Bovino Out Of Minnesota, Trump Refocusing On Economy, Social Media On Trial

Summary

Up First from NPR – Episode Summary

Date: January 27, 2026
Hosts: Steve Inskeep & Michelle Martin
Episode Title: "Bovino Out Of Minnesota, Trump Refocusing On Economy, Social Media On Trial"

---

Overview

This episode dives into the day’s three main news stories:

1. The removal of Border Patrol official Greg Bovino from Minnesota following deadly ICE shootings.
2. President Trump’s strategic pivot to the economy amidst deepening political controversy over immigration enforcement.
3. The opening of a landmark trial in Los Angeles questioning whether social media companies knowingly designed their platforms to addict young users.

---

1. ICE Operations in Minnesota: Fallout and Federal-State Tensions

Key Developments

• Greg Bovino’s Departure:
  Greg Bovino, the visible face of Trump's aggressive mass deportation campaign in Minnesota, has been reassigned back to his prior post in California and is expected to retire soon. Tom Holman, the “border czar,” will take his place ([02:14]).
• Changing Federal Tone:
  The Trump administration has stopped repeating a previously promoted false narrative about a fatal shooting, though no official retraction has been made. President Trump initiated direct calls with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, aiming for a more collaborative approach ([02:41]).
• State vs. Federal Investigations:
  Despite Trump’s overtures, federal authorities continue to block state police from investigating the shooting deaths of Renee Macklin Good and Alex Preddy. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has refused to grant access to crime scenes, even defying judicial search warrants ([04:03]).

Tensions in Court

• Escalation to Federal Courts:
  Minnesota is seeking to halt the federal operation, arguing the influx of agents is overwhelming local resources and pressing for access to voter rolls, which DOJ calls “frivolous” ([04:55]).
• Judicial Intervention:
  Chief Federal Judge Patrick Schultz has demanded ICE Director Todd Lyons appear in court due to repeated noncompliance with orders for detention hearings:

  "The court's patience is at an end." – Judge Patrick Schultz ([05:26])

Community Mood

• Ongoing protests and vigils in Minneapolis mourn the deaths and demand accountability. Despite diplomatic overtures, “thousands of masked agents remain,” and public trust remains shaken ([05:47]).

Notable Quote:

"Whatever has happened here, there is a definite change of tone. ...I'm going to take them for their word right now." – Gov. Tim Walz ([03:33])

---

2. Trump’s Iowa Visit: Shifting to the Economic Message Amid Backlash

Context

• Political Calculus:
  As negative fallout from the Minnesota operation grows—including criticism from within the Republican party—Trump heads to Iowa to promote his economic record ([06:09],[06:44]).
• Midterms Strategy:
  The trip is framed as the kickoff for weekly campaign events supporting GOP candidates, but it’s also a clear attempt to "wrestle back control of the narrative" ([06:44]).

Internal Party Pressure

• Republican Division:
  More Republicans are calling for investigations and questioning the operation’s end game:

  "We believe in federalism and state rights, and nobody likes feds coming into their state. So what's the goal right now?" – Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt ([08:41])

• Risks of Shutdown:
  The controversy is fueling legislative gridlock, raising fears of a government shutdown ([07:17]).

White House Response

• Shifting Tone, Persistent Rhetoric:
  Trump is now urging patience ("an investigation is ongoing") but his team continues to blame local officials for federal agents’ difficulties:

  "His team is not really letting up...blame directly at the feet of Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry." – Franco Ordoñez, NPR ([09:02])

---

3. Social Media on Trial: Landmark Case in Los Angeles

The Case

• Who’s Suing and Why:
  A teenage plaintiff known as KGM is suing several major social platforms—Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok—alleging their designs led to her mental health struggles including depression and body dysmorphia ([10:15]).
• First Jury Trial of its Kind:
  Internal documents, company research on children, and executive testimony (including Mark Zuckerberg and Adam Mosseri) will be presented ([10:56]).

