Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more illegal aliens convicted of violent crimes around the country as anti-ICE protests continued in Minnesota.  The Department of Homeland Security provided The Daily Wire on Monday with over a dozen illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes who were arrested during ICE operations between January 16 and 18. “Our ICE law enforcement never stop fulfilling their mission to make America safe again,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Daily Wire. “While Americans were enjoying their weekends, our law enforcement was arresting murderers, pedophiles, rapists, and gang members.”   The arrests highlighted by Homeland Security were carried out by ICE officers in Baltimore, San Francisco, New Orleans, Houston, Atlanta, Dallas, San Antonio, Buffalo, Los Angeles, Newark, and Philadelphia.  According to Homeland Security, those arrested included:  Manuel Matta-Reyes, a 55-year-old Guatemalan national convicted of second-degree murder, and first-degree rape in Rutherford County, North Carolina Benjamin Zaragoza-Garcia, a 32-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of robbery with gang enhancements in Riverside, California Alfredo Rodriguez-Ordonez, a 31-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor in Shelby County, Tennessee, and possessing a gun in Memphis Ronal Garbey-Jorin, a 27-year-old illegal alien from Cuba, convicted of assault of a family member in Houston, Texas Juan Manuel Salinas, a 51-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of larceny of motor vehicle in Lenoir County, North Carolina Jose Eduardo Choc-Sian, a 35-year-old criminal alien from Guatemala, convicted of simple sexual battery and soliciting a prostitute in Terrebonne, Louisiana Eubeleo Lopez-Arzate, a 29-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of burglary of a building in Georgetown, Texas Dorelien Frantzcy, a 37-year-old illegal alien from Haiti, convicted of burglary in New York City Dilton Merlos-Campos, a 47-year-old illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted of burglary in Los Angeles, California Walace Pereira-Lima, a 43-year-old illegal alien from Brazil, convicted of child pornography in the United States District Court of Massachusetts Jose Garcia-Samaniego, a 43-year-old Mexican national convicted of 1st degree sexual assault of a minor without consent in Adams County, Nebraska Roni Ayala-Raines, a 40-year-old criminal alien from Honduras, convicted of assault by pointing a gun in Lee County, North Carolina Bruno Eliazar Guevara-Suazo, a 34-year-old illegal alien from Honduras, convicted of assault on peace officer in Harris County, Texas Ehsan Jalal, a 52-year-old Afghan national convicted of robbery in Los Angeles, California Alexander Alejandro Xol-Pop, a 20-year-old illegal alien from Guatemala, convicted of strangulation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania “Despite a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, our officers continue to put their lives on the line seven days a week to remove heinous criminals from American neighborhoods,” McLaughlin said of the arrests.  Anti-ICE protests continued in full over the weekend, including the targeting of a church by protesters who entered a Sunday morning worship service and started yelling. Those protesters are facing potential federal charges for disrupting a church service.

CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten named President Donald Trump the “kingmaker in chief,” at least when it came to his record on Republican primary endorsements. Enten spoke with CNN anchor John Berman about Trump’s decision to back Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) in a potential primary match-up with incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and said that Trump was nearly undefeated in primaries featuring a candidate he’d endorsed. WATCH: Trump going with Julia Letlow over Cassidy in the Louisiana GOP Sen primary is a huge deal! Trump’s the kingmaker GOP primaries (endorsees win 95%+ of the time). His approval rating with the GOP? ~90%! When Trump goes against you, you go in the grinder to quote Good Burger. pic.twitter.com/xPBi0swOiV — (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) January 19, 2026 “President Trump is the kingmaker in Republican primaries, that’s why it’s such a big deal,” an animated Enten explained to Berman on Monday. “Take a look here: times Trump endorsees won GOP primaries, these are congressional and gubernatorial. In 2020, it was 98%; in 2022, it was 95%; in 2024, it was 96%.” “President Trump has the magic touch when it comes to endorsing in Republican primaries,” Enten continued. “And when he doesn’t endorse you, you go — to quote the great movie ‘Good Burger’ — into the grinder!” Trump offered his full-throated endorsement to Letlow via a Truth Social post on Saturday, saying in part, “I know Julia well, have seen her tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and she is a TOTAL WINNER! A Proud Mother of two children, Julia is a wonderful person, has ALWAYS delivered for Louisiana, and would continue doing so in the United States Senate.” “As your next Senator, Julia will work tirelessly to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Support our Amazing Farmers and Fishermen, Champion Louisiana Oil & Gas, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump added. Letlow has not officially launched a Senate campaign, but is reportedly considering a run.

