SITREP 28: Venezuela, Greenland, Minnesota & Iranian Uprising

Episode Overview

Title: Hold These Truths with Dan Crenshaw
Episode: SITREP 28: Venezuela, Greenland, Minnesota & Iranian Uprising
Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Dan Crenshaw

In this rapid-fire Situation Report, Congressman Dan Crenshaw breaks down several of the week's most significant global and domestic stories—from the bold U.S. special operations raid in Venezuela and the Trump administration’s revived push to acquire Greenland, to intensifying unrest in Iran, Chinese pressure on Japan, and a controversial ICE-involved shooting in Minnesota. Crenshaw offers analysis, personal context, and pointed commentary throughout, maintaining his signature frank and direct tone.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Operation Absolute Resolve: The U.S. Raid in Venezuela

[01:00-07:30]
Early morning joint military and law enforcement operation captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, in Caracas.
The raid, called Operation Absolute Resolve, included pre-emptive airstrikes to suppress air defenses, with support from an insider in the Venezuelan government.
Notable Quote:
"US forces conducted strikes across northern Venezuela to suppress air defenses while an apprehension force secured Maduro's residence in Caracas. The raid was a result of months of intelligence preparation and at least one informant was reported to be inside the Venezuelan government." [02:15]
32 Cuban officers from Maduro’s security detail were killed. No U.S. casualties or losses.
Maduro is now facing federal charges in New York for narco-terrorism and cocaine importation, with criminal cases dating back to 2020.
Trump administration insists this is not an occupation, but suggests prolonged U.S. oversight, especially over Venezuela’s oil sector.
U.S. is aggressively interdicting Venezuelan oil shipments to prevent revenue from reaching criminal or hostile actors.
Crenshaw notes the personal significance of Venezuela to him, recalling its vibrant past and expressing hope for positive change.

2. The Push to Buy Greenland

[07:31-10:55]
Trump’s renewed ambition to purchase Greenland from Denmark is framed as a national security imperative.
Justification: Counter Russia and China in the Arctic, secure missile defense, shipping lanes, and minerals.
Allies are unsettled by U.S. tactics; Denmark warns NATO could fracture if there’s military escalation.
Crenshaw’s Take: Trump employs “maximalist demands and public pressure” to reshape negotiations.
"History tells us that it often works, so I don't see him changing his tune anytime soon." [09:55]

3. Iran’s Escalating Unrest and the Shadow of U.S. Action

[10:56-16:00]
Protests engulf more than 100 cities; regime cracks down with internet cuts, arrests, and executions.
Official Iranian narrative draws parallels with the U.S. raid in Venezuela, warning regime opponents of U.S. resolve.
Execution of an accused Mossad spy seen as power move to intimidate demonstrators, called “reminiscent of a scene from Homeland” by Crenshaw. [13:20]
President Trump warns of U.S. intervention if peaceful protesters are killed.
Notable Quote:
"The Monroe Doctrine is back in full swing." [15:58]

4. China–Japan Tensions in the East China Sea

[16:01-18:35]
China escalates territorial pressure near the Senkaku Islands with patrols and “coercive activity.”
Islands’ strategic importance: sea lanes, U.S.-Japan security treaty implications.
Japan is reinforcing defenses and deepening U.S. coordination.
Crenshaw’s Context: These moves fit a wider Chinese “pattern of pressure against U.S. allies,” aiming to “challenge the postwar security order in Asia.”

