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In a flurry of activity as January 2026 draws to a close, the Trump administration has introduced several aggressive policy shifts—ranging from the integration of AI into federal rulemaking to a “maximum pressure” approach in foreign and domestic security. These moves have triggered intense debate in Washington, particularly as the nation faces a government shutdown deadline on January 30.
AI as the “Point of the Spear” in Federal Rulemaking
The administration has launched a broad initiative to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerate the drafting of federal regulations.
The 20-Minute Rule: In a demonstration to Department of Transportation (DOT) staff, agency leaders revealed a goal to produce draft regulations—which typically take months or years—in as little as 30 days. Officials noted that “it shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes to get a draft rule out of Gemini” or similar LLMs.
A New Standard: The DOT is being used as the “point of the spear” for a government-wide rollout. Proponents argue this “minimally burdensome national policy” will cut red tape, while critics warn that “hallucinations” in AI-drafted safety rules for aviation or toxic chemicals could be life-threatening.
EPA Transformation: Simultaneously, the EPA is refocusing its efforts. Under the current administration, the agency is prioritizing AI dominance and domestic energy while removing previous “endangerment findings” that linked greenhouse gases to public health risks.
Domestic Turmoil and the Shutdown Deadline
The administration’s domestic security strategy, particularly Operation Metro Surge, has become a central flashpoint in Congress.
The Minneapolis Shootings: Tensions spiked following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minnesota. The administration’s initial messaging—labeling the victims as aggressors—was widely refuted by video analysis, leading to rare criticism from within the Republican Party.
Shutdown Standoff: CNN reports that Democrats in Congress are “digging in” against any funding deal that doesn’t include strict accountability for federal agents. However, White House and Senate leaders reportedly moved closer to a last-minute deal on January 29 to avert a partial shutdown.
Foreign Policy: From Greenland to Iraq
President Trump’s foreign policy messaging has remained characteristically disruptive, focusing on “Peace Through Strength” and economic dominance.
The Greenland Crisis: The administration continues to pressure NATO allies over the potential acquisition or “seizure” of Greenland, a move that has prompted rare rebukes from senior religious leaders and European diplomats who cite it as a violation of Western alliance principles.
Global Threats: On January 28, the President issued a “stark warning” to Iraq via Truth Social, following a month that began with the high-risk seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3.
Political Outlook: The 2026 Midterms
As the November 2026 midterm elections approach, the administration is leaning into its most popular campaign promises to shore up its base.
Immigration Priority: Despite a dip in overall approval for ICE (36%), the administration is moving forward with plans to remove legal status for 330,000 Haitians next month, fulfilling a core pledge to execute the “largest domestic deportation operation in American history.”
Economic Defense: To counter headwinds, the administration is leaning on Section 232 investigations and “reciprocal” tariffs as a backstop for the U.S. manufacturing sector.