The Department of Justice could take major legal action after an anti-ICE protest hijacked a service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday. United States Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon told The Daily Wire in an interview Monday morning that she’s working closely with Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate for “federal offenses,” including breaking the FACE (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) Act, which Dhillon noted “criminalizes blocking, interfering with, disrupting a house of worship.” The protest was sparked over one of the pastors’ employment with ICE, according to the Associated Press. “That’s exactly what these people did. Clearly. So, the only question really is who they are and what other offenses there may be,” she said, later adding that “we don’t prejudge a situation, but we’d like to make the strongest case possible.” During the interview, the DOJ official noted that were two prosecutors flying to Minnesota as of Monday morning to dive into the case. “I find the silence of the Attorney General of Minnesota, the District Attorney Mary Moriarty of Hennepin County, and the Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz, shocking. They’re the governor, District Attorney, and Attorney General of these people, too. And where’s the reassurance to them?” Dhillon asked. The Daily Wire reached out to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office. Gov. Tim Walz’s office told Fox News, “The Governor has repeatedly and unequivocally urged protesters to do so peacefully. While people have a right to speak out, he in no way supports interrupting a place of worship.” Dhillon also empathized with churchgoers who may be concerned about protests when attending a service in the coming weeks. “I feel like I have to give a First Amendment 101 primer to people, including journalists like Don Lemon, because you don’t have a First Amendment right to trespass and invade a house of worship. It’s literally illegal to do that. And it’s not protected by the First Amendment on top of that,” she said. Former CNN anchor Don Lemon live-streamed the protest inside the church, and Dhillon suggested in other interviews on Monday that it could potentially open the door for charges against the liberal commentator. “And so you can have your protest a safe distance away from a private facility. You can have your protest in a park, you can have a march, you can get a permit for a large gathering, but you can’t just go wherever you want and tear things up and disrupt. And that’s what these people did. And so now, people are afraid to go to church. And that is an absolute disgrace in this country,” the assistant attorney general continued. She also recommended that houses of worship have cameras outside of their buildings to “be prepared to record what’s going on and who’s coming.” “I would just tell people that they should not be on edge. We believe in the Almighty and this DOJ has the right and the ability to step in and protect where the local authorities won’t,” Dhillon noted. Anti-ICE protests escalated in the Minneapolis area after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good, a woman who allegedly attempted to hit the officer with her vehicle, as the Department of Homeland Security said the agent suffered from internal bleeding after the incident.

President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” is off to a turbulent start with controversy over its $1 billion permanent membership fee and unusual lineup of invitees, with everyone from Russian President Vladimir Putin to anti-Trump socialist Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reportedly receiving invitations.  The board, officially announced by Trump on Truth Social last week, is intended to oversee the new technocratic transitional government for Gaza: the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). “It is my Great Honor to announce that THE BOARD OF PEACE has been formed,” Trump posted to Truth Social on Thursday. “The Members of the Board will be announced shortly, but I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place.” Although the board has been introduced as being Gaza-focused, the large list of roughly 60 known invitees so far has led some to question if it will address other world conflicts or even rival the United Nations. In the letter to world leaders, Trump called it the “most impressive and consequential Board ever assembled, which will be established as a new International Organization and Transitional Governing Administration.” According to a draft charter reported by The Wall Street Journal, countries could either serve a three-year term or pay $1 billion for permanent membership. Bloomberg, which also reviewed a copy of the draft, reported that it grants Trump ultimate authority over both membership and decision-making. The list of invited countries continues to grow as leaks and social media posts reveal new names, with some leaders publicly expressing excitement. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, for example, said it was an “honorable invitation” and accepted. Argentine President Javier Milei also called it an honor to be invited by Trump’s board to “promote lasting peace in regions affected by conflict, starting with the Gaza Strip.” Other Western countries were less thrilled, with France reportedly set to decline the invitation, according to AFP. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that he agreed to the board in principle but is still working out the details. (The Daily Wire) Some of the most surprising invitees include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarusian Alexander Lukashenko — often called Europe’s last dictator — and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who openly supported Kamala Harris over Trump in the 2024 election and last year referred to him as a “wannabe emperor of the world.” According to the White House, the Board of Peace will have an Executive Board made up of several high-profile figures: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Steve Witkoff, United States Special Envoy to the Middle East; Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law; former British Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair; Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management; Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank; and Robert Gabriel, U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor. The Board of Peace will oversee the NCAG, which will be headed by Ali Shaath, who hails from Gaza, is a civil engineer, and previously served as deputy minister for transportation of the Palestinian Authority. The NCAG faced criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following domestic uproar over the inclusion of representatives from Qatar and Turkey — both countries that have had ties to Hamas. Netanyahu stated on Monday that no Turkish or Qatari forces would be allowed to operate in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu’s office said the board “runs contrary to its policy.” Hamas has stated that it will dissolve its governance once the new committee assumes control, as required under Trump’s peace plan, according to the Associated Press. It remains unclear whether the terrorist organization will willingly disarm. Upon announcing the NCAG, Witkoff said the United States expects Hamas to “comply fully with its obligations,” including the return of the body of Ran Gvili, the final Israeli hostage held in Gaza. “Failure to do so will bring serious consequences,” Witkoff said. The Palestinian Authority publicly welcomed the launch of the second phase, signaling rare alignment with the Trump administration.  In a statement, Palestinian Authority President Hussein Al Sheikh said the Palestinian Presidency “welcomes the efforts undertaken by President Donald Trump to complete the implementation of his peace plan,” and announced its support for the NCAG as well as the “Board of Peace.”

