Kristi Noem says that more officers are being deployed amid protests in several cities
Welcome to our US politics blog. There are several major stories around this morning:
“Hundreds more” ICE agents are due to arrive in Minneapolis today after an officer shot dead a woman in her car last week. Renee Good’s killing has sparked protests across several cities. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said more officers were being deployed for their own protection.
Fed chair Jerome Powell – who has been slammed by Trump for refusing to lower interest rates – announced Sunday he’s facing criminal investigation by federal prosecutors over renovations to Federal Reserve buildings. He’s made clear the “unprecedented” probe is driven by political motives.
All eyes are on how the US might respond to Iran’s deadly crackdown on protesters, and whether it might mete out further military action, in addition to its strikes last year. Trump said on Sunday he was in contact with the opposition, and US officials might meet with Iranian counterparts.
Trump is also threatening Cuba with withholding oil supplies from Venezuela, warning them to “make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE” in a Sunday post on Truth Social. “THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO!” His threats to the traditional ally of Venezuela comea in the wake of the US kidnapping and removing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro last week, while concerns also remain over the White House’s claims on Greenland.