Trump administration expanding 'Mexico City' policy that restricts U.S. aid
NBC News Clone summarizes the latest on: Rcrd97226 - Politics and Government | NBC News Clone. This article is rewritten and presented in a simplified tone for a better reader experience.
Separately, Trump sparked outcry in the United Kingdom after saying in a Fox Business interview that NATO troops "stayed a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan.
Highlights from Jan. 23, 2026
- 'MEXICO CITY' POLICY: The Trump administration is expanding the “Mexico City” policy, which restricts U.S. aid to foreign organizations that provide or promote abortions, to include “radical gender ideologies” and diversity, equity and inclusion policies, Vice President JD Vance announced this afternoon.
- TRUMP'S NATO COMMENTS RANKLE: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer today denounced President Donald Trump's comments in a Fox Business interview that NATO troops "stayed a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan — remarks that stirred outcry in the United Kingdom.
- RUSSIA-UKRAINE MILESTONE: Ukraine and Russia held joint peace talks with the United States today, the first trilateral meeting since the Russian invasion nearly four years ago.
- CARNEY DISINVITED: Trump posted on Truth Social that he was withdrawing his invitation to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to join his Gaza Strip “Board of Peace,” escalating a feud between the two leaders. The president did not give a reason for the move.
Pentagon shifts focus away from China in new defense strategy
The Defense Department said in an influential strategy document published today that the U.S. military’s top focus is no longer on China but instead the homeland and Western Hemisphere.
The priorities laid out in the 2026 National Defense Strategy, a quadrennial report last published in 2022, diverge significantly from those of the Biden administration, with efforts geared more inward such as securing the border and countering narcotics.
The document says the country is not pursuing an isolationist agenda, but lays out why the U.S. wants allies to do more while the military focuses more on the homeland.
Labor secretary's bodyguard placed on leave amid probe into Lori Chavez-DeRemer, source says
A member of the security detail for Labor Secretary Lori Chavez DeRemer was placed on leave Jan. 16 as officials investigate an alleged romantic relationship between the two, a source with knowledge of of the matter confirmed to NBC News.
The bodyguard's job title was first reported by Bloomberg Law earlier today.
NBC News previously reported that multiple employees have been placed on leave as the Labor Department's Office of Inspector General investigates alleged misconduct by the secretary.
Nick Oberheiden, an attorney for Chavez-DeRemer, told NBC News in a statement today: “It is not in Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s interest to comment on unverified (and unverifiable) information that potentially stems from inside sources like investigators who, under federal law, would have been barred from disclosing investigate details. What motive other than political ambush, one may ask, would anyone have to leak updates on an internal audit?”
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos to testify before Senate on Warner Bros. deal
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos will testify before the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee in February about the potential acquisition of Warner Brothers Discovery by Netflix, two sources familiar with the planning confirmed to NBC News.
Sarandos is expected to testify Feb. 3, a source with knowledge of the planning told NBC News.
Bloomberg News first reported the upcoming hearing.
Last month, the subcommittee chair, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, posted on X: “Buckle up for an intense antitrust hearing in the Senate.”
Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed clarifies stance on 'Medicare for All'
Abdul El-Sayed, a Senate candidate in Michigan, clarified his position on “Medicare for All” in an interview today with NBC News while responding to criticisms from Democratic primary rival Mallory McMorrow.
A clash between the two erupted online yesterday, with allies of both candidates also engaging in war of words after El-Sayed said in a video clip that under his health care plan, “If you like your insurance from your employer or from your union, that can still be there for you.”
McMorrow noted that El-Sayed has championed the Medicare for All Act by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., which would abolish almost all private and employer-based insurance, saying on X: “On an issue as important as healthcare, you have to be honest about what you’re fighting for — not rewriting definitions to have it both ways.”
El-Sayed told NBC News he supports two different visions of Medicare for All, one being the “Bernie bill” introduced in Congress. “I’d be glad to support the current iteration, but we don’t have the votes for it right now,” he said.
But he’s also offering an alternative approach. The Sanders bill would prohibit private coverage for services that “duplicate” anything included in the universal Medicare plan. El-Sayed said he now supports a system where everyone is automatically enrolled in Medicare but also has the option of supplemental coverage that replicates what the government-run Medicare for All insurance would cover.
