Trump's Speech In Davos, DOJ Subpoenas For Minnesota, SCOTUS Federal Reserve Case

Summary

Up First from NPR — Episode Summary

Date: January 21, 2026
Title: Trump’s Speech in Davos, DOJ Subpoenas for Minnesota, SCOTUS Federal Reserve Case
Hosts: Layla Fadel, Sergio Martinez-Beltran
Reporters: Danielle Kurtzleben, Nina Totenberg

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Episode Overview

This episode covers three pressing national and international news stories shaping America’s morning:

1. President Trump’s controversial presence and speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with the ongoing standoff over Greenland.
2. The Justice Department’s subpoenas targeting Minnesota’s top Democrats for allegedly interfering with immigration enforcement following a deadly ICE-related shooting.
3. The Supreme Court’s hearing on whether President Trump can dismiss a Federal Reserve governor appointed under President Biden, a case with significant implications for central bank independence.

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1. Trump at Davos: World Economic Forum & the Greenland Dispute

[03:01–06:37]

Key Points

• Trump’s Focus at Davos: Supposed to center on the U.S. economic progress and housing policies, but overshadowed by his aggressive stance on acquiring Greenland and threats of tariffs against eight European countries.
• Alienation of Allies: Trump’s approach is straining relationships with traditional partners, as allies push back vocally at Davos.
• Speech Rhetoric: Trump continues to criticize NATO, complain about his lack of a Nobel Peace Prize, and publicly share private texts with world leaders.
• On Greenland: Trump attempts to downplay confrontation but remains insistent:
  Trump: “I think that we will work something out where NATO is going to be very happy and where we’re going to be very happy, but we need it for security purposes.” [04:16]
• Ninety-Minute Press Conference: Trump digressed across topics, focusing heavily on Minnesota protests against federal immigration enforcement and again attacking the state’s Somali population with unsupported allegations.
  • Notable Quote:
    Trump [on Minnesota’s Somali community]: “The Somalians vote as one group, even if they’re not citizens and they vote as one group, and, you know, you get 600,000 votes against you, they all ought to get the hell out of here. They’re bad for our country.” [05:15]
• Domestic Policy Promises: Trump claimed progress on affordability but failed to discuss a recently issued executive order blocking institutional homebuyers, despite these policies supposedly being a speech focus.

Analysis

• Political Impact: NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben notes Trump relishes shaping the global agenda without the “guardrails” that constrained him in his first term, leading to heightened domestic and international conflict. His focus on “belligerent policy” energies further alienates allies and pulls attention away from the economy.
• Memorable Moment:
  Kurtzleben: “He enjoys being on the world stage...without some of the guardrails he had in his first term, he’s just doing what he wants on foreign policy.” [06:05]

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2. DOJ Subpoenas in Minnesota: Immigration Enforcement Showdown

[06:45–10:14]

Key Points

• Subpoenas Issued: The DOJ sent subpoenas to Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, accusing them of impeding immigration enforcement.
• Backdrop:
  • Tensions escalated after Minneapolis Mayor Frey called for ICE to leave following the fatal shooting of Renee McLean Goode by ICE agents.
  • Gov. Walz encouraged protests and record-keeping of ICE activities for possible legal challenges.
  • Trump administration labels these moves as “heated rhetoric” and distraction.
• Officials’ Response:
  • Minnesota leaders are defiant, framing the subpoenas as intimidation and abuse of DOJ power.
    Mayor Frey: “We should not have to leave a country where people feared that federal law enforcement will be used to play politics or crack down on local voices they disagree with.” [08:21]
• Alleged Abuses by ICE:
  • U.S. citizens detained, intimidation, agents using pepper spray and pulling people from cars.
  • Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino defends agent conduct:
    Bovino: “What we do is legal, ethical, and moral. Everything we do every day is legal, ethical, moral, well grounded in law.” [08:55]
  • Recent federal court ruling prohibited ICE from arresting or spraying peaceful protesters.
• Community Impact:
  • Businesses, especially those owned by immigrants, are suffering:
    • Ricardo Hernandez (restaurateur): Lost 60% in revenue since start of year, dwarfing pandemic losses, endangering business survival.
  • Health care: Doctors report patients, including pregnant women and mothers of sick children, are avoiding clinics for fear of deportation.
    • One doctor recounted, “A mom was afraid to seek care for her baby who was having trouble breathing for fear she'd be detained.” [09:56]

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3. Supreme Court & the Federal Reserve: Presidential Power On Trial

