Beltway Insider: Trump Announces Greenland Plans, Expansionism, Minnesota Verses ICE, Valentino

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Category: Haute This Issue

Published on Saturday, 24 January 2026 16:57

Written by Janet Walker

President Trump continued his boisterous efforts to verbally subdue any opposition as he amplifies his efforts to secure Greenland, an effort that began during his first term, as the nation is poised on a succession vote from governing Denmark.

The President's job approval rating, according to the American Research Group News featured in The New York Times for the period ending January 24, 2026, of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President increased by one percentage point to 35% and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as president increase three percentage point to 62%. A slight 3% of the population polled have no opinion. Ratings are calculated weekly.

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Trump Announces Plans for Greenland Acquisition

President Trump spoke this week in Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum on his determined effort to acquire Greenland, nothing only for

To understand President Trump's determined effort to acquire Greenland, a vast ice sheet, in the extreme northern region of North American, it is critical to return to Mr. Trump's first term, when the idea was first floated by him, and he asked his then National Security Advisor, John Bolten, to begin preliminary research.

The effort was tabled, followed by a series of events, the pandemic, and the 2020 election, which sidelined the president for four years. His effort were recently renewed. Hat is critical is that while Greenland is geographically connected to North America, it is politically connected to Europe, and more precisely connected to Denmark.

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Greenland Plans Succession Vote from Denmark

Greenlanders, have been vocal about their desire to succeed from Denmark, essentially the marriage is not a happy one, tolerable, yes, happy no. And like may who stay together for appearances, and financial reasons, Greenlanders have sidelined their efforts, in total, to secede. They currently receive subsidies from Denmark, and while not necessarily kept and quiet, the largest island in the world, and its 56,000 inhabitants are, kept, nonetheless.

"Immediately after Trump took office, he and his advisers began discussing how much money to offer Greenlanders, as well as planned agreements regarding mineral rights—which could far exceed the benefits residents currently receive from Denmark, according to people familiar with the matter. Those discussions have accelerated in recent weeks," The Wall Street Journal reported.

A key component across Trump's second term has been forcing submission and bending the will by withholding money, funding, or imposing large tariffs, cutting off the U.S. market to trading partners, and bankrupting economies, knowing the majority of nations will relent and agree to his strongarm negotiation tactics. Denmark, Greenland's current sovereign, is no different.

Greenland has not set a specific date for a secession vote from Denmark, though independence is a long-term goal supported by most major political parties. A draft constitution for an independent nation was unveiled in 2023, but political parties differ on the timeline, with recent discussions focusing on a gradual approach rather than an immediate referendum. 

The question isn't if Greenland will secede from Denmark, but when, and with internal opposition to the current arrangement, continuing to gain momentum, the possibility of Greenland seceding, and then be left without military protection in a strategically vulnerable area, could become another Ukraine.

"Greenland, along with the Faroe Islands, remains part of the Danish kingdom. However, Copenhagen fears that if voters give strong backing to the largest opposition party, Naleraq, a prominent pro-independence voice and supporter of US collaboration, Greenland could instead strengthen its ties with the US," The Guardian reported.

No matter the decision, the island nation will need to be part of a larger alliance.

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Expansionism Is Not New

Also critical to understand, is that the United States as a nation only grew through land purchases and a desire to expand. From the French, in 1803, the United States secured what became known as the Louisiana Purchase, which expanded the nation to Colorado, later in the Mexican-American War, of 1812, the U.S. secured the rights to Texas, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, essentially creating the lower 48 states. Alaska was purchased in 1867, from Russia, and not made a state until 1959.

Currently, Great Britain has 15 nations around the world creating the Commonwealth of Nations. Nations within this global alliances, at one time included Northern Ireland, which revolted in a long and bloody battle to secede from British rule.

And critical to this equation of World Nations involved in acquiring lands outside its realms, to guarantee security, protection, is Denmark's governing since 1953 of Greenland.

