Reports: Trump to Tap Warsh as Fed Head Nominee
Texas Gov. Abbott issues statewide disaster declaration over New World screwworm threat
| LINKS |
Link: Video: Wiesemeyer’s Perspectives, Jan. 23
Link: Audio: Wiesemeyer’s Perspectives, Jan. 23
| Updates: Policy/News/Markets, Jan. 30, 2026 |
| UP FRONT |
TOP STORIES
— Senate, White House strike short-term DHS funding deal to avert lengthy shutdown: Senate Democrats cut a two-week DHS extension with the White House to avoid a shutdown while negotiating ICE guardrails (body cams, no masks, tighter warrantless-search rules) after backlash over the Minneapolis shootings.
— While OMB has cleared proposed 45Z rules, questions remain on timing and multi-year coverage: With OMB review done, Treasury/IRS now control when the 45Z NPRM drops; the proposal is expected to set the framework for 2025–2027 (with transition protections for 2025) but key issues — especially SAF mechanics — remain unresolved.
— U.S. agricultural trade deficit widens in November despite lower exports and imports: November exports and imports both fell, but the monthly ag deficit still widened; USDA’s FY 2026 forecast still implies sizable red ink even with two straight sub–$1 billion monthly gaps.
— Trump threatens tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba: Trump signed an order teeing up tariffs on imports from countries that provide oil to Cuba, escalating pressure on Havana amid a worsening fuel crunch and rising diplomatic concerns.
— New tax installment option created for qualified farmland sales: A new OBBB provision lets sellers of qualified farmland to farmers elect four equal annual capital-gains tax installments, if the land stays restricted to ag use for at least 10 years post-sale.
— Texas issues statewide disaster declaration over New World screwworm threat: Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) issued a statewide disaster declaration to mobilize resources to prevent New World screwworm spread from Mexico into Texas livestock and wildlife.
FINANCIAL MARKETS
— Equities today: Markets went risk-off after Trump signaled a near-term Fed chair pick — reporting centered on Kevin Warsh — lifting yields and the dollar while pressuring stocks and metals.
— Equities yesterday: A quick scoreboard of the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 closes and day-over-day moves.
— Trump to announce Fed chair nominee later this morning: Trump said he’ll name his Fed chair nominee Friday morning, renewing pressure for sharply lower rates; Warsh is viewed as the leading contender amid Senate confirmation uncertainty (including Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) objections tied to the renovation probe).
— Treasury flags no currency manipulators, expands watch list: Treasury again named no “manipulators,” but added Thailand to the monitoring list and highlighted a broader analytic lens on intervention, forwards, capital controls, and state-linked investment vehicles.
AG MARKETS
— Weaker dollar boosts export outlook for U.S. crops: A softer 2025 dollar is framed as improving foreign purchasing power and competitiveness for export-heavy U.S. commodities, though pass-through varies by region and timing.
— Cotton AWP eases: Cotton’s AWP fell to 50.23¢/lb, lifting the implied LDP compared with the prior week.
— Agriculture markets yesterday: A futures roundup for grains, cotton, and livestock with Jan. 29 closes and changes vs. Jan. 28.
TRUMP CABINET MEETING
— Trump presses Fed, hails tariffs and drug-price cuts as Cabinet marks start of second year: Trump used the meeting to argue “year-one” gains, push for lower rates, defend tariffs as leverage and revenue, and highlight healthcare pricing moves, energy reliability, housing permitting, and foreign-policy actions — with Brooke Rollins repeatedly referenced but not delivering standalone remarks.
ENERGY MARKETS & POLICY
— Friday: Oil eased as broader risk-off sentiment took hold, but Iran-related tension kept the market on edge.
— Thursday: Oil jumped to five-month highs on Iran supply-disruption fears, with a weaker dollar and a wider Brent/WTI spread adding support.
— U.S. opens Venezuela’s vast crude reserves to Big Oil: Treasury issued a general license allowing U.S. firms to buy and resell Venezuelan crude — a major sanctions pivot that could accelerate commercial activity, though companies still want durable guarantees.
— Trump’s climate rollback hits pause amid court challenge fears: The administration delayed finalizing a repeal of EPA’s endangerment finding amid internal concerns the legal and scientific record may not survive court review.
TRADE POLICY
— U.S., El Salvador finalize reciprocal trade deal with broad tariff exemptions: The agreement locks in broad duty-free treatment and caps other tariffs at 10% while preserving U.S. authorities (including Section 232 and IEEPA) and adding commitments on market access, forced labor, IP, and digital trade.
— Trump moves to decertify Canadian aircraft, threatens steep tariffs: Trump threatened decertification and 50% tariffs on Canadian aircraft over a Gulfstream certification dispute, as a Section 232 aircraft probe hangs over the sector.
— Sheinbaum says U.S./Mexico trade talks are progressing: Mexico says tariff-relief talks are moving well as USMCA review discussions begin; Sheinbaum also urged maintaining the trilateral pact with Canada.
CHINA
— Xi and Starmer pledge to reset China/UK ties after years of diplomatic chill: Xi and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer signaled a thaw focused on pragmatic economic cooperation and structured dialogue, even as core security and rights frictions persist.
POLITICS & ELECTIONS
— Abbott backs challenger in Texas Ag Commissioner primary: Abbott endorsed Nate Sheets over incumbent Sid Miller, amplifying intraparty scrutiny tied to ethics and management controversies.
LABOR & IMMIGRATION POLICY
— Homan pledges to continue Minneapolis immigration operation, signals drawdown for safety: Tom Homan said arrests will continue but with fewer agents and more reliance on jail cooperation, as Democrats push for conduct guardrails amid public backlash.
