The briefing for Wednesday, January 14.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced it will stop calculating monetary savings from avoided deaths and healthcare costs when evaluating air pollution regulations, focusing cost-benefit analyses solely on industry compliance expenses. The change affects rules governing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone, two deadly pollutants that the EPA has regulated for decades. According to the agency, it will continue estimating business costs but 'will not be monetizing the impacts at this time' while it refines its economic methodologies.

Environmental groups sharply criticized the move as an abandonment of the EPA's core mission. The Natural Resources Defense Council called it 'reckless, dangerous, and illegal,' arguing that by pretending health benefits don't exist, the EPA opens the door for industry to increase air pollution while communities suffer asthma attacks, heart disease, and premature deaths. Under the Biden administration, the EPA estimated its PM2.5 rule would prevent up to 4,500 premature deaths annually by 2032, with every dollar spent on pollution reduction yielding up to $77 in health benefits.

Separately, the EPA proposed limiting the power of states and tribes to block major infrastructure projects over water quality concerns. The rule would impose strict deadlines and narrow the scope of reviews states can conduct under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, which currently allows local authorities to reject permits for pipelines, dams, and other federally regulated projects. The agency says the changes will increase efficiency and prevent delays, particularly for data centers and fossil fuel infrastructure that Trump has prioritized.

Critics warn the combined policy shifts fundamentally alter environmental protection enforcement. The changes come as the Trump administration seeks to abandon Biden-era air quality standards and as EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has expanded the agency's mission to include economic priorities like 'restoring America's energy dominance' and making the U.S. the 'artificial intelligence capital of the world.' The moves represent a marked shift toward industry-friendly policies at an agency traditionally focused on protecting public health and the environment.

Central bank chiefs from 11 countries, including the Bank of England, European Central Bank, and Bank of Canada, issued an unprecedented joint statement declaring they stand in 'full solidarity' with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The statement came after the Justice Department launched a criminal investigation into Powell over testimony he gave about building renovations at Fed facilities. The international bankers called Powell 'a respected colleague who is held in the highest regard,' emphasizing that 'the independence of central banks is a cornerstone of price, financial and economic stability.'

The investigation stems from Powell's June testimony to Congress about cost overruns on a $2.5 billion renovation of Fed headquarters. Powell characterized the DOJ's subpoenas as 'pretexts' to pressure him into sharply cutting interest rates, warning that 'this is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions, or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation.' The White House has defended the probe while President Trump has repeatedly attacked Powell personally, calling him a 'major loser' and a 'numbskull' while demanding aggressive rate cuts.

Republican senators on the Banking Committee have begun pushing back against the investigation. Senator Thom Tillis said he would oppose Trump's nominee to replace Powell and any other Fed Board nominees until the matter is 'fully resolved.' Senator Lisa Murkowski called the investigation 'an attempt at coercion,' while Senator Kevin Cramer said Powell should not be considered a criminal despite disagreeing with his performance. Three former Fed chairs—Janet Yellen, Ben Bernanke, and Alan Greenspan—also voiced support for Powell and the bank's independence.

The confrontation raises fundamental questions about the balance of power in the federal government and the future of U.S. economic policy. Trump has made clear he believes the Fed should lower rates to reduce federal debt payments, a position former Treasury Secretary Yellen called 'the road to banana republic.' Powell is set to step down in May, and the Banking Committee must approve Trump's eventual replacement. The international statement underscores global concern that political interference in the Fed could destabilize markets and economic stability worldwide.

The death toll from Iran's nationwide protest crackdown has climbed to at least 2,571, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which reported that 1,850 protesters, 135 government-affiliated personnel, and several children have been killed since demonstrations began in late December. Iranian state television offered its first official acknowledgment of significant casualties, saying the country had 'a lot of martyrs' but blaming 'armed and terrorist groups' for the deaths. The figure dwarfs casualties from previous Iranian protests and recalls the chaos of the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iran's judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei signaled Wednesday that detained protesters would face swift trials and executions, saying 'if we want to do a job, we should do it now' and 'if we want to do something, we have to do it quickly.' Activists reported that 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, detained last week, is scheduled to be executed Wednesday after a court issued a death sentence 'in an extremely rapid process, within just two days.' More than 18,100 people have been detained during the unrest, which has spread to more than 600 protests across all 31 provinces.

President Trump escalated his rhetoric Tuesday, telling protesters to 'keep protesting—take over your institutions' and warning Iranian officials they would 'pay a big price' for the killings. Trump said he had 'canceled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops' and declared 'help is on its way,' though he provided no details. He also threatened 'very strong action' if Iran executes protesters, warning in a CBS interview that 'if they hang them, you're going to see some things.' The administration has already announced 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Iran.

The crisis has been compounded by a near-total internet shutdown, though activists reported Wednesday that Starlink satellite internet service is now offering free access in Iran, helping circumvent government censorship. Videos from Tehran's Kahrizak Forensic Centre showed at least 180 shrouded bodies as families searched for loved ones. Hospitals have reportedly been overwhelmed, with one Tehran doctor describing conditions as 'like a warzone' with shortages of supplies and blood. Trump has repeatedly threatened military action over the killings, just months after U.S.-Israeli operations bombed Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict in June.

