstrations persisted in Minnesota, with thousands gathering in sub-zero temperatures. These protests have spread to cities across the United States, with community members rallying against ICE operations, calling for the removal of agents from their cities and demanding accountability and changes in policy. In Milan, Italy, residents are protesting against the planned presence of ICE at the 2026 Olympics, where the department is expected to provide added diplomatic security. Although the DHS has said ICE will not be patrolling or conducting enforcement activities, protesters remain dissatisfied, saying they don’t want any agents associated with ICE in the country.

First Moon Mission in 50 Years

With an estimated launch date of Feb. 8, 2026, four astronauts will complete a moon mission for the first time in over 50 years. The crew, consisting of Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen, will board NASA’s Artemis II for a 10-day journey. While the crew will not touch down on the moon, the mission will be the furthest a human mission has gone, surpassing the Apollo 13 mission. The Artemis II launch will be the second launch for NASA’s Space Launch rocket and Orion capsule. The crew is currently in quarantine to reduce their exposure to germs pre-launch.