Daily News — January 6, 2026
By What Authority?
Yesterday, the United Nations Security Council held its first emergency meeting of 2026—called by Colombia with Chinese and Russian backing—and the United States found itself isolated.1 Allies and adversaries united in condemnation. Secretary-General Guterres expressed “deep concern” that “rules of international law have not been respected.”2 Brazil’s Lula said the strikes “crossed an unacceptable line” and evoked “the worst moments of interference” in Latin America. Denmark’s ambassador declared: “The inviolability of borders is not up for negotiation.”3
Ambassador Mike Waltz’s defense: Venezuela is a “narco-terrorism organization responsible for killing American citizens.”¹ “This is not regime change, this is justice. Maduro was an indicted, illegitimate dictator.”
Justice. From this administration.
The Record
Waltz invokes “narco-terrorism” to justify removing Maduro. Yet Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht—Silk Road, $200 million in drug sales—the day after inauguration.4 Last month, he pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández, the former Honduran president convicted of trafficking 400 tons of cocaine into the United States.5 Let’s be clear: Trump has no problem with American deaths from overdose—when it’s politically expedient.
And by what moral authority does this administration lecture the world about evil dictators who make their people suffer? They have no ground to stand on. None. Every value that makes for a legitimate government, they’ve violated. Every principle that makes for good leadership, they’ve betrayed.
Free speech. They targeted law firms for representing clients against Trump.6 Trump filed frivolous lawsuits that bullied media outlets into $30 million in settlements.7 Their FCC threatened to pull broadcast licenses to force networks to do their political bidding.8
Due process. They renditioned people to a foreign gulag to be tortured, deported others, and caged thousands more in “Alligator Alcatraz”—all on mere assertion.9 10 Many were legal until Trump revoked their TPS. Some were U.S. citizens. Most had no criminal record at all.
Rule of law. They told courts “fuck you” and ignored judicial orders.11
Independent justice. They dropped federal corruption charges in exchange for policy concessions.12 They fired prosecutors who refused to bring political charges against Trump’s enemies.13 They unlawfully fired 17 inspectors general overnight.14
Military restraint. They deployed troops against Americans over governors’ objections—a federal judge called it an attempt to create “a national police force.”15
Transparency. They fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics hours after a bad jobs report.16 They purged 8,000+ government web pages—health data, minority history, anything they didn’t like.17
Economic security. They imposed tariffs that courts ruled unlawful, driving up prices on food, gas, and basic necessities for every American family.18
Protecting their people. They stripped healthcare from 11.8 million Americans to fund tax cuts for billionaires.19 When challenged, they held food stamps hostage for 16 million children until they prevailed.20
Then there’s January 6. Five years ago today—on this very date, on the anniversary of his own attempt to steal an election—Donald Trump lectures the world about stolen elections and illegitimate leaders. He incited a mob to storm the Capitol. He coordinated fraudulent electors in seven states to submit false certificates. And when he returned to power, he pardoned the rioters—rewarding the violence he unleashed. But for the captured Supreme Court shielding him, he would be constitutionally barred from office under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment—the insurrection clause.21
This is who claims moral authority to remove dictators.
The Pattern
As we covered yesterday, Venezuela isn’t a distraction—it’s an escalation. This is who Trump is. This is what the movement demands. Imperialism isn’t a smokescreen for domestic failures; it’s the next rung on the fascist ladder. Crush dissent at home. Expand dominion abroad.
They’re not even hiding it. Stephen Miller—on CNN, to Jake Tapper—declared that the world is “governed by strength, by force, by power” and dismissed international law as “international niceties.”22 On Greenland: “Nobody’s going to fight the United States militarily.” On Venezuela: “The United States is running the country.” As Bernie Sanders put it: “Mr. Miller gave a very good definition of imperialism.”
If there’s any solace, it’s the absurdity. You can’t liberate people while governing like the tyrant you’re removing—so pick your punchline. Trump is thinning the field of rival tyrants. Or he’s jealous—the man who tried to steal an election, lecturing the man who succeeded.
But irony won’t save us. Understanding the machine is the first step to replacing it. For those of us who want to see how we got here—and how we get out—start with The Freedom Illusion.
Security Council Report, “Venezuela: Emergency Meeting“, Security Council Report, January 5, 2026.
Details of the emergency Security Council meeting requested by Colombia with Chinese and Russian backing—the first of 2026—including the agenda item “Threats to international peace and security” and the U.S. finding itself isolated as allies and adversaries united in condemnation. Also documents Ambassador Mike Waltz’s statement that “This is not regime change, this is justice. Maduro was an indicted, illegitimate dictator.”
UN News, “Security Council LIVE: ‘The power of the law must prevail’ amid Venezuela crisis, says Guterres“, UN News, January 5, 2026.
Live coverage of Secretary-General Guterres’s statement expressing “deep concern” about international law violations and demanding respect for “national sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity.”
