DOJ Launching Criminal Investigation After ICE Church Protest

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: DOJ Launching Criminal Investigation After ICE Church Protest

Date: January 19, 2026
Host: Lisa Licera (FOX News Podcasts)

---

Episode Overview

This update covers breaking national and international stories, focusing on:

• The DOJ's new criminal investigation following an ICE protest at a St. Paul church
• President Trump’s efforts regarding U.S. acquisition of Greenland
• The 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday
• Scrutiny over the prosecution in a landmark Michigan school shooting case
• Wildfires in Chile
• The Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger
• The passing of famed designer Valentino

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DOJ Launches Criminal Investigation after ICE Protest

• [00:02] Lisa Licera introduces the main headline: a criminal investigation after protesters disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, chanting “ICE out.”
• [00:06] Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche condemns the protest’s location and its interference with worship:
  • Quote: "You are not allowed to stop people from worshiping." (Todd Blanche, 00:06)
• [00:09] Renee Goode and field reporter Steve Harrigan provide on-scene and protester perspectives:
  • Protester asks: "Where are you? Where are your people? Why are you not at Whitville every day fighting for the humanity, standing for our people?" (00:23)
• [00:31] State response: The governor’s office denounces the protest, emphasizing respect for services in houses of worship.

2. Ongoing Police Investigation

• [00:37] St. Paul police are treating the church protest as a disorderly conduct case.

3. Greenland Acquisition Efforts & International Reactions

• [00:49] President Trump declines to state if “military force” is an option for acquiring Greenland, suggesting instead a financial approach:
  • "No comment." (President Trump, 00:49)
  • Reported strategy includes tariffs on Denmark and others opposed to the U.S. acquisition, set to begin February 1.
• [01:12] President Trump's pointed message to Norway, referencing his lack of Nobel Peace Prize and the attitude toward peace:
  • Quote: "Not being given the Nobel Peace Prize last year makes him not feel obligated to think purely of peace." (Text to Jonas Gar Støre, 01:12)
• [01:19] Norway supports Denmark in opposition to the U.S. move.
• [01:27] Greenland’s Prime Minister publicly states: tariff threats “would not change their stance.”
• [01:32] Thousands of Greenlanders have protested U.S. acquisition efforts with public demonstrations.

4. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 40th Anniversary

• [01:37] The update marks the holiday's 40th year as a federal observance. The push began in 1968, signed into law by President Reagan in 1983.

5. Michigan School Shooting Case under Scrutiny

• [02:31] Lisa Licera shifts to legal news:
• [02:36] Detroit Free Press exposes accusations against prosecutor Karen McDonald in the Crumbley parents’ trial:
  • Allegations include withholding evidence, using PR to sway public opinion during a gag order, and prioritizing political gain over justice.
  • The Crumbleys sentenced to at least 10 years for enabling their son's school shooting.
• [03:06] Official response: The Oakland County Attorney’s Office stands by the verdict and their work on the case.

6. Chilean Wildfires

• [03:14] Severe forest fires have killed at least 19 and displaced 50,000 people, devastating central and southern Chile.

7. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Merger Update

• [03:31] Ginny Costella reports Union Pacific’s pledge to provide extra data on its proposed merger after the Surface Transportation Board found the first application incomplete.
• [03:42] The merger would create the first coast-to-coast rail company in U.S. history.

8. Valentino, Iconic Fashion Designer, Passes Away

• [04:14] Renowned for his influence on red carpet fashion and celebrity styles, Valentino dies at 93.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Todd Blanche on church protest restrictions:
  • "You are not allowed to stop people from worshiping."
    (00:06)
• Protestor demanding more active support:
  • "Where are you? Where are your people? Why are you not at Whitville every day fighting for the humanity, standing for our people?"
    (00:23)
• President Trump on Greenland acquisition:
  • "No comment." (regarding possible military action) (00:49)
  • "Not being given the Nobel Peace Prize last year makes him not feel obligated to think purely of peace." (01:12)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02 — DOJ investigation after ICE protest at St. Paul church
• 00:49 — Trump on Greenland acquisition and European tariffs
• 01:27 — Greenland’s leadership and public protests
• 01:37 — MLK Day 40th anniversary
• 02:31 — Michigan school shooting case controversy
• 03:14 — Chile wildfires update
• 03:31 — Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger
• 04:14 — Obituary for Valentino, fashion legend

---

This episode presents a rapid-fire roundup of breaking news with a measured, fact-driven delivery characteristic of Fox News’ radio updates. The tone is concise, with field reporting and firsthand audio clips.