Essentially, the expansionist effort Trump is attempting is not uncommon among nations, his methodology, however, an arrogant bully on a world stage, is reminiscent of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and lacks the decorum of a civilized nation, and the leader of the free world. 

And likely, the main motivator behind the large chorus of world leaders attempting to deescalate and attempt diplomacy.

Strategic Territory

Acquiring Greenland remains a critical component of the Trump Administration long term plans. While the president may not see himself has eventually leaving the office, he is now entering his second year, and according to the U.S. constitution is barred from seeking an additional term. Also, the president's age, although he has shown no signs of diminished capacity, his age plays a factor in his accelerated efforts to solidify what he sees is his legacy.

"Trump claims Greenland is vital to U.S. national security and deterring China and Russia in the region. He has argued that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization would be stronger if Greenland is under U.S. control and has linked the Arctic island to his planned Golden Dome missile-defense system. Greenland also has untapped reserves of rare-earth minerals," The Wall Street Journal reported.

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ICE and Minnesotans Square Off

The Immigration and Customs Agents, on duty in Minneapolis, Minnesota, shot and killed Alex Pretti, 37, a registered ICU nurse, during what has been called a violet exchange to disarm the victim.

"The Department of Homeland Security said on social media that the officers were conducting an operation when they were approached by an armed Minneapolis resident. The man was shot after violently resisting efforts to disarm him, DHS added, but no evidence was provided to back up this account," NBC.com reported.

As the Department of Homeland Security, and Homeland Secretary Kristi Neom, are familiar with the playbook of exaggerating the facts to tarnish the victim's reputation to spin the situation in order to perpetrate a widespread fraud, and more to simply exhaust the news cycle, understanding the populations attention span is one news cycle from yesterday's news.

The DHS, who routinely turn the tables and with authority disparage and malign the reputation of victims, flip the scenario so that any criminal activity is the victim's fault, and then create the bigger lie, and label the victim with incendiary verbiage. This was never more evident than three week ago when Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirsti Noem called Renee Good's actions, attempting to deescalate and drive away from a man pointing a gun at her "domestic terrorism."

It is the second shooting of an American citizen in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in three weeks, is what has become determined protests to block and disrupt ICE agents from apprehending civilians and detain the innocent. After the murder of Renee Good, 37, in her vehicle by an unstable ICE Agent, the protests has escalated, and the pushback from ICE has increased to the level of harassment and targeting.

Preschooler, Liam Conejo Ramos, Detained and Held by DHS

DHS officers made headlines again this week, as the appended a five year old child, Liam Conejo Ramos, which was no doubt celebrated as a victory, along with his father, who allegedly was the target. Both father and son, who arrived in the U. S. in 2024, seeking asylum, through proper channels, were provided all documents.

"The family's attorney, Marc Prokosch, said Liam and his father entered the U.S. at a port of entry in Brownsville, Texas, in 2024 to seek asylum. The pair, originally from Ecuador, were still pursuing the asylum claim at the time of their detention, he said. "They did everything right when they came in," he told reporters Thursday. "They used the app, they made an appointment, they came to the border and presented themselves,"' The Wall Street Journal reported.  

The Department of Homeland Security said ICE was conducting an operation to arrest Liam's father, who the department said was in the country illegally, when the father fled and left Liam alone in a vehicle.

Accounts of this newest shooting are conflicting, and even if cell phone videos are widely circulated the facts will be spun by DHS, as the Agents are free from prosecution.

Alex Pretti's parents said, "He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset," said Michael Pretti, Alex's father. "He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests," APnews.com reported.

California Joins the World Health Organization

The State of California, with a population of 39.5 million, and an annual budget of $4.1 trillion, solidifying its position as the world's fourth-largest economy, overtaking Japan. California now trails only the United States, China, and Germany, making it the most powerful subnational economy on Earth. 

With an economy that routinely lands in the top five economies of the world and a growing population, the subnational state, has made the decision to rejoin the World Health Organization, WHO, which routinely tracks disease outbreaks, hotspots, and data from around the globe.