Axios, “Prime ministers of Greenland, Denmark tell Trump to stop U.S. takeover threats“, Axios, January 5, 2026.
Reports Denmark’s ambassador’s declaration at the UN Security Council meeting that “the inviolability of borders is not up for negotiation”—connecting U.S. actions in Venezuela to broader concerns about Trump’s territorial threats against Greenland.
NPR, “Trump pardons Ross Ulbricht, creator of the Silk Road dark web marketplace“, NPR, January 21, 2025.
Documents Trump’s pardon of Ross Ulbricht on his second day in office—fulfilling a campaign promise to Libertarians. Ulbricht created and operated Silk Road, which facilitated over $200 million in drug sales. Prosecutors said at least six deaths were traced to overdoses from drugs bought on the platform. He was serving two life sentences plus 40 years.
NPR, “Trump pardons Honduran ex-president who was convicted of drug crimes“, NPR, December 2, 2025.
Documents Trump’s pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted of trafficking over 400 tons of cocaine into the United States. A federal judge had described him as “a two-faced politician hungry for power.” Former AG Merrick Garland called Honduras under Hernández “a narco-state.” Senator Tim Kaine: “President Trump cares nothing about narcotrafficking.”
Stanford Law School, “Trump’s Attacks on Law Firms are an Attack on Law Itself“, Stanford Law School, April 4, 2025.
Documents the Trump administration’s executive orders targeting law firms—including Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, and WilmerHale—for representing clients against Trump. All won permanent injunctions; courts ruled the orders unconstitutional First Amendment violations. Part of a broader assault on free speech including media lawsuits, NPR/PBS funding cuts, and university targeting.
NPR, “ABC settles with Trump for $15 million. Now, he wants to sue other news outlets“, NPR, December 16, 2024.
Documents ABC News agreeing to pay $15 million to Trump’s presidential foundation to settle a defamation lawsuit—part of a broader campaign of media intimidation. CBS/Paramount later settled for $16 million. Legal experts warned the settlements would produce a “chilling effect” and install “internal self-censorship” at network news divisions.
NPR, “FCC chair faces questions about threats to broadcasters and agency’s independence“, NPR, December 18, 2025.
Documents FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s threats to revoke broadcast licenses from news outlets, with senators accusing him of censorship. Carr told Congress the FCC is “not formally an independent agency” and that “broadcast licenses are not sacred cows.” Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez accused Carr of acting to “weaponize our broadcast licensing authority” to “instill fear in broadcast stations and influence a network’s editorial decisions.”
NPR, “Federal judge says U.S. must give due process to deported Venezuelans“, NPR, December 22, 2025.
Documents the rendition of approximately 250 Venezuelan men to El Salvador’s CECOT mega-prison on mere assertion of gang membership—no trial, no appeal. Reports Judge Boasberg’s ruling that the government violated due process, and documents cases like Andry Hernandez Romero, a gay makeup artist falsely labeled a gang member based on tattoos.
Democracy Now!, “Federal Appeals Court Rules ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Can Continue Operating“, Democracy Now!, September 5, 2025.
Documents “Alligator Alcatraz,” the detention facility in the Florida Everglades built to cage immigrants—including over 1.6 million people who lost legal status when the administration revoked TPS and other protections overnight. Detainees reported worms in food, feces on floors, and days without medicine. Amnesty International called it “a human rights disaster.”
Rolling Stone, “Texts Reveal Trump DOJ’s Strategy for Handling Courts: ‘F-ck You’“, Rolling Stone, July 10, 2025.
Documents whistleblower accounts and text messages showing DOJ official Emil Bove directed staff to tell courts “fuck you” and ignore judicial orders on deportation flights. Two whistleblowers corroborated the claims. Bove has since been confirmed as a federal circuit judge.
NBC News, “NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption case dismissed; judge says charges can’t be used as ‘leverage’“, NBC News, April 2, 2025.
Documents the DOJ dropping federal corruption charges against Eric Adams in exchange for immigration cooperation. Seven prosecutors quit in protest. Judge Dale Ho dismissed the case WITH PREJUDICE, writing that “everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the Indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions.”
Yunior Rivas, “Federal Prosecutors Fired After Refusing Trump’s Pressure to Charge His Political Adversary“, Democracy Docket, October 17, 2025.
Documents the firing of veteran federal prosecutor Elizabeth Yusi and her deputy Kristin Bird after Yusi found “no probable cause” to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James. Trump’s former personal lawyer Lindsey Halligan—with no prosecutorial experience—was installed and secured indictments against both James and former FBI Director James Comey. A judge later dismissed both indictments, ruling Halligan was unlawfully appointed.
Associated Press, “Trump uses mass firing to remove inspectors general at a series of agencies“, NPR, January 25, 2025.
