eNewspaper | Crosswords | Horoscopes

On Politics

Thu Feb 12 2026

Kathryn Palmer | Politics Reporter

@KathrynPlmr

Hello readers and welcome to Thursday's On Politics. Kathryn Palmer here. Happy almost-Valentine's Day weekend. Hallmark holiday or not, you've got to appreciate all the candy selections! Here's today's news.

ICE ending 'surge operation' in Minnesota

The Trump administration today said it would end the controversial immigration operation in Minnesota that sparked nationwide protests after federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens in January. White House border czar Tom Homan said during a news conference that "a significant drawdown" had already begun and would continue through the next week, yet insisted the administration was not "backing down" from its promise of mass deportations. The announcement was met with measured relief from the state's top leaders and representatives, while Democrats and Republican lawmakers in Congress continue fight over Department of Homeland Security reforms.

Border Czar Tom Homan announced the end of Minnesota's immigration operation after fatal shootings heightened tension and community backlash.

Getty Images

A politics roundup:

•	A Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Trump has been convicted of child sexual abuse
•	The FBI search of a reporter's home is the latest in an ongoing press freedom fight
•	How this Florida lawmaker's resignation could have big implications for Congress
•	The coal industry joins the growing trend of flattering Trump with specialty prizes

Gallery: See 19 potential Democratic presidential candidates for the 2028 election

House rebukes Trump's Canadian tariffs

The GOP-led House voted to overturn Trump's tariffs on Canada yesterday. Six Republicans joined with House Democrats to rescind the emergency declaration the president has used as a basis for imposing taxes on imports from one of the United States' closest allies, including its northern neighbor. Republicans still largely backed Trump, with a vote totaling 219-211, but the vote was a rebuke of the controversial trade policies that have run afoul of more traditionally conservative approaches to economics. The president could veto the measure if it reaches his desk, but it likely won't be the last tariff rebuke vote forced to the floor by Democrats. The renewed scrutiny on the president's tariff policy is threatening to divide the Republican Party ahead of November's midterm elections.

Poll: Approval of Trump's immigration policies tumbles

Weeks of conflict and outrage over the administration's law enforcement operations in Minneapolis are contributing to a significant dip in Americans' attitudes toward Trump's immigration policies, according to a new poll from NBC News. The survey was taken amid ongoing turmoil after federal immigration agents shot and killed two American citizens in the Twin Cities last month. Disapproval of Trump's handling of border security and immigration enforcement operations edged up by double digits compared to last summer and spring, with 49% strongly disapproving of his actions. Self-identified independents drove the erosion in the numbers, the pollster said, and overall, 60% of those surveyed either somewhat or strongly disapproved of Trump's immigration policies. Attitudes over the tactics used by ICE and Border Patrol were also largely negative − more on that here.

Thanks for reading! Scroll down for more stories. You can reach me at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @ KathrynPlmr.

Kim Jong Un's daughter being groomed as North Korea's next leader

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae attend a ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, in Wonsan, in North Korea, June 24, 2025.

South Korea's spy agency believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is preparing his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, to be his successor, with signs she's already providing policy input.

READ MORE