One of the nation&#8217;s largest teachers unions promoted a “summer of resistance” against the federal government and claimed that students had been kidnapped by federal officers. 
The United Teachers Los Angeles union gave a presentation last year on “Preparing for ICE at your school” that pushed its members to engage in political activism and suggested utilizing school resources to thwart Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, according to <a href="https://defendinged.org/incidents/united-teachers-of-los-angeles-utla-planning-documents-and-materials-appear-to-advocate-for-use-of-school-resources-as-form-of-resistance-against-ice-promote-engaging-students-in-community-se/">materials obtained</a> by Defending Education. The training came after parts of Los Angeles were <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/we-are-coming-for-you-feds-reveal-more-charges-against-anti-ice-rioters">rocked by violent anti-ICE riots</a> that prompted President Donald Trump to send in the National Guard. 
The presentation pointed educators to how they could fight back against the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration and urged parents and teachers to collaborate on &#8220;resistance&#8221; efforts. It appeared to be created as part of the union&#8217;s broader <a href="https://utla.net/app/uploads/2025/08/Immigration-Enforcement-Safety-Review-FINAL.pdf">efforts</a> &#8220;to build a comprehensive to immigration enforcement.&#8221; 
Defending Education director of research Rhyen Staley told The Daily Wire that the training was another example of how teachers&#8217; unions push leftist politics over education. 
“Unfortunately, these documents are another reminder that the teachers&#8217; unions, especially UTLA, are focused on far-left social justice activism and advancing unpopular ideologies over how to improve the academic outcomes of the students they serve,” he told The Daily Wire. “But what is deeply appalling is the willingness of teachers to incentivize minors to engage in radical practices that could potentially put them in harm&#8217;s way.”
The training, which Defending Education noted was created by two members of the union and teachers at the Los Angeles Unified School District, walked educators through legal actions taken to block certain ICE operations in Los Angeles over the summer that culminated in a leftist judge blocking the agency from conducting broad immigration sweeps. 
The training did not appear to mention the violence of the anti-ICE protests, which included setting cop cars on fire, vandalism, and assaults on state and federal law enforcement. 
<div id="attachment_1041161" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1041161" class="size-full wp-image-1041161" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2219241406.jpg" alt="LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 08: Protesters hold up flags during protests after a series of immigration raids on June 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Tensions in the city remain high after the Trump administration called in the National Guard against the wishes of city leaders. " width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2219241406.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2219241406-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2219241406-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2219241406-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images.</div>
“The fight is far from over, we need to keep fighting together!” a slide shared with educators read. Another slide titled &#8220;What can you do?&#8221; instructed educators on how to take action against ICE operations. 
The suggested actions included joining &#8220;court watch and rally calls,” and funding &#8220;community defense work.”
“The government will likely fight back. But the spotlight is now on DHS’s unlawful practices — and our resistance is working!” the slide read. These resources appeared to be pulled from the used materials from the National Day Laborer Organizing Network.
<div id="attachment_1041165" style="width: 2028px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1041165" class="size-full wp-image-1041165" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-at-10.58.52-AM.png" alt="" width="2018" height="1104" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-at-10.58.52-AM.png 2018w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-at-10.58.52-AM-300x164.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-at-10.58.52-AM-1024x560.png 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-at-10.58.52-AM-768x420.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-at-10.58.52-AM-1536x840.png 1536w" sizes=" (max-width: 2018px) 100vw, 2018px" />Training obtained by Defending Education.</div>
Another slide highlighted alleged “student kidnappings,” including one that involved a 6-year-old boy with leukemia who was <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/06/30/dhs-debunks-fake-news-media-narratives-june#:~:text=The%20implication%20that%20ICE%20would%20deny%20a,regularly%20by%20medical%20professionals%20while%20in%20custody.">kept</a> with his illegal immigrant parents after an immigration judge ruled against their case. He was not denied or prevented from accessing medical treatment, as was suggested in some reports. 
One slide listed specific actions the United Teachers Los Angeles had taken regarding the ICE raids. This included partnering with “other unions for the summer of resistance” for “20 days of non-violent protest and action.” 
It also noted that the union and the Los Angeles Unified School District had agreed to “bargaining language” that declares that “the buildings and grounds of LAUSD (including pick-up and drop-off sites at all entries and exits) are sanctuary spaces for all students, parents, administrators, bargaining unit members, and community members at the school for school-related business and jointly committed to defend the right to a free and safe learning environment to the extent permitted by law.”
A spokesman for the district told The Daily Wire that it &#8220;follows applicable laws and District policies, which employees are expected to follow during the workday and in their interactions with students.&#8221;
The next slide featured suggested actions for members of the union, including “community patrols,” “age-appropriate rallies,” and in-school student protests.
<div id="attachment_1041173" style="width: 2033px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1041173" class="size-full wp-image-1041173" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-at-2.21.20-PM.png" alt="" width="2023" height="1226" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-at-2.21.20-PM.png 2023w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-at-2.21.20-PM-300x182.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-at-2.21.20-PM-950x576.png 950w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-at-2.21.20-PM-768x465.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-09-at-2.21.20-PM-1536x931.png 1536w" sizes=" (max-width: 2023px) 100vw, 2023px" />Training obtained by Defending Education.</div>
The training documents also suggest using Local School Leadership Councils “as a form of resistance.” These are groups of elected parents, community members, and school officials who oversee certain aspects of school policy. 
One of the policy areas this group oversees is discipline and student safety, and suggestions included the LAUSD “revamping tardy policy to get students into building,” pushing “LAUSD for ‘lock down’ if ICE is on/near campus – shelter in place,” “engaging students in community self-defense – offer service learning hours,” keeping “students away from gates at lunch/recess,” and “patroling school sites depending on community.”
<div id="attachment_1041517" style="width: 2040px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1041517" class="size-full wp-image-1041517" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-10-at-8.48.16-AM.png" alt="" width="2030" height="1242" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-10-at-8.48.16-AM.png 2030w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-10-at-8.48.16-AM-300x184.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-10-at-8.48.16-AM-941x576.png 941w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-10-at-8.48.16-AM-768x470.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-10-at-8.48.16-AM-1536x940.png 1536w" sizes=" (max-width: 2030px) 100vw, 2030px" />Defending Education.</div>
Other notes suggested using professional development time to make “immigration kits.”
Last month, the Department of Homeland Security <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/schools-arent-off-limits-for-ice-raids-trump-dhs-says">withdrew</a> a Biden-era policy that stipulated that schools were off limits for immigration enforcement operations. 
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesman said on January 21.

