LIVE: Popok Gives URGENT UPDATE on Breaking Legal news | 1/20/2026
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The Department of Justice filed a 'notice of correction' admitting to the misappropriation of private social security information by 'Doge' despite a court order.
- ❖Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is prepared to use the National Guard to protect citizens from federal government actions and to prosecute federal officers if necessary.
- ❖Epstein survivor Lisa Phillips is advocating for a federal judge to appoint a special master to oversee the release of millions of Epstein-related documents, citing DOJ's slow-walking and lack of trust.
- ❖Lindsey Halligan was removed from her interim US Attorney position in the Eastern District of Virginia and from the Department of Justice entirely, a direct result of sustained public and legal pressure.
- ❖International leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, including those from France and Canada, publicly pushed back against Donald Trump's proposals regarding Greenland and a 'peace board' for Gaza.
- ❖The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on whether Donald Trump can take over the Federal Reserve, a case critical to the institution's independence and the U.S. economy.
Insights
1DOJ Admits Social Security Data Misappropriation
Democracy Forward, led by Sky Perryman, revealed a 'bombshell' filing where the Department of Justice (DOJ) admitted to misappropriating private social security information. This occurred despite a federal court order designed to protect this data, indicating a significant court compliance issue and potential privacy violations related to an 'unnamed political advocacy organization'.
Sky Perryman discusses a 'notice of correction to the record' filed by the administration, revealing that 'personal data was misappropriated' while a court order was in place, and that 'Doge had access to portals that could have taken the data out of the federal government or at least out of the agency.'
2Minnesota AG Prepares to Counter Federal Overreach
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is taking a strong stance against the Trump administration's perceived federal overreach, including the threat of deploying military troops under the Insurrection Act. Ellison is prepared to go to court to stop such actions and to prosecute federal officers, such as the ICE agent involved in Renee Good's death, if the DOJ abdicates its responsibility.
Popac states Ellison told him he's prepared to 'run into court if Donald Trump tries to do a phony invocation of the insurrection act' and 'ready to prosecute if the facts lead him there. A federal officer like Jonathan Ross now that the government has abdicated responsibility.'
3Epstein Survivors Demand Special Master for Withheld Documents
Lisa Phillips, an Epstein survivor, is leading efforts to implore a federal judge to appoint a special master to oversee the release of millions of Epstein-related documents. She argues that the Department of Justice has 'forfeited its right to be trusted' due to its slow-walking and foot-dragging, having only released 12,000 documents over six weeks despite identifying millions more.
Lisa Phillips states, 'the federal judge didn't ask for another like political argument or another DOG explanation. He specifically asked whether a victim needed to be heard.' She emphasizes the 'real emotional harm and retraumatization' caused by delays and mishandling.
4Lindsey Halligan Removed Due to Public Pressure
Lindsey Halligan was removed from her interim US Attorney position in the Eastern District of Virginia and from the Department of Justice entirely. This outcome is presented as a direct result of sustained public and legal pressure, including multiple court orders challenging her appointment and conduct.
Popac announces breaking news: 'Pam Bondi has announced that Lindseay Hallan is out. Not only is the Eastern District of Virginia prosecutor, US prosecutor, US attorney, but out of the Department of Justice completely.' He later adds, 'Pressure worked. Public pressure worked. Crowds and courage worked.'
5International Leaders Push Back Against Trump at Davos
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, European leaders, including French President Macron and Canadian leader Mark Carney, actively resisted Donald Trump's perceived imperialistic and colonialist proposals, such as acquiring Greenland and establishing a 'peace board' for Gaza with seats for dictators.
Popac describes Trump's attempt to make Davos his 'coronation platform' and his demands for NATO to 'give me Greenland' and for 'billion dollars for everybody who wants to be on the peace board.' He notes that 'European leaders, real leaders who got together... basically said we're not going back to imperialism, we're not going back to colonialism.'
Lessons
- Support public interest legal organizations like Democracy Forward to help challenge executive overreach and protect civil liberties.
- Stay informed about ongoing legal battles and judicial proceedings, as they often reveal critical information and hold powerful entities accountable.
- Recognize the power of collective action and public pressure in influencing legal and political outcomes, as demonstrated by the removal of Lindsey Halligan and the ongoing efforts in other cases.
Quotes
"Oh, you're a biased reporter with a leftwing opinion. ... You're a left-wing hack. You're not a reporter. You're posing in this room as a journalist."
"They're going to make mistakes sometimes. Ice is going to be too rough with somebody or, you know, they're dealing with rough people. Uh they're going to make a mistake sometimes. It can happen. We feel terribly."
"Courts are really important to force this type of transparency. Without these cases, none of this would be coming out."
"The administration's loss rate fluctuates between 70 and 80%. I mean, that is quite astonishing."
"Courage is the new currency. You're not getting out of this moment uh without standing up and pushing back. But when you do, it often works."
"The difference now is survivors live with the consequences of delay and the mishandling. This is like something that we deal with."
Q&A
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