[10:26–13:53]

Key Points

• Case at Issue: President Trump’s attempt to fire Lisa Cook, a Biden-appointed Fed Board member, breaking a 112-year precedent of Fed independence. The dispute follows heightened tension between Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell over interest rates.
• Recent Developments: The Trump administration threatened Powell with indictment for past Senate testimony on renovation cost overruns—an unusually aggressive tactic.
  • Powell’s Statement:
    "The Federal Reserve sets interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the president." [11:39]
• Legal Core:
  • Trump’s team contends he’s firing Cook “for cause,” citing mortgage fraud (allegedly claiming two homes as primaries). The complaint originated with Bill Pulte, an administration ally.
  • Cook flatly denies wrongdoing, and her legal team points to similar actions by other officials without consequence.
  • Trump’s lawyers argue presidential removals for cause should be unreviewable by courts, potentially granting unchecked authority to dismiss Fed governors.
    • Nina Totenberg: “That’s a big caveat that essentially would hand the president, this president and future presidents, unrestricted power to fire members of the Fed and replace them with their personal picks.” [13:26]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump Downplays Greenland Hostilities:
  “I think that we will work something out where NATO is going to be very happy and where we’re going to be very happy, but we need it for security purposes.” [04:16]
• On Minnesota’s Somali Community:
  “They all ought to get the hell out of here. They’re bad for our country.” — Donald Trump [05:15]
• Defiant Minnesota Leaders:
  “We should not have to leave a country where people feared that federal law enforcement will be used to play politics or crack down on local voices they disagree with.” — Mayor Frey [08:21]
• Border Patrol Defense:
  “What we do is legal, ethical, and moral. Everything we do every day is legal, ethical, moral, well grounded in law.” — Greg Bovino [08:55]
• Fed Chair Independence:
  “The Federal Reserve sets interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the president.” — Jerome Powell [11:39]
• Supreme Court Risks:
  “Essentially would hand the president … unrestricted power to fire members of the Fed and replace them with their personal picks.” — Nina Totenberg [13:26]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Trump at Davos & Greenland — [03:01–06:37]
• Minnesota DOJ Subpoenas & ICE — [06:45–10:14]
• Supreme Court & Federal Reserve Independence — [10:26–13:53]

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Conclusion

This episode delves into the escalating tension between the Trump administration and both international allies and major U.S. institutions—state governments and the independent central bank. By the end, listeners see a portrait of an executive emboldened to push legal, diplomatic, and administrative boundaries, with profound consequences for American democracy, its global alliances, and the daily lives of its communities.

Transcript

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

So, Layla, since our star turn in Hollywood.

[Layla Falden]

Yes. Yes.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

I've been thinking about, like, your intro line for when they do the real hosts of npr.

[Layla Falden]

What is it at work?

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

I read Leads in life. I take the lead and everyone else follows.

[Layla Falden]

Oh, my God. I love it.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Huh?

[Nina Totenberg]

I love it.

[Layla Falden]

I feel like NPR hosts on reality.

[Sponsor Voice - Shopify]

TV would be very boring.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Oh, it would be riveting.

[Layla Falden]

European leaders and Canada were united in their message to the US At Davos, Stay away from Greenland.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

So what will President Trump say today in his speech the World Economic Forum after vowing there's no going back on his threats to dominate the territory?

[Layla Falden]

I'm Layla Falden. That's a Martinez. And this is up first from NPR News. The Justice Department issued subpoenas to several of Minnesota's top elected leaders. The DOJ alleges that these officials, including the governor and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, are interfering with immigration enforcement. But those local leaders say this is retribution for pushing back on violent federal tactics that are scaring and endangering Minnesotans.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

And the Supreme Court hears arguments over the president's power to fire a sitting governor of the Federal Reserve. What could it mean for the independence of the central banks? Stay with us. We've got all the news you need to start your day foreign.

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[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

President Trump has been speaking about affordability for weeks and planned to focus on that in a speech today at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

[Layla Falden]

But the summit is being overshadowed by the president's desire for Greenland and his threats of tariffs on eight European countries if he doesn't get his way. So when Trump takes the stage in Davos, world leaders will be listening closely for signs of where this confrontation with allies goes next.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben has been following it all. We've known, Danielle, that Donald Trump sometimes weaves around in speeches. So what's on the agenda today?