ICE Immigration Protest

‘Summer of Resistance’: Docs Reveal How California Teachers Were Trained To Fight Back Against ICE

‘Summer of Resistance’: Docs Reveal How Teachers Were Trained To Fight Back Against ICE

California

Education

Illegal Immigation

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Los Angeles

Teachers Unions

Los Angeles Democratic Mayor Karen Bass is facing a deepening political crisis following allegations that she personally directed the &#8220;watering down&#8221; of an official report into the 2025 Palisades fire to shield the city from legal liability.
Sources close to the mayor’s office revealed to the <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-04/bass-directed-watering-down-of-palisades-fire-after-action-report-sources-say">Los Angeles Times</a> that Bass pressured fire officials to remove or soften key findings regarding the Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LAFD) shortcomings. The most significant alteration involved the department’s failure to fully staff and pre-deploy engines ahead of the January 2025 disaster, which ultimately claimed 12 lives and destroyed more than 6,000 structures.
While the mayor has repeatedly denied involvement, two confidants told investigators they are prepared to testify under oath that Bass held onto an early draft of the report until the desired changes were made. One confidant reportedly warned the mayor that altering the document was a &#8220;bad idea&#8221; that would cause significant political damage.
The discrepancy between the drafts is stark. An initial version stated that pre-deployment decisions &#8220;did not align&#8221; with safety policy. However, the final version released in October claimed the department went &#8220;above and beyond&#8221; standard protocols —  a claim the report’s own author, Battalion Chief Kenneth Cook, refused to endorse, calling the final document &#8220;highly unprofessional.&#8221;
The controversy adds to a legacy of criticism regarding Bass’s handling of the blaze. At the height of the emergency, the mayor was traveling in Ghana for a presidential inauguration, leaving the city as firestorms erupted. Upon her return, she was filmed at the airport <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/karen-bass-ignores-questions-about-her-handling-of-devastating-fires">ignoring questions</a> about why she had approved a $23 million cut to the LAFD budget — the second-largest cut in her fiscal plan — just months before the catastrophe.
Public records and Times investigations previously revealed that the LAFD failed to keep firefighters on duty for a second shift despite forecasts of &#8220;catastrophic&#8221; winds. Furthermore, evidence suggests a smaller fire on New Year&#8217;s Day was improperly extinguished and left to smolder for six days before rekindling into the massive Palisades fire.
&#8220;The mayor didn’t tell the truth when she said she had nothing to do with changing the report,&#8221; one source told the Times.
Current Fire Chief Jaime Moore, appointed by Bass in November, has stated he will not investigate who was responsible for the edits, choosing instead to &#8220;focus on the future.&#8221; However, the revelation of the mayor&#8217;s alleged behind-the-scenes role has led some residents and former officials to label the incident a &#8220;cover-up.&#8221; As legal proceedings loom, the testimony of Bass’s own inner circle may prove to be the most damaging chapter of her administration.

