Evening Wire: Minnesotan Officials Subpoenaed & Trump’s Greenland Negotiations | 1.20.26

Summary

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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."

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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

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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”).

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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.

Transcript

[A]

The DOJ subpoenas several Minnesota officials, including the governor. Trump is set to discuss the fate of Greenland with European leaders and the Iranian regime confirms the death of thousands of protesters. I'm Daily Wire Executive editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Tuesday, January 20th. This is Evening Wire.

[B]

Several Minnesota officials have been subpoenaed amid the Trump administration's immigration enforcement surge in the state. Officials said today they're seeking documents from Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty as part of a widening DOJ inquiry. Officials say the probe centers on whether public statements and policies by those leaders impeded ICE agents deployed to the state. Both Walls and Frey have strongly denied those allegations, calling the investigation politically motivated.

[A]

The future of Greenland is on the agenda at Davos this week. President Trump said early this morning that he plans to meet with various parties to discuss the matter while attending the World Economic Forum. Daily Wire reporter Zach Jewell has more. The president said he spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda over the phone and stressed the importance of the US Acquiring Greenland. Trump said that he plans to meet the various parties in Davos this week and he's telling everyone, quote, very plainly that Greenland is imperative for national and world security. He added, quote, there can be no going back on that. Everyone agrees. Trump said the US Is the only power that can ensure global peace and added that peace must be achieved through strength.

[B]

Meanwhile, Denmark is beefing up its military in Greenland in direct response to Trump saying he's going to acquire the Arctic territory. Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips has the details.

[A]

On Monday, a text exchange between President Trump and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gar Sture over Greenland was released. In a statement, Trump wrote, quote, denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China and why do they have a right of ownership anyway? No written documents. It's only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there. Also, TV2, a local Danish broadcaster, said the incoming forces were, quote, a substantial contribution as they arrived Monday night. The head of Denmark's Arctic Command, Major General Soren Anderson, says that about 100 Danish soldiers have already arrived in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, with more on the way. When asked on January 15 about European troops in Greenland, White House press Secretary Caroline Levitt had this to say.

[B]

I don't think troops in Europe impact the president's decision making process, nor does it impact his goal of the acquisition of Greenland at all.

[A]

President Trump ripped into the United Kingdom today for its plan to surrender strategic islands. The UK intends to cede control of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius and the an island nation off the coast of East Africa. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the deal showed, quote, weakness to Russia and China and that it would endanger a key American military base located on one of the islands known as Diego Garcia. The US will maintain access to the base for 99 years and potentially longer. The UK inked a deal to hand over the islands last year. The Trump administration supported the agreement at the time, but now Trump says the deal shows the strategic necessity of the US Acquiring Greenland.

[B]

The Nobel foundation has issued a flurry of statements in response to the re gifting of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Trump. Daily Wire senior editor Virginia Cruta has the latest.

[A]

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to President Trump last week during a meeting at the White House. The Nobel foundation clarified that, quote, a prize cannot even symbolically be passed on or further distributed. Machado defended her decision to give her prize to the president as, quote, a.

[B]

Recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.

[A]

Trump mentioned the award when texting with.

[B]

The Norwegian prime minister about Greenland, saying.

[A]

Quote, considering your country decided not to.

[B]

Give me the Nobel Peace Prize for.

[A]

Having stopped eight wars plus, I no.

[B]

Longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what.

[A]

Is good and proper for the United States of America. Trump said today that the anti ice activists who stormed a Minnesota church on Sunday were professional troublemakers who should be locked up or thrown out of the country. Daily Wire senior editor Joel Kneeler reports. The president's comments come as his Justice Department has pledged to bring charges against the agitators who entered city's church in St. Paul and recited chants like justice for Renee Goode, hands up, don't shoot and ice out of Minnesota. Former CNN host Don Lemon live streamed the protest Trump posted early today saying, quote, just watched footage of the church raid in Minnesota by the agitators and insurrectionists. These people are professionals. They are highly trained to scream, rant and rave like lunatics in a certain manner, just like they're doing. They're troublemakers who should be thrown in jail or thrown out of the country. The protest was organized and promoted by Racial Justice Network and Black Lives Matter Twin Cities.

[B]

The legacy media has been battling with the Trump administration over who exactly is being deported, claiming that less than half have criminal records. But the administration says the numbers don't lie. Daily Wire reporter Amanda Prestigiacomo has the details. The administration says the vast majority of illegals that ICE has targeted have pending criminal charges or convictions in the U.S. that's in addition to the crime of being here legally. Assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin gave an update on these numbers last month, saying 70% of the more than 600,000 illegals arrested had already been charged or convicted of a crime in the US and that cites only charges or convictions in the United States, not other countries. McLaughlin explained, quote, this statistic doesn't account for those wanted for violent crimes in their home country or another country. Interpol notices human rights abusers, gang members, terrorists, etc. Who ICE is targeting has become a growing focus as protests and riots continue to pop up in liberal cities across the nation. Here's one ICE officer who went viral this week while addressing media members and protesters who he says were impeding law enforcement. That vehicle right there is honking and impeding our investigations while we're trying to.