Transcript

[Lisa Licera]

A criminal investigation. I'm Lisa Licera, Fox News.

[Todd Blanche]

You are not allowed to stop people from worshiping.

[Lisa Licera]

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche after protesters disrupted a service at the city's church in St. Paul yesterday chanting ice out. And Renee Goode, Fox's Steve Harrigan is in Minneapolis.

[Steve Harrigan]

Here's what one of those protesters had to say.

[Lisa Licera]

Where are you? Where are your people? Why are you not at Whitville every day fighting for the humanity, standing for our people?

[Steve Harrigan]

The governor, through a spokesperson, issued a statement saying he does not support interruptions in a house of worship.

[Lisa Licera]

St. Paul police actively probing the incident as a disorderly conduct investigation. President Trump is not going on record yet to say military force is an option for acquiring Greenland.

[Steve Harrigan]

No comment. That is what the president said to NBC News in a brief phone call about getting control of the Danish territory for the U.S. he hopes he can push along a cash deal to purchase Greenland by using tariffs to begin February 1st on Denmark and seven other European nations that are against the acquisition. One nation he targeted specifically, Norway. In a text to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gar Stura, President Trump said not being given the Nobel Peace Prize last year makes him not feel obligated to think purely of peace. Sturer responded, saying Norway fully supports Denmark on the Greenland issue.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's Granal Scott, Greenland's prime minister, posting on Facebook that any tariff threats from President Trump would not change their stance. This is Thousands of Greenlanders marched over the weekend in protest of any effort to take over the territory. Parades, service projects and remembrances held across the country for the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday. Just days after King was assassinated in 1968, the push began to create the holiday. President Reagan signed the bill into law in 1983. America is listening to Fox News.

[LegalZoom Announcer]

You're building a life, running a business and raising a family. Keep it protected with LegalZoom. LegalZoom has helped over 6 million people start businesses, stay compliant and secure wills or trusts with our step by step tools and attorney guidance. We're the number one choice for online legal services when you need a legal hand trust. LegalZoom get [e-mail] LegalZoom provides access to independent attorneys and self service tools. LegalZoom is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

[Lisa Licera]

A landmark school shooting case in Michigan getting another look over claims the prosecutor crossed ethical lines.

[Todd Blanche]

The Detroit Free Press reports that Oakland county prosecutor Karen McDonald is being accused by a former Wayne county prosecutor of putting winning over justice and using the case against Jennifer and James Crumbley to advance her political career. That McDonald withheld evidence, protected key witnesses and used the media and a public relations firm to allegedly prejudice the defendants early on while a gag order was in place. The Crumbly's sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for providing the gun their then 15 year old son used to kill. The Oakland county attorney's office saying it's proud of their work and of the verdicts. Jeff Manasso, FOX News.

[Lisa Licera]

Firefighters in Chile battling forest fires that have killed at least 19 people and forced 50,000 to leave their homes as they sweep through thousands of acres in the center and south of the country. Union Pacific says it's ready to provide the necessary information information to wrap up its merger with Norfolk Southern.

[Ginny Costella]

Union Pacific says it will provide additional information requested by the Surface Transportation Board, which last week declared its merger application with Norfolk Southern incomplete. The companies were invited to revise and resubmit the application. Regulators wanted more information on the combined company's projected market share and some other documents. The Wall Street Journal says the request is likely to delay what it's already expected to be a lengthy merger review. The Union Pacific Norfolk Southern merger will create a single company controlling coast to coast rail shipments for the first time in U.S. history. Ginny Costella, Fox News Italian fashion designer.

[Lisa Licera]

Valentino, known for his glamorous gowns beloved by royals, first ladies and movie stars, has died. His designs were a staple on the red carpet for nearly 50 years. He was 93. I'm Lisa Licera. This is FOX News.

[Ginny Costella]

Every business is is asking the same question, how do we make AI work for us? No more waiting. With Netsuite by Oracle, you can put AI to work. Today, NetSuite is the number one AI Cloud ERP trusted by over 43,000 businesses. It's the unified suite that brings your financials, inventory, commerce, HR and CRM into a single source of truth. That connected data is what makes your AI smarter, helping you make fast decisions. Right now. Get the business guide demystifying AI [e-mail] fox.