Up First from NPR — January 10, 2026

Overview

This episode of NPR’s Up First explores three major stories making headlines:

1. Ongoing protests in Minneapolis following a fatal ICE shooting.
2. Mass protests in Iran amid economic collapse and harsh government crackdown.
3. How states are preparing for potential federal interference in upcoming midterm elections.

The hosts, Scott Simon and Sacha Pfeiffer, are joined by on-the-ground NPR correspondents for insightful analysis, direct testimony from involved citizens, and expert contextualization. Below, each segment is broken down with key moments, notable quotes, and timestamps.

1. Minneapolis Protests Over Fatal ICE Shooting

Theme: Community outrage and grief after the shooting of Renee Goode by ICE agents, and the broader context of Minneapolis’ struggles with traumatic violence and federal immigration crackdowns.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Protest Dynamics & Public Sentiment

  • Hundreds marched downtown, protesting not only Renee Goode’s death but also federal immigration enforcement’s presence in Minneapolis.
    "Most people I talked to say they were out in the streets marching for two reasons. One was to honor the life of Renee Goode... The other... was to send a message to the Trump administration that Minnesotans do not want immigration agents in their city."
    — Sergio Martinez Beltran [02:23]
  • Protests included attempts to enter hotels where ICE agents were believed to be staying, leading to vandalism and arrests.

• Community Trauma & Resilience

  • The city is still dealing with pain from past violence, including mass shootings and the murder of George Floyd.
    "There's this feeling that this shooting could have the same effect and inflict as much trauma as the killing of George Floyd..."
    — Sergio Martinez Beltran [03:37]
  • Residents express exhaustion over repeated trauma, while also highlighting the city’s resilience.
    "No one is stronger than Minnesotans. We stand by each other, we protect each other, and we do right by each other."
    — Ashley Burris [04:08]

• Federal Actions & Community Pushback

  • President Trump’s surge of ICE agents is described as targeting Minnesota’s significant Somali community, citing unsubstantiated fraud allegations.
  • Community leaders emphasize strength and unity in the face of fear.
    "As Somali Americans...we're not going to fall for that. We're going to stand up because we're greater than fear."
    — Khalil Omar [05:00]
  • Ongoing ICE presence at protest memorials, creating ongoing tension.

Notable Quotes

• "The city is not safe right now with them here. I want my voice to be heard."
  — Dan Craigie, Minneapolis resident [03:00]

• "The administration claims they're making the community safer by launching this operation, and they're certainly not backing down ... surreal ... but this is Minneapolis right now."
  — Sergio Martinez Beltran [05:26]

Timestamps

• Start of segment: [02:04]
• Community trauma and memorial: [03:37] – [04:19]
• Somali community views & direct federal presence: [04:27] – [05:55]

2. Protests in Iran Amid Economic Crisis and Crackdown

Theme: Nationwide, anti-government protests intensify in Iran due to economic collapse, external pressures, and government violence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Scale and Targets of Protests

  • Despite a total internet blackout, massive protests break out across cities, including Tehran and Mashad.
  • Protesters chant “death to the dictator” targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader, while defiant acts include toppling statues and burning mosques.
    "They started earlier than normal and people were chanting death to the dictator, meaning Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei."
    — Jackie Northam [06:43]

• Government Crackdown

  • Security forces respond with violence; reports of deaths and detainments confirmed by rights groups.
  • Ayatollah Khamenei accuses protesters of catering to American interests and calls for an end to unrest.

• Origins and Uniqueness of These Protests

  • Triggered by shopkeeper-led economic protests driven by surging inflation (near 50%) and the collapse of the riel.
  • External pressures, especially Israeli strikes and the volatile geopolitical context, make the situation distinct from past uprisings. "Israel bombing Iran in the summer... killed many senior members of the security forces and intelligence services. That is a major differentiating factor..."
    — Gisu Nia (quoted by Jackie Northam) [08:38]

• International and U.S. Influence

  • President Trump warns of U.S. reprisals if Iran cracks down further.

