Month: January 2026

Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a Republican who represented Northern California in Congress for more than a decade and built his political career around agriculture and water policy, has died at age 65, his office announced Tuesday. No cause of death has been released.

LaMalfa’s chief of staff, Mark Spannagel, confirmed the news early Tuesday morning, saying, “Early this morning Congressman Doug LaMalfa returned home to the Lord. He leaves a lasting legacy of servant leadership kindness to the North State.” The statement added that LaMalfa was deeply committed to his constituents, noting that “Congressman LaMalfa cared deeply for the people he served and worked tirelessly to hold the government to its word to fix our failing forests, build water storage, and leave people to be free to choose what is best for themselves.”

President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged LaMalfa’s passing during a House Republican retreat at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. “I want to express our tremendous sorrow at the loss of a great member, a great, great, great member, Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who passed away yesterday, as you probably have heard,” Trump said. He praised LaMalfa’s leadership of the Congressional Western Caucus and his focus on water policy, calling him a “true defender of American children” and adding, “He voted with me 100% of the time.”

LaMalfa had served California’s 1st Congressional District since 2013 and previously held seats in the state Assembly and Senate. A fourth-generation rice farmer, he was widely known for his advocacy on water access, forest management, and rural issues. In Congress, he served on the Agriculture Committee, the Natural Resources Committee, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, while also chairing the Western Caucus.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that “Congress is devastated to learn this morning about the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Doug LaMalfa,” describing him as one of the strongest defenders of California’s natural resources. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., also paid tribute, writing that “Doug was a loving father and husband, and staunch advocate for his constituents and rural America.”

Democratic leaders offered condolences as well. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., remembered LaMalfa as a dedicated public servant, stating, “A fourth-generation rice farmer, Rep. LaMalfa treasured his community, worked powerfully to protect California’s farmers and served those he represented with principled purpose, from the state legislature to the United States House of Representatives.” Jeffries later honored him with a moment of silence during a House hearing.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered flags at the state Capitol flown at half-staff, calling LaMalfa a committed representative who fought for his district even when they disagreed politically. Under California law, Gov. Newsom has 14 days to call a special election to fill LaMalfa’s seat, with the vote required to take place within 140 days of the announcement. The race will unfold amid newly adopted congressional maps that make the district more competitive for Democrats.

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who shared a long personal friendship with LaMalfa dating back to their time as roommates in the state legislature, said he was “devastated” by the loss. In a post on X, McCarthy wrote, “Doug was first and foremost a devoted husband and father, inspired by his Christian faith and values to make the lives of others better.” He added that LaMalfa was unanimously chosen by colleagues to lead the Western Caucus and would be “truly missed.”

LaMalfa’s death further tightens Republicans’ narrow control of the House. With his passing and the recent resignation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Republicans now hold 218 seats to Democrats’ 213, leaving Speaker Johnson with little room for defections. Two additional vacancies—one in Texas heading to a runoff later this month and another in New Jersey scheduled for a spring special election—could further alter the balance.

LaMalfa is survived by his wife, Jill, four children, one grandchild, and extended family.

Editorial credit: RozenskiP / Shutterstock.com

The Trump administration has ordered a sweeping pause on roughly $10 billion in federal funding for social services and child care programs in five Democratic-led states, citing concerns about fraud. The decision affects California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York, according to confirmations from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of Management and Budget. The funding freeze is the latest in a series of clashes between the Trump administration and Democratic-led states, following previous pauses on infrastructure, climate and disaster preparedness funding during last year’s government shutdown.

The New York Post was first to report that HHS would withhold the funding that targets programs that support low-income families and children. More than $7 billion is being withheld from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides direct cash aid and child care support. An additional nearly $2.4 billion from the Child Care and Development Fund, which helps working parents pay for child care, has also been frozen, along with about $870 million in Social Services Block Grant funding. Federal child care assistance supports an estimated 1.4 million children nationwide.

HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said “for too long, Democrat-led states and Governors have been complicit in allowing massive amounts of fraud to occur under their watch. Under the Trump Administration, we are ensuring that federal taxpayer dollars are being used for legitimate purposes. We will ensure these states are following the law and protecting hard-earned taxpayer money.”