WEATHER
— NWS outlook: A rapidly intensifying coastal storm is expected to bring heavy snow, high winds, and possible blizzard conditions in the Carolinas, with coastal flooding risks up the Eastern Seaboard and a surge of arctic air reaching toward South Florida by Sunday.
| TOP STORIES — Senate, White House strike short-term DHS funding deal to avert lengthy shutdownTwo-week extension buys time for talks on ICE guardrails amid backlash over fatal Minneapolis shootings Senate Democrats reached a late-night agreement with the White House to temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks, narrowly averting a partial government shutdown and buying time to negotiate new restrictions on federal immigration enforcement tied to President Donald Trump’s deportation campaign. Under the deal, DHS funding would be extended for two weeks, while the Pentagon, State Department, and the departments of health, education, labor, and transportation would be funded through Sept. 30. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) confirmed the arrangement, which still requires approval by both chambers before a midnight Friday deadline to prevent a shutdown. President Trump welcomed the agreement in a Truth Social post, urging bipartisan support and emphasizing that most of the government would be funded through September while DHS receives a short-term extension. The temporary DHS funding is intended to give lawmakers additional time to negotiate Democratic demands for tighter limits on immigration enforcement. Those proposals include requiring ICE agents to use body cameras, prohibiting the use of masks during operations, and strengthening rules governing arrests and searches conducted without judicial warrants. The compromise follows mounting outrage over the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens — Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti — by federal agents during ICE operations in Minneapolis. Pretti, a nurse, was killed while attempting to assist a woman who had fallen during an enforcement action. His death came less than two weeks after Good was killed, intensifying Democratic pressure for new guardrails on ICE activity. Earlier, Senate Democrats — joined by seven Republicans — blocked a longer-term spending package that would have funded DHS through Sept. 30 without the enforcement restrictions Democrats are seeking. Schumer said Democrats were prepared to fund “96% of the federal government today,” but argued the DHS portion “still needs a lot of work.” Republicans countered that Democrats were risking broader harm by holding up funding. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) warned that a shutdown could disrupt FEMA operations during a major winter storm and delay pay for troops, TSA agents, and air traffic controllers. While the Senate could move quickly on the deal, the timing of House action remains uncertain. Both chambers must approve the measure before the deadline to avoid a lapse in funding. — While OMB has cleared proposed 45Z rules, questions remain on timing and multi-year coverageTreasury is poised to release proposed regulations governing the clean fuel credit and Sustainable Aviation Fuel, setting program rules for 2025–2027 while using transition provisions to backstop early production The White House Office of Management and Budget has completed its review of the Treasury Department’s proposed regulations for the Section 45Z clean fuel production credit, removing the final internal hurdle before public release. With that review finished, responsibility now shifts to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service to publish the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register. Industry officials expect the proposed rules to be released in late winter or early spring. The proposal will be the first comprehensive regulatory text for 45Z and is expected to spell out how carbon intensity is measured, how feedstocks are treated, and how the credit applies to Sustainable Aviation Fuel, including pathway eligibility, verification requirements, and credit ownership mechanics. Importantly, the proposed regulations will not be limited to explaining how the credit operates in 2025. Instead, Treasury is expected to use the NPRM to establish the governing framework for the full statutory life of the program, covering fuel produced from 2025 through 2027. That means the rules will effectively define how 45Z is intended to function across all years, even though final regulations will not be issued until after a public comment period. For 2025 production, Treasury is widely expected to rely on transition and safe-harbor provisions. Under that approach, producers who relied on existing IRS notices and acted in good faith would be protected, with final rules applied retroactively but without penalizing early movers. That would formally acknowledge that 2025 has operated as a bridge year, with production and contracting taking place ahead of finalized regulations. Once the proposed rules are published, uncertainty is expected to ease for 2026 and 2027. Stakeholders will be able to structure financing and offtake agreements around the proposed framework, with final regulations likely viewed as refinements rather than a wholesale rewrite. Until the NPRM appears, however, producers, airlines, and investors remain in a holding pattern — aware that the policy architecture is cleared internally, but still waiting for Treasury to put it on paper. Of note: Key issues remain unsettled, including lifecycle emissions modeling requirements, feedstock eligibility, treatment of corn ethanol-to-SAF pathways, credit ownership between producers and airlines, and how 45Z interacts with other incentives such as Renewable Identification Numbers, Low Carbon Fuel Standard credits, and other federal clean energy tax credits. The lack of clarity is especially acute for SAF, where long-term offtake agreements and project financing depend heavily on confidence in how the credit will ultimately be administered. — U.S. agricultural trade deficit widens in November despite lower exports and importsYear-over-year declines continue as FY 2026 outlook still points to a sizable deficit, even with recent sub–$1 billion monthly gaps U.S. agricultural exports and imports both declined in November, but the pullback was not enough to prevent a wider monthly trade deficit. The value of U.S. agricultural exports totaled $15.04 billion in November, down from $15.62 billion in October. Imports slipped to $15.59 billion from $16.04 billion the prior month. That produced a monthly agricultural trade deficit of $553 million, wider than October’s $424 million shortfall. On a fiscal year basis, U.S. agricultural exports so far in FY 2026 stand at $30.66 billion, while imports total $31.64 billion, resulting in a $980 million deficit for the first two months of the fiscal year. By comparison, the first two months of FY 2025 saw exports of $34.17 billion against imports of $37.03 billion, a much larger $2.86 billion deficit. November trade values were sharply lower on a year-over-year basis. Agricultural exports were 14.7% below November 2025 levels, while imports were down 13.3% over the same period. November 2024 was the only month in FY 2025 when the U.S. agricultural trade deficit came in under $1 billion, making the latest data the second consecutive month with a sub–$1 billion deficit. Despite that near-term improvement, USDA’s full-year outlook still points to significant red ink. The department is forecasting FY 2026 agricultural exports at $173 billion and imports at $210 billion, implying a $37 billion deficit. That would be smaller than FY 2025’s record $43.7 billion deficit, when exports totaled $175.6 billion and imports reached $219.4 billion. To meet the FY 2026 forecast, monthly agricultural exports would need to average $14.23 billion, with imports averaging $17.84 billion. For context, the final 10 months of FY 2025 saw exports average $14.14 billion per month, while imports averaged a much higher $18.23 billion. Replicating lower import levels may prove difficult. During the remaining months of FY 2025, there were two months with imports exceeding $20 billion and only two months below $16 billion. Those elevated totals were