President Donald Trump loves being the man in the arena. From the broadcast booth of football games to the ringside at UFC main events, Trump is arguably the most sports-centered president this country has ever seen. Trump on Monday shared a good luck message with the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes ahead of the College Football Playoff National Championship. “Melania and I congratulate the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes on making it to the College Football Playoff National Championship,” Trump said. “God bless the talented players and dedicated coaches, the families who love and support them, and the faithful fans who cheer them on. May the best team win!” When Trump takes the stands with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Monday night, it will only be the latest instance of this administration embracing sports. This season alone, Trump has attended the Army-Navy game, an NFL matchup between the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders, and, with most of his cabinet in tow, a UFC fight last June. RELATED: Trump And Rubio Get Ready To ‘Bro Out’ At College Football National Championship Game Trump has capitalized on his record of attending sporting events, inviting Americans to see a different side of him from the comfort of their living rooms. Athletes have even used the famous “Trump Dance” to celebrate a score or a knockout. Before the game in Miami, Trump took time to reflect on the history of the sport. “For more than 150 years, college football has been a cherished fixture in American culture,” Trump wrote. “Every fall and winter, massive crowds flock to stadiums in college towns all across our Nation to witness the epic display of loyalty, rivalry, tradition, and regional identity erupting throughout the stands and on the field below.” “From the very first collegiate matchup in 1869, our country’s love of this storied Saturday ritual has been passed down from one generation to the next and endured as an iconic American institution,” the president added. Both Trump and Rubio are connected to the Canes. Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, will be playing golf at the University of Miami next year. Rubio has a law degree from The U, and was raised near the campus, just like Indiana’s quarterback, Fernando Mendoza. Like Rubio, Mendoza is a proud Cuban-American who credits his drive to their roots. While Trump did not say which team he was backing in his National Championship message, he emphasized what college football means to Americans. “At its best, college football reflects our timeless American values of family, freedom, unity, and hard work and represents the pinnacle of our national spirit. It is seen in the players whose focus, discipline, and unwavering grit are forged in every practice and workout. It is upheld by the coaches who set high standards, demand greatness, and help cultivate incredible student-athletes — and even better Americans — who stop at nothing to achieve their God-given potential both on and off the field.” Indiana is the No. 1 seed and heavy favorite in the title game. Miami comes in as the No. 10 seed in the 12-team playoff, with the Hurricanes eager for a victory on their home turf. Kickoff is at 7:30 eastern. The president has inserted himself into several sports narratives by praising on-field talent, endorsing players in the NFL Draft, and vouching for coaches. Most recently, Trump went to bat for recently fired NFL coach John Harbaugh. The longtime Baltimore coach just landed a job with the New York Giants after Trump suggested they hire Harbaugh. “The New York Football Giants should hire, without question, John Harbaugh,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “And John, a great guy, should TAKE THE JOB!!!” Then there’s the history-making part of Trump’s fandom: last NFL season, he became the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl. Right after taking office for the second time, he was in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs.