Task force to investigate, apprehend andprosecute suspects of smash-and-grabs in recent weeks.

L.A.’s Democrat Mayor Accused Of Editing Palisades Fire Report To Hide Failures

L.A.'s Democrat Mayor Accused Of Editing Palisades Fire Report To Hide Failures

Karen Bass

Palisades Fire

Politics

California health officials are warning of potential measles exposure after a resident who traveled internationally visited several high-traffic locations in the state before the case was confirmed.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has caught several <a href="http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/ip/diseases/measles/index.htm">confirmed</a> cases of measles from international travelers in recent days. In one of the cases, the traveler visited several high-traffic locations, risking potential exposure of hundreds or thousands of others before the case was caught, according to Fox News.
The high-traffic locations include the Los Angeles International Airport and Disneyland. Both locations are visited by thousands of people daily who often travel from distant regions inside and outside of the United States.
The infected person was in the Los Angeles airport’s B terminal around midnight on the night of January 26. The traveler was at the Disneyland hotel and the Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure on January 28.
Regarding another case of measles confirmed by the Los Angeles County health department, an infected person <a href="http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubdetail.cfm?unit=media&amp;ou=ph&amp;prog=media&amp;cur=cur&amp;prid=5243&amp;row=25&amp;start=1">visited</a> the Mardi Gras Tuesday restaurant on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks north of Los Angeles on January 24.
Another infected person <a href="http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubdetail.cfm?unit=media&amp;ou=ph&amp;prog=media&amp;cur=cur&amp;prid=5240&amp;row=25&amp;start=1">visited</a> a Dunkin’ Donuts on Ventura in Woodland Hills on January 30.
“Measles is extremely contagious and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death,” Los Angeles County health officer Muntu Davis warned in a statement.
“With cases rising, it is critical that everyone ensures they are protected. The MMR vaccine remains the strongest and most effective way to protect yourself, your family, and your community,” he continued. Before traveling, confirm your immunity and get the MMR vaccine if needed. It’s a simple step that makes a meaningful difference for your health and the health of those around you.”
Absent protective steps, measles is a highly contagious disease that can infect the vast majority of people who come into contact with it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Some people think of measles as just a little rash and fever that clear up in a few days. But measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years old,” the CDC <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html">says</a>. “Measles is highly contagious. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected.”
The CDC has confirmed hundreds of cases of the disease in the United States so far this year.
“As of January 29, 2026, 588 confirmed measles cases were reported in the United States in 2026. Among these, 585 measles cases were reported by 17 jurisdictions: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. A total of 3 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the United States,” the agency states.