widely seen as inflated by tariff uncertainty, which encouraged importers to move goods into the U.S. ahead of potential duties taking effect. — Trump threatens tariffs on countries supplying oil to CubaNew executive order expands use of tariff powers to pressure Havana amid escalating fuel crisis and diplomatic tensions President Donald Trump signed an executive order (link) on Jan. 29, authorizing the U.S. to impose tariffs on imports from any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba — part of a broader effort to tighten economic pressure on the island’s government. The directive directs the Commerce Department to identify nations supplying Cuba with oil, after which senior administration officials will decide on additional tariff measures. In the order, Trump said the Cuban government “has taken extraordinary actions that harm and threaten the United States,” claiming Cuba aligns and supports hostile states, terrorist groups, and other malign actors. The move comes amid a deepening fuel shortage in Cuba following the halt of Venezuelan oil deliveries after the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the apparent cancellation of Mexican shipments — historically one of Cuba’s last remaining fuel lifelines. Analysts warn Cuba may have only weeks of oil reserves remaining amid daily blackouts and severe rationing. The tariff threat follows a “cordial” trade talk between Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum that did not include Cuba policy, even as Mexico has become a key oil supplier to Havana in the absence of Venezuelan fuel. European diplomats have expressed concern that continued pressure could trigger a humanitarian crisis by further starving Cuba of essential energy resources. On social media earlier this month, Trump warned, “THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA — ZERO!” urging Cuban leaders to negotiate with the United States “before it is too late.” — New tax installment option created for qualified farmland salesProvision in OBBB allows sellers to spread capital gains tax over four years if farmland stays in agricultural use Farmers who sell qualified farmland to other farmers can now spread the income tax on their capital gain over four equal annual installments, under a new tax break enacted in the OBBB. To use the relief, sellers must make a Section 1062 election, which allows the gain from the sale to be taxed in four installments rather than all at once. The first payment is due by the normal tax return due date for the year of the sale — filing extensions do not delay that deadline — with each subsequent installment due by the return due date in each following year. The provision applies only to qualified farmland, defined as farm property that has been farmed by the seller — or leased by the seller to a farmer for farming purposes — for at least 10 years prior to the sale. In addition, the land must be subject to a covenant or other enforceable restriction that limits its use exclusively to farming for at least 10 years after the sale. Sellers who elect the installment treatment must include a copy of the covenant or other enforceable land-use restriction with their income tax return for the year of the sale. — Texas issues statewide disaster declaration over New World screwworm threatAbbott authorizes expanded resources to prevent potential spread from Mexico into Texas livestock and wildlife Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday issued a statewide disaster declaration aimed at strengthening the Texas New World Screwworm (NWS) Response Team as the destructive parasite continues moving north from Mexico toward the U.S. southern border. Abbott said the screwworm fly is not currently present in Texas or elsewhere in the U.S., but warned that its advance poses a “serious threat” to the state’s livestock industry and wildlife. The declaration allows Texas to mobilize state resources in advance rather than waiting for an outbreak. “State law authorizes me to act to prevent a threat of infestation that could cause severe damage to Texas property, and I will not wait for such harm to reach our livestock and wildlife,” Abbott said. He added that the declaration enables the state to fully deploy prevention and response tools and to eradicate the pest if necessary. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller welcomed the move, saying the governor’s action matches the severity of the threat. Miller said the declaration gives the response effort greater authority, resources, and speed, and noted that the Texas Department of Agriculture has already increased surveillance, coordination, and response planning. “The New World screwworm is inching closer to Texas each and every day, and we must be proactive,” Miller said, emphasizing continued coordination with state and federal partners to protect livestock, pets, wildlife, and communities. Industry groups also praised the declaration. Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association President Carl Ray Polk Jr. said the action positions Texas agencies to fully utilize state resources to combat a potential incursion and underscored the importance of safeguarding the U.S. beef supply. The declaration comes amid heightened concern across the livestock sector as officials seek to keep the screwworm from re-establishing itself in the United States. |
| FINANCIAL MARKETS |
— Equities today: Global markets sold off Friday after President Donald Trump said he has firmed up his choice to lead the Federal Reserve, with reporting converging on Kevin Warsh, 55, as the likely pick. Warsh, a former Fed governor, is widely viewed as supportive of lower interest rates but more cautious than some contenders on aggressive monetary stimulus — particularly favoring a smaller Fed balance sheet. Markets appeared to focus on that balance-sheet angle, triggering a sharp risk-off move.
What moved markets
• Equities: Asia-Pacific stocks (ex-Japan) fell as much as 1.4%, marking the biggest one-day drop in a month. U.S. equity futures slid — S&P 500 e-minis down 0.7%, Nasdaq e-minis off 0.9%. Chinese stocks led declines in Asia, while Japan’s Nikkei edged lower.
• Dollar & rates: The dollar index rose about 0.4%, reversing recent weakness. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield climbed ~4.6 bps to around 4.27%.
• Policy odds: Fed funds futures trimmed expectations for rate cuts, with markets pricing roughly an 85% chance the Fed holds steady at its next March meeting (down from the prior day).
• Prediction markets: On Polymarket, implied odds of Warsh being nominated surged to the mid-90% range intraday.
Cross-asset fallout
• Precious metals: A sharp selloff — gold dropped over 5%, silver plunged more than 7%, and platinum/palladium fell roughly 8%.
• Energy: Brent crude slipped ~1.5% as markets weighed new geopolitical risks following Trump’s executive order opening a path to tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, alongside comments about potential talks with Iran.
• Crypto: Bitcoin fell about 2%, with ether down nearly 3%.
Bottom Line: Investors are recalibrating for a Fed leadership shift that could favor lower rates but tighter liquidity via balance-sheet restraint — a mix that pushed yields and the dollar higher while pressuring risk assets.
— Equities yesterday:
| Equity Index | Closing Price Jan. 29 | Point Difference from Jan. 28 | % Difference from Jan. 28 |
| Dow | 49,071.56 | +55.96 | 0.11% |
| Nasdaq | 23,685.12 | -172.33 | -0.72% |
| S&P 500 | 6,969.01 | -9.02 | -0.13% |
— Trump to announce Fed chair nominee later this morning
President renews pressure on central bank, signals preference for sharp rate cuts
President Donald Trump said Thursday he will unveil his nominee to lead the Federal Reserve Friday morning reiterating his expectation that the central bank’s next chair will move quickly to lower interest rates.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, Trump said the Fed leadership choice would be someone he believes “will do a good job,” days after the Fed opted to hold borrowing costs steady — a decision that has frustrated the White House. Trump argued rates should be “two points and even three points lower,” saying the U.S. should have the lowest interest rates in the world.
