Tuesday’s News & Ideas - 1/20/2026

Anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church is latest flash point over Trump’s crackdown*
The Washington Post: The Justice Department said it would investigate the incident, which has sparked debate over First Amendment rights and the meaning of “sanctuary.”
CNN: Trump officials investigate protesters who interrupted Minnesota church service, targeting ICE official

The US — and its churches — can’t look away from MLK’s warnings about power any longer
Religion News Service: The celebration of King often comes at the cost of his most radical critiques.

Top U.S. archbishops denounce American foreign policy
NPR: The three highest-ranking heads of Roman Catholic archdioceses in the United States issued a strongly worded statement on Monday criticizing the Trump administration’s foreign policy — without mentioning President Trump by name.

New Hampshire bishop warns clergy to prepare for ‘new era of martyrdom’
The Associated Press: A New Hampshire Episcopal bishop is attracting national attention after warning his clergy to finalize their wills and get their affairs in order to prepare for a “new era of martyrdom.”

President Trump’s chosen artist? A Christian speed painter.*
The New York Times: Vanessa Horabuena has painted presidential portraits and Jesus for Mr. Trump, and this month, he sold one of her paintings for $2.75 million in a charity auction.

The Spark

In pursuit of peace, ancient Athens created a goddess
In the aftermath of the Peloponnesian War, Athenians worshipped Eirene. Her cult reflects the political role of religion in Ancient Greece.

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