Up First from NPR – February 4, 2026

Main Theme:
This episode delves into three major news stories shaping the day: the Congressional negotiations over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding with a focus on immigration enforcement, Russia’s renewed attacks on Ukraine’s power grid during ongoing peace talks, and President Trump’s push to nationalize elements of U.S. elections.

1. DHS Funding Negotiations and Immigration Enforcement

Segment Start: 01:52

Key Discussion Points:

• End of Partial Federal Shutdown:
  Congress passed a funding bill for most federal offices, but DHS funding remains unresolved.
• Negotiation Deadline:
  Lawmakers have nine days left to agree on DHS funding and possible reforms to immigration enforcement.
• Body Camera Debate:
  • Democrats want all immigration officers to wear body cameras, specifically after federal agents shot and killed two Americans in Minnesota.
  • DHS Secretary Kristi Noem promised immediate deployment in Minneapolis and gradual nationwide expansion, subject to funding.
  • Democrats insist on a legal mandate, not just executive commitment.
  • The budget allocates $20 million for the rollout but lacks a strict mandate.
• Other Contentious Proposals:
  • Democrats seek to require arrests only with warrants signed by a judge, limiting the use of administrative, agency-issued warrants.
  • Republicans, particularly Speaker Mike Johnson, oppose this, arguing it impedes enforcement.
  • Democrats want to ban officers from using face coverings; Republicans dissent, citing safety and privacy concerns for agents.
• Shutdown Risks:
  Failure to reach an agreement could trigger a DHS shutdown affecting areas far beyond immigration, e.g., TSA, disaster response.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• On body camera negotiations:

  “Democrats, more than just Noem’s word for it, they want it written into law … and this one has gotten some bipartisan support. But other requests have been more contentious.”
  – Ximena Bustillo, NPR (03:31)

• On judicial warrant demands:

  “Democrats want to mandate that immigration officers only use warrants signed by a judge to make arrests ... Republicans are broadly opposed.”
  – Ximena Bustillo, NPR (04:11)

• On potential for compromise:

  “Many members are skeptical that less than two weeks is even enough time to come up with such a large compromise.”
  – Ximena Bustillo, NPR (04:58)

2. Russia Resumes Attacks on Ukraine’s Power Grid During Peace Talks

Segment Start: 05:26

Key Discussion Points:

• Renewed Strikes:
  • Russia resumed missile and drone assaults on Ukraine—including Kyiv—despite a recent pause agreed upon for peace negotiations.
  • Host Michelle Martin and NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley provide on-the-ground accounts of the renewed attacks during harsh winter conditions.
• Ukrainian Resilience:
  • President Zelensky condemned Russia’s actions as an attempt to “terrorize people” rather than pursue diplomacy.
  • Ukrainians are determined to resist, refusing to relinquish land despite power outages and freezing temperatures.
• Peace Talks Dynamics:
  • Talks in Abu Dhabi involve direct Ukrainian and Russian negotiators for the first time, with the U.S. playing a backing role.
  • Progress reported on security guarantees for Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte voiced European willingness to deploy peacekeeping forces post-conflict, with the U.S. President backing commitments with “hard force.”
  • Russia denies knowledge of these guarantees and insists that any European troops would become targets, reiterating its demand for control of 22% of Donetsk region.
• Local Voices:
  • Ice fishermen in Kyiv display humor and resolve, saying it's warmer outside than in powerless apartments, and pledging not to surrender.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• On Russia’s renewed attacks:

  “President Zelensky said Russia is, quote, more interested in taking advantage of the coldest days of winter to terrorize people than diplomacy.”
  – Eleanor Beardsley, NPR (06:00)

  “We see how Russia responds to a personal request from the President of the United States with ballistic missiles. Not even four full days have passed.”
  – President Zelensky, via Eleanor Beardsley, NPR (06:32)

• On Ukrainian resolve:

  “We won’t surrender. We won’t give up, at least without a fight.”
  – Volodymyr Karabenko, Kyiv resident (09:00)

• On NATO and US commitments:

  “He said Europeans are ready to put peace, peacekeeping troops on the ground, air and sea once the fighting stops. And he said the US President Trump personally has agreed to be the backstop, meaning any peace will be guaranteed not by signed papers, but by, quote, hard force.”
  – Eleanor Beardsley, NPR (07:41)

3. President Trump Calls for Nationalizing Elections

Segment Start: 09:25

Key Discussion Points:

• Trump’s Statements:
  • On Dan Bongino’s podcast, President Trump calls for Republicans to “nationalize the voting” and for the federal government to take over elections in certain states.
  • Trump repeats these calls at events with GOP lawmakers, referencing cities like Atlanta, Detroit, and Philadelphia—Democratic strongholds with large minority populations and targets of election conspiracy theories.
• Constitutional Constraints:
  • NPR’s Miles Parks explains the Constitution (Article 1, Section 4) reserves elections administration to states, with Congress only able to set broad standards via legislation.
  • The President has “basically no role” in running elections.
• Federal Encroachment:
  • Trump administration actions included executive orders (later blocked by courts), DOJ requests for state voter rolls, and most recently, a federal raid on election equipment in Fulton County, Georgia.
  • There is bipartisan concern among state officials about expanding federal role in elections, despite louder opposition from Democratic officials.
• States’ Rights and Election Legitimacy:
  • Maine’s Secretary of State, Shena Bellows, emphasizes state sovereignty:
    “So will be the 2026 [election]. As long as the federal government stops its unconstitutional and unlawful interference, the states. Are sovereign, she said. And Trump needs to, quote, back off.” (12:06)
  • The episode notes that some Republican election officials have also expressed unease with potential federal interference.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• On nationalizing elections:

  “We should take over the voting, the voting in at least many 15 places. The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting.”
  – President Trump (09:42)

• On presidential authority:

  “He has basically no role. Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution, known as the elections clause, says that states run elections, though Congress can pass laws to make national rules.”
  – Miles Parks, NPR (11:15)

• On state-federal friction:

  “As long as the federal government stops its unconstitutional and unlawful interference, the states are sovereign... and Trump needs to, quote, back off.”
  – Maine Secretary of State Shena Bellows (12:06)

Segment Timestamps

• DHS Funding & Immigration Negotiations: 01:52 – 05:18
• Russia-Ukraine War & Peace Talks: 05:26 – 09:16
• Trump’s Proposal to Nationalize Elections: 09:25 – 12:59

This episode of Up First delivers concise analysis and firsthand reporting on high-stakes policy clashes in Washington, harrowing updates from Ukraine, and challenges to American electoral norms, all unfolding this week. The discussions highlight the tension between executive action and legislative/constitutional authority, resilience in the face of foreign aggression, and the pressure cooker atmosphere in U.S. immigration and election policy.