“Just an outstanding person, and a person that won’t be too surprising to people,” Trump said about his still-secret nominee tonight from the premiere of a documentary about his wife. Trump added: “A lot of people think that this is somebody that could have been there a few years ago. It’s going to be somebody that’s very respected, somebody that’s known to everybody in the financial world, and I think it’s going to be a very good choice.”
Trump’s comments Thursday night have prediction markets upping their bets on Warsh, who was once said to be a candidate for Fed chair before Trump nominated Jerome Powell in 2017. Warsh’s odds had surged to 85% on Polymarket as of 8 p.m. ET.
The president and his allies have intensified a months-long campaign against the Fed and current chair Jerome Powell, including backing a Justice Department investigation into renovations at the Fed’s headquarters. Critics warn the effort risks undermining the institution’s independence.
Trump is weighing four candidates: National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, Fed Governor Christopher Waller, former Fed governor Kevin Warsh, and BlackRock executive Rick Rieder. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is overseeing the selection.
The Financial Times reports that former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh is widely favored as the likely pick to succeed Jerome Powell, whose term as Fed chair ends in May. Warsh’s candidacy has gained traction amid a broader White House push for leadership aligned with Trump’s preference for lower interest rates, though the final decision has not yet been made public ahead of Friday’s announcement. A former Fed governor who played behind-the-scenes roles during Washington’s rescue of Wall Street in the 2008-09 financial crisis, Warsh lost out on the top job to Powell in 2017.
Any nominee could face confirmation hurdles in the U.S. Senate. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), a member of the Banking Committee, has said he will block Fed nominees until the federal investigation is resolved. The probe is focused on Powell’s testimony to Congress about building renovations. Powell has called it a pretext for Trump to get the lower interest rates he wants. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) says “probably not” when asked if he can confirm a new Federal Reserve chair without Sen. Thom Tillis.
— Treasury flags no currency manipulators, expands watch list
Thailand added to monitoring list as Treasury broadens scrutiny of exchange-rate practices and related policies
The U.S. Treasury Dept. said in its latest semiannual report (link) that no major U.S. trading partner meets all three statutory criteria to be labeled a “currency manipulator,” even after the department expanded its analytical framework to capture a wider range of potentially improper actions.
Released Jan. 29, the Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major Trading Partners of the U.S. report (link) applies three tests — current account surpluses, bilateral trade balances with the U.S., and foreign exchange intervention.
While no country qualified as a manipulator, Treasury placed nine economies on its “Monitoring List” for meeting two of the three criteria. Eight countries from the June 2025 report remain — China, Japan, Ireland, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, and Germany — with Thailand newly added.
Treasury emphasized that the review now looks beyond traditional spot-market intervention. The department said it is assessing whether economies that smooth exchange-rate movements do so symmetrically — resisting depreciation as much as appreciation — and is increasing vigilance over other policies that can influence currency markets, including capital controls, macroprudential measures, and the activities of government investment vehicles such as pension funds. Treasury also said it is examining central banks’ net forward positions, noting that swaps can offset spot interventions without changing domestic monetary conditions.
Although Treasury last year suggested it could ask the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to impose tariffs to counter problematic currency practices, the Trump administration has not pursued duties on that basis. Instead, the report highlights bilateral joint statements with counterparts in countries including South Korea, Japan, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan, and Malaysia as the primary tool to discourage improper exchange-rate behavior.
According to Treasury, those statements commit partners to avoid manipulating exchange rates for competitive advantage, ensure macroprudential and capital-flow measures are not used to target currencies, keep government investment vehicles focused on risk-adjusted returns rather than exchange-rate goals, and reserve any intervention for episodes of excess volatility or disorderly markets. The agreements also stress greater transparency, including improved frequency and timeliness of foreign-exchange intervention and reserve data disclosures.
| AG MARKETS |
— Weaker dollar boosts export outlook for U.S. crops
Currency moves in 2025 improve foreign purchasing power and competitiveness for export-heavy Southern commodities
A substantial share of U.S. agricultural production is sold overseas, a point underscored this week by an analysis published by Southern Ag Today (link), which highlights how exchange rates shape export competitiveness and domestic price prospects for U.S. crops. For Southern producers with heavy export exposure, the value of the dollar is not merely a macroeconomic signal — it is a core component of the demand curve.
As the Southern Ag Today author Yuri Clemets Daglia Calil explains, most globally traded agricultural commodities are priced in U.S. dollars. When the dollar strengthens, foreign buyers must spend more in local-currency terms to purchase the same commodity, typically softening demand and placing downward pressure on prices. When the dollar weakens, U.S. supplies become cheaper for foreign buyers, export bids often improve, and U.S. crops become easier to place in global markets. This dynamic helps explain why the dollar and broad commodity prices frequently move in opposite directions, even though other market forces can dominate in the short run.
The article notes that the exchange-rate environment turned notably more supportive for U.S. agriculture in 2025. After rising 7.1% in 2024, the nominal broad U.S. dollar index declined 7.2% over 2025. Over the same period, several major U.S. agricultural customers saw significant currency appreciation against the dollar, with the euro strengthening 12.6% and the Mexican peso rising 12.7%t These moves improved foreign purchasing power for U.S. shipments and helped support crop exports. Brazil’s real also appreciated by roughly 11%, which can tighten Brazilian exporters’ local-currency margins and reduce their ability to price aggressively.
According to research cited by Southern Ag Today, exchange-rate effects are economically meaningful. Previous studies find that a 1 percent decline in the trade-weighted dollar is associated with roughly a 0.5% increase in the value of U.S. agricultural exports. Still, the author cautions that exchange rates rarely operate in isolation, with weather, yields, freight costs, geopolitics, and policy shocks often dominating price formation — a lesson reinforced in the post-2022 period.
For Southern producers, the dollar’s decline in 2025 is framed by Southern Ag Today as a constructive signal for export-oriented crops, as it supports international competitiveness without requiring lower farm-gate prices. The main limitation is timing: exchange-rate benefits pass through bids, basis, and contracting practices unevenly, meaning gains can vary by region and marketing window. Even so, the directional effect remains favorable.