Measles test

Los Angeles Is In Panic Mode Over A Measles Outbreak

Health

Infectious Disease

U.S.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday directing the federal government to take over home rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles County, aiming to &#8220;cut through bureaucratic red tape and speed up reconstruction&#8221; more than a year after the devastating wildfires in Southern California.
On Tuesday, the White House released a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/01/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-addresses-state-and-local-failures-to-rebuild-los-angeles-after-wildfire-disasters/">fact sheet</a> explaining that the order requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to &#8220;preempt&#8221; state and local permitting requirements. California Democrats have been accused of slowing down the rebuilding process by requiring people who lost their homes to abide by burdensome standards.
“I want to see if we can take over the city and state and just give the people their permits they want to build,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/01/27/us-news/trump-orders-feds-to-take-over-californias-wildfire-rebuilding/">told</a> The New York Post.
The Palisades and Eaton fires, which erupted last January, destroyed around 13,000 homes and other residential properties in Los Angeles County. In the past year, fewer than a dozen homes in those areas have been rebuilt, NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/year-la-area-wildfires-destroyed-thousands-homes-fewer-dozen-rebuilt-rcna252751">reported</a> earlier this month. Delayed insurance payouts are also slowing some rebuilding efforts, and many residents are finding that their payouts won&#8217;t be enough to cover construction costs. California building permits and regulations only add to the high costs.
&#8220;Despite billions of dollars in Federal recovery awards and the fastest Federal debris removal in American history, only about 2,500 of the tens of thousands of homes and businesses destroyed have received permits to rebuild. Now a year after the fires, less than 10 homes have been rebuilt,&#8221; Trump&#8217;s order states. &#8220;Overly burdensome, confusing, and inconsistent permitting requirements, duplicative permitting reviews, procedural bottlenecks, and administrative delays have effectively stalled recovery efforts.&#8221;
The Environmental Protection Agency moved quickly last year to clear debris after the fires, an effort Trump said impressed him. He praised EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin&#8217;s leadership and told The Post that he plans to put Zeldin in charge of the new push to cut California&#8217;s rebuilding red tape. Pacific Palisades resident Nina Madok, whose home was destroyed, told The Post that she was impressed by the federal government&#8217;s &#8220;ability to expedite everything&#8221; after the fires.
&#8220;Having the federal government, especially with somebody like Donald Trump who is Mr. Let’s-Get-It-Done — who moves at the speed of light — makes a huge difference,&#8221; Madok added.
Shortly after the fires, Trump traveled to Los Angeles County to survey the damage alongside California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom in what was the first trip of Trump&#8217;s second term. During a press conference alongside L.A. Mayor Karen Bass last year, Trump urged California leaders to allow residents to immediately return to their properties and begin cleanup and rebuilding.
&#8220;You shouldn&#8217;t have any [permits] at this point. You should just let them build,&#8221; Trump said.
Bass replied, saying, &#8220;We are going to do everything we can, slashing regulations, expediting everything so that people can begin the process right away.&#8221;
More than a year later, however, California residents are still frustrated with the state and local government.
“We need capital. We need resources. We need a real plan to get people back home and rebuild the infrastructure,&#8221; Mike Furnari, who lost his home in the Palisades fire, told The Post. “Why haven’t we learned from past fire rebuilds? The capital is here. The infrastructure is here. Look at where we are, this is one of the most incredible places in the world. Highest value per square foot, highest land value per square foot in the country.&#8221;
Trump&#8217;s order also requires FEMA to investigate whether California complied with the law, after his administration made more than $3 billion available to people and businesses affected by the fires. The order directs FEMA &#8220;to determine whether any of California’s nearly $3 billion in unspent Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds were awarded arbitrarily or contrary to law, and to conduct a full audit of California’s use of those funds.&#8221; Most of that $3 billion is in the form of low-interest disaster loans for homeowners and business owners.
Last year, Trump also signed executive orders to address wildfire response and mitigation, and said last January that he directed the Army Corps of Engineers to release billions of gallons of water to Southern California to support the firefighting effort. The move was criticized by local California officials, who warned that releasing that much water could flood farms and have no impact on fighting or preventing fires.

Scenes from the Palisades fire zone on the one year anniversary

Trump Orders Federal Takeover Of L.A. Home Rebuilds As Red Tape Drags On After Fires

Donald Trump

Fires

Actor Kiefer Sutherland was taken into custody for allegedly assaulting a ride-share driver on Monday night, according to the LAPD. 
The 59-year-old was arrested at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue in Hollywood. The LAPD responded around 12:15 a.m. to a suspected assault, Los Angeles Police Officer Kevin Terzes told <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/kiefer-sutherland-arrested-allegedly-assaulting-ride-share-driver-l-po-rcna253933">NBC News</a>.
“The investigation determined that the suspect, later identified as Kiefer Sutherland, entered a rideshare vehicle, physically assaulted the driver (the victim), and made criminal threats toward the victim,” Terzes said via email.
The driver did not require medical treatment, police said, per <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/13/entertainment/kiefer-sutherland-arrest-assault-allegation-hnk">CNN</a>.
Sutherland was arrested and released several hours later on a $50,000 bond, the outlet noted. His first court appearance is scheduled for February 2.
Reps for Sutherland did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Sutherland’s career took off in the 1980s and 90s as he starred in films like “Stand by Me” (1986), “The Lost Boys” (1987), “Young Guns” (1988), “A Few Good Men” (1992), and “The Three Musketeers” (1993). 
The actor found enduring success on the Fox drama series &#8220;24&#8221; (2001–2010, 2014), in which counterterrorism officials attempt to stop imminent threats to the United States. That role earned Sutherland an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe. His father is the late actor Donald Sutherland.
During Donald Trump&#8217;s first presidential campaign, Sutherland <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/269866-kiefer-sutherland-trump-recalls-segregationist-george-wallace/">compared</a> the Republican candidate to former Alabama Democratic Governor George Wallace, who was a vocal segregationist.
Sutherland has previously gotten into trouble with the law, including multiple DUI incidents and an assault charge. The actor was accused of head-butting a fashion designer in 2009, but the charges were later dropped.

Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland Arrested, Accused Of Assaulting Rideshare Driver

Kiefer Sutherland Arrested For Allegedly Assaulting Rideshare Driver

Assault

Celebrities

Crime

LAPD

The fallout from a fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis intensifies, the anniversary of the Los Angeles wildfires brings troubling revelations, and unrest swells in Iran as the Islamic regime phones for foreign support.
It’s Friday, January 9, 2026, and this is the news you need to know to start your day. Today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:
<iframe style="width: 100%; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 10px;" src="https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ice-shooting-backlash-mounts-la-fires-revelations-1-9-26/id1576594336?i=1000744423711" height="175" frameborder="0" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Protests In Minneapolis After Fatal ICE Shooting</h2>
Forty-eight hours after the deadly shooting of an ICE agitator, demonstrations have once again <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/live-updates-ice-agent-fatally-shoots-agitator-as-chaos-erupts-in-minneapolis?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Daily+Wire&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=LIVE+UPDATES%3A+Portland+Shooting+Sparks+More+Outrage+As+Minneapolis+Anti-ICE+Protests+Continue">gripped</a> Minneapolis, the site of the 2020 George Floyd riots. Large crowds congregated outside of ICE detention facilities across the area, attempting to block the street and clashing with federal officers. Footage showed chaos as protesters threatened to kill ICE agents. In preparation for the situation to escalate, Minneapolis Public Schools cancelled classes on Thursday and Friday, and Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz ordered the state’s National Guard to prepare for mobilization if widespread rioting occurs. ICE agents in Portland, Oregon shot a suspected member of the Tren De Aragua gang who attempted to run them over with his car, further heightening tension in Minneapolis.
<h2 style="text-align: center;">LA Fires Rebuilding Controversies</h2>
One year after devastating fires swept Los Angeles, revelations have surfaced of an apparent cover-up and the much-criticized, painfully slow rebuilding effort. These fires devastated parts of Los Angeles County, specifically the Altadena and the Pacific Palisades areas, and <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/a-year-after-the-devastating-la-wildfires-communities-struggle-with-rebuilding#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20one%20year,rebuild%20their%20homes%20and%20communities.">killed 31 people</a>. Altogether, more than <a href="https://slper.senate.ca.gov/system/files/2025-03/slper-ale-joint-la-wildfire-committee-backgrounder-3.12.25.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com">18,000 structures</a> were destroyed or damaged. At the time, there was a lot of scrutiny over how this was handled, including the absence of L.A. Democratic Mayor Karen Bass and an $18 million budget cut to the fire department just months before the fires. But some controversies have worsened. For instance, text messages obtained by the Los Angeles Times reveal that fire crews handling a small blaze known as the Lachman Fire were ordered to pack up and leave the scene despite visible smoldering and hot terrain, and over firefighter objections. Secondly, an official LAFD after‑action report was edited multiple times to soften or remove language critical of department leadership before its release to the public.
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Iran Protests Intensify</h2>
Protests in Iran close in on the two-week mark, while pressure mounts against the regime. Part of that pressure comes from Washington, where President Donald Trump continues to threaten action over the treatment of demonstrators. The strength of the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/live-updates-iranian-protests-intensify-as-citizens-demand-end-to-ayatollah-rule">protests</a> has fluctuated day to day, but demonstrations have continued consistently across dozens of cities and towns. Economic concerns that sparked the unrest have only gotten worse. Last week, Iran’s central bank decided to end subsidies that gave importers and producers access to cheaper U.S. dollars, which put further upward pressure on prices amid already steep inflation. President Trump has threatened that the United States might get directly involved if the Iranian regime starts killing protesters. The regime’s response has appeared restrained so far, but that could change quickly as Iranian officials have sent out calls for help from its allies.

