Morning Wire – Evening Wire: Trump Readies National Guard & NATO ‘Reinforces’ Greenland

Date: January 15, 2026
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe

Episode Overview

This episode covers major late-breaking stories in U.S. politics, international affairs, and culture. Key topics include President Trump’s threat to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota amid violent anti-ICE protests, NATO’s unusual deployment to Greenland, developments on Trump’s new healthcare plan, diplomatic and military maneuvering regarding Venezuela and Iran, the shutdown of the Biden-era Afghan refugee program, a historic college basketball betting scandal, and a medical evacuation from the International Space Station.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Threatens Insurrection Act in Minnesota

• [00:52–03:39]

  • President Trump responded to escalating unrest in Minneapolis, warning he may invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy the military or federalize the National Guard.

  • Unrest sparked after an ICE officer was attacked by suspected illegal immigrants following a traffic stop (ICE officer hospitalized, suspects apprehended).

  • White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt sharply criticized Democratic leaders for “demeaning” law enforcement and fueling violence:

    “The Democrat Party has demeaned these individuals... They’ve even referred to them as Nazis and as the Gestapo. And that is absolutely leading to the violence we’re seeing in the streets.”
    — Caroline Levitt, [01:37]

  • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged restraint:

    “Anyone that is taking the bait tonight, stop. That is not helpful. Go home. We cannot counter Donald Trump’s chaos with our own brand of chaos.”
    — Mayor Jacob Frey, [03:10]

  • ICE continues mass arrests, including of those convicted for serious crimes.

2. NATO and European Troops Deployed to Greenland

• [03:39–04:35]
  • France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Britain each sent a small contingent for a 2-day mission, aiming to bolster the island’s defenses and demonstrate rapid deployment capabilities.
  • Danish Ministry of Defense:

    "...expanded military presence in and around Greenland in close cooperation with NATO allies... to strengthen the alliance's footprint in the Arctic, benefiting both European and transatlantic security.”

  • Follows President Trump's renewed rhetoric about “the need to own Greenland.”
  • Danish foreign minister signals openness to dialogue while holding national “red lines.”

3. Trump Unveils New Healthcare Plan

• [04:35–06:06]
  • As ACA (Obamacare) subsidies expire, Trump proposes a new plan emphasizing direct aid to individuals rather than insurance companies.
  • Key promises:
    • Reduced premiums
    • Price transparency
    • Expanded OTC drug availability
  • Trump (video statement):

    “My plan would reduce your insurance premiums by stopping government payoffs to big insurance companies and sending that money directly to the people. We will have maximum price transparency and costs will come down.”
    — President Trump, [04:59]

  • Conservatives argue expiring subsidies show unsustainability of ACA.

4. Venezuela: Machado, Regime Change, and U.S. Involvement

• [06:06–09:13]
  • Trump met with opposition leader Maria Karina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize laureate dedicated to him, but the White House supports interim leader Delsey Rodriguez over concerns of Machado’s viability.
  • U.S. focused on finessing relationships rather than aggressive regime change.

5. Iran: De-escalation on Executions

• [06:56–07:44]
  • Trump claims executions of Iranian protesters have “stopped.”

    “They said the killing has stopped and the executions won’t take place... I hope it’s true.”
    — President Trump, [07:12]

  • Declares willingness to “wait and see” on potential military response after a scheduled execution is reportedly halted.

6. War Powers Resolution & Venezuela: Tensions in the Senate

• [07:44–08:18]

  • Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking Senate vote to kill a resolution that would’ve curtailed Trump’s war powers regarding Venezuela.

  • Senator Josh Hawley clarifies:

    “This has always been about ground troops... occupying Venezuela, that’s not something that I think I would want to do... What the Secretary of State said to me very clearly is we’re not doing that.”
    — Sen. Josh Hawley, [08:18]

  • U.S. Coast Guard seizes a Venezuela-linked oil tanker, reaffirming commitment to sanctions enforcement.

7. Afghan Allies Program Shut Down

• [09:13–10:07]
  • State Department ends Biden-era program for vetting Afghan refugees due to serious security and vetting failures.
  • Around 1,300 Afghans, who feared for their safety, will be rerouted to a “safe third country,” yet not specified.

8. Historic Basketball Betting Scandal

• [10:07–11:31]
  • 26 people indicted, including 20 former NCAA players across 17 schools, accused of manipulating games as far back as September 2022.
  • Scheme began with China’s Basketball Association, then moved to U.S. college basketball. Payoffs ranged from $10,000–$30,000 per game.
  • Charges: Sports bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

9. ISS Medical Evacuation

• [11:31–12:11]
  • First ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station: four astronauts returned home ahead of schedule, leaving a minimal crew.
  • Reason for return: unseen medical emergency, but affected astronaut is reportedly stable.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Caroline Levitt (WH Press Secretary) on political rhetoric and violence:

  “People don't do this without encouragement from people in power who make them feel like it’s okay.” [01:55]

• Danish Ministry of Defense on Greenland deployment:

  “…the purpose is to train the ability to operate under the unique Arctic conditions and to strengthen the alliance's footprint in the Arctic, benefiting both European and transatlantic security.” [04:05]

• President Trump on Iranian executions:

  “We have been informed by very important sources on the other side... the killing has stopped and the executions won’t take place.” [07:12]

• Sec. of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, on sanctions enforcement:

  “There is no outrunning or escaping American justice, period. Our resolve is unshakable and our mission coordination has never been better.” [09:02]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:52–03:39 — Unrest in Minnesota & Trump’s threat to invoke Insurrection Act
• 03:39–04:35 — NATO/European troop deployment to Greenland
• 04:35–06:06 — Trump’s Healthcare Plan & ACA Subsidy Expiry
• 06:06–09:13 — Venezuela: U.S. policy, Maria Karina Machado, and regime change
• 06:56–07:44 — Iran executions halt, Trump comments
• 07:44–08:18 — War Powers Resolution, Senate vote & comments
• 08:18–09:13 — Sanctions: Seizure of Venezuelan ship
• 09:13–10:07 — Biden-era Afghan Allies Program shutdown
• 10:07–11:31 — NCAA Basketball Betting Scandal
• 11:31–12:11 — ISS Medical Evacuation

Summary

This episode delivers a fast-paced sweep of urgent political, international, and cultural developments—emphasizing themes of national security, the intersection of protest and law enforcement, international power moves, and the fallout from policy decisions at home and abroad. The reporting provides detail and commentary, while notable on-air quotes show the sharply divided tone of contemporary American discourse.