Looking ahead, the article concludes that if global conditions remain stable and U.S. interest rates drift lower, the dollar may stay softer and continue to support export demand. A resurgence in global risk aversion, however, could reverse that trend and reintroduce headwinds. For export-dependent Southern crops, the Southern Ag Today author stresses that monitoring exchange rates alongside basis and contract timing remains a critical part of disciplined marketing.
— Cotton AWP eases. The Adjusted World Price (AWP) for cotton is at 50.23 cents per pound, effective today (Jan. 30), down from 50.99 cents per pound the prior week. That translates into an LDP of 1.77 cents per pound versus 1.01 cents per pound the prior week. There has now been an LDP available all but two weeks since Oct. 17, 2025, ranging from 0.11 cents per pound to 2.01 cents per pound.
— Agriculture markets yesterday:
| Commodity | Contract Month | Close Jan. 29 | Change vs. Jan. 28 |
| Corn | March | $4.30 3/4 | +3/4¢ |
| Soybeans | March | $10.72 1/4 | −2 3/4¢ |
| Soybean Meal | March | $296.00 | −$1.80 |
| Soybean Oil | March | 54.03¢ | −28 pts |
| Wheat (SRW) | March | $5.41 1/2 | +5 1/2¢ |
| Wheat (HRW) | March | $5.47 | +4 3/4¢ |
| Wheat (Spring) | March | $5.81 1/2 | +7 1/2¢ |
| Cotton | March | 63.48¢ | −25 pts |
| Live Cattle | April | $237.275 | −$1.45 |
| Feeder Cattle | March | $365.125 | −72 1/2¢ |
| Lean Hogs | April | $95.45 | +30¢ |
| TRUMP CABINET MEETING |
— Trump presses Fed, hails tariffs and drug-price cuts as Cabinet marks start of second year
President claims record growth, falling inflation, and rapid progress on energy, healthcare, and rebuilding as administration sets agenda for 2026
President Donald Trump opened his Jan. 29 Cabinet meeting by declaring his administration’s first year “unprecedented,” arguing that economic growth, crime reduction, border enforcement, and foreign-policy outcomes have outperformed any prior first-year record. Framing the gathering as the start of his second year in office, Trump used the session to press the Federal Reserve for lower interest rates, tout tariffs as both a revenue source and negotiating lever, and highlight initiatives spanning healthcare, energy production, housing, and disaster recovery.
Trump said the economy is expanding at an exceptional pace despite a recent government shutdown, citing Atlanta Fed estimates of 5.4% fourth-quarter growth and asserting it would have been higher without the funding lapse. He pointed to record stock-market levels, claiming the S&P 500’s rise to 7,000 has added trillions to retirement accounts, and contrasted his record with the prior administration by asserting more than $18 trillion in new investment commitments in less than a year.
On inflation, Trump argued that price pressures have receded sharply, with real incomes now outpacing inflation, gasoline prices falling below $2 a gallon in some regions, and food and travel costs easing. He credited energy policy and drilling levels he described as the highest on record, repeatedly emphasizing that lower energy costs ripple through the broader economy. Trump also renewed criticism of the Fed, saying rates remain “unacceptably high,” and announced he plans to name a new Fed chair nominee next week, reiterating that rates should be “two or three points lower.”
Tariffs featured prominently throughout the meeting. Trump and senior economic officials portrayed them as central to reshoring manufacturing, boosting steel output, and drawing foreign and domestic investment into U.S. plants. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said U.S. steel production has surpassed Japan’s for the first time in more than two decades, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued tariffs are underpinning a “supply-side boom” by incentivizing factory construction and private-sector hiring. Trump also referenced a pending Supreme Court case related to tariff authorities, warning that an adverse ruling could jeopardize hundreds of billions in revenue.
Healthcare policy was another focal point. Trump claimed his administration has secured “most favored nation” pricing commitments that will sharply reduce U.S. prescription drug costs, using tariffs as leverage to push foreign governments and drugmakers to accept higher prices abroad and lower prices domestically. Health officials said multiple pharmaceutical companies are now building new U.S. manufacturing plants, including active pharmaceutical ingredient facilities, to avoid future tariffs and strengthen supply chains. Trump also previewed a forthcoming “TrumpRx” program aimed at delivering lower drug prices directly to consumers.
Housing and disaster recovery drew pointed remarks, particularly regarding wildfire rebuilding in California. Trump criticized state and local leaders for slow permitting and announced he is empowering federal officials to accelerate approvals, saying homeowners should be allowed to rebuild quickly — and even larger than before — to restore communities and property values. He also underscored efforts to limit institutional investors’ purchases of single-family homes and to support first-time buyers through FHA and Ginnie Mae programs, while stressing that policy should not undermine existing homeowners’ equity.
Energy policy was framed as a matter of reliability and national security. Energy officials said U.S. oil and natural gas production now exceeds that of major global competitors combined, and argued that coal, gas, and nuclear power were essential during recent extreme cold. Trump sharply criticized wind and solar power, calling them unreliable during peak demand, and said his administration halted the closure of numerous coal plants that would have risked blackouts.
On foreign policy, Trump highlighted what he described as progress in the Middle East, including the return of hostages, and said negotiations on Russia and Ukraine have advanced more in recent weeks than in years. He also announced steps to reopen Venezuela’s airspace and encourage U.S. oil companies to reenter the country, portraying the move as beneficial to both nations. In national security remarks, defense officials emphasized deterrence, maritime enforcement against piracy and drug trafficking, and the rebuilding of U.S. military capabilities.
The meeting blended policy announcements with overt political messaging, including repeated attacks on Democrats, California officials, and the Federal Reserve. Still, the unifying theme was speed and leverage: Trump portrayed his administration as acting quickly, using tariffs and executive authority to force outcomes on trade, healthcare pricing, energy production, and disaster recovery.
