The Majority Report with Sam Seder

Episode 3562 — “Trump Pines for Greenland; Minnesota Fights Back”
Date: January 20, 2026
Cast: Sam Seder (host), Emma Vigeland (co-host), Matt Lech (co-host)

Overview

This episode of The Majority Report dives into the ongoing and escalating political crises under the Trump administration, with particular focus on Trump’s renewed push to seize Greenland, the intensifying government crackdown on dissent in Minnesota, and the federal targeting of protestors and vulnerable immigrant communities. Sharp, irreverent analysis from Sam, Emma, and Matt highlights the surreal developments in U.S. foreign and domestic policy, the lack of meaningful Democratic opposition, and the various forms of grassroots resistance rising up in response.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Greenland Mania and the Nobel Peace Prize Snub

• Trump’s obsession with acquiring Greenland resurfaces, now linked to his resentment over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
• Reports surface about an awkward letter/email exchange between Trump and the Prime Ministers of Norway and Finland, where Trump blames his invasion threats on being snubbed for the prize. (08:07–15:10)
• BBC coverage and analysis on-air reveal the absurd justifications and international alarm surrounding the Greenland situation.

Notable Quotes

• BBC explanation of Trump’s logic:
  “[Trump] is reported to have replied: ‘Considering your country... decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped the wars, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace...’” (10:22)
• Sam: "The world is not secure unless we have complete and total control—ALL CAPS—of Greenland. That’s the name of my new book!” (14:49)
• Emma: “He’s confusing white people. This is anti-white racism!” (12:32, jokingly ridiculing Trump’s geographic ignorance)

Context & Stakes

• The U.S. military postures toward Greenland.
• Denmark and Canada send troops in response, signaling the collapse of NATO-era alliances.
• Canada’s deepening economic ties with China highlighted as evidence that U.S. partners are decoupling (06:53–07:41).

2. Collapse of Allied Trust and Rise of Global Instability

• European nations prepare for a post-NATO world, moving data off U.S. servers out of security fears. (07:41)
• Canada’s pivot toward China is painted as a rational response to U.S. unreliability.
• EU officials warn of “permanent break,” and market volatility grows with Trump’s tariff threats.

Notable Quotes

• Emma: “If I were a member of a European country right now, I would be screaming to kind of cut bait at this point. The United States is not a reliable partner in any capacity.” (15:43)
• Sam: “The Europeans would have to be clinically insane to trust this country ever again.” (19:25)

3. Minnesota: General Strike and Escalating State Violence

• Minnesota teeters on the brink as unions and labor federations call for a statewide general strike (January 23) in protest of federal violence and mass detentions. (33:09–34:18)
• Large list of unions, including nurses, educators, and transit workers, sign on.
• Political leaders are either silent or weak in opposition; the absence of an assertive Democratic response is broadly condemned.

Notable Quotes

• Sam: “We have no opposition party. Any type of messaging is going to sound like they're committing to doing something, and in that case that would be problematic.” (28:01)
• Emma: “What are your tax dollars going to? They’re going to the genocide in Gaza, they’re going towards annexing Greenland when you can’t afford health care, you can’t afford child care.” (30:33)

4. Targeted Repression: ICE, DOJ, and Religious Hypocrisy

• Trump’s DOJ, led by former Trump defense attorney Todd Blanche, refuses to investigate high-profile ICE shootings, brushing aside demands for even the pretense of review. (34:18–39:20)
• ICE field director doubles as a pastor; protests inside his church spark threats of criminal charges and a new wave of anti-protest measures.
• Broadening of “terrorism” definitions to target protestors, especially those acting in or near religious settings.