5. ICE-Involved Shooting in Minneapolis

[18:36-22:10]
Viral video shows ICE agents approaching a woman during a fraud investigation; she attempts to flee, allegedly endangering officers, is fatally shot.
Crenshaw argues video supports officers’ self-defense.
Criticizes media (notably CNN) for allegedly biased coverage that omits critical context and contributes to divisive, anti-police sentiment.
Notable Quote:
"When you call the people you disagree with bad evil ghouls, it causes this contempt that fuels this divisiveness and makes people do things that unfortunately in this case got her killed." [21:30]

6. Quick Headlines

[22:11-24:00]
Food Pyramid Overhaul:
Under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., dietary guidelines are shifting focus toward “whole foods, not ultra-processed”—turning “the pyramid we grew up with on its head."
Housing Policy Announcement:
Trump proposes banning institutional investors from buying single-family homes, aiming to keep home ownership accessible to individuals.
Salt Lake City Shooting:
Two killed and six wounded at a funeral outside an LDS Church—a call for prayers for the community.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

On the Venezuela Raid:
"This strikes a pretty big blow to Havana's reputation as one of the most capable intelligence and security forces in the region." [03:15]
Personal Reflection:
"Venezuela is pretty personal to me. I've been there many times... It's a shame to watch it fall to pieces under Maduro." [06:45]
On Greenland Negotiations:
"The president likes to use maximalist demands and public pressure to reshape the negotiations on core national security priorities." [09:20]
On Iran’s Execution of a Protester:
"It sounds a lot like the scene from Homeland." [13:20]
On U.S. Foreign Policy:
"The Monroe Doctrine is back in full swing." [15:58]
On ICE-Involved Shooting and National Discourse:
"Your words actually matter sometimes and they can affect how people think about it." [21:00]

Additional Recommendations

Book Mentioned:
Crenshaw recommends "Crude Nation: How Oil Riches Ruined Venezuela" by Raúl Gallegos for deeper context on Venezuela’s collapse.

Summary Takeaways

The U.S. is taking aggressive, sometimes controversial, actions on the world stage—whether in Venezuela or Arctic geopolitics—underpinned by a Trump doctrine of direct action and negotiation.
Domestic incidents are filtered through the ongoing, polarized national conversation about law enforcement and media bias.
Crenshaw provides context rooted in personal experience and a call for pragmatic, less divisive national discourse.
Throughout, he stresses the critical importance of understanding these issues deeply and moving past simplistic or partisan narratives.

Episode Overview

Title: Hold These Truths with Dan Crenshaw
Episode: SITREP 28: Venezuela, Greenland, Minnesota & Iranian Uprising
Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Dan Crenshaw

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Operation Absolute Resolve: The U.S. Raid in Venezuela

[01:00-07:30]
Early morning joint military and law enforcement operation captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, in Caracas.
The raid, called Operation Absolute Resolve, included pre-emptive airstrikes to suppress air defenses, with support from an insider in the Venezuelan government.
Notable Quote:
"US forces conducted strikes across northern Venezuela to suppress air defenses while an apprehension force secured Maduro's residence in Caracas. The raid was a result of months of intelligence preparation and at least one informant was reported to be inside the Venezuelan government." [02:15]
32 Cuban officers from Maduro’s security detail were killed. No U.S. casualties or losses.
Maduro is now facing federal charges in New York for narco-terrorism and cocaine importation, with criminal cases dating back to 2020.
Trump administration insists this is not an occupation, but suggests prolonged U.S. oversight, especially over Venezuela’s oil sector.
U.S. is aggressively interdicting Venezuelan oil shipments to prevent revenue from reaching criminal or hostile actors.
Crenshaw notes the personal significance of Venezuela to him, recalling its vibrant past and expressing hope for positive change.

2. The Push to Buy Greenland

[07:31-10:55]
Trump’s renewed ambition to purchase Greenland from Denmark is framed as a national security imperative.
Justification: Counter Russia and China in the Arctic, secure missile defense, shipping lanes, and minerals.
Allies are unsettled by U.S. tactics; Denmark warns NATO could fracture if there’s military escalation.
Crenshaw’s Take: Trump employs “maximalist demands and public pressure” to reshape negotiations.
"History tells us that it often works, so I don't see him changing his tune anytime soon." [09:55]