"I don’t have a problem with private insurance offering some of the same services to folks, or covering some of the same services,” El-Sayed said, while emphasizing that it’s not the same as a public option that McMorrow has backed. “It’s public guaranteed, private option.”
There isn’t a bill reflecting his new approach, and the details remain a work in progress. El-Sayed would not specify which services could — or could not — be duplicated in the form of private coverage when asked where he’d draw the line, saying that gets “in the weeds.”
“In the several years since I’ve been thinking about Medicare for All, I’ve been walking and talking to folks across our state, and the central concern that folks always have is, ‘Well, you know, I really, I’ve been secure in knowing that I have this health insurance from the union or from my employer.’”
Still, his vision would extend coverage while also disrupting or eliminating much of the private insurance industry, as many employers would forgo coverage and keep workers in the expanded Medicare program. But, he said, at least there would be some choice.
Asked about McMorrow accusing him of having it both ways, El-Sayed said: “She doesn’t quite understand what a public option is, nor Medicare for All. And look, I’ve been thinking it’s not a fair conversation. I’ve been thinking about these things my whole life, and I know she’s pretty new to this conversation. I think it’s partly misunderstanding and it’s partly bad faith argumentation.”
McMorrow said today in a message to NBC News: “To be clear my stance is also universal public option so it seems like he’s splitting hairs over the opt-in method, but in effect he’s now shifted to the same policy I’ve been proposing. In the exact same way you have to enroll your child in public school as an action, although public school is guaranteed to every child, you still have to take an action.”
Military conducts ‘lethal kinetic strike’ on alleged drug boat, leaving one survivor
The U.S. military announced Friday it had carried out a “lethal kinetic strike” on an alleged drug boat, saying one person survived the attack.
“On Jan. 23, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations,” U.S. Southern Command said in a post on X with a video that it said showed the strike, which is believed to be the first such attack in weeks.
The post did not say where specifically the boat was coming from or where it was bound, but said that “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.”
“Two narco-terrorists were killed and one survived the strike,” the post said. Following the attack, Southern Command said it “immediately notified” the Coast Guard “to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivor.”
No further details were immediately released. U.S. officials have not provided evidence supporting its allegations about the boat, its passengers, cargo, or the number of people who survived or were killed.
An exiled crown prince says he can lead Iran to democracy, but Trump hasn’t endorsed him
He has been in exile for 47 years, a crown prince without a country. But Reza Pahlavi says his moment has arrived and insists his fellow Iranians will soon topple the clerical regime that ousted his father.
“They are demanding a credible new path forward,” Pahlavi said at a news conference in Washington last week. “They have called for me to lead.”
Although sometimes dismissed as politically irrelevant over the years, Pahlavi has gained new prominence in recent weeks as Iranian protesters chanted his name and reposted his social media appeals. But it remains unclear if Pahlavi has the political organizing skills and enough support inside Iran — or in the White House — to help topple the regime and steer the country to a democratic future.
Large-scale street protests that swept the country starting in late December have subsided after Iranian security forces opened fire on unarmed demonstrators, killing thousands, according to human rights groups.
Maryland Democrats make a new play to redraw their House map for 2026
Dozens of Maryland Democratic lawmakers are proposing a plan to immediately redraw the state’s congressional district lines ahead of the 2026 election, a move that could help Democrats net one additional U.S. House seat out of the state.
In addition to putting in place a temporary new map for 2026, the plan introduced today would then ask voters to bless the new district lines for the next two congressional elections as well. If voters don’t approve, the state would revert back to the maps it used during the 2024 election cycle.
The move comes as Democrats in the state Legislature navigate a stalemate over the idea of redrawing lines in time for this year’s election — and days after Democratic Gov. Wes Moore’s redistricting commission recommended a new map that would make the state’s only Republican-held district more competitive.
RNC passes rule to allow for possible midterm convention
The Republican National Committee unanimously passed an amendment to party rules during its winter meeting in California today that allows the RNC to call for a midterm convention, an RNC official confirmed to NBC News, allowing for the “possibility of an America First midterm convention-style gathering aligned with President Trump’s vision for energizing the party this fall.”
