January 2026 Presidential Update

In January 2026, the political atmosphere in the U.S. was shaped by a variety of issues regarding foreign policy and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) involvement in the United States. With the overall chaos and social divide created in January, President Trump and his administration maintain a low approval rating just one year after taking office.

Beginning with ICE, President Trump has continued to deport migrants who came into the U.S. illegally under former President Biden’s lax border policies. Although Trump has already deported many migrants who entered the U.S. illegally, he continues to ramp up funding for ICE and calls for more deportations nationwide. To keep deportation numbers high, President Trump has ordered more ICE agents into highly populated cities like Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Portland, Chicago, and New York. With more deportations demanded by the President, raids have grown increasingly violent and have even led to the deaths of U.S. citizens. 

Renee Macklin Good became the first U.S. citizen to be shot and murdered by an ICE agent on January 7th. Although Renee Good looked to be driving away from a raid happening, an ICE agent alleged that Good was aiming to run him over, leading him to shoot her in self-defense. Controversy struck when nearby medics were denied access to the scene, leading to Good’s death, although she did maintain a pulse for a short period of time. Good’s death led to protests nationwide and inside Minneapolis as well to demand that ICE leave cities and stop causing harm. 

More recently, on Saturday, January 24th, Alex Pretti was murdered by ICE agents after seeming to protect someone from being sprayed by an ICE agent. ICE agents say that Pretti was resisting arrest and had a gun on him, justifying his death. However, with investigations continuing and more information being revealed, it seems that Pretti wasn’t resisting arrest, had his gun taken from him before being shot, and that he had a legal permit to carry a gun in the first place. Pretti’s death incited more protests in Minneapolis, with the instigation of ICE agents leading to protests becoming increasingly violent. Information continues to be revealed as investigations continue, but the overall continuation of mass deportations and deaths of U.S. citizens, instigated by ICE, has caused social division and chaos in the United States. Senate Democrats now threaten another government shutdown if ICE raids aren’t stopped or controlled under the new funding bill, which is due by the end of the month. 

Regarding foreign policy, President Trump has been actively involved in other countries. On January 3rd, President Trump began the year by capturing Nicolas Maduro, the President of Venezuela. Maduro’s capture brought joy and renewed freedom in Venezuela, as many viewed him as a ruthless dictator who caused plenty of harm to the country. However, many believe that the U.S. only captured Maduro to gain access to Venezuela’s oil reserves, a necessity for the U.S. under President Trump. Following Maduro’s capture, Delcy Rodriguez, the Venezuelan vice president, was sworn in as acting president on January 5th. 

Additionally, President Trump has become interested in acquiring Greenland, likely for more natural resources. Trump’s interest caused tension between the U.S. and European countries, leading to Trump threatening tariffs on countries like France and possibly a split between the U.S. and NATO. At the World Economic Forum, President Trump reasserted interest in Greenland in a lengthy speech, in which he additionally mentioned the strength of the U.S. economy under his first year in office. By the end of the forum, Trump ended up reporting that there was a framework around a deal that would give the U.S. Greenland. Trump also formed his Board of Peace at the Forum, making the World Economic Forum an important event this month. His foreign policy work this month could help the U.S. in the future, but does create worry for some in countries President Trump has threatened to invade or take control of previously. 

Trump’s overall work with foreign policy and ICE involvement in the U.S. keep his approval ratings low this month. Trump is now in danger of losing the 2026 midterms, which could shift Congressional power back to the Democratic Party and limit his agenda, just one year after taking office.