1/4/2026
Good morning, New Yorker.
The city feels taut this morning. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is now in federal custody in New York following a surprise U.S. military operation, and Times Square has become the physical stage for both shock and dissent. Protests and legal questions swirl around the implications of his capture and what governing a foreign state from U.S. soil might mean. Back home, Mayor Mamdani’s reversal of several executive orders tied to Israel and antisemitism is stirring deep unease among some Jewish communities. On city streets and in federal courts alike, trust and authority are under close inspection.
Weather Brief
It’s a cold and breezy morning with overcast skies; temperatures hover around 28°F but feel closer to 21°F in the wind. Layers and extra travel time will help, movement is slowed, and the day starts with a chill that lingers.
What to Watch Today
- Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is expected to be formally charged in a New York federal court on narco-terrorism and corruption charges.
- Protesters continue to rally in Times Square and outside embassies in response to the U.S. strikes on Venezuela.
- Mayor Mamdani may address City Council concerns today following his decision to revoke prior executive orders on antisemitism policy.
- Questions around the legality of the Venezuela operation may escalate in Washington, with New York lawmakers among the vocal critics.
The Lead
The U.S. military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has brought global politics to Midtown Manhattan. Now in custody at a federal facility, Maduro’s presence in New York has ignited sharp protests and bipartisan scrutiny over executive authority in overseas operations. Today’s developments hinge not only on international diplomacy but also on the clarity—or absence—of oversight and due process in high-stakes foreign engagement, unfolding directly in the city’s legal infrastructure and public squares.
Power & Accountability
- Mayor Mamdani formally voided four executive orders related to Israel and antisemitism enacted by his predecessor, citing constitutional concerns.
- The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed it will prosecute Maduro in New York on drug trafficking and terrorism charges.
- Legal experts and members of Congress, including Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Joaquin Castro, have raised constitutional concerns about the president’s unilateral military action in Venezuela.
Around the City
- A 90-year-old man died and a 6-year-old girl remains in critical condition after a serious car crash on Staten Island, NYPD reports.
- A man was shot multiple times in a Bronx hair salon following a dispute with three other men; police are searching for suspects.
- Mayor Mamdani has revived the delayed McGuinness Boulevard bike lane project in Greenpoint, citing past mismanagement and safety needs.
The Thread
Today’s stories are bound by a single question: Who controls the levers of power, and who holds them to account? Whether it’s the federal government conducting high-stakes foreign missions without pre-clearance, or a mayor redefining city policies with deep community impact, institutions are testing the boundaries of authority. Meanwhile, everyday New Yorkers confront those consequences, through street protests, legal uncertainty, transit changes, and tragic accidents.
Today in New York, power is visible, contested, and felt where law meets street.