LIVE: Popok Gives URGENT UPDATE on Breaking Legal news | 1/27/2026

Nine progressive prosecutors, including Larry Krasner of Philadelphia and Mary Morardi of Minneapolis, have formed an alliance called 'FAFO' (Fight Against Federal Overreach). This group aims to bring state charges against federal officers where appropriate, directly challenging federal actions and asserting state sovereignty.

Larry Krasner and Mary Morardi are named as leaders of the 'FAFO' group, which explicitly states its purpose is to bring state charges against federal officers.

The Trump administration made a significant political error in its response to the execution of VA nurse Alex Prey by Border Patrol. Initially attempting to label Prey a domestic terrorist and attacking his Second Amendment right to carry a weapon, the administration alienated its own base, particularly the Second Amendment wing of MAGA, forcing a public retreat from Donald Trump himself.

The administration's failed attempts to label Prey a 'domestic terrorist' or 'would-be assassin' (Stephen Miller, Christine Gnome) and subsequent attacks on his gun ownership backfired, causing 'horror and recoil' among Second Amendment supporters. Trump himself later expressed regret and shifted his stance.

Donald Trump made the decision to sideline Christine Gnome, the Director of Homeland Security, removing her authority over Border Patrol operations in Minneapolis and appointing Tom Homan to report directly to him. This move came amidst growing Democratic calls for her impeachment, with 165 co-sponsors already on Articles of Impeachment, indicating a strong political push for her removal.

Trump 'sideline[d] Christy Gnome' and put Tom Homan in charge, reporting directly to Trump, not Gnome. Hakeem Jeffries threatened impeachment, and 165 Democrats co-sponsored Articles of Impeachment.

Federal Judge Menendez is investigating a letter from Pam Bondi to Minnesota Governor Tim Walls, sent the night of Alex Prey's execution. The letter allegedly offered to stop the ICE surge in Minnesota in exchange for the state's voter data, SNAP program data, and a change in its sanctuary city status. Judge Menendez is demanding an explanation for this potential 'illegal quid pro quo.'

Pam Bondi's letter to Tim Walls linked stopping the ICE search to Minnesota opening up its voter data, SNAP/welfare program data, and ceasing to be a sanctuary state. The judge questioned if this was an 'illegal quid pro quo' and requested a new briefing to explain the linkage.

Chief Judge Schultz, a conservative Republican, demonstrated judicial independence by refusing to override a magistrate judge's decision not to issue an arrest warrant for journalist Don Lemon and his producer. He effectively exonerated Lemon in his response to an Eighth Circuit mandamus petition. Additionally, Judge Schultz ordered acting ICE administrator Todd Lions to appear for possible contempt for failing to follow court orders regarding due process for detainees, prompting Lions to release the individual to avoid the appearance.

Judge Schultz refused to override the magistrate judge on Don Lemon's arrest warrant, stating it was 'unprecedented' and that Lemon committed 'no crime.' He also ordered Todd Lions to appear for contempt for failing to release a detainee, which resulted in the detainee's release.

The Department of Justice has explicitly stated it will not conduct a criminal or civil rights investigation into the execution of Alex Prey. This decision comes despite affidavits revealing a chaotic crime scene that was left unsecured for over 38 minutes, a complete violation of the chain of custody, and the disappearance of Prey's firearm. The involved federal agencies (Homeland Security Investigations, Border Patrol, FBI) provided uncoordinated and contradictory accounts.

The Trump administration 'told you that neither for Renee Good's murder nor for Alex Prety's murder will they be conducting a criminal investigation or civil rights investigation.' Affidavits detailed the crime scene being 'unattended and not secured for more than 38 minutes,' 'chain of custody... completely violated,' and the 'firearm is' missing.

Melania Trump is actively avoiding service of process in a lawsuit filed by journalist Michael Wolf. Wolf sued for a declaratory judgment after Melania's lawyer demanded a retraction and $1 billion for statements linking her to the Epstein scandal. Melania is attempting to move the case from New York federal court to Florida, likely seeking a favorable venue with judges like Aileen Cannon.

Melania is 'dodging service of process' after her lawyer demanded a retraction and $1 billion from Michael Wolf. She is trying to move the case to federal court in Florida, specifically mentioning the possibility of it landing with 'Judge Cannon.'