Bottom Line: Trump used the Cabinet meeting to declare his first year a historic success and to set priorities for 2026 — pressing for lower interest rates, defending tariffs as an economic and security tool, and spotlighting aggressive action on healthcare costs, energy reliability, housing, and foreign policy. The session underscored an administration intent on accelerating permitting, reshoring industry, and using federal power to force faster results at home and abroad as it enters its second year.
| USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins did not deliver a standalone set of remarks during the Cabinet meeting, but President Trump referenced her multiple times in ways that clearly attributed actions and initiatives to her portfolio. Here’s what was attributed to Rollins during the meeting: Egg prices: Trump credited Rollins with helping drive egg prices down ahead of Easter, joking that aides had suggested using plastic eggs for the White House egg roll until prices fell. Food and nutrition policy: In remarks by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Rollins was cited as a key partner on: Releasing new dietary guidelines that Kennedy said received bipartisan praise. Overseeing massive daily food purchasing programs (WIC, SNAP, school lunches, VA, and military food programs). A new push to increase access to “real food” — including an initiative to require retailers that accept food stamps to expand offerings of whole foods, proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Rural America and agriculture: Trump referenced Iowa visits and farmer support, with Rollins acknowledged as being directly engaged with producer concerns and rural economic conditions. Upshot: Rollins did not speak at length herself, but she was repeatedly credited by Trump and Kennedy for food-price relief, nutrition policy changes, and rural-focused initiatives, signaling her role was substantive even if she wasn’t given floor time. |
| ENERGY MARKETS & POLICY |
— Friday: Oil retreated as risk-off sentiment swept across broader markets, but Trump’s escalating threats against Iran are keeping the market on edge. Brent dropped below $70 a barrel on Friday after climbing above that level in the previous session for the first time since July.
— Thursday: Oil prices jump to five-month highs as Iran risks fuel geopolitical premium
Brent tops $70 as traders price in potential supply disruptions, while a weaker dollar and wider Brent/WTI spread add support
Oil prices surged about 3% Thursday, climbing to their highest levels in roughly five months as markets priced in a growing risk that U.S. military action against Iran could disrupt global supplies.
Brent futures rose $2.31, 3.4%, to settle at $70.71 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate gained $2.21, 3.5%, to $65.42.
Both benchmarks moved into technically overbought territory — with Brent posting its strongest close since July 31 and WTI since Sept. 26 — as traders layered in a widening geopolitical risk premium tied to the Middle East.
Tensions escalated after reports that President Donald Trump is weighing options that include targeted strikes against Iranian security forces and leadership. Analysts cautioned that the most immediate market risk would come from retaliation that disrupts regional oil flows. Iran is a major producer within OPEC, and any threat to tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — which carries roughly 20 million barrels per day — would have severe implications for global supply.
Pressure on Tehran intensified as the European Union adopted new sanctions tied to Iran’s crackdown on protesters and designated the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, a move analysts said further lifted the geopolitical premium embedded in prices.
Some supply-side developments capped the rally. Russia reiterated its openness to peace talks with Ukraine, which, if successful, could eventually allow more Russian exports back to market. In Kazakhstan, authorities said Chevron expects to restore full output at the Tengiz oilfield within a week, though recent outages there and at the CPC export terminal have already removed meaningful volumes.
In the U.S., crude production continued to recover after a winter storm temporarily knocked out as much as 2 million barrels per day, easing near-term supply concerns. Venezuela also remained in focus amid uncertainty over future investment and export prospects as U.S. policy toward sanctioned producers evolves.
Macro factors added tailwinds. The U.S. dollar hovered near its weakest level since February 2022, making dollar-denominated crude cheaper for non-U.S. buyers. Investors also parsed a steadier tone from the Federal Reserve, interpreted as signaling rates could stay on hold longer — a backdrop supportive of growth and oil demand.
Meanwhile, the Brent premium over WTI widened to about $5.30 a barrel, the largest spread since April 2024, a dynamic analysts say typically encourages higher U.S. crude exports as overseas buyers seek relatively cheaper American barrels.
— U.S. opens Venezuela’s vast crude reserves to Big Oil
Treasury’s new general license clears the way for American groups to buy and resell Venezuelan oil, reshaping energy geopolitics
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a “general license” that permits U.S. companies to purchase and resell crude from Venezuela’s massive oil reserves — a watershed shift from years of tightly controlled sanctions and case-by-case exemptions.
The move marks an aggressive pivot in Washington’s approach to Venezuelan energy assets, potentially unlocking access for major American oil companies and traders to one of the world’s largest proven crude basins. Under the license, established U.S. entities can engage in activities previously prohibited — including the exportation, sale, resale, refining, storage, transportation, and marketing of Venezuelan-origin crude and related products.
This general authorization is expected to accelerate investment and commercial flows into Venezuela’s long-underfunded energy sector, as companies scramble to position themselves for expanded production and export opportunities.
The decision comes amid broader developments in U.S./Venezuelan relations following the January ouster of President Nicolás Maduro, with Washington now managing Venezuelan oil exports and negotiating deals to rebuild the country’s infrastructure.
Upshot: While some U.S. refiners and service providers have already indicated interest, the Financial Times says oil majors are seeking “serious guarantees” from the U.S. government before committing significant capital to Venezuelan upstream and midstream operations — underscoring ongoing commercial risk assessments even as regulatory barriers are lowered.
— Trump’s climate rollback hits pause amid court challenge fears
Administration delays move to repeal EPA’s endangerment finding as internal reviewers warn legal and scientific case may not hold up
The Trump administration has stalled plans to repeal the Environmental Protection Agency’s foundational “endangerment finding” — a linchpin of federal climate regulation — amid concerns the proposal would be vulnerable to defeat in court, according to people familiar with internal deliberations, the Washington Post reported.
The 2009 finding concluded that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare, providing the legal basis for regulating emissions from cars, trucks, and other sources under the Clean Air Act. Repealing it would effectively dismantle much of the EPA’s climate regulatory authority.
According to the report, the White House’s regulatory review arm, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), has raised concerns that the scientific and economic analysis underpinning the repeal is too weak to withstand judicial scrutiny. That review has slowed finalization of the rule, even as EPA officials push to move forward quickly.
An Environmental Protection Agency spokesperson confirmed the repeal proposal was submitted to OIRA on Jan. 7 but declined to address reports of internal disagreement. The agency argues the endangerment finding has been used to justify “trillions of dollars” in climate regulations and says it is acting within the law.
