Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. A huge swath of the U.S. is bracing for a life-threatening winter storm over the weekend. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports tens of millions of people are under a winter storm and extreme cold watch, stretching from New Mexico into the Ohio River Valley, the south, and into the northeast. Frigid temperatures and significant accumulations

of ice, snow, and sleet are in the forecast. It will make travel conditions treacherous and could

knock out power lines. Several governors are declaring states of emergency, including Texas, the Carolinas, and

Georgia. That allows them to pre-treat highways, open warming stations,

stage supplies and equipment, and call up National Guard troops.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp says people should plan now.

Make sure you got the things that you need at your house to stay warm

and hunker down in case you lose power for a day or two.

This storm is also likely to disrupt air travel at some of the busiest airports in the country.

Debbie Elliott, NPR News.

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino says the current climate is not very favorable to federal law enforcement in Minneapolis.

NPR's Sarah Ventry reports he also says there is no end in sight for the operation. Bovino says that federal agents are being

quote stalked and that they're encountering anarchists and rioters. When asked by reporters when the

operation will conclude, Bovino responded, we're not going to put a date or a timeline to stop this mission.

This mission's ongoing until there are no more of those criminal illegal aliens roaming the

streets of Minneapolis.

He also questioned the role of the Minneapolis Police Department, saying they were, quote,

missing in action.

Meanwhile, immigrants and people of color, including citizens and those in the country with legal

status, have told NPR they are scared to leave their homes or go outside.

Sarah Ventry, NPR News, Minneapolis.

Former Justice Department's special counsel, Jack Smith Smith defended his investigations of Donald Trump at a

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