Two Minneapolis residents monitoring immigration enforcement operations say they were detained for hours without charge, denied phone calls, and pressured by ICE officers to provide names of protest organizers and undocumented immigrants in exchange for money or legal protection. Brandon Sigüenza, a U.S. citizen, said an officer told him 'it looks like I'm in trouble' and 'could possibly help me out' if he cooperated. Both Sigüenza and Patty O'Keefe were arrested Sunday after officers fired pepper spray through her car's windshield vent and smashed windows, with agents allegedly mocking them and threatening that 'obstructing' federal work was how Renee Good—the woman fatally shot by ICE last week—got killed.

The Justice Department announced Tuesday it sees 'no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation' into Good's shooting death, marking a sharp departure from past administrations that typically moved quickly to probe law enforcement killings of civilians. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's statement came despite federal officials' conclusion being reached before any meaningful investigation, and after Minnesota officials were blocked from accessing evidence. Federal authorities have maintained the ICE officer acted in self-defense against 'an act of domestic terrorism,' though that characterization has been widely rejected based on available videos of the incident.

The decision prompted roughly half a dozen federal prosecutors in Minnesota to resign, including First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson, along with several supervisors in the Civil Rights Division in Washington. Three Democratic members of Congress from Minnesota were blocked Saturday from visiting the ICE facility near Minneapolis under a secretly reimposed seven-day notice policy, despite a federal judge having blocked such requirements last month. Plaintiffs' attorneys asked the judge to hold an emergency hearing Wednesday, arguing the duplicate policy violates the court's order as Congress negotiates DHS funding.

Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to halt or limit the immigration surge, arguing DHS is violating First Amendment rights by targeting a progressive state. State Attorney General Keith Ellison called it 'a federal invasion' by 'poorly trained, aggressive and armed agents' who have 'terrorized Minnesota with widespread unlawful conduct.' DHS has pledged to deploy more than 2,000 officers to Minnesota and says it has made over 2,000 arrests since December in what ICE calls its largest enforcement operation ever. Tensions continued Tuesday with federal officers deploying tear gas at protesters, while witnesses regularly post videos of agents using chemical irritants and aggressive tactics throughout Minneapolis neighborhoods.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen presented a united front Tuesday against President Trump's demands to acquire Greenland, with Nielsen declaring that 'if we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO. We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU.' The statement came as their foreign ministers prepared for Wednesday meetings at the White House with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the strategic Arctic territory's future.

Frederiksen condemned what she called 'completely unacceptable pressure from our closest ally,' warning that 'there are many indications that the most challenging part is ahead of us.' The Danish leader emphasized that Greenland is part of Denmark and thus covered by NATO's mutual defense umbrella, meaning any U.S. attempt to seize the territory would tear apart the transatlantic alliance that has been a linchpin of post-World War II security. Trump brushed off their position, telling reporters 'that's their problem' and 'that's going to be a big problem for him' in response to Nielsen's comments.

Trump has repeatedly said he's considering 'a range of options, including military force' to acquire Greenland, insisting that 'one way or the other, we're going to have Greenland' to prevent Russia or China from gaining influence. The U.S. currently operates Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland with roughly 200 soldiers, down from thousands across 17 bases after World War II. Danish officials have said they're open to expanding U.S. military cooperation but have repeatedly stated the territory is not for sale.

Major European powers and Canada have rallied to Denmark's support with statements affirming that 'only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations' and calling for 'upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.' The UK and Germany are developing military proposals to boost NATO's Arctic presence, with German officials calling for at least one European brigade to be stationed in Greenland. The escalating tensions have taken on greater urgency following Trump's military action against Venezuela, raising concerns about his willingness to use force against allies.

The Senate is set to vote Wednesday on a war powers resolution aimed at limiting President Trump's military authority in Venezuela, with Trump intensifying pressure on five Republican senators who joined Democrats to advance the measure last week. Trump has called the GOP defectors names including 'stone cold loser' and 'disasters,' while characterizing his administration's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as 'one of the most successful attacks ever.' The legislation would prohibit further military action without congressional authorization following the surprise raid that seized Maduro and ongoing operations in the Caribbean.

At least one Republican, Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, indicated he may flip his vote after phone calls with Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Hawley said Trump's message was that the resolution 'really ties my hands,' while Rubio assured him 'point blank, we're not going to do ground troops' and that the administration would follow constitutional requirements for any future deployments. Senator Todd Young of Indiana declined to discuss his position but said he was 'giving it some thought,' while Senator Susan Collins, who had previously voted against similar resolutions, voted to advance this one.

The Trump administration has used multiple legal rationales for its Venezuela campaign, initially invoking global war on terror powers by designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations, then characterizing Maduro's capture as a law enforcement extradition operation for 2020 federal charges. Senators reviewed a classified legal opinion Tuesday that was described as lengthy, though its contents remain undisclosed. The shifting legal justifications have raised questions about the scope of presidential military authority, particularly after Trump's recent threats of force against other nations including Iran and Greenland.

While the resolution has virtually no chance of becoming law—requiring Trump's own signature—it represents both a test of GOP loyalty and a marker of how much military latitude the Republican-controlled Senate will grant the president abroad. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, who sponsored the measure, said Trump's team is 'furious at the notion that Congress wants to be Congress,' adding that senators 'don't want to just vote their own irrelevance.' The vote comes as new details emerged that the plane used to strike Venezuelan boats last fall was painted as civilian aircraft, raising questions about compliance with military laws against perfidy.