News Wrap: Arctic Cold, Trump's Vetoes, and January 6th Investigation

Arctic Temperatures and New Year's Celebrations

• 🥶 Arctic temperatures and heavy snow are sweeping across large parts of the U.S., impacting New Year's travelers and leading to the coldest ball drop in New York City in nearly a decade.
• 🌧️ Meanwhile, California is bracing for heavy rains and the risk of flooding.
• 🌏 Globally, celebrations for 2026 have begun in cities like Auckland and Sydney, with some events marked by mourning for recent tragedies.

President Trump's Actions and Vetoes

• 🛡️ President Trump announced the removal of National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, stating they would return if crime rates increased.
• 🚫 He issued his first vetoes since returning to office, rejecting two bills passed unanimously by Congress.
• ⚖️ One veto targeted a water pipeline in Colorado, with critics suggesting it was retaliation for disputes.
• 🏞️ Another veto concerned land control for Native Americans in Florida, with Trump reportedly blaming the tribe for not supporting his immigration policies.

January 6th Investigation and Jack Smith

• 🏛️ Newly released transcripts and videos reveal former special counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers the January 6th riot "does not happen without President Trump."
• 🔍 Smith testified in a closed-door hearing about his investigations into Trump's role in overturning the 2020 election and handling of classified documents.
• 🗣️ He stated that the decision to bring charges against Trump was his, but the basis rested on Trump's alleged actions.
• 📞 Smith faced questions about gathering phone records of Republican members of Congress, which he defended by stating Trump directed co-conspirators to contact these individuals.

Other News and Obituaries

• 🗳️ Democrats won a special election in Iowa, preventing Republicans from regaining a supermajority in the state Senate.
• 💰 A heist in Western Germany resulted in tens of millions of dollars in cash and property being stolen from a savings bank.
• 📉 Wall Street ended a banner year for stocks with a lackluster day, as the Dow Jones, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 all saw declines.
• 🕊️ Former U.S. Senator and Colorado Congressman Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, has died at 92.
• 🎭 Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr., known for his role in "The Wire," has also died at the age of 71.