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Troops on Standby for Minnesota; DOJ Investigating Church Service Disruption; Buffalo Fires Head Coach. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired January 19, 2026 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[09:30:14]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Right now, 1,500 active-duty soldiers are on standby, ready to be deployed to Minnesota. if President Trump decides to invoke the Insurrection Act and take the extraordinary step of sending U.S. troops onto American streets. At the very same time, Minnesota's governor, Tim Walz, has mobilized the state's National Guard to stand ready to assist the Minnesota State Patrol in response, really, to the federal government's continued aggressive immigration crackdown in the state.

CNN's Kevin Liptak is at the White House.

Kevin, what is the latest thinking that you're picking up from sources about whether the president will make good on his threat to send in the military?

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, I think the point that officials are making is that the president has not decided to do this just yet, that putting these troops at the ready in Alaska is essentially a preparatory step in case the president decides to do what he has threatened to do, which is to send in troops if Minnesota officials aren't able to tamp down on these protests. You know, he's been thinking about it. It was a point of discussion at the White House behind the scenes last week, including with the Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

You know, the president would rely on that 1807 law, the Insurrection Act, that allows him to deploy U.S. troops on American soil if he deems a rebellion is underway. The president did seem to back off those threats somewhat on Friday, saying that he doesn't think it's needed right now. But certainly it would be an extraordinary step. These are two infantry battalions with the 11th Airborne Division. They're based in Alaska. They're used to operating in cold conditions.

You know, a president hasn't taken this step in decades. The last time was in the '90s during the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles. You have to go back a lot further to find a president who invoked the insurrection act over the objections of state officials. That would be back in the civil rights era. And certainly Minnesota officials have made very explicit that they don't see a need for federal presence on the ground there in Minneapolis. Listen to what the mayor of Minneapolis said over the weekend.

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MAYOR JACOB FREY (D), MINNEAPOLIS: The best way to get safety is not to have an influx of even more agents, and in this case military, in Minneapolis. Right now we have about 600 police officers, and they've got 3,000 or so ICE agents and border control, that they are now talking about deploying 1,500 military. This is -- well, it's ridiculous, but we will not be intimidated by the actions of this federal government.

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LIPTAK: Now, the president has threatened to use the Insurrection Act many times over the course of his two presidencies, including back in 2020 during the protests following George Floyd's killing, also in Minneapolis. He was essentially talked out of it by -- at the time by his attorney general, his defense secretary. Of course, this time around, the president has installed much more compliant officials in those roles, and it doesn't appear as if anyone's doing much talking out of to the president during this particular term.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: It's great to see you, Kevin. Thank you for your reporting. Thanks for being there.

John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: This morning, the attorney general, Pam Bondi, is vowing that protesters at a Minnesota church will face the full force of federal law. It comes after demonstrators interrupted services at the church where an ICE official served as a pastor. Protesters could be heard chanting "justice for Renee Good" and "ICE out!" The attorney general is now calling it the intimidation of Christians.

With us now is CNN's senior legal analyst, former assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Elie Honig.

Councilor, good to see you this morning.

So, what is the law surrounding a demonstration like this? And how could the federal government prosecute?

ELIE HONIG, CNN SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST: Well, John, it is a federal crime to intentionally deprive another person of one of their constitutional rights. In fact, that's actually the law that's sometimes used to prosecute police officers who use excessive force. The argument is they deprive people of their Fourth Amendment right, to be free of unreasonable search and seizure.

So, the argument here, theoretically, would be if people intentionally deprived others of their First Amendment right to free exercise of religion. I should say also, there is no First Amendment defense for the people who went into this church. You do not have a First Amendment right to demonstrate in a private building, at a private business, in a private home or a private church like this one.

But I think countervailing that, John, prosecutors would have to consider the soft factors, the discretionary factors. And I think they'd have to consider that this was a fairly limited interruption in terms of time. And second of all, there was no physical violence. Nobody was injured.

But technically, is there a basis to investigate this under the civil rights law? Yes, there is.

[09:35:04]

BERMAN: I mean, based on what we've seen with federal prosecutors and Minneapolis and the direction from Washington, how surprising would it be to see a prosecution here?