The move follows a separate decision last week to halt child care funding in Minnesota amid ongoing federal investigations into fraud in public assistance programs. Minnesota has been at the center of several high-profile cases since 2021, including a $250 million COVID-era scheme involving the nonprofit Feeding Our Future and other alleged fraud tied to housing and disability services. Prosecutors estimate that fraud uncovered in the state could ultimately total billions of dollars.

Outside Minnesota, the administration has not presented evidence of widespread fraud in the other four affected states, whose officials say they have received little clarity. The Colorado Department of Human Services told CNN it had not been formally notified of a funding freeze. “Should these funding sources change, we remain committed to supporting our families in Colorado and will continue to advocate for the programs and services that help them thrive,” the department said.

Democrats have sharply criticized the action, arguing it amounts to punishment of political rivals rather than a good-faith effort to address fraud. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York called the move retaliatory. “To use the power of the government to harm the neediest Americans is immoral and indefensible,” she said, adding, “This has nothing to do with fraud and everything to do with political retribution that punishes poor children in need of assistance.”

Editorial credit: noamgalai / Shutterstock.com

Former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty Monday to federal drug trafficking, weapons, and narco-terrorism charges during their first appearance in a Manhattan federal courtroom, days after being seized by U.S. forces and flown to New York. Outside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse, groups of protesters gathered, with some calling for Maduro’s release and others backing the U.S. operation that led to his arrest.

Maduro and Flores appeared before U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in lower Manhattan and remain detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Their next court date is scheduled for March 17. Neither Maduro nor Flores sought bail, though the judge said he would consider an application at a later stage.

Maduro, appearing in shackles and orange jail slippers, told the court through an interpreter, “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country.” Maduro also said, “I am the president of Venezuela,” and said he was captured at his home in Caracas before the judge cut him off, noting there would be time later to challenge the legality of his detention.  Maduro’s attorney, Barry Pollack, said the defense intends to raise questions about the operation that led to his client’s arrest, citing “issues about the legality of his military abduction,” and signaled a potential argument that Maduro is entitled to immunity as a head of state. The U.S. government does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president.

Seated beside her lawyer Mark Donnelly, Flores identified herself, stating: “I am Cilia Flores. I am first lady of the Republic of Venezuela,” before the judge reminded her the hearing was limited to identity and rights. When asked how she pleaded to the charges, she responded, “Not guilty — completely innocent.” Donnelly told the court that Flores was injured during the military operation that led to their capture, saying she suffered “significant injuries” and may have fractured ribs or severe bruising. A visible bruise was seen on her head. The judge said both defendants would receive medical care.

Both defendants wore headphones to follow the proceedings through a court interpreter. Maduro took notes throughout the hearing and asked the judge for permission to keep them. At the end of the session, Judge Hellerstein advised the pair of their right to contact Venezuelan consular officials, which Maduro said they wished to do. As Maduro was escorted out of the courtroom, a person in the gallery shouted in Spanish, “You will pay in the name of Venezuela.” Maduro replied, also in Spanish, “I am the elected president. I am a prisoner of war. I will be free.”

Maduro and Flores are among six defendants, which include Maduro’s son and senior Venezuelan officials, named in a four-count superseding indictment unsealed Saturday. Prosecutors allege Maduro led a 25-year conspiracy involving violent drug traffickers, including members of the Tren de Aragua gang, using state power to facilitate cocaine shipments into the United States. The indictment states “this cycle of narcotics-based corruption lines the pockets of Venezuelan officials and their families while also benefiting narco-terrorists who operate with impunity on Venezuelan soil and who help produce, protect and transport tons of cocaine to the United States.”

President Donald Trump said over the weekend that the U.S. “successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela” in which Maduro and Flores were “captured and flown out of the Country.” Trump said the operation was conducted alongside U.S. law enforcement, with military support that included elite forces. Trump has since said the U.S. is “in charge” of Venezuela for an unspecified period. In Venezuela, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim leader following what the country’s Supreme Court called Maduro’s “kidnapping.” Rodríguez initially demanded Maduro’s return, then later called for cooperation with Washington “within the framework of international law.”

Editorial credit: StringerAL / Shutterstock.com