Notable Quotes:

"The public is going to know for the first time what social media companies have done to prioritize their profits over the safety of our kids." – Matthew Bergman, plaintiff attorney ([10:56])
"If the plaintiffs win, the Internet will almost certainly look different, and probably it will be a far less conversational one than we have today." – Prof. Eric Goldman, Santa Clara University ([12:44])

Stakes and Broader Context

• Wave of Related Lawsuits:
  This trial is the first of many—over a thousand plaintiffs, hundreds of school districts, and dozens of states are pursuing similar claims. Snapchat settled its case in this trial, but remains implicated elsewhere ([11:26]).
• Plaintiffs’ Claims:
  Plaintiffs attribute harm to features like infinite scroll and autoplay, arguing they “make these apps nearly impossible for kids to put down,” leading to real-world mental health crises ([11:26]).
• Defense Arguments:
  Tech companies contest the allegations, deny a proven link between app usage and mental health issues, emphasize added safety features, and assert First Amendment protections ([12:09]).
• Potential Precedents:
  Depending on outcomes, settlements similar to those in the opioid and tobacco lawsuits could reshape the tech industry and possibly the structure of the broader internet ([13:02]).

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• ICE Operations in Minnesota – [02:08] to [06:07]
• Trump's Iowa Trip and GOP Response – [06:09] to [09:41]
• Social Media Trial in LA – [09:50] to [13:33]

---

Memorable Moments and Notable Quotes

• Gov. Tim Walz on changing federal tone:

  "Whatever has happened here, there is a definite change of tone. ...I'm going to take them for their word right now." ([03:33])

• Judge Patrick Schultz:

  "The court's patience is at an end." ([05:26])

• Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma on federal operations:

  "Nobody likes feds coming into their state. And so what's the goal right now?" ([08:41])

• Matthew Bergman, attorney:

  "The public is going to know for the first time what social media companies have done to prioritize their profits over the safety of our kids." ([10:56])

• Prof. Eric Goldman, on possible outcomes:

  "If the plaintiffs win, the Internet will almost certainly look different ...and probably it will be a far less conversational one..." ([12:44])

---

Conclusion

This episode of Up First spotlights intense federal-state conflict over immigration enforcement in Minnesota, the political turbulence prompting Trump’s renewed economic focus, and the potentially industry-shifting lawsuit against social media giants. Through concise reporting and primary voices, listeners get the context and stakes for three national stories with far-reaching implications.

Transcript

[A]

Gregory Bevino, one of the few immigration agents who showed his face, is leaving Minnesota.

[B]

His departure comes as the Trump administration faces outrage over two fatal shootings by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

[A]

I'm Steve Inskeep with Michelle Martin. And this is up first from NPR News. President Trump visits Iowa today trying to shift focus to the economy as members of his own party question his immigration crackdown.

[C]

Nobody likes feds coming into their state. And so what's the goal right now?

[A]

That's the governor of Oklahoma. More Republicans are pressing for an investigation.

[B]

And social media is on trial. Today, a case in Los Angeles examines if tech companies knowingly built apps that harm kids, the outcome could change how apps are made. Stay with us. We'll give you news you need to start your day.

[D]

This message comes from Schwab. Everyone has moments when they could have done better, like cutting their own hair or forgetting sunscreen. So now you look like a tomato. Same goes for where you invest. Level up and invest smarter with Schwab. Get market insights, education and human help when you need it. Learn [e-mail] this message comes from Ali, offering their daily women's multivitamin to help support your immune system, heart, bone, health and more. It's that easy, just two gummies a day. Go to o l l y.com to learn more. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This Message comes from CookUnity. Cooking quality meals takes time, but it doesn't have to be your time. Choose from a rotating seasonal menu of over 300 meals. Commitment free subscriptions start as low as $11ameal. Just heat and eat. Taste, comfort and craftsmanship in every bite. From the award winning chefs behind CookUnity. Go to CookUnity.com first or enter code first before checkout to get 50% off your first order.