The rule says the convention must be announced at least 60 days in advance, no party business would be conducted during it, and normal party rules/procedures wouldn't apply during it.
There's been no formal decision made yet about whether to hold a midterm convention, although Trump has signaled he wants one.
Renée Fleming cancels Kennedy Center appearances
Renée Fleming has withdrawn from two scheduled May appearances at the Kennedy Center, the latest in a wave of cancellations since President Donald Trump ousted the previous leadership and the new leadership’s announcement that the venue would be renamed the Trump Kennedy Center.
The Grammy-winning soprano was to have appeared with conductor James Gaffigan and the National Symphony Orchestra. Her decision is unsurprising; a year ago she resigned as “Artistic Advisor at Large,” citing the forced departures of Kennedy Center Chair David Rubenstein and its president, Deborah Rutter. The center itself referred to “a scheduling conflict” as the reason she dropped out of the May concerts.
Vance pushes back on far-right activist's criticism over his March for Life appearance
Vice President JD Vance shot back at criticism from far-right activist Laura Loomer over his speech at the March for Life today.
Shortly after the vice president gave remarks at the march, Loomer posted on X, writing, "Why is the GOP pushing more abortion messaging in a midterm election year? Didn’t they learn their lesson in 2018?"
"Trump doesn’t like when the GOP focuses on abortion. How many times does he have to say this?" Loomer continued. "Trump gets it. The GOP will blow the midterms."
Vance replied to the post, writing, "The president literally sent a video to the March for Life today and encouraged me to accept their invitation, which I was happy to do."
"It’s interesting that some 'conservative influencers' spend all of their time attacking the administration and sowing division. Disgraceful, actually," the vice president added.
Prior to Vance's remarks, a prerecorded video of Trump played for the crowd at the 53rd annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., earlier today.
"Six years ago, I was proud to be the first president in history to attend this march in person. Since then, we have made unprecedented strides to protect innocent life and support the institution of the family like never before. There's never been anything like it," Trump said in the video.
He touted prior successes on the anti-abortion front, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade and reinstating the "Mexico City" policy to block U.S. funding for organizations that provide or promote abortion.
Democratic delegation plans to visit Ghislaine Maxwell's prison
The top Democrats of two House committees told Attorney General Pam Bondi in a letter that they intend to visit the federal prison camp in Texas where convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell is being housed in February — the same month she is set to be deposed by members of Congress.
A delegation of committee members and staff will go to Federal Prison Camp Bryan, a minimum-security facility where Maxwell was transferred in August, to investigate claims of preferential treatment, retaliation and sexual abuse lodged by more than a dozen whistleblowers, according to the letter, which was made public today.
Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, said some of the whistleblowers have previously detailed "credible allegations of retaliatory measures being taken against inmates who had reported the selective five-star treatment accorded to Ms. Maxwell."
Raskin and Garcia also said that the Justice Department and the federal Bureau of Prisons have declined to respond to past letters on the issue and questions about Maxwell's "extremely mysterious transfer" to Bryan, a facility that typically houses nonviolent and white-collar criminals and not sex offenders.
The DOJ and BOP did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Maxwell's lawyer, David Oscar Markus, has defended his client's transfer, saying in a statement today that "political prison tours don't move the country forward."
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., said this week that Maxwell is scheduled to be deposed on Feb. 9 as part of the committee's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, her co-conspirator. Maxwell is expected to appear virtually for her deposition, and Markus said she plans to decline answering questions.
Trump administration announces expansion of ‘Mexico City’ aid restrictions to include DEI and gender
The Trump administration will expand the “Mexico City” policy that restricts U.S. aid to foreign organizations that provide or promote abortions to include advocates of “radical gender ideologies” and diversity, equity and inclusion policies, Vice President JD Vance announced today at the March for Life.
“Now we’re expanding this policy to protect life, to combat DEI and the radical gender ideologies that prey on our children,” Vance told the crowd in Washington, D.C.
Vance added that the Mexico City policy was being increased to “about three times as big as it was before, and we’re proud of it, because we believe in fighting for life.”
Russia and Ukraine in ‘last mile’ of peace talks, Zelenskyy says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he believes peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are in the “last mile” after meeting with Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Zelenskyy’s comments came as Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. prepare to hold joint peace talks, the first trilateral meeting since the war began.
