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A deal was reached to avert a partial government shutdown, but hurdles remain ahead of tonight’s midnight deadline.

Earlier this week, Senate Democrats vowed to block a six-bill spending package unless the Department of Homeland Security was overhauled to “rein in ICE and the violence.” They proposed reforms to ICE include prohibiting roving patrols and masks, requiring body cameras, and implementing clearer use-of-force rules. 

Last night, President Trump and Senate Minority Leader Schumer (D-NY) reached a deal to keep five of the bills untouched—funding Defense, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Labor and Education through September—while maintaining the current levels of DHS funding for two weeks while negotiations continue.

At least a weekend-long shutdown remains likely, as any changes need to pass the House, which is not scheduled to return to session until next week. 

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
If our hope is based on political negotiations or economic security, then we live in fear because we could lose everything. But if our hope is rooted in the eternal security provided by Christ, then we can weather any storm—even a government shutdown. 

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness… On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.” 
Edward Mote, 1863 (Scriptural basis: Ps 18:2; Matt 7:24; Heb 13:8)

(Wondering what happens when Washington goes dark? Revisit our shallow dive into why the government shuts down, what a “closed” sign on Capitol Hill means for Americans, and how to get things back up and running.)

The two ICE agents who fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis were placed on administrative leave. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection called the leave “standard protocol” and said it went into effect Saturday, the day of the shooting, walking back CBP official Greg Bovino’s statement on Sunday that the agents were still working “in other locations.” 

The update follows newly released footage showing a confrontation between Pretti and ICE agents 11 days before he was killed. At a protest, Pretti was recorded yelling, spitting at agents, and kicking the taillight of a federal SUV before being tackled and released.

Meanwhile, President Trump has doubled down, saying Pretti shouldn’t have carried a gun to a protest—despite Pretti’s legal permit and never raising the weapon—drawing rare public criticism from the NRA and other Second Amendment groups.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
When discussing divisive topics, remember that both your stance and how you take your stance reflect on Christ. We should not sacrifice relationships to win arguments.

“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” 
Romans 12:18 (CSB) (read full passage)

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After three straight cuts, the Fed voted 10-2 on Wednesday to keep rates unchanged. 

Fed Chair Jerome Powell cited inflation remaining stubbornly above their 2% target (it’s currently 2.7%) and a cooling labor market. The decision also underscores the central bank's desire to remain independent, defying President Trump’s repeated demands for lower rates even as the Supreme Court considers whether the president should have more authority to fire Fed governors.

Markets closed mostly unchanged following the expected decision, though the S&P 500 got 15 seconds of fame after briefly crossing $7,000 for the first time. 

Meanwhile, Amazon and UPS are coming in hot with job cuts. Amazon said it’s slashing ~16k corporate jobs to remove “bureaucracy,” and UPS announced plans to cut ~30k jobs this year.

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Verse to consider whether your prospects are up with the market, down with unemployment, or steady with interest rates…“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.” 
Philippians 4:11-13 (CSB) (read full passage)

A man was arrested after approaching Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and squirting her with a syringe of liquid. Officials think the syringe contained apple cider vinegar. It happened Tuesday during a town hall where Omar was calling for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s resignation (joining other House Dems). The 55-year-old suspect was tackled and booked on third-degree assault; Omar was uninjured and continued on.

Georgia got a knock from the feds. Wednesday, the FBI executed a warrant at a Georgia election office in Fulton County, seizing ballots and other 2020 presidential election records. President Trump said in Davos last week, “people will soon be prosecuted” for “rigging” the race against him. Democratic leaders are alarmed by the move, saying it pushes “dangerous lies.”

President Trump is warning Iran that “time is running out” to strike a nuclear deal and that a U.S. “massive armada” is heading toward the region. He added that failure to negotiate could lead to a military attack “far worse” than the last. His remarks come amid spiked tensions, with the news of military escalations raising world oil prices.

Bill Belichick’s Hall-of-Fame hopes have been deflated. Sources say the eight-time-Super-Bowl-winning coach will not be a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer, causing controversy. Some voters reportedly felt Belichick’s previous NFL scandals (think: Spygate) kept him from a gold jacket, but fans argue the snub was personal (which would be a violation of voting bylaws). The votes are now under review.

Tesla sales slipped into reverse. The EV pioneer reported its first-ever drop in annual revenue Wednesday, with sales falling the past three quarters. Elon Musk also announced he’s pulling the plug on Tesla’s older luxury models—S and X—to focus on building Optimus humanoid robots, which he promises will be capable of everything from folding laundry to brain surgery.

Warning: this video might make you sneeze...

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