Wertheimer Political Report, January 23, 2026
TRUMPWATCH 2.0
Trump budget office orders review of funds to Democratic-controlled states.
“President Donald Trump said his administration would cut off federal resources to “sanctuary cities” on Feb. 1.” – Washington Post
The Voters Who Have Taken a U-Turn on Trump
“One year later, the second Trump coalition has come apart, a Times/Siena poll finds.” – New York Times
Trump threatens pollsters after New York Times survey shows sagging disapproval
““Fake and Fraudulent Polling should be, virtually, a criminal offense,” he wrote.” – Politico
‘He threw everything into his big lie’: Jamie Raskin turns the tables on GOP colleagues, exposes Trump’s illegal actions in Jack Smith hearing
“A video statement today by Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, supporting the opening statement of Special Counsel Smith ” – MSN
Jack Smith defends his investigation of Trump, saying he followed the law without regard to politics.
This written testimony was given today by Special Counsel Jack Smith before the House Judiciary Committee on his indictments of Trump for interfering with the 2020 presidential election and for improperly holding on to classified documents. The cases ended when Trump was elected president in November 2024. – U.S. House of Representatives Committee Judiciary
Supreme Court appears likely to allow Lisa Cook to remain on Fed board
“The move, which would last while a lawsuit challenging her removal plays out, would prevent Trump from exerting greater influence over the powerful central bank that guides the economy.” – Washington Post
Falsehoods Fueled Trump’s First Year Back in Office
“The president has justified many significant moves of his second term with inaccurate claims and overstated boasts.” – New York Times
Trump steps back from the brink on Greenland. But the damage has been done.
“The president’s effort to acquire Greenland, even with the threat of force off the table, has changed the way allies see the U.S.” – Politico
Erratic Trump speech sparks calls to ‘take the keys’ away
“[C]riticism of Trump’s most recent public engagements—a bizarre news conference on Tuesday and a rambling address before foreign leaders on Wednesday—has raised concerns about his mental state, especially after he repeatedly mixed up Iceland and Greenland in the latter speech.” – The Daily Beast
2 Top Ex-Trump Officials Flag ‘Palpable’ Cognitive Decline: He’s ‘Mentally Slipping’
“Ty Cobb and Stephanie Grisham issued their stark warnings following the president’s latest rambling press briefing.” – HuffPost
Judge blocks government from searching data seized from Post reporter
“The seizure “chills speech, cripples reporting, and inflicts irreparable harm,” The Post said in statement.” – Washington Post
Court lifts restrictions on immigration officers’ tactics in Minnesota
“The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was persuaded to freeze a judge’s ruling that bars officers from using tear gas and other steps against peaceful protesters while the administration pursues an appeal.” – PBS News
MEANWHILE, ON CAPITOL HILL
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will depose longtime Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell on Feb. 9, committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) said on Wednesday. Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for her role in procuring abuse victims for Epstein.
– The Hill
House Oversight panel votes to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress. The committee voted 34-8 to hold the former president in contempt, with two members voting present. – NPR
When five Senate Republicans voted with Democrats last week to advance a resolution to restrict President Donald Trump’s military authority in Venezuela, it looked like a significant rebuke of the administration. Now, a week later — after two Republicans flipped their votes following intense lobbying from Trump and the White House — it looks like the latest example of GOP lawmakers bowing to the president. – NBC News
VOTER SUPPRESSION, MONEY, & OTHER ELECTION THREATS
A new era of anticorruption reform is long overdue. – Brennan Center for Justice
Democrats are eyeing gains of up to four seats in the commonwealth – Roll Call
Maryland’s Redistricting Advisory Commission voted Tuesday to recommend a new congressional map concept to the governor and state lawmakers, the panel announced. – The Hill
California Republicans ask US supreme court to block new congressional map. In an emergency filing, party asked for an injunction for new maps aimed at countering Texas’s gerrymander – The Guardian
Breaking a five-year trend, state legislatures in 2025 enacted more laws restricting voting access than expanding it. – Brennan Center for Justice