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Well, he said he's been planning to talk about the economy and specifically, as he put it, how well the United States is doing. And the White House had said that Trump would specifically address housing policy today. But it's nevertheless true that, like you say, everyone just wants to hear about Greenland at this point because Trump has been upending relations with many key allies over Greenland. And in the process, he's been threatening tariffs, complaining about not getting the Nobel Peace Prize, criticizing NATO, and posting screenshots of his texts with world leaders. Now, yesterday at a White House press briefing, Trump did strike a less combative tone on Greenland.

[Donald Trump]

I think that we will work something out where NATO is going to be very happy and where we're going to be very happy, but we need it for security purposes.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

But of course, this is Trump. We have no idea if that means any change in his attitude. But at any rate, he also mentioned he has a slew of meetings set up in Davos about Greenland.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Now, he spoke for, what, more than 90 minutes yesterday? I mean, what ground did he cover there?

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Well, he covered all the ground. He really rambled in those 90 minutes. Now, it was the one year anniversary of Trump taking office again. And so he came came out with this thick sheaf of papers and he said it was a book of his accomplishments over the past year. But really, he just kept veering into this extended riff, parts of which we've heard many times before. He focused heavily on Minnesota. He criticized Minnesotans who are protesting ICE's presence in the wake of the deadly shooting. And he also once again railed against the state's Somali population, making this claim without evidence.

[Donald Trump]

The Somalians vote as one group, even if they're not citizens and they vote as one group, and, you know, you get 600,000 votes against you, they all ought to get the hell out of here. They're bad for our country.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Now, he did also hype the US Economy, including making exaggerated claims about inflation and the impact of his tariffs. But he didn't really follow up on all of those plans he's proposed in recent weeks to help people with affordability. And there was stuff to talk about there. Just last night, the White House released an executive order aimed at preventing large institutional investors from buying homes. So policies were in the works. He just didn't really bring them up.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

All right, so trying to put all of this together, everything we just mentioned, his press conference, the trip to Davos, I mean, what does all of this mean politically or practically? What's his aim?

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Well, on foreign policy, he clearly enjoys being on the world stage and setting the agenda there. And crucially, without some of the guardrails he had in his first term, he's just doing what he wants on foreign policy. So he's pursuing that, that belligerent policy that's alienating allies. It's not popular domestically. But then when you take that, with his aggressive tactics in Minnesota, it's all continually drawing attention, including his own, away from things like the domestic economy that he ostensibly wants to focus on.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

That's NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben. Thanks a lot.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Thank you.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

The Justice Department has issued subpoenas to multiple public officials in Minnesota in an investigation, alleging they are impeding the work of immigration agents.

[Layla Falden]

Yeah, and this is happening as the Trump administration is cracking down and saying it's targeting undocumented immigrants at times. It's also targeted US Citizens in Minnesota, and doctors there now say immigrants are avoiding vital medical care.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

NPR, Sergio Martinez Beltran is in Minneapolis. So, Sergio, DOJ subpoenas served to Minnesota Democrats. What's that about?

Yes, the grand jury subpoenas went out to several local and state leaders. They include Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, state Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry, and St. Paul Mayor Collie Herr. The Department of Justice accuses those officials of conspiring to impede the feds on immigration enforcement. You'll remember a comment Mayor Fry made after the deadly shooting of Renee McLean Goode by an ICE agent two weeks ago. Fry called on ICE agents to get out of Minneapolis, and Governor Walz encouraged residents to protest peacefully and to record operations carried out by immigration authorities. He wants the public to help create a database with evidence for future prosecutions. Leaders with the Trump administration said yesterday that Walls and Fry are using heated rhetoric and accusations to distract from the facts.

All right, now, I mean, DOJ subpoenas are serious stuff. So what are Minnesota officials saying?

You know, they have suggested they are unfazed by these subpoenas. They say it's an intimidation tactic by the Trump administration, one where they're weaponizing the Justice Department. Mayor Fry said, quote, we should not have to leave a country where people feared that federal law enforcement will be used to play politics or crack down on local voices they disagree with. End quote.

And Sergio, part of the reason state officials have pushed back is because of what they say is ISIS illegal actions in their state.

Yeah. You know, U.S. citizens have been detained and ICE agents have intimidated people who follow them to alert neighbors of their presence. Federal agents have used pepper spray on protesters and they're pulling people from their cars. However, Greg Bovino, the Border Patrol chief in charge of the operations, justified the behavior of his agents in a press conference yesterday.

What we do is legal, ethical, and moral. Everything we do every day is legal, ethical, moral, well grounded in law.