[B]

The Trump administration has, at least for now, made some changes to its mass deportation campaign in Minnesota.

[A]

The administration has removed Greg Bevino, the Border Patrol official who was the public face of the immigration operation. Bevino will return to a previous job in California and border czar Tom Holman with will replace him. The administration has also stopped repeating its false narrative about a shooting without actually retracting any of those false claims. And President Trump called Tim Walz, the governor he previously blamed for the shootings by federal agents on Esnoe Street.

[B]

Joining us from Minneapolis with the latest is reporter Matt Sepik of Minnesota Public Radio. Good morning, Matt.

[E]

Good morning.

[B]

So we Understand that Greg Bovino is no longer leading the Border Patrol. What have you heard about that move?

[E]

Bovino was the commander at large of the agency. He's made himself visible on the streets during operations here in Minnesota and el elsewhere. Governor Tim Wall says Bovino is leaving Minnesota now. He's returning to his old post in California and is expected to retire soon. This is effectively a demotion because he's no longer leading the administration's multi state operation.

[B]

And President Trump spoke by phone with both Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry. What do we know about those calls?

[E]

On social media, the president said that he had a, quote, very good telephone conversation with the mayor. Frey said Trump agreed that the present situation cannot and Governor Walz says the president seemed earnest.

[F]

Whatever has happened here, there is a definite change of tone. There is a definitely a more collaborative tone. I want to make sure that I'm not jeopardizing that, that I'm going to take them for their word right now.

[E]

Wall says Trump agreed to consider reducing the number of federal agents here and allow state police to investigate the killings of Renee Macklin Good on January 7th and Alex Preddy on Saturday.

[B]

And this has been a big point of contention. We've talked about this a number of times. So is the state taking part in?

[E]

There is little that state police can do without their federal counterparts. And there's still no indication whether the feds are cooperating. After Good was killed, the Department of Homeland Security blocked Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from investigating. Then Saturday, DHS refused to let the BCA access the area where Preddy was killed. Even after the state got a search warrant, a judge ordered the feds not to destroy any evidence. That order remains in place even as the Justice Department challenges it in court. Yesterday, Assistant U.S. attorney Fred Siekert argued that the feds are already preserving the evidence. But state Attorney Peter Farrell said he's not so sure because top administration officials called Preddy a domestic terrorist within hours of his death.

[B]

So it seems like a lot of things are coming to head in federal court. Where do things stand with Minnesota's effort to halt the operation altogether?

[E]

During a hearing yesterday, state attorneys argued that the presence of so many federal agents in Minnesota is overwhelming local public safety resources. They also say the Justice Department is ext distorting the state. They pointed to a letter that Attorney General Pam Bondi sent to Walz on Saturday in which she demands that Minnesota hand over its voter rolls. The DOJ calls the lawsuit frivolous and says the federal government has the right to enforce immigration laws. In yet another case, Minnesota's chief federal judge, Patrick Schultz has ordered acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to appear personally in court here on Friday. Schultz says the agency has failed to comply with dozens of orders to provide hearings for people who are alleging that they unlawfully detained. Schultz writes, quote, the court's patience is at an end.

[B]

So, Matt, before we let you go, give us a sense of the mood in Minneapolis.

[E]

People are continuing to mourn the deaths of Renee Macklin. Good. And now Alex Preddy with protests and vigils. And despite the apparent detente, thousands of masked agents remain. And many residents are seeking some sort of assurance that the killings will get a proper investigation.

[B]

That's Matt Sepik of Minnesota Public Radio. Matt, thank you.

[E]

You're welcome.

[B]

President Trump is heading to Iowa today, where he's hoping to change the subject a bit to his economic agenda as his administration faces growing outrage over his immigration crackdown in Minnesota.

