Quick Hits — Jan. 23, 2026: Minneapolis Protests, Iran Deportations, EU Summit on Greenland

Today's quick briefing of key headlines.

Extraordinary Scene in Minnesota: Thousands of protesters shut down parts of Minneapolis and St. Paul on Friday, prompting hundreds of businesses to close and many workers and students to stay home. Demonstrators called for an end to a broad immigration enforcement operation that has stirred deep concern across the Twin Cities.

Planned Deportations to Iran: The administration plans to deport at least 40 Iranian nationals as soon as Sunday, according to three people familiar with the matter — the first known removals to Iran since President Trump publicly warned Iranian leaders over their treatment of demonstrators. U.S. officials have described the flight as part of routine immigration enforcement; advocates have raised humanitarian and safety concerns.

Emergency EU Summit and Greenland Package: European leaders held an emergency summit to address growing trans-Atlantic tensions and recent U.S. comments about Greenland. After the meeting, they announced plans to propose an investment package for Greenland and to allocate part of an increase in security spending to strengthen Arctic defenses and cooperation.

Zelensky's Rebuke of Europe: President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine used a high-profile speech to criticize European governments for what he described as insufficient action to halt Russian aggression and for a muted response to recent U.S. rhetoric about Greenland.

TOPSHOT - An officer of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office sprays protesters and activists with irritant gas outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building after some attempted to block the main road leading to the building during the "ICE out of Minnesota: Day of Truth and Freedom" protest in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 23, 2026. The Pentagon has ordered 1,500 US soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to a state roiled by unrest over an immigration crackdown, US media reported on January 18. The reported preparations come days after President Donald Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, which enables use of the military to suppress "armed rebellion" or "domestic violence" -- although a day later he said there was no immediate need for it. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images)(Roberto Schmidt / AFP via Getty Images)

Carney Disinvited From 'Board of Peace': President Trump rescinded an invitation for Mark Carney — a Canadian economist and former governor of the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada — to join his so-called "Board of Peace," an initiative Mr. Trump had promoted to oversee a proposed Israel-Hamas peace framework and which he has sought to expand into a broader international body.

Judge Declines Complaint Against Don Lemon: A federal magistrate judge in Minnesota refused to approve a criminal complaint against former CNN anchor Don Lemon related to a protest at a church in St. Paul, according to people familiar with the matter.

War Powers Vote Narrowly Defeated: The House on Thursday narrowly defeated a resolution that would have barred President Trump from undertaking further military action in Venezuela without congressional approval. The measure failed on an unusual 215–215 tie, with two Republicans joining Democrats in support.

The Future of TikTok: President Trump and TikTok announced the formation of a joint venture intended to keep the video-sharing app operating in the United States under new American ownership and management. Details about ownership stakes and regulatory approvals were not immediately disclosed.

Trump's Unusual Remark: On Thursday night, Mr. Trump was heard to say, "Peace is so destructive for everyone." Given recent practice, the White House is likely to treat the comment as intentional rather than a slip.

Have a safe weekend.