China defends wind power strategy after Trump criticism at Davos
China defended its record on wind power and reiterated its commitment to reducing global carbon emissions, after it was singled out for criticism by Trump in his speech at Davos.
Trump, a vocal critic of wind power, said that while China makes the majority of the world’s wind turbines, “I haven’t been able to find any wind farms in China,” adding that its turbines are bought by “stupid people.” China actually has scores of wind farms, including one in the Gobi Desert that is considered the world’s largest.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that China had ranked first in the world for installed wind power capacity for the last 15 years and that its exports of wind power and photovoltaic products had reduced carbon emissions in other countries by about 4.1 billion tons.
“China’s efforts in combating climate change and advancing the global development and application of renewable energy are widely recognized,” Guo said yesterday in Beijing. “As a responsible major developing country, China stands ready to work with all sides to continue to promote global green and low-carbon transition, and jointly build a clean and beautiful world.”
How Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign for Ohio governor returned him to the ‘real world’
The Vivek Ramaswamy running for governor of Ohio in 2026 is different from the one you might remember running for president in 2024.
Back then, Ramaswamy positioned himself at the far-right flank of a Republican Party that was about to once again nominate Donald Trump. The son of legal immigrants, he proposed ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and condemned “woke” culture. He invoked the “great replacement theory” — the idea that white people are being marginalized by migrants and people of color. He was very online.
This time, Ramaswamy has Trump’s endorsement for a job that a Democrat hasn’t won in 20 years. He is also calling out bigotry and racism, while adopting a congenial tone more reminiscent of the Republican he hopes to succeed, term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine. Once a brash showman, Ramaswamy now presents himself to Ohioans as an open-minded statesman.
Trump warns U.S. ‘armada’ heading to Iran; death toll in protest crackdown tops 5,000, activists say
Trump has said that an American “armada” is heading toward Iran, as the death toll from the regime’s crackdown on nationwide unrest rose past at least 5,000 people, activists said.
Tehran today dismissed as “completely false” Trump’s repeated suggestion that his threats had halted the planned executions of more than 800 protesters. Trump had said that such killings would be a trigger for him to launch military action.
“I said, ‘If you hang those people, you’re going to be hit harder than you’ve ever been hit,’” he told reporters on Air Force One as he returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “And an hour before this horrible [event], they canceled it. That was a good sign.”
He added that “we have an armada heading that direction and maybe we won’t have to use it.”
Trump administration pushes for auto race in downtown D.C.
The Trump administration is pushing for an auto race to be held in downtown Washington this year.
Sports Business Journal first reported that IndyCar was exploring the idea of a street race in Washington, D.C., this year.
In a statement, a Transportation Department spokesperson said, "The Grand Prix is an unprecedented opportunity to celebrate our nation’s proud racing pedigree, showcase the beauty of the National Mall, and generate millions in critical tourism revenue for the Capital."
"The Trump Administration is determined to make D.C. great again, and this race is another example of that commitment," the spokesperson said. "We’ll keep working with our partners in Congress to outline the positive impacts it will have on the District and correct the record."
Congress would likely need to be involved with approving such an event on the National Mall given that race cars are adorned with corporate sponsors' logos and advertising isn't allowed on Capitol grounds.
Federal judge appears skeptical of DOJ’s argument for White House ballroom construction
A federal judge appears to be leaning toward hitting the pause button on the White House ballroom’s construction.
While U.S. District Judge Richard Leon did not rule from the bench yesterday, promising a decision next month, his comments during arguments left little doubt about which way he was leaning.
Attorney Thad Heuer, representing the nonprofit National Trust for Historic Preservation, a group that works to protect U.S. historic sites, argued that the president does not have the constitutional authority to tear down the East Wing of the White House and construct a ballroom.
“He’s not the owner” of the White House, Heuer said.
Leon appeared to agree, saying, “He’s the steward.”
Russia and Ukraine to hold joint peace talks with U.S. for the first time
Ukraine and Russia will hold joint peace talks today with the United States, the first trilateral meeting since the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion nearly four years ago.
The talks in Abu Dhabi follow what Russia said was an “extremely frank” meeting at the Kremlin between Trump’s envoys and President Vladimir Putin. Trump met yesterday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The two-day meeting in the United Arab Emirates signals a renewed effort to strike a deal after months of stop-start diplomacy.