OIRA’s public calendar shows meetings scheduled through Feb. 10 with industry representatives, lobbyists, and environmental and public health advocates, underscoring the proposal’s high stakes.
The Office of Management and Budget, which oversees OIRA, said the administration remains unified. “OIRA, EPA, and the entire administration are working in lockstep to execute on the President’s deregulation agenda,” OMB spokeswoman Allie McCandless told the Post.
Supporters of repeal argue the economic costs of greenhouse gas regulation outweigh any climate benefits. Diana Furchtgott-Roth of the Heritage Foundation said EPA climate rules impose “vast costs on the American economy” and should be abolished, adding that repealing the endangerment finding would strengthen efforts to unwind Biden-era power plant emissions limits.
Critics counter that the administration’s scientific case is deeply flawed. The EPA’s justification relies heavily on an Energy Department report produced by a small group of climate skeptics — a report scientists say contains major errors and that has already been challenged in court by environmental groups, including the Environmental Defense Fund.
David Doniger of the Natural Resources Defense Council told the Post that the legal and scientific foundations for regulating greenhouse gases have only strengthened since the Supreme Court affirmed EPA’s authority in 2007. With worsening heat waves, storms, and wildfires, he said, the agency is unlikely to prevail by arguing the science no longer supports regulation.
The delay marks a broader slowdown in the administration’s aggressive deregulatory push. While EPA officials have sought to rush rules into court in hopes of securing favorable rulings before the end of Trump’s term, the repeal of the endangerment finding missed a 2025 deadline — and other rollbacks have also slipped, according to the Post.
| TRADE POLICY |
— U.S., El Salvador finalize reciprocal trade deal with broad tariff exemptions
Agreement locks in duty-free access for hundreds of goods, caps other tariffs at 10%, and preserves U.S. enforcement powers
The United States and El Salvador on Thursday signed a “reciprocal” trade agreement that exempts hundreds of Salvadoran products from U.S. tariffs and caps rates on remaining covered imports at no more than 10%, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
The pact — the Trump administration’s first such agreement with a Western Hemisphere ally — follows a framework announced in November and delivers on a pledge to convert that outline into a binding deal.
Under the agreement, tariffs are eliminated on a wide range of goods, including pharmaceutical and aircraft inputs and palm oil. Dozens of agricultural products — such as avocados, coffee, coconuts, pineapples, mangoes and bananas — receive zero-tariff treatment, consistent with the administration’s policy to keep duty-free imports for items not grown in the U.S.
Products that meet rules-of-origin requirements under the Dominican Republic–Central America Free Trade Agreement will also be exempt from baseline tariffs. Imports not covered by exemptions face a tariff rate no higher than 10%. The U.S. maintains a trade surplus with El Salvador.
In return, El Salvador agreed to dismantle non-tariff barriers affecting U.S. agricultural and industrial exports, prohibit imports made with forced labor, enforce intellectual property rights, and adopt other regulatory best practices. The deal also bars discriminatory digital services or value-added taxes targeting U.S. firms and commits El Salvador to facilitate digital trade, ensure cross-border data flows across trusted networks, and cooperate on cybersecurity.
Notably, the agreement preserves U.S. authority to impose tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, explicitly stating that nothing in the pact constrains actions to address unfair trade, import surges, or economic and national security concerns.
“President Trump’s vision is building a new trade order for partnership and prosperity in Latin America,” said USTR Jamieson Greer, calling the signing the first Agreement on Reciprocal Trade in the Western Hemisphere and saying it will strengthen markets for U.S. exports and reduce barriers for American producers.
Industry groups welcomed the deal. National Council of Textile Organizations President and CEO Kim Glas said it would “fortify a critical export market” for U.S. textiles, noting the CAFTA-DR co-production chain supported $11.3 billion in two-way trade in 2024 and more than 470,000 U.S. textile jobs.
— Trump moves to decertify Canadian aircraft, threatens steep tariffs
President cites Gulfstream certification dispute as leverage amid broader aircraft trade tensions
President Donald Trump said Thursday he is decertifying Canadian-made aircraft and warned he could impose 50% tariffs on aircraft imports from Canada if Ottawa does not move to certify U.S.-made Gulfstream jets.
In a late Jan. 29 social media post, Trump accused Canada of “wrongfully, illegally, and steadfastly” refusing to certify Gulfstream aircraft, arguing that the certification process is being used to block U.S. sales in the Canadian market. In response, he said the United States would decertify “their Bombardier Global Expresses, and all Aircraft made in Canada” until Gulfstream jets are “fully certified.”
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, airworthiness certification authorizes an aircraft to operate in flight and can be revoked if it no longer meets approved design or safety standards. Trump framed the move as reciprocal, asserting that Canada is effectively denying U.S. manufacturers access to its market through regulatory means.
Trump added that if the issue is not “immediately corrected,” he would levy a 50% tariff on all Canadian aircraft sold into the United States.
The threat follows earlier warnings from Trump that Canada could face 100% tariffs if it proceeds with a trade agreement with China. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has characterized those threats as “positioning” ahead of a scheduled review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Canada is a major supplier of aircraft to the U.S., exporting about $9.2 billion worth of aircraft, spacecraft, and related parts in 2024.
The escalation also comes as the Commerce Department is conducting a Section 232 national security investigation into commercial aircraft, engines, and parts. That probe, launched last May, was due to be delivered to the president on Jan. 26, setting the stage for potential additional trade actions in the aviation sector.
Of note: There is no clear evidence that Transport Canada has completed certification on the newer Gulfstream models cited (G500/G600/G700/G800) in its public records. But that is a regulatory/technical status, not an admission of bad faith or an illegal refusal — and Canada has not publicly said it is willfully blocking certification.
— Sheinbaum says U.S./Mexico trade talks are progressing
Mexico seeks tariff relief as USMCA review talks begin, while president urges keeping the trilateral pact intact
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said trade negotiations with the United States are “going very well,” though she cautioned that no concrete outcomes have been finalized yet. Mexico is pressing Washington for relief from tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on products including steel, aluminum, and vehicles.
