Up First from NPR — January 19, 2026

Troops Stand By For Minnesota, Greenland NATO Tensions, Gaza Peace Board

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR’s Up First (January 19, 2026) delivers quick, incisive reporting on three urgent global stories:

• The escalation of federal immigration crackdowns and military involvement in Minnesota.
• U.S. tensions with NATO allies over President Trump’s renewed push to purchase Greenland.
• Unveiling of President Trump’s “Board of Peace,” a sweeping international initiative that goes far beyond Gaza.

Hosts Steve Inskeep and Michelle Martin are joined by NPR reporters Clay Masters, Barbara Sprunt, and Daniel Estrin, with on-the-ground updates and notable quotes from officials, protesters, and analysts.

1. Minnesota on the Front Line of Immigration Crackdowns

[02:03 – 05:44]

Key Discussion Points

• Protest and Federal Response

  • Protesters braved the cold in Minnesota to oppose federal immigration actions, notably increased ICE presence after the fatal shooting of Renee Macklin Goode by an ICE agent.
  • Up to 1,500 troops from the 11th Airborne Division (Alaska-based, cold-weather trained) are on standby, following President Trump’s threat to invoke the Insurrection Act.

• Investigation into Local Officials

  • The Department of Justice launches investigations into Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who have publicly opposed ICE's tactics.
  • Governor Walz calls the federal probe "an authoritarian tactic" (Clay Masters quoting Walz, [02:42]).

• Legal and Political Tensions

  • Mayor Jacob Frey, on CBS’s Face the Nation:

    "We are doing everything possible to keep the peace notwithstanding this occupying force that has quite literally invaded our city." ([02:42])

  • Ongoing lawsuits by state and local officials allege unconstitutional federal actions.
  • A recent federal judge’s ruling prohibits retaliating against peaceful protestors ([04:06]).

• State vs. Federal Authority

  • Governor Walz activates the Minnesota National Guard for possible deployment – creating potential for conflicting chain-of-command if federal troops are used ([03:39]).

• DOJ's Focus and Resignations

  • DOJ blocks state access to investigation evidence concerning the ICE shooting, with several federal prosecutors resigning over Justice’s focus on the widow of the victim rather than the agent ([04:06]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Steve Inskeep on the power of state Democrats:

  "Aside from public denouncements about the presence of more than 2,000 federal immigration agents in the state, there's not a lot they can do." ([04:45])

• Barbara Sprunt (legal perspective):

  "That is not allowed under our law." ([05:32]) — clarifying the limits of governor/mayor involvement.

2. U.S.–NATO Rift Over Greenland

[05:53 – 09:34]

Key Discussion Points

• Trump’s Demand and Tariff Threats

  • President Trump renews calls for the U.S. to acquire Greenland from Denmark, tying the issue to national security—even though Greenland is already protected under NATO.
  • Trump threatens tariffs on NATO allies refusing to cooperate, prompting an emergency meeting of eight nations, who warn of "a dangerous downward spiral for transatlantic relations." (Michelle Martin quoting the allies, [05:59])

• Congress Responds

  • Bipartisan Congressional delegation (mainly Democrats, plus Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski) visits Denmark to calm escalating tensions ([06:43]).
  • Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH):

    "Anything that the president does to undermine those relationships, to undermine NATO, does nothing but give Vladimir Putin in Russia and President Xi in China reasons to celebrate. And you can bet they're celebrating now." ([07:16])

• NATO Commitments and Danish Reaction

  • Lawmakers challenge the president’s narrative that Russia and China are encroaching on Greenland, highlighting current U.S.-Greenland military partnership ([07:53]).

• Public Outcry in Denmark

  • Large protest at the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen; demonstrators display Greenland flags and signs like “Make America Go Away.”
  • Charlotte Holm, Copenhagen resident:

    "If we go across that line, there's no going back." ([08:49])

  • William Bruce, Danish law student:

    "The US that we've always looked up to... what benefited the US would benefit us and vice versa." ([09:09-09:25])

  • Dismay at perceived U.S. abandonment of shared values.

3. The Trump “Board of Peace” — Beyond Gaza

[09:41 – 13:16]

Key Discussion Points

• Board Charter Details (Obtained by NPR)

  • While promoted as a “Gaza reconstruction” initiative, the Board’s charter doesn’t mention Gaza; instead, it aims to become “a more effective international peace-building body”—implicitly rivaling the UN, with Trump designated “chairman in a permanent capacity.” ([10:14])
  • Permanent Board membership costs at least $1 billion per country.

• Analysts and Critics

  • Critics call it an attempt to undermine the UN and make international peace "transactional."

• Gaza as Test Case, But Not the Focus

  • Gaza is a “first test case.” Plan reportedly places Gaza under a U.S.-led trusteeship, a novel post-conflict governance structure ([11:16]).
  • Tony Blair (former UK PM) and his team, experienced in past Mideast peacemaking, are involved in crafting the plan.

• Israeli Concerns and Pushback

  • Israel’s government objects to Turkish and Qatari participation in the Board’s leadership group, as these nations are major backers of Hamas ([12:12]).
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu invited onto the Board, but with rare public disagreement regarding governance structure.
  • Estrin's Analysis: Israeli leaders doubt any international player can “get Hamas to actually disarm.” Doubts linger about the Board’s efficacy and motives.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Board’s Charter (Daniel Estrin, [10:14]):

  "The word Gaza is not mentioned once... it seems that Trump is really trying to create a kind of rival UN Security Council..."

• On Israeli Skepticism (Daniel Estrin, [12:45]):

  "I think the bigger picture here, Steve, is that Israeli leaders are very skeptical of Trump's bigger plan for Gaza bringing international players in."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Minnesota Immigration Crackdown: [02:03 – 05:44]
• Greenland, NATO, and U.S. Tensions: [05:53 – 09:34]
• Trump’s Board of Peace: [09:41 – 13:16]

Summary Table

| Segment | Time | Core Issue | |-------------------------------------------------|-------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Minnesota: Protests and Military Standby | 02:03–05:44 | Fed troop deployment, ICE controversy, lawsuits | | Tensions over Greenland & NATO | 05:53–09:34 | U.S. demands, European pushback, public protests | | Trump’s Board of Peace (“rival to the UN”) | 09:41–13:16 | Gaza reconstruction, global ambitions, criticism |

This concise, detailed breakdown captures the pressing stories and original voices featured in this episode. It serves as a comprehensive summary for listeners and non-listeners alike, spotlighting major developments, legal and diplomatic tensions, and international reactions shaping the start of this news week.