[A]

Yeah. Not only Democrats, but more Republicans are calling for changes, at least in Trump's message after a second US Citizen was shot dead by a federal agent. Some are also criticizing the substance of an immigration operation that has led to widespread chaos and death.

[B]

NPR White House correspondent Franco Ordonez will be traveling with the president to Des Moines, and he's with us now. Good morning, Franco.

[F]

Good morning, Michelle.

[B]

So what do we know about the president's trip to Iowa?

[F]

Yeah, the president is expected to visit a local business and give a speech on the economy. His chief of staff has touted the trip as the beginning of what will soon be weekly travel in support of Republican candidates ahead of the midterms. But as you noted at the top, it's also part of an effort to wrestle back control of the narrative on his own terms.

[B]

And look, we've talked about this repeatedly. There is growing outrage about this immigration operation in Minneapolis. So does the trip play into all that, or how does this sort of trip work with all that going on in the background?

[F]

Yeah, I mean, the administration has been struggling to promote Trump's economic agenda amid a number of crises, you know, abroad and here in the US and the situation in Minneapolis has only just made it harder to talk about the things that Trump wants to talk about. I was speaking with Ryan Williams, a veteran Republican strategist. He told me that the trip is clearly part of Trump's effort to turn the page. The primary news story at the moment isn't just the ICE related shooting. It's the response to the ICE related shooting. That's what's going to be the focus. And the president can attempt to focus on the economy, on what he views are successes of his administration on the economic front, but he's going to be stuck talking about this issue for significant period of time. And again, you mentioned how some Republicans are calling for more investigations into the second death. There are also risks of a government shutdown being fueled by the controversy.

[B]

Would you say a bit more about the increasing pressure from his own party? I mean, that does feel different considering how reliably Republicans have backed the president.

[F]

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, it certainly created some fissures within the party and not at a good time when election season is coming up fast. As I mentioned, a number of Republican lawmakers are pushing for more details. We also heard this weekend from Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma. He's questioning Trump's broader goals. Here he is on cnn.

[C]

Now, Americans are asking themselves, what is the end game? What is the solution? And, you know, we believe in federalism and state rights, and nobody likes feds coming into their state. And so what's the goal right now?

[F]

And polls, Michelle, show that more Americans feel ice tactics are going too far.

[B]

So how is the White House responding?

[F]

Well, at first, top officials rushed to declare the US Citizen killed as a domestic terrorist. But Trump is now trying to strike a softer tone. He says an investigation is ongoing and even boasted of a productive call with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, as we heard earlier. But I will tell you, Michelle, his team is not really letting up. Caroline Levitt, his press secretary, yesterday put the blame directly at the feet of Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry for what she called their hostile resistance to the work of federal agents. So tensions around the immigration operations remain high.

[B]

That's White House correspondent Franco Ardenius. Franco, thank you.

[F]

Thank you, Michelle.

[B]

Social media apps have long been accused of harming kids. Now a jury will hear those claims for the first time in a trial kicking off in a Los Angeles courtroom today.

[A]

A key question is whether tech companies deliberately built their platforms to addict young users. How the jury decides could reshape the tech industry.

[B]

NPR's Shannon Bond is following the case, and she's with us now. Good morning.

[C]

Good morning, Michelle.

[B]

So tell us more about how we got here. What are the details of this trial?

[C]

Yeah, so this case in California state court is being brought by a teenage plaintiff known as KGM. She says she started using social media at age 10, and she says her excessive use led to mental health problems, including depression and body dysmorphia. Now, the defendants in this case are Instagram Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. And so this trial is going to be a rare look inside how some of the most popular and powerful powerful social media platforms operate. Jurors are going to be presented with thousands of pages of internal documents that includes research the companies themselves have conducted on children. They're going to hear from expert witnesses. They're going to hear from KGM herself. Here's Matthew Bergman, KGM's attorney.

[D]

The public is going to know for.

