If you woke up today thinking it would be a quiet Tuesday in January, you clearly haven't been watching the news. Today, January 13, 2026, has been absolute chaos in Washington D.C., and honestly, it’s hard to know which fire to look at first.
From a former president facing contempt charges to a sitting Federal Reserve Chairman under the Department of Justice’s microscope, the today news in usa is basically a political thriller that nobody bothered to write a script for. It’s messy. It’s loud. And it’s changing by the hour.
The Clinton Subpoena: Why Things Just Got Real
So, here is the big one. The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer, just announced they are moving to hold former President Bill Clinton in contempt of Congress.
Why? Because he didn’t show up.
He was supposed to be in a deposition today to talk about the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell investigations. This wasn't some partisan ambush either; the subpoena was approved back in 2025 by a unanimous, bipartisan vote. But when the clock hit the scheduled time this morning, Clinton’s chair was empty.
Comer is fuming. He says they’ve been trying to get a date from Clinton’s team for months, and after a bunch of delays—one involving a funeral—they finally landed on January 13. When Clinton didn't show, Comer basically told reporters that the "delay, delay, delay" game is over.
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Interestingly, not a single Democrat from the committee showed up for the deposition either. It’s a weird look, especially since they originally voted for the subpoenas. We’re looking at a formal contempt markup next week, which is going to be a total circus.
Powell and the $2.5 Billion Renovation Headache
While the Clinton drama was unfolding on the Hill, the Department of Justice was busy confirming something even more shocking: they are investigating Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
This isn't about interest rates or inflation. It’s about real estate.
Subpoenas have been issued regarding the massive $2.5 billion renovation of the Federal Reserve buildings in D.C. The DOJ, specifically U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office, is looking into the design and pricing of the project.
Pirro claims they only went the legal route after the Fed ignored repeated requests for info. Powell, for his part, is standing his ground. He says the costs are justified. But with the President already taking shots at Powell during a speech today, the timing feels... well, it feels like Washington.
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The "Greenland" Bill and NATO Tension
You can’t talk about today news in usa without mentioning the weirdest geopolitical headline: Greenland.
Congressman Jimmy Gomez just introduced the "Greenland Sovereignty Protection Act." Yes, that is a real thing. It follows suggestions from the Trump administration that the U.S. might want to—let's say "acquire"—the territory.
Gomez’s bill would basically ban any federal funding from being used to invade, buy, or annex Greenland. He called the idea an "imperial fantasy" that would wreck our relationship with Denmark and NATO. It sounds like something out of a satire, but in 2026, it’s a legitimate legislative priority.
Economic Gains vs. The "Weakest Decade"
The White House is doing a victory lap today. New data shows core inflation is sitting at 2.4%, which is lower than what most economists expected. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says the "inflation crisis" is officially dead, pointing to a 4% surge in real private sector wages over the last year.
- Blue-collar win: Manufacturing workers are seeing about $1,300 more in their pockets annually.
- The Tariff Factor: Interestingly, those predicted price hikes from auto tariffs haven't really hit the 2026 models yet.
- The Global View: The World Bank released a report today too. They upgraded the U.S. growth forecast, but they warned that the 2020s are still on track to be the weakest decade for global growth since the 1960s.
Basically, we're doing "good," but the rest of the world is struggling to keep up, and that gap is getting wider and wider.
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Strike in the City and the "Clipper" in the Great Lakes
Outside of the D.C. bubble, things are just as intense.
In New York City, about 15,000 nurses walked off the job yesterday, and the strike is in full swing today. They’re picketing outside major hospitals like Mount Sinai. The core issue? Staffing ratios. One nurse told reporters that the current workloads are just "unsafe." Hospitals are staying open with temp staff, but if you’re in the city, the healthcare system is definitely feeling the strain.
And for the weather? A "fast-moving clipper" is currently tearing across the Great Lakes. If you’re in Michigan or Ohio, you’re looking at snow, wind, and a sudden temperature drop.
What You Should Do Next
Things are moving fast. If you're trying to make sense of the today news in usa, here are a few ways to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Contempt Vote: The House Oversight Committee will likely meet Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. That’s when the Clinton situation becomes a legal battle rather than just a political one.
- Check Your Healthcare: If you have appointments at NYC hospitals (especially Mount Sinai or Montefiore), call ahead. The strike doesn't have an end date yet.
- Prepare for the "Blustery" Thursday: If you're in the path of that Great Lakes clipper, the National Weather Service is predicting wind chills near 10 degrees by Thursday morning. Get the heavy coats out now.
It’s a lot to take in. But whether it's the Fed probe or the Greenland bill, today is a reminder that in American politics, the "unthinkable" usually happens before lunch.