Trump at WEF; MN officials subpoenaed; Lisa Cook : NPR
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Today’s best stories
President Trump plans to focus on affordability in his speech to the World Economic Forum today. in Davos, Switzerland. But his foreign policy – particularly Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland – and his threats of tariffs on eight European countries if he doesn’t achieve his goals are overshadowing the summit. When the president takes the stage, world leaders will be paying close attention to signs that this confrontation with allies will continue.
This photograph, taken on January 20, 2026, shows the World Economic Forum logo in the Alpine resort of Davos. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to 23, 2026.
Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images
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Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images
- 🎧 When it comes to foreign policy, Trump likes to take the world stage and set the agenda, says NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben First. She adds that, in his second term, Trump is pursuing a bellicose foreign policy that alienates his allies and lacks popularity at home. Kurtzleben says these actions, along with his aggressive tactics in Minnesota, are distracting from the domestic economy, which Trump wants to focus on.
The Department of Justice has subpoenaed several Minnesota government officials to appear before a grand jury.including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. The agency claims state officials conspired to obstruct law enforcement as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
- 🎧 Minnesota officials suggest subpoenas don’t bother themsays NPR’s Sergio Martínez-Beltran. They say these actions constitute an intimidation tactic by the administration that is weaponizing the DOJ. Officials say they opposed the administration’s immigration crackdown because of what they view as illegal actions by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in their state. This includes ICE agents intimidating people who follow them to alert neighbors of their presence. Daily life in Minnesota continues to be affected, as dozens of doctors across the state say patients are avoiding medical care they may need because they fear ICE.
The U.S. Supreme Court today hears arguments regarding Trump’s efforts to break with 112 years of law in fire Lisa Cook. Cook is a member of the Federal Reserve Board, appointed by former President Joe Biden.
- 🎧 The president’s lawyers should tell the Supreme Court that he is not seeking a free pass to fire Cook.but fired her for cause, says NPR’s Nina Totenberg. The administration claims she committed mortgage fraud when she obtained loans on two different properties because she listed two homes as her primary residences, but at different times. Cook denies any wrongdoing. The Trump administration argues that the court cannot review a president’s decision to fire a Fed board member once it finds he has good cause. This reservation would essentially grant him unlimited power to purge the Fed and implement personal choices, Totenberg says.
Listening of the day
Boundaries, bodies and better sexuality in 2026
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Getty Images
What does sexual safety look like these days? This goes well beyond access to public health and medicines. It’s also about feeling comfortable with your partner. Having the tools you need to feel confident in your own sexual health is an essential part of finding pleasure. Dr. Leisha McKinley-Beach and Dr. Jasmine Abrams join It’s been a minute host Brittany Luse to provide listeners with the advice they need to live their best sex life and explore how to feel safer in bed.
Deep dive
High-voltage power lines are pictured on January 14, 2026 in Miami, Florida. President Trump has promised to cut energy bills in half within a year of his re-election. Gasoline prices have fallen about 20%, but electricity rates continue to rise.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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Joe Raedle/Getty Images
While Trump was on the campaign trail, he promised to cut Americans’ energy bills in half and lower gasoline and electricity prices. A year later, gasoline prices are down about 20%, but electricity prices are increasing. The Trump administration has also invested in nuclear power, which could help lower costs in the long term. Take a look at how he achieved his goals:
- ➡️ Presidents do not decide gas prices. The cost of crude oil is the most important factor. The global oversupply of oil largely depressed crude oil prices last year.
- ➡️ Electricity prices are rising for three main reasons: the aging power grid, the cost of natural disasters and rising fuel costs, says Charles Hua, who heads the national energy consumer education association Powerlines.
- ➡️ The administration ended federal tax credits for large solar and wind projects, which provide more competitive energy than natural gas, nuclear and coal projects.
3 things to know before you leave
A general view of the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC on January 10, 2026. Performers canceled performances at Washington’s premier performing arts center to protest its name change to include U.S. President Donald Trump.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
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MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
- Reaction from ticket buyers, expected performers and some board members — including Shonda Rhimes — was swift when Trump was named chairman of the Kennedy Center board nearly a year ago. Here is the list of people who canceled their performances on site.
- In this episode of NPR’s “Word of the Week” series, we trace the origins of the “tie,” a bulky scarf, to the battlefields of 17th-century Europe.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said Suzanna’s Kitchen is recalling approximately 13,720 pounds of ready-to-eat grilled chicken breast fillets that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. (via WGCU)
This newsletter was published by Suzanne Nuyen.
