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

Summary

Up First from NPR — January 19, 2026

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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]

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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 |

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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.

Transcript

[Michelle Martin]

Minnesota is becoming the front line of resistance to federal immigration crackdowns.

[Steve Inskeep]

Up to 1,500 active duty troops are on standby after President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection act to suppress protests.

[Michelle Martin]

I'm Michelle Martin. That's Steve Inskeep. And this is up first from NPR News. The White House plans to use tariffs to pressure NATO allies to make a deal for the purchase of Greenland. How far is the president willing to push America's closest partners?

[Steve Inskeep]

Also, the president is inviting world leaders to join a new Board of Peace to secure conflict zones, apparently not just Gaza. NPR obtained a copy of the charter, which asks other countries to pay billions to join the board permanently and gives Trump sweeping, seemingly permanent authority. What does Israel think? Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.

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[Steve Inskeep]

Minnesota protesters spent a cold weekend on the streets confronting immigration agents. And President Trump's administration spent the weekend escalating pressure.

[Michelle Martin]

Up to 1500 active duty troops are on standby for possible deployment there. A U.S. official tells our colleague Tom Bowman that the troops are from the 11th Airborne Division. They're based in Alaska and trained to operate in cold weather. The president has threatene to invoke the Insurrection act to justify sending troops to perform tasks typically performed by law enforcement.

[Steve Inskeep]

Those were just some of the administration moves over the weekend. And Minnesota Public Radio's Clay Masters is here. Clay, good morning.

[Clay Masters]

Good morning.

[Steve Inskeep]

What else did the administration do?

[Clay Masters]

We learned that the Department of Justice has opened an investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frye. Both Walz and Frey have been loud opponents of ice's increased presence in the state, especially the tactics in Minneapolis since the fatal shooting of Renee Macklin Goode by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Walls, who announced a couple weeks ago he was dropping his bid for reelection, said weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents is an authoritarian tactic. And here's Mayor Jacob Fry on CBS's Face the Nation yesterday. We are doing everything possible to keep the peace notwithstanding this occupying force that has quite literally invaded our city. And President Trump has said he might use the Insurrection act in Minnesota. He refined that threat a bit on Friday when asked by reporters about he said he would use it if he needed it, but he didn't see any reason right now to use it.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay. Given that, where do these 1500 troops fit in?

[Clay Masters]

I mean, we should be clear that the troops are on standby. And this comes as Governor Walz has directed the Minnesota National Guard to prepare for possible deployment to assist local law enforcement and emergency management agencies. It really remains to be seen what that would look like to have two units potentially receiving conflicting orders.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, so we'll keep watching. That hasn't happened yet. But where do things stand with the shooting of Renee Macklin Good?

[Clay Masters]

Assistant Attorney General Todd Blanch said on Fox News Sunday that the Justice Department investigates when it's appropriate to do so. But that's not the case here. He said when an ICE agent fatally shot Macklin Good On January 7, the DOJ blocked Minnesota from accessing evidence and witnesses. So the state has their own investigation going on. You might remember, too, that six federal prosecutors in the state resigned last week over the DOJ's push to investigate Macklin Goode's widow. And I also wanna note there was a ruling issued late Friday by a federal judge that prohibits agents from retaliating against people who engage in peaceful, unobtrusive protest activity.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, so federal agents are finding more and more people to investigate, just not the agents who shot Renee Macklin Goode three times. I know Democrats are unhappy about that, but what power do they have?

[Clay Masters]

I mean, 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. Attorney General Keith Ellison in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul sued, calling it an unconstitutional federal invasion violating the first and Tenth Amendments. Governor Walz has asked Minnesotans to continue to peacefully document how ICE agents are interacting with the public. And on Fox News Sunday, Blanche pushed back.

[Steve Inskeep]

You saw the governor and the mayor actively encouraging, encouraging criminals to go out.

[Clay Masters]

On the street and impede ice.