• Uncertain Outlook

  • While government is weak, past precedents suggest protests may fade or be violently suppressed.
    "These protests come at a time when the regime is particularly weak. So we could be seeing the beginning of the end. It's just as likely the regime could double down."
    — Jackie Northam [09:20]

Notable Quotes

• "There can be no doubt that the Islamic Republic officials are looking at [external pressure] and wondering what will happen if they engage in further violence."
  — Gisu Nia, Atlantic Council [08:38]

Timestamps

• Start of Iran segment: [06:08]
• Protests described, crackdown, geopolitical context: [06:33] – [09:38]

3. States Preparing for Potential Federal Election Interference

Theme: States (from both political parties) prepare for possible disruptions or interference as the first midterms of Trump’s second term approach.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Election Security and Federal Power

  • Concerns among state and local officials about new federal restrictions and potential federal troop deployment to polling places.
  • Secretary of State for Minnesota, Steve Simon, calls the possibility of federal government intervention a “threat” local officials must plan for. "We in the election space have to just use our imaginations as we would to be clear for any threat, whether it's from a foreign actor... This falls into that category, too."
    — Steve Simon [10:56]

• Potential Scenarios: Troops, ICE at Polls

  • Although the White House dismisses speculation about troop deployments as “baseless conspiracy theories,” they stop short of a categorical denial.
  • Discussion of possible ICE presence at polls, sparking fear and potential voter suppression.

• Limits of Presidential Power Over Voting

  • Emphasis on the Constitution giving states exclusive authority over voting processes; Trump’s rumored workaround via emergency powers lacks legal grounding. "The president's authority is limited, except that where there is a threat to the national sovereignty of the United States..."
    — Cleta Mitchell, quoted on another podcast [12:52]
  • Local officials (from both parties) are seeking legal protection in anticipation of federal attempts to access voting equipment or data.

• Why the Stakes Are So High

  • Trump’s party faces potential loss of the House, risking legislative paralysis and raising the stakes for the administration’s handling of elections.
  • Trump’s personal investment is highlighted—if Democrats win, he may face another impeachment, and has shown willingness to “mess with the democratic process."
    "He is willing to mess with the democratic process to advantage himself... this is not abstract or hypothetical"
    — Miles Parks [14:14]

Notable Quotes

• "It's noteworthy that you have a state voting official there referring to federal government action as a threat, in his words."
  — Sacha Pfeiffer [10:56]

• "Voters are concerned about scenarios that would clearly break federal voting laws... Even if this sort of scenario would clearly break federal voting laws."
  — Miles Parks [11:21]

Timestamps

• Start of midterms segment: [09:47]
• Discussion of election security fears: [10:11] – [14:26]

Memorable Quotes Overview

• Sergio Martinez Beltran:
  "There's this feeling that this shooting could have the same effect and inflict as much trauma as the killing of George Floyd..." [03:37]

• Ashley Burris:
  "We stand by each other, we protect each other, and we do right by each other." [04:08]

• Gisu Nia:
  "That is a major differentiating factor... officials are looking at [external pressure] and wondering what will happen..." [08:38]

• Steve Simon:
  "We in the election space have to just use our imaginations as we would to be clear for any threat..." [10:56]

• Miles Parks:
  "He is willing to mess with the democratic process to advantage himself... this is not abstract or hypothetical" [14:14]

Conclusion

This Up First episode highlights how the collision of local trauma, national policy, and global unrest is reshaping the American and international political landscape as 2026 begins. From Minneapolis’ grief and resistance, to the perilous protests in Iran, and onto the legal and administrative battles preparing for the midterms, the episode offers clear, concise reporting with voices from the street and the halls of government alike.

For more:

• Find upcoming episodes at NPR Up First
• Tune in on weekdays at 6:30 a.m. ET