Podcast Summary

Podcast: Morning Wire – Evening Wire
Hosts: John Bickley, Georgia Howe (The Daily Wire)
Episode: Minnesotan Officials Subpoenaed & Trump’s Greenland Negotiations | 1.20.26
Date: January 20, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a tumultuous news day featuring breaking developments in U.S. immigration and foreign policy, rising international tensions, and cultural trends. Key stories include the DOJ’s investigation into Minnesota officials over immigration enforcement, President Trump’s audacious attempt to acquire Greenland, civil unrest in Iran, controversial vaccine policies linked to RFK Jr., shifting attitudes about political violence, and breaking news from Spain.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DOJ Subpoenas Minnesota Officials Over Immigration Policies

[00:21 – 00:52]

• The Department of Justice has subpoenaed several high-ranking Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
• The probe centers on whether these leaders’ public statements or policies have hindered ICE agents during the administration’s immigration surge.
• Governor Walz and Mayor Frey have vigorously denied the allegations, labeling the investigation as “politically motivated.”
  Notable quote (John Bickley):

“Officials say the probe centers on whether public statements and policies by those leaders impeded ICE agents deployed to the state.” (00:21)

2. Trump’s Push to Acquire Greenland Highlights New Foreign Policy Rift

[00:52 – 02:25]

• At the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Trump is actively engaging NATO and other European leaders about the status of Greenland.
• Trump argues the U.S. must control Greenland for global security, stating:

  “Greenland is imperative for national and world security. There can be no going back on that. Everyone agrees.” (Trump via Zach Jewell, 01:11)

• Denmark responds by accelerating military deployment to Greenland, with over 100 additional soldiers arriving in Nuuk.
• Trump’s text to the Norwegian Prime Minister questions Denmark’s ownership:

  “Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China and why do they have a right of ownership anyway?... We had boats landing there also.” (Trump, 01:43)

3. Tensions with the UK Over the Chagos Islands

[02:34 – 03:13]

• President Trump attacked the UK’s decision to cede control of strategic Indian Ocean islands, calling it a sign of “weakness to Russia and China.”
• Trump connects this perceived weakness to the necessity of acquiring Greenland, implying broader U.S. strategic vulnerability.

4. Nobel Peace Prize Controversy

[03:13 – 04:00]

• Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado hands her Nobel Peace Prize to President Trump in a symbolic gesture.
• The Nobel Foundation responds, clarifying that the award “cannot even symbolically be passed on.”
• Trump, referencing the snub by Norway, texts:

  “Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped eight wars plus, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace.” (03:56)

5. Protests in Minnesota and Immigration Enforcement

[04:06 – 06:19]

• Trump condemned anti-ICE protesters who stormed a church in St. Paul, calling them “professional troublemakers” and suggesting they be jailed or deported.

  “These people are professionals. They are highly trained to scream, rant and rave like lunatics...” (Trump, 04:45)

• DOJ pledges to prosecute those involved.
• Debate intensifies over ICE deportation statistics: The administration claims 70% of those arrested have U.S. criminal charges or convictions.

  “This statistic doesn’t account for those wanted for violent crimes in their home country…” (Tricia McLaughlin via Amanda Prestigiacomo, 05:40)

• An ICE officer goes viral addressing protestors:

  “That vehicle right there is honking and impeding our investigations while we’re trying to arrest a child sex offender. That’s who you guys are protecting.” (06:15)

6. Iran Acknowledges High Civilian Death Toll in Protests

[06:21 – 07:01]

• The Iranian regime admits thousands have died in recent crackdowns, possibly up to 12,000 civilians.
• Supreme Leader Khamenei blames Trump for unrest; “Death to America” is chanted on state TV.
• President Trump calls for new Iranian leadership while Iran’s president warns any U.S. moves will mean "all out war."

7. Vaccine Policy Changes and RFK Jr. Lawsuit

[08:30 – 09:32]

• RFK Jr. is being sued over his influence on CDC vaccine recommendations, which now suggest fewer immunizations for children.
• Critics allege “anti-vaccine” activists were appointed to the CDC panel, endangering families.
• Kennedy defends his position:

  “When I was a kid, I got three vaccines. Kids today get 80 doses… none of them had ever been safety tested in a placebo controlled trial.” (RFK Jr., 08:30)

• Lawsuit claims U.S. vaccine policy is being altered “without consideration of the relevant factors.”

8. Public Attitudes Toward Political Assassination

[09:32 – 10:25]

• New polling shows American women are more likely than men to justify political assassinations, a trend termed “assassination culture.”

  “Women across the political spectrum were 14 to 20% more likely to justify the political killing of high profile figures.” (Megan Basham, 09:40)

• Reference is made to the recent murders of Charlie Kirk and Brian Thompson, with over half of women polled justifying such acts for certain figures.

9. Deadly High-Speed Train Collision in Spain

[10:25 – 11:12]

• A horrific train collision near Madrid leaves 41 dead, hundreds injured.
• Government suspects mechanical or infrastructure failure, not human error.
• Rail union warnings about track conditions had previously gone unheeded.

10. Massive Winter Storm Heads for the U.S. Southeast and Northeast

[11:12 – 11:44]

• Weather models point toward a “snowpocalypse” set to hit the American South and Northeast this weekend.
• Warnings issued for Texas to New York amid rare southern snowfall; updates to be provided as the situation unfolds.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump: “Greenland is imperative for national and world security. There can be no going back on that. Everyone agrees.” (01:11)
• DOJ Source: “Officials say the probe centers on whether public statements and policies by those leaders impeded ICE agents…” (00:21)
• ICE Officer (to protesters): “That vehicle right there is honking and impeding our investigations while we’re trying to arrest a child sex offender. That’s who you guys are protecting.” (06:15)
• RFK Jr.: “None of the vaccines on the schedule, with the exception of the COVID vaccine, none of them had ever been safety tested in a placebo controlled trial.” (08:51)
• Megan Basham (poll findings): “Women across the political spectrum were 14 to 20% more likely to justify the political killing of high profile figures.” (09:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Minnesota DOJ subpoenas: 00:21 – 00:52
• Trump’s Greenland initiative: 00:52 – 02:25
• UK/Chagos islands controversy: 02:34 – 03:13
• Nobel Peace Prize news: 03:13 – 04:00
• Minnesota protests & ICE: 04:06 – 06:19
• Iran protests death toll: 06:21 – 07:01
• RFK Jr. & vaccines lawsuit: 08:30 – 09:32
• Assassination culture poll: 09:32 – 10:25
• Spain train collision: 10:25 – 11:12
• Winter storm forecast: 11:12 – 11:44

Summary Tone

The episode maintains the brisk, factual, and sometimes confrontational editorial style signature to The Daily Wire, with pointed criticism of “legacy media” narratives and strong emphasis on American interests and controversies. The language is direct, frequently quoting political figures unfiltered and occasionally employing charged rhetoric (“troublemakers,” “insurrectionists,” “politically motivated”).

Final Thoughts

This installment of Evening Wire provides a concise yet comprehensive snapshot of current events, revealing the intersection of domestic policy, international maneuvering, and cultural undercurrents shaping America in 2026. The reporting is fast-paced, issue-driven, and leaves the listener with a set of compelling, controversial developments to follow in coming days.