[Barbara Sprunt]

That is not allowed under our law.

[Clay Masters]

And, I mean, there are legal channels they're pursuing in federal courts. But as far as political options, it's still, you know, months until the midterm elections in November.

[Steve Inskeep]

Minnesota Public Radio's Clay Masters, thanks so much.

[Clay Masters]

You're welcome.

[Steve Inskeep]

President Trump is escalating tensions across Europe with new comments about the United States acquiring Greenland.

[Michelle Martin]

The president has renewed his demand to take the island, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. He has said that the US Needs it for national security, although Greenland is already defended by the US as part of a NATO nation. Last week, NATO allies sent troops to participate in military exercises in Greenland. Trump responded by announcing plans to place tariffs on goods that Americans import from those allies. On Sunday, those eight nations convened an emergency meeting and warned of a, quote, dangerous downward spiral for transatlantic relations.

[Steve Inskeep]

All this came just as a US Congressional delegation was wrapping up a tour in Denmark. NPR congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt joins us now from Copenhagen.

[Barbara Sprunt]

Hi there, Barbara.

[Steve Inskeep (in Copenhagen segment)]

Hi, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

Who went and why?

[Steve Inskeep (in Copenhagen segment)]

Well, it was a bipartisan group. It skewed heavily towards Democrats. But Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said we shouldn't take the lack of Republicans there as an indicator for a lack of their support, saying this delegation came together rather quickly and the goal was to de escalate a tense situation.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, so what are they saying about the president's demands for Greenland, then?

[Steve Inskeep (in Copenhagen segment)]

Well, I spoke with Democratic Senator Jean Shaheen of New Hampshire. She said the president has shown a lack of understanding about the importance of allies to US Security.

[Commercial Announcer]

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.

[Steve Inskeep]

This has prompted commentary about the end of NATO if the president were to go through in some fashion waging a military strike against a NATO ally. But the president has made this argument about Russia and China, saying the United States effectively has to get there first. What do lawmakers say about that?

[Steve Inskeep (in Copenhagen segment)]

Many times this weekend, Steve, lawmakers said that they hadn't received any intelligence about this idea that Russia and China are encircling Greenland and posing an imminent threat. And as to national security for the United States, they point out that there is already cooperation between the Kingdom of Denmark and the U.S. and the U.S. in fact, as you said, already has a military presence in Greenland and a.

[Steve Inskeep]

Military commitment to Greenland. Under NATO's Article 5, an attack on Greenland would be considered an attack on the United States. So the US Is already in a position to defend it. But what do people in Denmark say about the idea of losing this territory?

[Steve Inskeep (in Copenhagen segment)]

Well, there was a massive demonstration on Saturday. Thousands of people marched to the US Embassy. It was peaceful, but there was a lot of passion. I saw a lot of Greenland flags. I saw a lot of red hats that said make America go away. Charlotte Holm, who is from Copenhagen and has family in Greenland, said she's worried about what happens to NATO if Trump gets what he wants.

[Michelle Martin]

If we go across that line, there's no going back.

[Steve Inskeep (in Copenhagen segment)]

You can't put the toothpaste back into the tube. And to be clear, this is a big topic of conversation here outside of the protest itself. I talked to William Bruce, a 22 year old law student, and he shared how he felt when he first heard of Trump's plan to acquire Greenland.

[Daniel Estrin]

It's in some ways our big brother.

[Clay Masters]

It's a nation.

[Daniel Estrin]

The US that we've always looked up to felt that it was someone we.

[Clay Masters]

Shared values with, that what benefited the.

[Daniel Estrin]

US Would benefit us and vice versa.

[Steve Inskeep (in Copenhagen segment)]

And he says to see the US perhaps throw away that cooperation is shocking.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Barbara Sprunt in Copenhagen, Denmark. Barbara, safe travels.

[Steve Inskeep (in Copenhagen segment)]

Thank you.

