Up First (NPR) – January 15, 2026

Episode Title: FBI Search Journalist's Home, U.S. Greenland Talks, Mental Health Funding
Hosts: Michelle Martin, Emmy Martinez
Contributors: David Folkenflik, Franco Ordonez, Brian Mann

Episode Overview

This episode brings listeners up to speed on three major news stories:

1. An FBI search of a Washington Post journalist's home raises alarm over press freedom and government leaks.
2. The continuing dispute between the U.S. and Denmark regarding President Trump’s efforts to acquire Greenland, reframing alliances and international norms.
3. Whiplash within U.S. public health funding after the Trump administration slashes, then restores, $2 billion for mental health and addiction services.

1. FBI Search of Washington Post Reporter’s Home

Key Points & Insights:

• Event Details:
  • The FBI searched Washington Post reporter Hannah Natenson’s Virginia home as part of a leak investigation into contractor Aurelio Perez Lugones.

    “[Agents] seized two computers, one of which was her own personal computer, her Garmin smartwatch.”
    — Brian Mann (02:26)

  • Natenson has reported extensively on the Trump administration’s purge of federal employees, using over 1,000 confidential sources.
• Press Freedom Concerns:
  • Press advocates and media executives view this action as a dangerous escalation and infringement on press independence.
  • The Washington Post, including executive editor Matt Murray and editorial leadership, expressed “profound concerns.”
• Government Position:
  • The government claims Natenson is not the investigation’s focus, but FBI Director Kash Patel accused her on X of endangering national security by reporting “classified sensitive military information.”
• Legal and Ethical Tensions:
  • Federal protections typically prevent prosecutors from targeting journalists’ records, except in cases of national security.
• Pattern of Behavior:
  • Press advocates argue the Trump administration is threatening media organizations and pursuing lawsuits against several outlets.

    “There’s a whole pattern in this administration of trying to undermine an independent press in this country and impede their work one way or another.”
    — Marty Barron, former WaPo executive editor (04:54)

  • President Trump has called for jailing reporters who do not reveal sources.

Timestamps:

• Search details & context: 02:07 – 04:24
• Press advocate reactions & broader context: 04:24 – 05:41

2. U.S.-Denmark Tensions Over Greenland

Key Points & Insights:

• Diplomatic Standoff:
  • After meetings with Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen asserted that President Trump “wants to conquer” Greenland, a claim Denmark and Greenland reject outright.

    “It is clear that Trump wants to, quote, conquer the territory.”
    — Michelle Martin (05:58)

• Security Claims:
  • Trump justifies interest in Greenland by citing security threats, specifically Chinese military activity, which Denmark disputes.

    “It is not a true narrative that we have, you know, Chinese warships all around the place. According to our intelligence, we haven't had a Chinese warship in Greenland for a decade or so.”
    — Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Foreign Minister (06:37)

• International Law at Stake:
  • Former State Department official Stuart Patrick notes the situation tests the long-standing UN prohibition against acquiring territory by force or pressure, especially from powerful to small nations.

    “What the President United States is proposing...is to throw the entire weight of the most powerful country in the world against a loyal ally...to get what he wants, to force them to give up Greenland.”
    — Stuart Patrick (07:50)

• Allied Response:
  • Denmark is increasing its own military presence in Greenland. Sweden and Germany announced plans to send forces in solidarity.
• Presidential Stance:
  • President Trump, questioned about intentions at a signing ceremony, did not back down:

    “Greenland is very important for the national security, including of Denmark. And the problem is there’s not a thing that Denmark can do about it if Russia or China wants to occupy Greenland. But there’s everything we can do. You found that out last week with Venezuela.”
    — President Trump (08:29)

Timestamps:

• Denmark’s perspective and security narrative: 05:49 – 07:17
• International norms & allied response: 07:17 – 09:13

3. Mental Health Funding: Cuts and Sudden Restoration

Key Points & Insights:

• Funding Crisis:
  • Roughly $2 billion in grants for mental health and addiction programs were abruptly suspended by the Trump administration, triggering panic nationwide.

    “The decision to slash the money came as a complete shock, and it triggered a huge political backlash.”
    — Brian Mann (09:46)

  • After public and bipartisan political backlash, the administration reversed course, restoring funding less than a day later.
• Impact on Providers:
  • Nonprofits and clinics faced the threat of closure and patient abandonment within hours of the cuts.

    “Across the country, nonprofits and people with mental health conditions are deeply alarmed, but hopeful that this money is being restored. That being said, this is hit after hit after hit.”
    — Hannah Wesolowski, National Alliance on Mental Illness (10:27)

• Why the Whiplash?:
  • No official explanation on who initiated the cuts or the reversal.
  • Calls and lobbying from care providers and bipartisan lawmakers were instrumental in the reversal.

    “We provide treatment, life saving treatment, because if people don’t get access to treatment, they just die. And that’s a fact.”
    — Dr. Dan Lustic, addiction program director (11:20)

• A Broader Pattern of Instability:
  • Observers describe federal public health policy as "rudderless" with little transparency or clear strategy.

    “People I’ve been talking to say the country feels rudderless with public health. On Tuesday, all these programs are being defunded. No one’s sure why. Now the money’s restored. Again, no clear explanation.”
    — Brian Mann (12:01)

  • There is fear that existing public health infrastructure could be dismantled without a replacement.

Timestamps:

• Funding suspension & restoration: 09:24 – 10:54
• Underlying policy instability: 10:54 – 12:32

Notable Quotes & Highlighted Moments

• Press Freedom Crisis:
  • Marty Barron (WaPo):

    “There’s a whole pattern in this administration of trying to undermine an independent press...” (04:54)

• Greenland Dispute:
  • Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Denmark):

    “It is not a true narrative that we have, you know, Chinese warships all around the place...” (06:37)

  • Stuart Patrick (Carnegie Endowment):

    “What the President United States is proposing...to force them to give up Greenland.” (07:50)

  • President Trump:

    “The problem is there’s not a thing that Denmark can do about it if Russia or China wants to occupy Greenland. But there’s everything we can do.” (08:29)

• Public Health Instability:
  • Dr. Dan Lustic:

    “If people don’t get access to treatment, they just die. And that’s a fact.” (11:20)

  • Brian Mann:

    “People I’ve been talking to say the country feels rudderless with public health.” (12:01)

For Listeners

This episode provides a concise but essential briefing on threats to press freedom, shifting norms in global diplomacy, and instability in public health leadership, all under the lens of recent Trump administration actions. Each segment raises pressing questions for the days and weeks ahead, offering a panoramic view of the nation’s political and social challenges.