[E]

The first time what social media companies have done to prioritize their profits over.

[F]

The safety of our kids.

[C]

And tech executives are also expected to take the stand, including notably, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Instagram and Facebook owner Meta, and Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram.

[B]

That's quite a list. But, Shannon, I'm thinking that we have heard these kinds of claims a lot. Are there other cases like this?

[C]

Yeah, this case is actually just the first in a wave of lawsuits against social media companies. They've been brought by more than a thousand individual plaintiffs, hundreds of school districts, and dozens of state attorneys general. And I should note Snapchat recently settled with the plaintiff in this first trial, but it's also named in these other lawsuits. Now, broadly, in these cases, the plaintiffs are accusing these companies of designing features like Infinite scroll and auto playing videos, frequent notifications that they say make these apps nearly impossible for kids to put down. And they say in some cases, this has led to depression, eating disorders, self harm, even suicide. And the plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages as well as changes to the way these social media apps are designed.

[B]

And what do the companies say?

[C]

Well, as you'd expect, they dispute these allegations. They say they've worked to make their platform safer for kids. They argue there's no clinical diagnosis of addiction to social media. And they say a direct link between using social media and mental health problems in kids has not been proven. Now, the companies also say that federal law, including the First Amendment, protects the decisions they make about content, including the design of their platforms. I spoke with Eric Goldman, who's a law professor at Santa Clara University, and he says if juries end up siding with plaintiffs, these cases could really change how not just social media, but the larger Internet works.

[D]

If the plaintiffs win, the Internet will almost certainly look different and probably it will be a far less conversational one than we have today.

[C]

He's wary of courts or regulators getting involved in these design decisions.

[B]

Shannon, before we let you go, you said there are more than a thousand plaintiffs bringing similar cases. How does that work?

[C]

Yeah, because there are so many These cases have been combined into two big buckets, one in state court here in California, one in federal court. And depending how juries decide a handful of initial cases, including this one starting in la, the parties could enter settlement talks that involve all of the plaintiffs. You know, and eventually this could wind up similar to landmark settlements reached with the opioid manufacturers and tobacco companies which led those industries to pay out billions of dollars to victims. That's certainly what the plaintiffs are hoping for.

[B]

That is NPR's Shannon Bond. Shannon, thank you.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

And let me note that Google is a financial supporter of npr. And that's Up first for January 27th. I'm Michelle Martin.

[A]

And I'm Steve Inskeep. Up first gets you caught up, and MORNING EDITION takes you deeper. We're live every morning on your NPR station with reporting, interviews and the context behind the headlines. You can download the NPR app and listen anytime, anywhere. Find all of NPR's most popular programs, including Up First, Morning Edition, All Things Considered and more.

[B]

Today's episode of up first was edited by Andrea De Leon, Rebecca Metzler, Brett Neely, Mohamed El Bardisi and Alice Wolfley. It was produced by Ziad Butch, Mia Dumas, Eva Pukach and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Nisha Hynes. Our technical director is Stacey Abbott. Our supervising senior producer is Vince Pearson. We hope you'll join us again tomorrow.

[D]

This message comes from NetSuite. Every business is asking, how can they make AI work for them? No more waiting with NetSuite by Oracle, you can put AI to work today. Trusted by over 43,000 businesses, it's the unified suite that brings your financials, inventory, commerce, HR and CRM into a single source of truth. That connected data is what makes your AI smarter, helping you make fast decisions. Right now, get the business guide demystifying AI [e-mail] story this message comes from Rosetta Stone. If you're planning travel this year, imagine going into that trip. Understanding the language. Rosetta Stone has been a trusted leader in language for over 30 years, 25 languages to choose from. It immerses you in your new language naturally, helping you communicate with confidence. Access lessons from your desktop or mobile app. Receive 50% off a lifetime membership with unlimited access to 25 language courses for life. Visit rosettastone.com NPR and start learning today.