[Steve Inskeep]

President Trump's Board of Peace turns out to be more expansive and expensive than advertised.

[Michelle Martin]

The Board of Peace was advertised as a way to help Gaza reconstruction. Trump would be the chairman with representatives from other nations. We say it's more expansive because a copy of its charter obtained by NPR shows the board asserting power far beyond Gaza. It's more expensive because other nations are asked to pay for the privilege of permanent representation.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Daniel Estrin has been reading the charter. He's in Tel Aviv. Hi there, Daniel.

[Daniel Estrin]

Hi, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

What's the document say?

[Daniel Estrin]

Well, first of all, the word Gaza is not mentioned once in this charter, even though the Board of Peace was created for the purpose of Gaza reconstruction. And instead, the language in this charter makes it seem that Trump is really trying to create a kind of rival UN Security Council to handle all kinds of world conflicts beyond Gaza. The language of this charter says there's a need for a more effective international peace building body. So it sounds like a dig at the UN There. It lists Trump as chairman in a permanent capacity. So potentially for life, he alone would get to designate his successor. And countries that would want to be a permanent member of the Board of Peace would need to pay at least $1 billion billion with a B. So there's a lot of criticism among analysts saying Trump is really trying to undermine the UN Here and even make world diplomacy transactional.

[Steve Inskeep]

Yeah, and the charter does not say the President of the United States is the chairman. It says Donald J. Trump would be the chairman. But with that said, where does Gaza come in at all then?

[Daniel Estrin]

Well, Gaza would be the first test case of this Board of Peace. But if successful, Trump could apply the Board of Peace to other conflict zones around the world. One of the people involved in Trump's leadership committee in thinking through all of this is former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. He used to be involved in a group called the Quartet of Peacemakers for the Middle East. And I asked his former head of mission in the Middle East, Rob Dineen, what he thought about all this, and he says that his impression is that Gaza is going to be put basically under a US Led trusteeship, which is something completely new for the Israeli Palestinian conflict. You know, Gaza has been in the past under Israeli occupation. It's been led by the Palestinian Authority. It's been under the control of the militant group Hamas. And now after the war, the plan here is to put it under international leadership.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, what do Israelis think now that this charter has become public?

[Daniel Estrin]

Well, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited to be on the Board of Peace. But under the Board of Peace is a leadership group that's going to be overseeing a day to day technocrat committee in Gaza. And Israel is actually objecting to Trump appointing the representatives of Turkey and Qatar to be part of that leadership group. Israel sees Turkey and Qatar as the primary backers of Hamas. So this is actually rare public disagreement by Israel to part of Trump's peace plan.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, could Israel stop it if it doesn't like it?

[Daniel Estrin]

You know, I guess the short answer is no. I mean, Qatar and Turkey are close allies of Trump, so they will have representatives on this oversight board or this oversight group. But 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. Israel does not think that any international player can get Hamas to actually disarm. So this year is going to be a major test of Trump's ability to really push through this new approach to Gaza.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Daniel Estrin in Tel Aviv. Thanks for your reporting.

[Daniel Estrin]

You're welcome.

[Steve Inskeep]

And that's up first for this Monday, January 19th, Martin Luther King Day. I'm Steve Inskeep.

[Michelle Martin]

And I'm Michelle Martin. If you enjoy starting your day with up first, please consider signing up for npr. Your subscription will help keep the NPR network strong and support local public radio stations through a recurring monthly donation. And you get some good perks with it too, like ad free, free listening, bonus episodes and early access to some NPR content. Visit plus.NPR.org to sign up.

[Steve Inskeep]

Today's up first was edited by Padmarama, Ben Swayze, Jerry Holmes, Mohamed El Bardisi and H.J. mai. It was produced by Ziad Buch, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Simon Laszlo Jensen, and our technical director is Carly Strange. Join us tomorrow.

[Barbara Sprunt]

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