Documents the overnight mass firing of 17 inspectors general via email on January 24, 2025. The firings violated a 2022 law requiring 30 days’ notice to Congress. A federal judge ruled in September 2025 that Trump “violated the IGA” and the firings were unlawful—gutting independent oversight of the executive branch.
Mikhail Zinshteyn, “Trump broke the law by sending National Guard to L.A., federal judge rules“, CalMatters, September 2, 2025.
Documents the deployment of 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles over Governor Newsom’s objection. Judge Breyer ruled it violated the Posse Comitatus Act, calling it an attempt at “creating a national police force with the President as its chief.” Trump’s response: “I have the right to do anything I want to do. I’m the president.”
NBC News, “Trump fires labor statistics boss hours after the release of weak jobs report“, NBC News, August 1, 2025.
Documents Trump firing Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer hours after a weak jobs report, calling the data “rigged” without evidence. Former Trump-appointed BLS Commissioner William Beach said it “sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the statistical mission of the Bureau.” Trump nominated a Heritage Foundation economist who had called BLS statistics “phony baloney.”
Will Stone, “Trump administration purges websites across federal health agencies“, NPR, January 31, 2025.
Documents the deletion of over 8,000 government web pages and 3,000 datasets—health data, LGBTQ+ resources, minority history, Native American reports, anything the administration didn’t like. NASA was ordered to “drop everything” and eliminate references to women in leadership and indigenous people. Doctors for America sued to restore the information.
Tax Policy Center, “Supreme Court Ruling on IEEPA Tariffs Could Ease Cost Burdens, But Less Than You Might Think“, Tax Policy Center, December 9, 2025.
Documents the economic impact of Trump’s IEEPA tariffs on American families. TPC estimates the tariffs cost households $1.4 trillion over ten years, averaging $1,200 per family in 2026. Average tariff rates jumped from 2.6% to 17%—driving up prices on food, gas, and basic necessities while lower courts ruled the tariffs exceeded presidential authority.
Center for American Progress, “$1 Trillion in Medicaid Cuts—$1 Trillion in Tax Giveaways for the Richest 1 Percent“, Center for American Progress, July 3, 2025.
Documents the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that cut $1 trillion from Medicaid while providing $1 trillion in tax cuts to the top 1%, with CBO projecting 11.8 million Americans losing health coverage—stripping healthcare from millions to fund tax breaks for billionaires.
NPR, “Democrats sue over SNAP“, NPR, October 27, 2025.
Documents Trump’s freezing of SNAP benefits during the November shutdown, affecting 42 million Americans—39% of them children—using food as a bargaining chip. A federal judge found Trump showed “intent to defy a court order.”
Wikipedia, “Trump v. Anderson“, Wikipedia, accessed January 6, 2026.
Documents the Colorado Supreme Court’s historic 4-3 ruling that Trump was disqualified from the presidency under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment—the insurrection clause—for his role in the January 6 attack. The U.S. Supreme Court reversed unanimously, ruling that only Congress can enforce Section 3 against federal candidates. The decision allowed Trump to remain on ballots despite the constitutional bar, with three liberal justices writing that the majority “shuts the door on other potential means of federal enforcement.”
Chris Cameron, “Stephen Miller Asserts U.S. Has Right to Take Greenland“, The New York Times, January 5, 2026.
Documents Stephen Miller’s CNN interview where he asserted the U.S. could seize Greenland by force (”Nobody’s going to fight the United States militarily”) and declared the world is “governed by strength, by force, by power.” Miller dismissed international treaties as “international niceties” and stated “The United States of America is running Venezuela.” Senator Bernie Sanders responded: “Mr. Miller gave a very good definition of imperialism.”
Cheeto And Control Of The Military
Last night Rachel Maddow made the case for Emperor Cheeto’s foreign policy She went through all the excuses that have been raised Cheeto wants to put up the middle finger to a Nobel laureate; it’s the cocaine/fentanyl; it’s broadening campaign support from his wealthy cronies in the oil industry or at Koch Industries; it’s to support Big Oil in order to diminish green initiatives and oppose the ideas of global warming; it’s the poor quality Venezuelan oil or tar/asphalt; it’s to underscore his own “rigged” 2020 election claims by pointing to Maduro’s Venezuelan rigged elections to support election denialism; it’s to serve as a distraction to domestic inadequacies of inflation, ACA subsidies, ICE raids, losses in court, the Epstein files
All of these are plausible but with Paul Ryckoff as her guest (https://bit.ly/4971Mcw at 32minutes) Maddow makes the point that Cheeto wants to dominate the Western Hemisphere and use the powerful US military to achieve his goal But more than that Cheeto wants to show that he alone is in control of the military and get them used to following his unconstitutional use of the them Sure they won’t be asked to shoot peaceful demonstrators But what about just deploying them for the 2026 midterm elections to intimidate voters What would be so wrong with that?