Deadline: White House “Revisiting Greenland”
Jan 15, 2026
Marc Elias, a voting rights attorney and founder of Democracy Docket, discusses the implications of California's Prop 50 and its impact on the midterms. Tom Nichols analyzes Trump's authoritarian tactics and military distractions, while Cornell Belcher highlights grassroots mobilization efforts against these shifts. Josh Gerstein sheds light on the FBI's unusual raid on a journalist, raising concerns about press freedoms under the current administration. Together, they explore the intersections of legal battles, public sentiment, and political strategy.
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Greenland Threat Lacks Public Or Legal Basis
- Public opposition to military action in places like Greenland is overwhelming, even among Trump's base.
- Nicole and Tom emphasize the diplomatic reality that Greenland is part of Denmark, a long-standing U.S. ally, making invasion both unpopular and unnecessary.
Caricatured Damage To Institutions
- Cornell Belcher notes Trump has amplified destructive tendencies into caricature, harming institutions and international norms.
- He points to damaged agencies, cultural symbols, and erosion of the rules-based order as lasting harms.
Weak Popularity, Strong Party Grip
- Marc Elias says Trump is weaker in popularity but Republicans broadly remain aligned with him, limiting political consequences.
- He warns that electoral weakness doesn't prevent coordinated efforts to manipulate rules and voting access.