MRN_260109_V1

Morning Brief: ICE Shooting Backlash, L.A. Fires Revisited & Iran Protests Intensify

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Iran

Minneapolis

Morning Wire

Reality star Spencer Pratt announced that he will be running for mayor of Los Angeles on the one-year anniversary of the Palisades Fire.
The Republican and former star of “The Hills” has been critical of local Democrats for their actions before and after the fires. Pratt and his wife, Heidi Montag, and his parents all lost their homes.
The TV personality made the announcement while speaking at the “They Let Us Burn” rally, which was organized by residents who lost property. “All of this was preventable,” he said. “We are standing here amongst the ashes of our once beautiful town because the state and local leaders let us burn.”
Pratt blamed California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom for allowing brush to grow wild without management or controlled burns. He also called out the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power CEO Janisse Quiñones and the Los Angeles Fire Department for their poor responses, saying the LAFD’s failure could “be due to lack of budget, lack of knowledge, or simply DEI.” 
Pratt said the fires changed the way he viewed the world and motivated him to strive for change. “This isn’t just a political failure, it’s a moral one.” 
“The system in Los Angeles isn’t struggling; it’s fundamentally broken. It is a machine designed to protect the people at the top and the friends they exchange favors with while the rest of us drown in toxic smoke and ash,” Pratt continued.
“Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles and I&#8217;m done waiting for someone to take real action. That&#8217;s why I am running for mayor.” 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
It’s official. I’m running for Mayor of LA. I’ve waited a whole year for someone to step up and challenge Karen Bass, but I saw no fighters. Guess I’m gonna have to do this myself.
Let’s make LA camera ready again! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MayorPratt?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MayorPratt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrattForMayor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrattForMayor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpencerPrattForMayor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpencerPrattForMayor</a> <a href="https://t.co/akXG8Jd7H3">pic.twitter.com/akXG8Jd7H3</a>
— Spencer Pratt (@spencerpratt) <a href="https://twitter.com/spencerpratt/status/2009143254684717067?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2026</a></blockquote>
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“Let me be clear, this just isn&#8217;t a campaign. This is a mission, and we are going to expose the system. We are going into every dark corner of LA politics and disinfecting the city with our light. And when we are done, LA is going to be camera-ready again,” Pratt concluded.
Pratt is a first-time candidate facing more than a dozen other contenders for the nonpartisan mayoral primary in June, including current Los Angeles Democratic Mayor Karen Bass, who is seeking re-election. Pratt’s campaign website describes him as “Karen Bass’ worst nightmare.” 
Pratt <a href="https://x.com/RichardGrenell/status/2009005532888355283">received an endorsement</a> from Richard Grenell, the interim head of the Kennedy Center, who also runs the group Fix California.
“Transparency is what we need. Spencer has the passion and the drive to make positive change for Los Angeles,” Grenell posted on X.

Spencer Pratt

Reality Star Spencer Pratt Is Running For Mayor Of Los Angeles

Reality Star Spencer Pratt Announces He's Running For Mayor Of Los Angeles

Entertainment

Mayor

Wildfires

Nick Reiner, who stands accused of murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, was dropped as a client by his lawyer, Alan Jackson.
The attorney did not give a reason for his decision but said he still believes in his former client’s innocence. Jackson is well known for taking on high-profile cases, including those involving actor Kevin Spacey and disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. He recently represented Karen Read, who was acquitted of the murder of her then-boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe.
“Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder,” Jackson told the judge during a scheduled arraignment on Wednesday, adding that he had “no choice” but to withdraw from the case. Jackson said he was making the decision with Reiner’s “understanding and consent,” as The New York Post <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/01/07/us-news/nick-reiner-dropped-by-lawyer-alan-jackson/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_social_handle_id=17469289&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_social_post_id=645057832&amp;utm_campaign=nypost">reported</a>.
The arraignment was rescheduled for February 23.
“Circumstances beyond our control, but more importantly, circumstances beyond Nick’s control, have dictated that sadly it’s made it impossible for us to continue our representation of Nick,” Jackson told reporters later on, adding that he could not “legally or ethically” disclose what had changed.
Jackson also said he’s spent “literally every waking hour” going over the case. “Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder. Print that!” Jackson repeated.
With Jackson stepping down, Reiner will be represented by public defender Kimberly Greene, the outlet noted.
Reiner was charged with two counts of first-degree murder after his parents were discovered dead in their home in December. The maximum sentence is life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. 
The 32-year-old has a lengthy history of drug addiction and was allegedly behaving erratically at a party hosted by Conan O’Brien shortly before the killings. 
Nick Reiner’s two siblings — Romy, 28, and Jake, 34 — <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/nick-reiner-diagnosed-with-schizophrenia-before-parents-were-killed-report">issued a statement</a> after their brother’s first court appearance: “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day. The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.”
When Romy discovered the bodies of her parents, she informed police that her brother had been living in the home and was “dangerous.”

