DHS Drawdown, Unverified Ransom Notes, Cheaper Snacks and more

Summary of DHS Drawdown, Unverified Ransom Notes, Cheaper Snacks and more

by CNN Podcasts

6m•February 4, 2026
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Overview of DHS Drawdown, Unverified Ransom Notes, Cheaper Snacks and more

Host: David Rind — CNN Podcasts. This episode covers five top headlines for Wednesday, Feb. 4: a DHS personnel drawdown in Minnesota and a body‑cam rollout plan, the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie (mother of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie) including unverified ransom notes, a looming DHS funding deadline tied to ICE oversight, new trilateral talks on the Russia–Ukraine war, and PepsiCo’s cut to snack prices ahead of the Super Bowl.

Key news items and main takeaways

  • DHS pullback in Minnesota

    • Acting “border czar” Tom Homan announced an immediate pullout of about 700 Department of Homeland Security personnel from Minnesota.
    • Any total drawdown will depend on cooperation from state and local law enforcement.
    • DHS is prioritizing full deployment of body‑worn cameras for immigration officers—rolling out in the city first with plans for nationwide deployment.

  • Search for Nancy Guthrie

    • The search entered its fourth day; authorities say there are no suspects at this time.
    • At least three media outlets reportedly received ransom notes demanding millions in Bitcoin for her safe return; those notes have not been verified but were turned over to investigators.
    • Investigators are also examining data from Guthrie’s pacemaker (last pinged her iPhone around 2 a.m. Sunday). Her iPhone was found inside her home.

  • DHS funding deadline and ICE oversight fight

    • President Trump signed a spending package to end the partial shutdown, but Congress has two weeks to resolve demands over ICE policies and oversight.
    • Democrats (Sen. Chuck Schumer) want an end to roving patrols, stronger accountability (independent investigations of ICE like local police), and consistent camera usage.
    • Republicans (Sen. John Thune) emphasize officer safety, additional training, and protections against harassment of federal agents.
    • If no agreement is reached, DHS could face another shutdown, affecting TSA, FEMA and other agencies.

  • Trilateral talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi

    • Second round of talks among Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators began in Abu Dhabi.
    • Ukraine’s negotiators, working under Zelensky, say they seek a “dignified and lasting peace.” Territory remains the major sticking point.
    • Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia will continue its “special military operation,” including strikes on energy infrastructure, until terms are met.

  • PepsiCo cuts snack prices

    • PepsiCo will reduce prices on Doritos, Lay’s and Cheetos by about 15%, citing customer complaints about high costs.
    • The company says the move aims to “reduce the pressure where we can”; retailers ultimately set final shelf prices, so changes may vary by store.
    • Price drops are timed to appear ahead of the Super Bowl.

Notable quotes

  • Tom Homan (DHS): “We identified a gap in regard to the use of body‑worn cameras. Some officers and agents had them, some didn’t. That inconsistency was unacceptable, so we moved immediately to prioritize full body cam deployment in the city.”
  • Sen. Chuck Schumer (summarized demands): End roving patrols; real accountability for ICE; “masks need to come off, cameras need to stay on.”
  • Sen. John Thune (summarized position): Calls for better training and protections to make federal law enforcement safer and allow them to do their jobs.

Implications / what to watch next

  • Follow the Nancy Guthrie investigation for verification of the ransom notes and any forensic leads from the pacemaker/iPhone data.
  • Monitor Congressional negotiations on ICE oversight—failure to reach agreement could trigger a DHS shutdown within two weeks.
  • Watch for the pace and scope of DHS’s body‑cam rollout and whether Minnesota’s drawdown becomes broader.
  • Track developments from the Abu Dhabi talks for any breakthrough on territory or ceasefire frameworks—and Russian actions against Ukrainian infrastructure.
  • Consumers: actual price drops for PepsiCo snacks will depend on retailer adoption; compare prices locally ahead of the Super Bowl.

Where to get updates

  • CNN.com for live updates on the Nancy Guthrie search and the other developing stories.
  • The podcast noted another update at 6 p.m. Eastern.