Clips & Quotes

• DOJ’s Blanche: “We don’t just go out and investigate every time an officer is forced to defend himself... We never do. That has nothing to do with what happened in Minneapolis.” (35:14)
• Emma: “But what is immensely concerning is the fact that they don’t want to set a precedent for an investigation whatsoever.” (38:28)
• Protester in church: “How dare you claim to be a pastor of God and you are involved in evil in our community.” (43:03)
• Rep. Keith Self (R-TX): “When you live stream something, you want it to cause terror in the population. That’s the definition of terror.” (47:55)
• Sam (mocking): “We do not mean for this to cause terror.” (48:19)

Key Timestamps

• DOJ refuses investigation: 34:18–39:20
• Church protest and 'anti-Christian' framing: 41:28–47:55

5. Grassroots Responses and Everyday Resistance

• Highlights of “mutual aid” networks at ICE facilities: volunteers help released detainees, immigrants given support after facing deprivation by ICE. (53:03–56:08)
• Community actions: key fobs to trigger car alarms near ICE, public shaming, even hotel workers denying ICE agents accommodations.
• Creative protest: reports of water balloons used to harass ICE agents in freezing weather.
• Peer-to-peer legal advice: Know-your-rights campaigns, notably in Maine, as ICE escalates operations. (73:42–75:29)

Quotes & Notable Moments

• Jack, a volunteer: “We just, at this point, it’s not the police. We need the people.” (54:03)
• Sam: “So much of what we’re going to be dealing with this year is going to be thwarting ICE in any way that we can… it’s going to be attrition.” (70:07)
• Graham Platner’s script for Mainers: “You do not have to speak to federal agents. You do not have to show them any form of ID. You do not have to sign anything. And most importantly, you do not have to open your door.” (73:42)
• Emma: “They are doing ethnic cleansing with ICE as the Gestapo.” (72:51)

6. Lack of Opposition and Democratic Paralysis

• Dem leaders routinely fail to offer alternative visions or vigorous opposition.
• Frustration at inability/unwillingness to push for stronger policies on labor, health, or anti-fascist priorities.

Quotes

• Emma: “Most national Democrats don’t want to have to do anything, so they’re not gonna go through the effort of messaging.” (29:59)
• Matt: “Democratic Party is not set up to say we’re going to nationalize Tyson… The vast majority of the party is brainless.” (32:02)
• Sam: "There's a million different ways of providing support for that and messaging it, but they cannot bring themselves to doing it." (32:21)

Memorable / Humorous Moments

• On Trump’s Greenland logic:
  Emma (sarcastic): “He’s confusing white people. This is anti-white racism!” (12:32)
• On livestreaming as ‘terrorism’:
  Sam: “We do not mean for this to cause terror… The idea that we are occupied and have people like him who are literally the lawmakers in this country, it’s terrifying. But that is not the purpose of this live stream.” (48:19)
• On volunteer resistance:
  Jack: “I just learned of this group that’s kind of doing some meaningful stuff and do my part… I don’t see us staying a beautiful city unless people stand up.” (54:03)
• Sam (on creative protest): “There are people now using their key fobs… You see ICE coming down the neighborhood, you just hit that key fob and all the horns go off.” (62:28)
• Sam (deadpan on water balloons): “You’re not supposed to do that, and anybody who comes up with some innovative way in which to get ICE officials wet in that cold, obviously would be doing something that was wrong, but also innovative.” (61:15)
• ICE & DoubleTree anecdote: Hotel quietly cancels ICE reservations out of concern for community safety (68:45).

Resistance & Action Info

• Know Your Rights: “If ICE does not have a signed judicial warrant, you have the right to say ‘I do not consent to entry’ and keep your door closed.” (73:42)
• ICEWatch Info: Visit icerrt.com for information on local ICE watch and how to report suspicious activity (66:49).

Major Segments by Timestamp

• Trump, Greenland, Nobel Peace Prize: 00:12–15:10
• Europe/Canada Alliance Crisis: 05:49–16:24
• Minnesota General Strike, Union Solidarity: 33:09–34:18
• DOJ, ICE, and Lack of Oversight: 34:18–39:20
• Church Protest, ‘Anti-Christian’ Charges, Livestream = ‘Terrorism’: 41:28–52:29
• On-the-Ground Resistance, Mutual Aid to Detainees: 53:03–56:08
• Legal Rights and Protections: 73:42–75:29

Conclusion

This episode features deep dives into the machinery of American authoritarianism, with sharp, caustic, and very human commentary from the Majority Report crew. The hour captures a moment of national and international instability, with the panel highlighting the hollowness of establishment opposition, the creativity and determination of grassroots movements, and the surreal spectacle of Trump-era governance at its most unhinged. Mutual aid, protest, and labor solidarity are foregrounded as critical responses in dark times.

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