Last week, a federal judge ruled that ICE agents cannot arrest pepper spray or retaliate against peaceful protesters and observers.

Now, you've been there for the last two weeks. I mean, tell us how these operations affect the day to day lives of people there.

It's incredible. I mean, it feels like there are agents everywhere and you can see them in residential neighborhoods, the bus stops, parking lots. And two things are notable here. One, some businesses are losing money big time. I talked to Ricardo hernandez. He owns 11 Mexican restaurants in the region. He says he's lost 60% in revenue since the beginning of the year. And just so you have an idea, a. During the height of the COVID pandemic, Hernandez's sales went down by just 10%. Hernandez says if this continues, businesses we'll have to shut down for good. Medical care has also been affected. Dozens of Minnesota doctors in a news conference yesterday said patients afraid of being picked up by ICE are staying home. They say pregnant women are missing prenatal visits. They worry about ICE and patient privacy. And one doctor said a mom was afraid to seek care for her baby who was having trouble breathing for fear she'd be detained.

Wow.

[Sponsor Voice - 1Password / Rosetta Stone]

All right.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

That's NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran in Minneapolis. Thanks a lot.

You're welcome.

The U.S. supreme Court hears arguments today in a case that has Wall street and the financial markets in a near panic.

[Layla Falden]

At issue is President Trump's efforts to break with 112 years of law and precedent by firing Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve Board appointed by President Biden.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg has more on this. So, Nina, let's just set the stage for this case being argued right after a huge blow up between President Trump and Jerome Powell, the Fed Reserve Board chairman, who was actually appointed fed chair in 2018 by Trump himself.

[Nina Totenberg]

Well, Trump has been pressuring Powell for months, trying to get him to lower interest rates more quickly. This is, after all, an election year, and that would be very helpful to the president and his party. But Powell has proceeded with caution. And then a week and a half ago, the Trump administration hit the Fed with grand jury subpoenas that threatened Powell with criminal indictment for his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee last June, testimony that dealt with cost overruns at two Federal Reserve buildings being renovated for the first time since the 1930s. And the normally reticent Powell finally blew. The threat of criminal charges is a.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of.

[Nina Totenberg]

What will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the president. Indeed, Congress established the Federal Reserve Board 112 years ago after a series of financial panics in the late 1800s. In an effort to stabilize the economy, the legislative branch sought to shield monetary policy from political manipulation by establishing limited terms for Fed governors and barring them from being fired, except for bad behavior.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Yeah, that video statement by Jerome Powell was quite the thing, because normally we don't really hear from the Fed chair, but we're hearing a lot from him. Okay, so what is the legal question at the Supreme Court today?

[Nina Totenberg]

The issue is, at least superficially, quite narrow. Trump's lawyers will tell the Supreme Court that he's not asking for a free pass to fire Cook. He's firing her for cause. Namely, the administration claims that she committed mortgage fraud in obtaining loans on two different properties because she listed two homes as her primary residences, but at different times. The charges against her were lodged initially by Bill Pulte, a Trump ally who, as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, referred Cook's alleged misdeeds to the Justice Department for potential prosecution. Cook, for her part, denies any wrongdoing whatsoever. Her lawyers point to recent reporting that four of Trump's Cabinet members, plus his deputy attorney general and even Pulte's own relatives, have recently made applications for multiple mortgages similar to Cook's without any suggestion of wrongdoing.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Okay, so what is Trump arguing?

[Nina Totenberg]

The Trump administration argues that once the president has determined that he has cause to fire a Fed board member. That decision is not reviewable by any court. And that's a big caveat that essentially would hand the president, this president and future presidents unrestricted power to fire members of the Fed and replace them with their personal picks.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

That's NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg. Nina, thanks.

[Nina Totenberg]

Thank you.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

And that's up first for Wednesday, January 21st. I'm A. Martinez.

[Layla Falden]

And I'm Layla Falden. The news you hear on up first is possible because of support from listeners like you. When you give to your local NPR station, you help keep journalists on the ground here at home and around the world. You can make a [e-mail] upfirst and for more news and conversations, listen to our radio show Morning Edition. You can find it on your local NPR station [e-mail] Today's episode of up.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

First was edited by Rebecca Metzler, Gigi Duban, Krisnadev Kalimor, Mohamed El Bardisi and Alice Wolfley. It was produced by Ziat Butch, Ben Abrams and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Nisha Hyness. Our technical director is Carly Strange. Our supervising producer is Michael Lipkin. Join us again tomorrow.

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