#ourCOG Daily Brief [January 16, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for January 16, 2026.

In today’s top stories, President Trump is threatening to invoke the rarely used Insurrection Act amidst clashes between protesters and ICE agents in Minnesota, while some local businesses in Minneapolis and other cities are pushing back against the administration’s deportation crackdown by refusing entry to ICE officers without a judicial warrant. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to grapple with the strategic implications of Greenland, with historical context suggesting that direct ownership might not be essential for national security. There’s also a debate over labeling opponents of ICE as “extremists,” distinguishing between constitutionally protected speech and civil disobedience. Domestically, the Smithsonian Institution is facing a White House deadline to comply with demands regarding “improper ideology.” On the world stage, Ukrainians are enduring a long, cold winter as Russian attacks severely damage their energy grid, leaving many without power and heat. In Iran, witness accounts of shocking atrocities are accumulating, painting a starkly different picture from the regime’s claims of national solidarity. Finally, the AI chatbot Grok’s ability to generate provocative deepfake images has highlighted the divergent approaches to online regulation between Europe and the United States.

Turning to our video section, we have a diverse set of messages available for viewing, including “NYA,” “Fasting: Stay Humble and Hungry” by Jentezen Franklin, and “The Hebrew Year 5252 | Episode 1319” with Perry Stone.

From our FaithNews RSS feed, we’re seeing updates such as the launch of the General Assembly Website, GA26.org, Infinity Concepts acquiring InChrist Communications, Prison Fellowship International celebrating its one millionth prisoner graduate, and Smith being honored with the Spirit of Azusa Award.

In prophecy news, the “experts” seem to have been wrong again, as the Trump economy is reportedly booming, defying earlier recession predictions that were as high as 60 or even 90 percent. There’s also buzz from a Supreme Court session where Justice Alito pressed an ACLU attorney on her inability to define “man” or “woman,” highlighting concerns about the country’s collective understanding of basic terms. Furthermore, Bill and Hillary Clinton have reportedly refused subpoenas to testify in the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein investigation. All of this comes as discussions circulate about a “Suddenly, New World?” where global geopolitics appear to have undergone rapid and significant shifts, with the impact of President Trump’s foreign policies at its core.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back at January 17th, we remember Emperor Theodosius I, who passed away in 395. His reign saw several laws directly impacting his Jewish subjects, including obligations for shipmasters, the right to judicial autonomy for Jewish patriarchs, and a significant law in 393 forbidding the destruction of synagogues. Later, in 1287, King Alfonso III of Aragon invaded Minorca, bringing it into Spanish control – a status that largely persists today. This event notably involved Judah Bonsenyor, the Notary-general of Aragon, whose crucial language skills served him as an interpreter during the invasion.