Today in One Paragraph
The FBI sealed off a refuge in Oregon occupied by armed protesters, hours after some of the movement’s leaders were arrested Tuesday night. Donald Trump and Fox News exchanged jabs over the Republican frontrunner’s boycott of Thursday’s GOP debate. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton said she’s ready to participate in a proposed Democratic debate. And Bernie Sanders met with Obama in the White House.
Top News
Escalation in Oregon. After eight militants who were occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge were arrested—and another killed—in a standoff Tuesday night, the FBI has set up checkpoints around the reserve. The federal lands have been occupied for nearly three weeks by a group of armed activists protesting the government’s ownership of the land. The movement’s leader, Ammon Bundy, was among those arrested Tuesday. (David Graham, The Atlantic)
Feuding With Fox. The conservative news outlet and Donald Trump are in a war of public jabs following the Republican frontrunner’s announcement that he’d skip the network’s debate on Thursday. Fox mocked Trump, while he criticized moderator Megyn Kelly. (Steve Peoples and Jill Colven, Associated Press)
In the Oval. President Obama met in private with Vermont Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who said he didn’t think that the president is playing favorites in the 2016 race. Sanders said the session focused on a range of topics, including an update on the fight against the Islamic State. (Kevin Liptak, CNN)
The Push for Another Democratic Debate. Hillary Clinton is calling on the Democratic National Committee to sponsor another presidential debate between the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. The New Hampshire Union Leader and MSNBC announced that they would host a debate on February 4 in New Hampshire. (Alex Seitz-Wald, NBC News)
Tomorrow in One Paragraph: The Republican presidential candidates will be in Des Moines to square off in the last GOP debate before the Iowa caucuses. Donald Trump, who said he’s skipping the debate, is reportedly holding an event in Iowa. Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Martin O’Malley will also be in Iowa campaigning.
Follow stories throughout the day with our new Politics & Policy page. And keep on top of the campaign with our 2016 Distilled election dashboard.
Top Read:
“Why is Hassan doing this? In many states, being governor is seen as a step up from senator, running the show as a chief executive as opposed to being one in an (albeit exclusive) body of 100.” Politico’s Burgess Everett on New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan’s decision to challenge Kelly Ayotte for her Senate seat—and what it could mean for the chamber.
Top Lines
A ‘Heroic Professor.’ Meet the Virginia Tech professor who helped uncover the Flint, Michigan, crisis—and who’s now been tasked to fix it. (Colby Itkowitz, The Washington Post)
Not Cold on Cruz Yet. Some hawkish neoconservative GOP leaders whom Ted Cruz has attacked would consider backing him—if he’s the only option that isn’t Donald Trump. (Rosie Gray, BuzzFeed)
The Case for Considering Reparations. Ta-Nehisi Coates argues that the challenge with reparations for black Americans is convincing the public that they’re owed in the first place. (The Atlantic)
Top Views
The Gateway to Europe. More than one million migrants tried to reach Europe by sea last year. The Washington Post visualized the journey through photos and video here.
The Iowa Caucuses, Explained. The Atlantic’s Priscilla Alvarez breaks down how the first votes in the 2016 presidential primary are cast—and why they matter—in this short video.
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