Governor Gavin Newsom, (D), who has been frequently mentioned as a potential 2028 democratic presidential candidate has this to say, "The Trump administration's withdrawal from WHO is a reckless decision that will hurt all Californians and Americans. California will not bear witness to the chaos this decision will bring. We will continue to foster partnerships across the globe and remain at the forefront of public health preparedness, including through our membership as the only state in WHO's Global Outbreak Alert & Response Network."

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Coronavirus Total

At the order of the President of the United States, the U.S. no longer recognizes the value of The World Health Organization. The CDC has recommended every person from age six months, including senior citizens should receive at least one shot of an updated COVID-19 vaccine, annually.  The death toll from Covid-19 has dramatically decreased, as has transmission of the virus. Even as confirmed new cases continue each week, fewer are dying from each new variants.

For the seven days ending January 24, 2026, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases reported by the World Health Organization increased by 9,437 to 779,060,919. The total worldwide death toll increased by 524 to 7,108,584 deaths. The United States has stopped providing Covid data to the World Health Organization. (Data updated January 4, 2026, from the World Health Organization).

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Fashion Designer Valentino Garavani Dies

Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, known only by his first name, and his signature red dress, died this week at his home in Rome. He was 93.

Having dressed many of the most notable and celebrated women since the 1960s, Valentino was an enigma, a lover of design, fashion, and beauty, and outside of the fashion and awards seasons, he was rarely photographed or capitalized on his own celebrity status.

As one who found inspiration from artistic expression in all its forms, he discovered early his passion for what would become his signature color: red.

"From the beginning, I decided red was my lucky color," Valentino told the Los Angeles Times in 1986. "I think it works in every kind of decor. It's a happy color that gives out lots of vibrations and is flattering to the face. A woman gives light to the house when she lives in red," The Washington Post reported.

During the 1960s, he caught the attention of the First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, who wore his fashions. He also dressed her after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The two became friends, and she became his muse and inspiration.

This would become a lasting friendship and one that would open doors to Hollywood, where he would eventually dress many well-known celebrities on their most recognized events.

His stunning collections, premiered during fashion weeks around the world, were always debuted by the fashion industries most sought after supermodels. As he would appear at the end, he was always immaculate in his appearance, well dressed, confident in himself and his designs. 

His signature pieces "appeared countless times at [the] Academy Awards and Met Galas, donned by Julia Roberts and Cate Blanchett as they accepted Oscars, and by Pedro Pascal, who wowed the Met Gala in Valentino red-and-black shorts," NBC.com reported.

The funeral of the iconic designer, who was laid to rest this week in a traditional Catholic ceremony, was attended by many fellow fashion designers and industry leaders, including Donatella Versace and Anna Wintour, also in attendance actress Anne Hathaway, who wore Valentino on her wedding day.

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For more information on President Donald Trump: Whitehouse.gov.

Sources: Various © Articles covered by Copyright protection.

Janet Walker is the publisher, founder, and sole owner of Haute-Lifestyle.com. A graduate of New York University, she has been covering international news through the Beltway Insider, a weekly review of the nation's top stories, for more than a decade.  A general beat writer/reporter and entertainment/film critic, she is also an accomplished news/investigative news/crime reporter and submitted for Pulitzer Prize consideration "Cops Conspire to Deep Six Sex Assaults" in the Breaking News Category and was persuaded to withdraw the submission. Ms. Walker has completed five award-winning screenplays "The Six Sides of Truth," "The Assassins of Fifth Avenue," "The Wednesday Killer," "The Manhattan Project," and the sci-fi thriller "Project 13: The Last Day." She has also published "Unholy Alliances: A True Crime Story," a non-fiction narrative, "Days, Times, Seasons, and Events: A Collection of Poetry & Prose," and "Songs of Freedom: A Collection of Biblical Teachings," which can be purchased here. She is a member of the Authors Guild, the Los Angeles Press Club, the National Writers Union, and a member of the International Federation of Journalists.