Feds Search Ilhan Omar's Home; Zelenskyy Says Russia Keeps Bombing Energy Grid Despite Trump Ceasefire Claim

Federal agents descended on Representative Ilhan Omar's Minneapolis home before sunrise Tuesday, executing a search warrant tied to an undisclosed criminal investigation. The FBI and the Education Department's Office of Inspector General spent hours inside the residence, removing boxes and electronic devices. Omar's office confirmed the search and said she is cooperating fully. No charges have been filed. The involvement of the Education IG hints at a focus on federal grant or student aid compliance, though the sealed affidavit leaves the precise allegations unknown. Legal analysts stressed that searches of a sitting member's home are extraordinarily rare and typically indicate prosecutors have met a high evidentiary bar. One commenter said the move "signals this isn't a preliminary inquiry — it's deep into the evidence-gathering phase." Another argued the timing, weeks before a new Congress convenes, raises political optics concerns regardless of merit. House Democrats have largely held fire, citing the ongoing probe. Republicans on Oversight demanded transparency.

Half a world away, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stood before cameras in Kyiv and flatly contradicted Donald Trump's weekend claim that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a "complete energy ceasefire." Russian missiles struck substations in three regions overnight, Zelenskyy said, cutting power to 120,000 people. His energy ministry logged six grid attacks since Sunday. The Kremlin has not addressed Trump's assertion. The White House referred questions to Trump's team. Energy experts note Russia has launched over 1,200 strikes on Ukrainian power infrastructure since 2022, slashing generation capacity by roughly 60%. Any real ceasefire would require verification mechanisms neither side has accepted. The gap between Trump's statement and battlefield reality underscores the peril of backchannel diplomacy before inauguration.

Read nextFED STRIKE: Federal Agents Raid Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Home in Shock Probe Drama

In Washington, a federal judge hit pause on a plan to cut down 1,300 mature trees at East Potomac Park's golf course. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled the National Park Service skipped a full environmental impact study, relying on a lesser assessment. Environmental groups sued, citing risks to the northern long-eared bat. The $24 million renovation, backed by a public-private partnership, is now on hold until a January 15 hearing. One attendee called the grove "the last wild lungs of Southwest DC." The city loses an estimated 150 acres of tree canopy yearly.

The Wall Street Journal detailed a quiet escalation: Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Yemen have probed Saudi oil infrastructure and Red Sea lanes at least 17 times since October. A November drone swarm neared the Abqaiq facility — site of the devastating 2019 attack. All were intercepted, but at $3-5 million per engagement. The campaign stays below the threshold for U.S. retaliation while signaling Tehran's reach. Riyadh has asked for more Patriot batteries; Washington hasn't committed.

Meanwhile, The New York Times revealed a December deal brokered by Trump's team to let Russian diesel flow to NATO allies via Turkey — up to 2 million barrels monthly through a sanctions carve-out. Ukraine called it a "lifeline for Putin's war machine." Refined petroleum funds an estimated 40% of Russia's 2025 military budget. European allies were blindsided. The EU's top diplomat called it a unilateral blow to sanctions unity. Turkey is ready but needs EU clearance. Senate Democrats promised hearings.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, head of the military archdiocese, told Catholic service members not to serve on firing squads. South Carolina, Utah, and Idaho have authorized the method; five inmates face it. The Pentagon has no guidance on religious accommodation. First Amendment challenges loom.

AP reports Trump and incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio are weighing whether to pull Kimberly Guilfoyle's nomination as ambassador to Greece after misconduct allegations from her super PAC tenure. She denies everything. Withdrawing a nominee before confirmation would be rare.

A second Times analysis argues Trump's broader economic signals — diesel deal, possible tariff cuts on Russian metals, openness to lifting financial sanctions — collectively strengthen Putin's fiscal resilience. The ruble is up 8% since Election Day. Ukrainian officials warn even marginal revenue gains sustain artillery production at 250,000 shells monthly.

Actor RJ Mitte, who played Walter White Jr. on Breaking Bad, died Monday at 34. He had cerebral palsy and became a leading advocate for disability representation. His agent said he had projects in development. Co-stars praised his authenticity.

Finally, an atmospheric river drowned San Diego County with 2-5 inches of rain in 36 hours. Palomar Mountain took 5.3 inches. Flash floods, mudslides, 40 water rescues. No deaths. The San Diego River hit its highest level since 2010. The region still sits in moderate drought.

The hosts of AVONEWS — Daily News dig into all of this and more on today's episode.