Sheinbaum confirmed that Mexico and the U.S. agreed Wednesday to begin formal discussions on potential structural and strategic reforms as part of the first joint review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, is expected to provide additional details next week.
Sheinbaum also said she discussed Canada with President Trump during a recent call and reiterated her support for maintaining the USMCA as a trilateral agreement. Her comments come amid rising U.S.–Canada tensions and past suggestions from Trump that Washington could pursue separate bilateral deals.
That strain was highlighted recently when Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney used a speech at the World Economic Forum to urge middle powers to coordinate in response to the current U.S. administration.
Even if the three countries fail to agree on extending the USMCA during this year’s review, the pact would remain in force until 2036.
| CHINA |
— Xi and Starmer pledge to reset China/UK ties after years of diplomatic chill
Beijing visit signals push for economic cooperation and strategic dialogue as London seeks growth and Beijing looks to stabilize external relations
Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed Thursday to stabilize and expand bilateral relations, pledging to build a “long-term strategic partnership” as the U.K. leader seeks to revive Britain’s economy through deeper engagement with the world’s second-largest economy.
Starmer met Xi at the Great Hall of the People during the first visit by a British prime minister to China in eight years — a symbolic step marking a thaw after a prolonged period of strain over human rights, Hong Kong, technology security, and broader geopolitical alignment with Washington.
According to Caixin Global, both leaders emphasized pragmatism and continuity, with Xi calling for relations based on “mutual respect, openness, and win-win cooperation.” Xi said China is prepared to work with the United Kingdom to strengthen communication, manage differences, and expand cooperation in trade, finance, green development, and innovation.
For Starmer, the visit underscores a recalibration of Britain’s China policy under the new Labour government. While reaffirming UK commitments to national security and values-based diplomacy, Starmer signaled that economic engagement with Beijing is essential to boosting investment, exports, and growth at home. British officials accompanying the prime minister highlighted opportunities for cooperation in financial services, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences.
The meeting also reflects Beijing’s broader diplomatic push to stabilize ties with major European economies amid ongoing frictions with the United States. Chinese officials framed the UK relationship as an important pillar of China/Europe engagement, particularly as global trade fragmentation, tariff disputes, and slowing growth weigh on the global outlook.
Despite the warmer tone, underlying sensitivities remain. Issues such as technology supply chains, scrutiny of Chinese investment in critical infrastructure, and London’s stance on human rights are unlikely to disappear. Still, Caixin notes that both sides appear intent on preventing those disputes from dominating the relationship, favoring structured dialogue and incremental confidence-building.
Starmer is expected to pair the Beijing talks with meetings involving Chinese business leaders, aiming to translate the diplomatic reset into tangible commercial outcomes — a priority for a government eager to demonstrate early progress on economic renewal.
| POLITICS & ELECTIONS |
— Abbott backs challenger in Texas Ag Commissioner primary
Governor endorses Nate Sheets over incumbent Sid Miller, citing ethics concerns
Gov. Greg Abbott has endorsed Republican primary challenger Nate Sheets in the Texas agriculture commissioner race, delivering a major setback to incumbent Sid Miller, according to The Texas Tribune.
Abbott said Texans deserve an agriculture commissioner “with zero tolerance for criminality,” calling Sheets “the true conservative champion” to keep Texas a global agriculture powerhouse. The endorsement follows controversy surrounding Miller’s decision last year to hire his political consultant as chief of staff shortly after the consultant pleaded guilty to commercial bribery tied to hemp licenses overseen by Miller’s office — a move that reportedly triggered internal warnings and outrage.
Abbott’s campaign manager also pointed to Miller’s past vote supporting in-state tuition for undocumented students while he served in the Texas House, an issue that has become a flashpoint as GOP politics have shifted rightward.
Sheets is a first-time political candidate and the founder of Nature Nate’s Honey.
| LABOR & IMMIGRATION POLICY |
— Homan pledges to continue Minneapolis immigration operation, signals drawdown for safety
Border czar says ICE arrests will continue in Minnesota, but with fewer agents and more focus on jail cooperation
White House border czar Tom Homan said Thursday that the Trump administration will not abandon its immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, even as federal officials prepare to scale back the large on-the-ground presence following public backlash and deadly incidents.
“We’re not going to surrender our mission at all — we’re just going to do it smarter,” Homan told reporters, vowing continued arrests while emphasizing changes aimed at making the operation “safer, more efficient, and by the book.”
Homan was dispatched to Minnesota earlier this week after two fatal shootings involving federal immigration officers, reports of indiscriminate stops of U.S. citizens, and allegations of unconstitutional searches. He said he met with Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey — all outspoken critics of the heavy deployment of masked, armed agents.
Acknowledging problems with the operation, Homan said the administration recognizes “certain improvements could be made.” His remarks appeared to implicitly criticize the leadership overseeing the operation, as Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino has reportedly been transferred out of the state.
Homan confirmed he has asked for a plan to begin drawing down the surge of officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, though he did not provide a timeline or specify how many agents would remain. The scope of the drawdown, he said, will depend on local cooperation and how many enforcement targets remain.
A key condition for reducing street-level enforcement, Homan argued, is expanded cooperation with state and local detention facilities. He praised Minnesota’s prison system for honoring ICE detainers and said increased arrests inside jails and prisons would allow agents to conduct more “targeted” enforcement while reducing risky encounters in public spaces.
The comments come amid growing scrutiny of ICE’s rapid hiring push, which has added thousands of new officers in recent months after easing age limits and shortening training. Democrats in Congress have warned they could block funding unless ICE adopts stricter conduct standards, including mandatory body cameras, visible identification, bans on face coverings, and independent investigations of alleged misconduct.
Homan said ICE and CBP officers are expected to meet professional standards and will be disciplined if they do not. At the same time, he underscored that enforcement will continue broadly.
“If you’re in the country illegally,” Homan said, “you’re never off the table.”
| WEATHER |
— NWS outlook: A rapidly intensifying coastal cyclone is forecast to bring heavy snow, high winds, and blizzard conditions for the Carolinas this weekend… …The same weather system will spread high winds and coastal flooding potentials up and down the Eastern Seaboard by later in the weekend… …An intense surge of arctic air behind the coastal storm will send below freezing temperatures down toward South Florida by Sunday morning