[A]

Arrest a child sex offender. That's who you guys are protecting.

[B]

Insane.

[A]

The Iranian regime now acknowledges that thousands of civilians were indeed killed during recent protests. Several civil rights organizations estimate the death toll may be as high as 12,000. Supreme Leader Khamenei addressed the nation on state television over the weekend, blaming the unrest on Trump as his audience chanted death to America. Despite diplomatic efforts to de escalate tensions, Iran has so far shown little willingness to cooperate with the US As President Trump calls for new leadership in Iran. Iranian President Massoud Pezechian defended the Ayatollah, warning that any aggression against him would be viewed as an all out war against the country.

[B]

2026 is a big year. America turns 250 years old. And while everyone's going to be talking about the Founding Fathers and all their accomplishments, I also want to talk about the people who don't get enough credit. American Ranchers. These are the folks who've been feeding families like mine and yours for generations. No cameras, no headlines, just putting food on our tables. Our sponsor, Good Ranchers, is the only meat company I found that's 100% committed to America at every single step. Every cut comes from local American farms and ranches. Everything, packaging, fulfillment, even their customer support team. It's all done right here in America. Receiving a Good Rancher's box is like Christmas in January. We could all use a little more of that. Whatever cut I grab out of my box or my fridge or my freezer for dinner, I know it's going to be absolutely delicious, nutritious. And Pro America right now. If you go to goodranchers.com and use our code wire, you'll get an additional $25 off your first order. That's wire for $25 off on top of the $500 annual savings when you subscribe. Goodranchers.com American Meat Delivered RFK Jr. Is being sued over the recent decision to narrow the list of vaccines recommended for children. Daily Wire reporter Lyndon Blake has more. The CDC is no longer recommending that all children need to be immunized for rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal disease and hepatitis A unless recommended by a doctor and for some high risk children. Kennedy commented on the decision on the Katie Miller podcast.

[A]

When I was a kid, I got three vaccines. Kids today get 80 doses of about 18 vaccines. You know there was not good science behind the vaccine schedule. 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.

[B]

Now the American Academy of Pediatrics and other organizations are suing HHS leadership, including Kennedy, over recent appointments to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. They say the new policy endangers families and burdens the healthcare system. They accused Kennedy of, quote, inappropriately influencing the vaccine advisory Committee by packing it with unqualified experts who hold anti vaccine views. The complaint was filed Monday in the U.S. district Court in Massachusetts and accuses the defendants of engaging in, quote, a pattern in practice of changing U.S. vaccine policy without consideration of the relevant factors or providing any reasoned explanation.

[A]

New polling shows that women are more likely than men to support political assassinations, Daily Wire Culture reporter Megan Basham has more on the findings.

[B]

So called assassination culture seems to be growing more acceptable in the United States. According to the Network Contagion Research Institute, women across the political spectrum were 14 to 20% more likely to justify the political killing of high profile figures. Asked about specific figures, 55% of women versus 45% of men said New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani's theoretical murder could be justified. 57% of women and 50% of men said the same about President Trump. These troubling results come in the aftermath of the high profile murders of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, as well as at least a couple of recent attempts on Trump's life.

[A]

A high speed train collision near Madrid, Spain, has left at least 41 dead and hundreds injured. Daily Wire assistant editor Andy Valdez is the latest.

[B]

The collision occurred Sunday afternoon as one train derailed, striking another train head on. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has promised a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Investigators have already ruled out excessive speed or other human error, saying the crash most likely was caused by mechanical or infrastructure failure. Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente called the crash extremely unusual given that it occurred on a straightaway section of track that had undergone refurbishment less than one year prior. Spain's Union of Railway Drivers warned the government about track problems due to increased traffic last year, including on the line where the crash occurred.

[A]

And if you're in the American Southeast, double check the weather for your weekend plans. Weather models are predicting a snowpocalypse as a dramatic winter weather system will cover hundreds of miles across the south and Northeast. Snow and ice are expected to coat the south less than a week after rare snowfall peppered spots of Florida and Georgia. The system is expected to tilt slowly down into the Gulf coast of Texas and stretch up into the Northeast. Wintry conditions on Saturday night could stretch from Houston up to New York City. Of course, it's all still early, so we'll circle back on this later in the week.

[B]

Those are your Drive Home updates this evening. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and in case you missed it, earlier today we covered some major stories, including the federal investigations into anti ICE protesters who stormed into a church in Minneapolis, Democrats rolling out their aggressive agenda in Virginia, and the Pentagon obtaining a mysterious device that may explain the so called Havana Syndrome. Thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another full edition of Morning Wire.

[A]

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[B]

Experian.