For most of my adult life, I thought I knew exactly what my family would look like. Two kids is the cultural norm now. That’s the number most people plan for, budget for, and feel comfortable defending. Two fits neatly into modern life. Two feels responsible. Two feels safe. But I didn’t grow up in a family of two kids. I came from a family of three. And because of that, three always felt right to me. Three felt full. Three felt lively. Three felt like the right amount of chaos and connection. So when my wife and I started our family, I assumed we’d land there — not to make a statement, but because it was the model I knew and loved. For a long time, that plan held. But I was also very clear about one thing: I would never have a kid in my 40s. That was the line. The boundary. A promise I made back when 40 felt distant and theoretical — something older people dealt with. Then I turned 40. And a few weeks ago, my wife and I welcomed our fourth child into the world. What I’ve learned, slowly and humbly, is that many of the promises we make when we’re younger are less about wisdom and more about fear. Fear of sacrifice. Fear of inconvenience. Fear of losing control over a life we’ve worked hard to build. Our culture feeds those fears relentlessly. It is engineered for comfort, speed, and personalization. It trains us to ask one question above all others: What do I get right now? Children ask a different question. They ask: What are you willing to give, over and over, for something that won’t pay you back today? In that sense, kids are the ultimate form of delayed gratification. They require sacrifice upfront — years of it. Sleep. Freedom. Money. Flexibility. Control. There is no way to sugarcoat that. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying or trying to sell you something. But the reward comes later. Slowly. Quietly. Compounding over time. The first time your toddler reaches for your hand in a crowded room. The first time your child looks to you for moral clarity. The first time siblings defend one another without being asked. The moment you realize you are no longer the center of your own universe — and feel relief instead of loss. This is what our culture never explains: sacrifice is not the enemy of happiness. Selfishness is. A society addicted to instant gratification struggles to understand children, because children force adults to play the long game. They demand patience. They require faith — not just religious faith, but faith in the future. Faith that what you are building today will matter tomorrow. That’s why having a big family today feels almost rebellious. Birth rates are collapsing. Marriage is delayed or avoided. Children are framed as “lifestyle constraints” rather than blessings. Entire industries exist to convince young people that adulthood is something to postpone indefinitely. And yet, there is a truth no one likes to say out loud because it cuts against the narrative. No one — absolutely no one — who loves their kids ever says, “I shouldn’t have had that child.” People regret jobs. They regret cities. They regret relationships. They regret wasted years chasing empty validation. But parents do not sit at the end of their lives wishing they had fewer children. They wish they had more time with them. At 40, with four kids, I don’t feel old. If anything, kids keep you young. They pull you into the present. They keep you moving. They force you to laugh when you’d otherwise brood. They remind you that joy is often loud, messy, inconvenient — and worth it anyway. And then there is the gift that often goes overlooked: siblings. Watching siblings grow up together is one of life’s quiet miracles. They fight. They forgive. They learn loyalty, compromise, and love — not from lectures, but from living shoulder to shoulder. Long after parents are gone, siblings remain. They are the ones who know your childhood stories. Who remember your parents’ voices. Who will sit beside you at hospital beds and holiday tables. Who will help one another bury the people who once tucked them in at night. In a world that prizes radical independence, siblings teach something far more enduring: you are not meant to do life alone. And yes, one day, God willing, these children will flip the script. They will care for us the way we once cared for them — not out of obligation, but out of love forged through years of shared sacrifice. Which brings me to faith. From the beginning, Scripture tells us, “Be fruitful and multiply.” Not as a burden, but as a blessing. Children are not described as liabilities, but as arrows, as gifts, as signs of hope. Faith teaches us that the point of life is not comfort, but calling. Not consumption, but creation. Not hoarding time, but giving it away for something eternal. That doesn’t mean every family looks the same. It doesn’t mean everyone is called to the same path. But it does mean we should be honest about what leads to meaning — and what leads to emptiness. For my wife and me, welcoming a fourth child at 40 was not reckless. It was faithful. Faith that love multiplies when shared. Faith that sacrifice produces joy. Faith that the future is worth investing in, even when it costs us something now. In a culture obsessed with shrinking horizons, we chose to expand ours. And if I’m being honest, part of that choice is simple. I’m trying to make heaven crowded. * * * Gates Garcia is the host of the YouTube show and podcast “We The People.” Follow him on Instagram and X @GatesGarciaFL. The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

'The attacks by the lone elephant are unprecedented'

"With gun violence continuing to plague Spokane, every violent offender arrested and every firearm taken off the street makes our communities safer.”

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