3. Iran’s Escalating Unrest and the Shadow of U.S. Action

[10:56-16:00]
Protests engulf more than 100 cities; regime cracks down with internet cuts, arrests, and executions.
Official Iranian narrative draws parallels with the U.S. raid in Venezuela, warning regime opponents of U.S. resolve.
Execution of an accused Mossad spy seen as power move to intimidate demonstrators, called “reminiscent of a scene from Homeland” by Crenshaw. [13:20]
President Trump warns of U.S. intervention if peaceful protesters are killed.
Notable Quote:
"The Monroe Doctrine is back in full swing." [15:58]

4. China–Japan Tensions in the East China Sea

[16:01-18:35]
China escalates territorial pressure near the Senkaku Islands with patrols and “coercive activity.”
Islands’ strategic importance: sea lanes, U.S.-Japan security treaty implications.
Japan is reinforcing defenses and deepening U.S. coordination.
Crenshaw’s Context: These moves fit a wider Chinese “pattern of pressure against U.S. allies,” aiming to “challenge the postwar security order in Asia.”

5. ICE-Involved Shooting in Minneapolis

[18:36-22:10]
Viral video shows ICE agents approaching a woman during a fraud investigation; she attempts to flee, allegedly endangering officers, is fatally shot.
Crenshaw argues video supports officers’ self-defense.
Criticizes media (notably CNN) for allegedly biased coverage that omits critical context and contributes to divisive, anti-police sentiment.
Notable Quote:
"When you call the people you disagree with bad evil ghouls, it causes this contempt that fuels this divisiveness and makes people do things that unfortunately in this case got her killed." [21:30]

6. Quick Headlines

[22:11-24:00]
Food Pyramid Overhaul:
Under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., dietary guidelines are shifting focus toward “whole foods, not ultra-processed”—turning “the pyramid we grew up with on its head."
Housing Policy Announcement:
Trump proposes banning institutional investors from buying single-family homes, aiming to keep home ownership accessible to individuals.
Salt Lake City Shooting:
Two killed and six wounded at a funeral outside an LDS Church—a call for prayers for the community.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

On the Venezuela Raid:
"This strikes a pretty big blow to Havana's reputation as one of the most capable intelligence and security forces in the region." [03:15]
Personal Reflection:
"Venezuela is pretty personal to me. I've been there many times... It's a shame to watch it fall to pieces under Maduro." [06:45]
On Greenland Negotiations:
"The president likes to use maximalist demands and public pressure to reshape the negotiations on core national security priorities." [09:20]
On Iran’s Execution of a Protester:
"It sounds a lot like the scene from Homeland." [13:20]
On U.S. Foreign Policy:
"The Monroe Doctrine is back in full swing." [15:58]
On ICE-Involved Shooting and National Discourse:
"Your words actually matter sometimes and they can affect how people think about it." [21:00]

Additional Recommendations

Book Mentioned:
Crenshaw recommends "Crude Nation: How Oil Riches Ruined Venezuela" by Raúl Gallegos for deeper context on Venezuela’s collapse.

Summary Takeaways

The U.S. is taking aggressive, sometimes controversial, actions on the world stage—whether in Venezuela or Arctic geopolitics—underpinned by a Trump doctrine of direct action and negotiation.
Domestic incidents are filtered through the ongoing, polarized national conversation about law enforcement and media bias.
Crenshaw provides context rooted in personal experience and a call for pragmatic, less divisive national discourse.
Throughout, he stresses the critical importance of understanding these issues deeply and moving past simplistic or partisan narratives.

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Summary

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Operation Absolute Resolve: The U.S. Raid in Venezuela

2. The Push to Buy Greenland

3. Iran’s Escalating Unrest and the Shadow of U.S. Action

4. China–Japan Tensions in the East China Sea

5. ICE-Involved Shooting in Minneapolis

6. Quick Headlines

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

Additional Recommendations

Summary Takeaways

Summary

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Operation Absolute Resolve: The U.S. Raid in Venezuela

2. The Push to Buy Greenland

3. Iran’s Escalating Unrest and the Shadow of U.S. Action

4. China–Japan Tensions in the East China Sea

5. ICE-Involved Shooting in Minneapolis

6. Quick Headlines

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

Additional Recommendations

Summary Takeaways