Nick Reiner

Nick Reiner Loses High-Profile Attorney Ahead Of Arraignment, Public Defender Appointed

Nick Reiner's Attorney Withdraws Before Arraignment, Now He Has A Public Defender

Lawyer

Murder

Rob Reiner

Actor Mickey Rourke approved the launch of a GoFundMe over the weekend to help prevent him from being evicted from his Los Angeles home.
The 73-year-old was reportedly served notice in December to pay $60,000 in back rent or vacate the premises. The fundraiser is titled “Help Mickey Rourke Stay in His Home” and has raised $71,506 as of Monday morning with a goal of $100,000. It was created with Rourke’s permission by his manager&#8217;s assistant and will be used for the actor’s “immediate needs and expenses.”
“Mickey Rourke entered American cinema like a force of nature—raw, fearless, and utterly original,” the GoFundMe <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-mickey-to-prevent-eviction">page</a> says. “In the late 1970s and 1980s, he wasn’t just a movie star; he was a symbol of something rare: danger paired with vulnerability, toughness paired with heart. From ‘Diner’ to ‘Rumble Fish’ to ‘9½ Weeks,’ Mickey gave audiences performances that felt lived-in, not performed, and left a permanent mark on American film culture.”
The page says Rourke has “lasting physical and emotional scars” from when he left acting for professional boxing and goes on to say he was abandoned by “the industry that once celebrated him.&#8221;
“Mickey Rourke is an icon—but his trajectory, as painful as it is, is also a deeply human one. It is the story of someone who gave everything to his work, took real risks, and paid real costs. Fame does not protect against hardship, and talent does not guarantee stability,” the page says. 
“What remains is a person who deserves dignity, housing, and the chance to regain his footing. The goal is simple: to give Mickey stability and peace of mind during an extremely stressful time—so he can stay in his home and have the space to get back on his feet. Any donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference.”
<a href="https://www.tmz.com/2026/01/05/mickey-rourke-checks-into-hotel-amid-eviction-threat/">According</a> to TMZ, Rourke was seen checking into a West Hollywood hotel with his dog on Sunday.
Rourke&#8217;s Hollywood career stalled after his stint in boxing, but he staged a comeback with “The Wrestler” (2008). 
That role earned him the Golden Globe Award and BAFTA Award for Best Actor, as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He went on to appear in major Hollywood movies, including “Iron Man 2” (2010), “The Expendables” (2010), and “Immortals” (2011) before moving on to independent and direct-to-TV films.

Mickey Rourke

Mickey Rourke Turns To GoFundMe To Prevent Eviction From L.A. Home

GoFundMe

Hollywood

President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that he is pulling National Guard troops from three deep blue cities.
“We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact,” Trump posted on <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115816171466225987">Truth Social</a>. “Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it weren’t for the Federal Government stepping in.”
The president said that the withdrawal is not permanent and that the troops will be redeployed depending on crime in the cities.
“We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again &#8211; Only a question of time! It is hard to believe that these Democrat Mayors and Governors, all of whom are greatly incompetent, would want us to leave, especially considering the great progress that has been made???” he wrote.
The withdrawal comes after Trump’s efforts to reduce crime and protect federal immigration agents in major cities suffered a setback from the Supreme Court last week. The court denied Trump’s request to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents carrying out deportation operations in the city.
“At this preliminary stage, the government has failed to identify a source of authority that would allow the military to execute the laws in Illinois,” an unsigned order from the court <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/23/politics/supreme-court-blocks-trump-national-guard-chicago">said</a>.
“[Trump] activated the National Guard to protect federal law enforcement officers, and to ensure rioters did not destroy federal buildings and property,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said at the time. “Nothing in today’s ruling detracts from that core agenda.”
ICE agents under Trump have faced a skyrocketing number of attacks and threats. The Department of Homeland Security reported that ICE agents have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ice-agent-brutally-injured-by-violent-illegal-immigrant-pedophile-speaks-out">faced</a> a 1,000% increase in assaults and an 8,000% increase in death threats.

