Seth McLaughlin
Articles by Seth McLaughlin
House Speaker cautiously optimistic on DHS funding deal, but draws hard line on mask ban, visible ID
House Speaker Mike Johnson is signaling that a deal with Democrats on funding the Department of Homeland Security for a full year is within reach. Published February 1, 2026
Rep. Thomas Massie turns Trump’s jabs at him into campaign cash
Rep. Thomas Massie is still raking in campaign cash -- even as President Trump and his deep-pocketed allies go after him and lift up his chief primary challenger, who has made an early fundraising splash of his own. Published January 31, 2026
Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar enters Minnesota’s gubernatorial race
Sen. Amy Klobuchar said Thursday she's jumping into the race to become Minnesota's next governor, vowing to "get things done," bring bipartisanship to St. Paul and root out the fraud that has roiled the state. Published January 29, 2026
Trump backs Noem amid Democratic calls for her impeachment after federal agents kill 2 Americans
The Trump administration has booted Gregory Bovino as head of the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, but Democrats are aiming higher: They want Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem toppled. Published January 27, 2026
Sen. John Fetterman demands Trump fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem
Sen. John Fetterman on Tuesday joined growing calls for President Trump to oust Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Published January 27, 2026
GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy highlights Trump-era wins even as Trump backs his primary challenger
Sen. Bill Cassidy is running for reelection on the legislative achievements he says he secured while working with President Trump, even as the president backs one of his primary challengers. Published January 27, 2026
Pam Bondi’s request for Minnesota voter rolls ignites clash over election authority
Democrat ic officials and voting-rights advocates are raising increasingly urgent warnings that President Trump's immigration crackdown in Minnesota is part of a broader effort to influence the 2026 election. Published January 26, 2026
GOP candidate ends bid for Minnesota governor, calls immigration crackdown ‘unmitigated disaster’
Chris Madel has ended his long-shot GOP bid for Minnesota governor, saying he can no longer "support the national Republicans' stated retribution on the citizens of our state." Published January 26, 2026
Second Minnesota killing by U.S. officials sparks showdown between Trump admin, community leaders
The second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minnesota by federal immigration officers has sparked a national uproar, widening the divide over President Trump's immigration crackdown and intensifying scrutiny of the administration's tactics. Published January 25, 2026
Obamas say most recent fatal ICE shooting in Trump immigration crackdown a ‘wake-up call’ for nation
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama said the shooting of Alex Pretti should mark a turning point in the national debate over President Trump's immigration crackdown. Published January 25, 2026
Minneapolis police chief cites footage in challenging federal account of Alex Pretti killing by ICE
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara is openly pushing back on Homeland Security's description of the shooting of Alex Pretti. Published January 25, 2026
Senate Democrats vow to oppose DHS funding in aftermath of ICE’s fatal shooting of Alex Pretti
Senate Democrats are vowing to oppose a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security -- even if it triggers a partial government shutdown -- in the aftermath of Saturday's fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minnesota by ICE agents. Published January 25, 2026
Trump admin lying ‘to the American public’ about killing of Alex Pretti, Sen. Murphy says
Sen. Chris Murphy said Sunday the Trump administration's lies about Saturday's fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man by ICE agents should send shock waves across the nation. Published January 25, 2026
Top Border Patrol official says Alex Pretti to blame for being fatally shot by ICE agents
The Border Patrol official leading President Trump's immigration-enforcement surge in Minnesota is framing Saturday's fatal shooting of a 37-year-old ICU nurse as a tragic but unavoidable consequence of a man who was "actively impeding and assaulting law enforcement." Published January 25, 2026
Musk’s $10M Kentucky bet signals return to Trump orbit ahead of midterms
Elon Musk's decision to pour $10 million into the race to replace Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell is the clearest sign yet that he's planning a return to the campaign arena for the midterms -- and ready to spend big on candidates aligned with President Trump. Published January 23, 2026
Sen. Klobuchar files paperwork for Minnesota gubernatorial bid
Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Thursday took a significant step toward entering the Minnesota governor's race, filing paperwork to establish a campaign committee for a potential run this fall. Published January 22, 2026
Sen. Collins caught in crossfire as Platner slams ICE tactics in high-stakes Maine Senate race
Graham Platner, the insurgent Democrat running for the Senate in Maine, is coming out swinging against President Trump's immigration enforcement tactics, calling it "absolutely disgusting" and urging activists to be the "bulwark against ICE." Published January 22, 2026
Amid Minnesota’s scandal and unrest, Michele Tafoya jumps into Senate race
Former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya is stepping onto the political field to run for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota, giving Republicans a high-profile contender in a state they have long believed should be more competitive. Published January 21, 2026
Gov. Newsom warns Europe: Trump is a ‘T. rex: You mate with him, or he devours you’
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging foreign leaders to stand up against his own nation's president, Donald Trump, calling on them to view him through a prehistoric lens and warning they will get chewed up if they expect him to abide by modern diplomatic norms. Published January 20, 2026
Trump tops Nobel Peace Prize odds, matching his self-assessment
President Trump is the odds-on favorite to win the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, outpacing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Pope Leo XIV, the late Charlie Kirk and humanitarian aid groups across the globe, according to new betting lines. Published January 20, 2026