White House posts altered photo of Minnesota protester’s arrest to make it look like she's crying
The White House posted an image of an arrested Minnesota protester that was digitally altered to make it appear as if she was crying.
A digitally altered image of Nekima Levy Armstrong posted by the White House, left, and the original image of her posted earlier by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. @WhiteHouse; @Sec_Noem / via X
Civil rights activist Nekima Levy Armstrong was one of three people arrested yesterday in connection with a demonstration that interrupted a Sunday service at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, whose pastor they said works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that she would be charged under a federal law that bars physical obstruction of houses of worship.
The same image posted earlier by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem showed Levy Armstrong looking ahead calmly during her arrest. A senior White House official confirmed to NBC News that the White House altered the image, describing it as a “meme.”
Kaelan Dorr, the White House deputy communications director, said in a post on X: “Enforcement of the law will continue. The memes will continue.”
CORRECTION (Jan. 23, 2026, 10:35 a.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated the location of the church where the protest occurred. It was in St. Paul, Minnesota, not Minneapolis.
Philadelphia sues after slavery exhibits were taken down from President’s House site
The city of Philadelphia yesterday sued the Interior Department and the acting director of the National Park Service over reports that slavery exhibits were being dismantled in the city’s historic district.
The suit filed in federal court seeks a preliminary injunction to restore the exhibits at the President’s House Site, part of the Independence National Historical Park.
The lawsuit says that “the National Park Service has removed artwork and informational displays at the President’s House site referencing slavery, presumably pursuant to the mandate” of Executive Order No. 14253, which President Donald Trump signed in March.
The city said in the suit that it learned yesterday that the educational panels that referenced slavery had been removed.
Trump withdraws Canada’s invite to his ‘Board of Peace’
Trump has withdrawn his invitation to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, to join his “Board of Peace,” in an escalating feud between the two leaders.
“Dear Prime Minister Carney,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform late yesterday. “Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time.”
“Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he wrote.
The Canadian prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to an overnight request for comment from NBC News.
Trump mulls sending NATO troops to U.S.-Mexico border as a 'test'
Trump has suggested putting troops from fellow NATO members on the U.S. border with Mexico to protect against illegal immigration under the alliance’s collective defense obligation.
“Maybe we should have put NATO to the test: Invoked Article 5, and forced NATO to come here and protect our Southern Border from further Invasions of Illegal Immigrants, thus freeing up large numbers of Border Patrol Agents for other tasks,” Trump said in a social media post as he flew back to Washington from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
It was not clear whether Trump was being serious in the post, which comes after he alienated European allies with threats of a U.S. takeover of the semi-autonomous Danish territory of Greenland that critics said would spell the end of NATO.
Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an armed attack against one NATO member is an attack against all, has only ever been invoked once, by the U.S. in 2001 after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. More than 1,000 troops from Britain, Canada and other NATO members died in the 20-year U.S.-led war in Afghanistan that followed. Forty-four of them were from Denmark, a nation of about 6 million people, which had the highest per capita death toll among coalition forces.
British PM says Trump's comments on NATO involvement in Afghanistan were 'insulting and frankly appalling'
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced Trump's comments yesterday in an interview that NATO troops sent to Afghanistan after 9/11 "stayed a little off the front lines.”
Asked for his response, Starmer told a reporter today that he wanted to pay tribute to the 457 people from British armed services who died in Afghanistan.
"I will never forget their courage, their bravery, and the sacrifice that they made for their country," he said. "There are many also who were injured, some with life changing injuries, and so I consider President Trump’s remarks to be insulting and frankly, appalling, and I’m not surprised they’ve caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured."
The reporter interviewing Starmer noted that the mother of one man who suffered injuries in Afghanistan wants the prime minister to be tougher with Trump and demand an apology from him.
Starmer said he's made his position clear and he would tell the mother, "If I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologize, and I’d apologize to her."
In an interview with Fox Business yesterday, Trump questioned whether NATO would be there for the U.S. if it ever needed to rely on the alliance.
"That's really the ultimate test," he said. “We’ve never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them.”
“They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan,” he added. “And they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines."