Texas National Guard

Trump Pulls National Guard Troops From Deep Blue Cities

Chicago

National Guard

Portland

Nick Reiner, the son of legendary Hollywood director Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner, was <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2025/12/19/nick-reiner-diagnosed-with-schizophrenia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> diagnosed with schizophrenia just weeks before he allegedly killed his parents and had been placed on a new medication, which made him &#8220;erratic and dangerous.&#8221;
A long-time drug addict who was frequently in rehab, Nick Reiner, 32, had been seeing a psychiatrist when his behavior had grown &#8220;alarming&#8221; after his medication was changed three to four weeks before the couple was found with their throats slit in their Los Angeles home. According to a TMZ report, the new meds drove Reiner “out of his head.”
&#8220;Our sources say doctors were trying to adjust the medications so Nick stabilized, but it wasn&#8217;t working,&#8221; the outlet reported. &#8220;Our sources also say Nick&#8217;s substance abuse was worsening the schizophrenia.&#8221;
Reiner had been receiving costly care at a Los Angeles rehab facility, with a monthly charge of $70,000, the report said.
The additional information on Reiner&#8217;s mental state comes just days after he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, with special circumstances attached since there were multiple murders and he allegedly attacked with a deadly weapon.
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Nick Reiner&#8217;s two siblings — Romy, 28, and Jake, 34 — issued a statement after their brother&#8217;s first court appearance: “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day. The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.”
Reiner, who was arrested hours after his parents’ bodies were discovered, did not enter a plea. After confirming that he understood he was waiving his right to a speedy arraignment, the judge granted a continuance, rescheduling the proceeding for Jan. 7, 2026.
He has retained <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/nick-reiner-taps-heavyweight-defense-attorney-is-not-medically-cleared-for-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener">high-powered defense attorney</a> Alan Jackson, whose past clients include actor Kevin Spacey and disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Rob Reiner, Nick Reiner

Nick Reiner Diagnosed With Schizophrenia Before Parents Were Killed: Report

A person close to the Reiner family said that Romy Reiner, 28, fled the house after discovering her father&#8217;s body inside, and was only informed later by paramedics that her mother was also deceased inside the residence.
The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12/16/us/rob-michele-reiner-death-investigation#reiner-family-rob-nick-michele">reported</a> on Tuesday that the unnamed source revealed several details challenging earlier reporting on the brutal murders of director Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer and producer Michele Singer Reiner. The source also provided insight into what set off the chain of events that culminated with formal charges being filed against Nick Reiner, 32, for two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances.
A massage therapist was the first to alert the Oscar-nominated director&#8217;s daughter to a potential problem, calling her on Sunday afternoon when no one answered at the front gate despite having a scheduled appointment for that day. Romy reportedly rushed over to the home with a roommate, and discovered her father&#8217;s body when she went inside. She immediately ran back outside, distraught, and her roommate called 911.
The source told The NYT that paramedics arrived a short time later, and said that while Romy did inform them that her brother Nick had been living on the property, she did not immediately name him as a suspect in the murder. Paramedics were the first to inform her that, although Romy had not seen a second body when she went inside, her mother was also deceased and in the house.
Investigators checked the guest house, and when they did not find Nick Reiner there, they searched elsewhere and arrested him near Exposition Park — about 20 miles from downtown Los Angeles — hours later. A hotel room linked to Nick Reiner&#8217;s credit card was reportedly found covered in blood on Sunday.
During a Tuesday afternoon <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/nick-reiner-charged-with-first-degree-murder-in-brutal-slaying-death-penalty-is-on-the-table">press conference</a>, authorities filled in a few of the gaps in the story as well, saying that they still had not determined whether the Reiners had been killed late on Saturday — after attending a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/nick-reiner-fought-with-parents-at-star-studded-holiday-bash-just-24-hours-before-murder">holiday party</a> hosted by comedian Conan O&#8217;Brien alongside Nick — or early on Sunday. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said that autopsies were still pending, and that they would have to wait for the coroner to determine a more specific time of death.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman also told the public that, as of Tuesday afternoon, Nick Reiner had been charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances related to there being multiple murders and to the use of a deadly weapon.
Reiner is being held without bail and made his first court appearance on Wednesday after a short delay as he awaited medical clearance to do so. He has retained <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/nick-reiner-taps-heavyweight-defense-attorney-is-not-medically-cleared-for-court">high-powered defense attorney</a> Alan Jackson — whose past clients include actor Kevin Spacey and disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein — to represent him.

2019 10th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival – The 30th Anniversary Screening of “When Harry Met Sally…” Opening Night

Romy Reiner Fled After Finding Father’s Body, Was Unaware Mother Was Also Killed, Family Friend Says

Family Friend Says Romy Reiner Fled After Finding Father's Body, Was Unaware Mother Was Also Killed

Violent Crime

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