HONIG: Well, it does seem overall, John, that prosecutors at DOJ are much more focused on investigating things around the actual shooting death of Renee Good and focusing on people and players who displease them. So, yes, it would be consistent, I think, with the focus of the Renee Good investigation, on Renee Good and her widow, on the mayor, on the governor. But if you take it out of the political sense, there is some validity to potentially investigating this particular crime.

But, yes, I think it's hard to square that with DOJ's explicit insistence that they won't even investigate the lethal shooting of Renee Good.

BERMAN: Yes, now, on that point, "The Washington Post" has some interesting reporting this morning, which says that initially, at the very, very beginning, the FBI did open a probe on the Minneapolis shooting. They said, "in the immediate aftermath," "The Post" says, "of the death of Renee Good in Minneapolis, FBI agents launched a civil rights investigation into the actions of the immigration officer who shot her." That's "according to three people familiar with the investigation." Again, that in "The Washington Post" this morning.

So, we have the deputy attorney general and others out there saying there's no investigation because we don't see the need for one today. But what does it say if "The Post" has this right, that at the very, very beginning, when it first happened, the FBI said, hey, you know what, this is something that we're at least going to look into?

HONIG: Of course the FBI did that because that's what you would ordinarily do in this scenario. And I think this new reporting is so telling because the nonpolitical, what we would call line level FBI agents, career professional FBI agents, looked at this and determined, of course we need to at least investigate. Let's not pass judgment on crime or no crime, but let's get all the facts first.

And I think that really undermines Todd Blanche's talking point of, nothing to see here. No need to even ask questions. No need to even get all the answers. So, I think that's a really important piece of importing -- of reporting. And I find it not at all surprising that the types of FBI agents that I used to work with, the types of prosecutors that I used to be, would look at this and say, well, at a minimum, we have to investigate. But apparently the bosses feel otherwise, John.

BERMAN: I mean because what is the standard for launching an investigation? I mean how high is it to just say, hey, this is something we're looking into.

HONIG: Yes. The bar to launch an investigation is extremely low. You can't just launch an investigation because you feel like it, or for political or personal reasons. But what you need is some basis to believe that a crime might have been committed. Some nugget of information, some fact that indicates you might have a crime. So, it's a very low bar. It's not as if you have to satisfy, let's say, the probable cause standard. That's what you'd have to show later in order to indict a case. But the threshold to open an investigation is far, far lower than that. And that's exactly why it comes as no surprise to me that the FBI actually did open an investigation on this, as brief and as truncated as it might have proven.

BERMAN: Counselor Elie Honig, always great to speak with you. Thank you very much.

HONIG: Thanks, John.

BERMAN: All right, a fire engulfs a shopping mall. Six people are dead, dozens missing. We're going to give you the latest on the investigation there.

A one of a kind Ferrari goes up for auction. How many tens and tens of millions of dollars you would have needed to buy it.

And live pictures from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington on this Martin Luther King Day. We remember and honor the life and legacy of the civil rights leader.

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[09:43:28]

BERMAN: All right, new this morning, President Trump has urged Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow of Louisiana to jump into the Senate race there. The issue, there is a sitting Republican senator running for re-election, Senator Bill Cassidy. The president says Letlow will have his, quote, "complete and total endorsement if she were to run."

With us now, CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten is here.

This is a big deal. Why is it a big deal if the president says he's going to endorse someone in a Republican primary?

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: It's a huge deal because President Trump is the kingmaker in Republican primaries. That's why it's such a big deal. Take a look here. Times Trump endorses won GOP primaries. This is in

congressional and gubernatorial. In 2020 it was 98 percent. In 2022 it was 95 percent. In 2024 it was 96 percent. President Trump has the magic touch when it comes to endorsing in Republican primaries. And when he doesn't endorse you, you go, to quote the great movie "Good Burger," into the grinder.

BERMAN: So, Cassidy was one of the Republican senators who voted to convict President Trump in his second impeachment trial. How have those Republican senators done?

ENTEN: When you voted to convict President Trump in that second impeachment trial, how did you do for re-election? Not so hot to trot. Because let's take a look here. OK, Gop senators who voted to convict Trump won their next election. Just one out of five. That one is Lisa Murkowski in the great state of Alaska, which, of course, has that top four primary situation going on there.

[09:45:02]

So, very, very different than the traditional primary structure that is throughout the rest of the United States.

The bottom line is this, the vast majority of Republicans who voted to convict Trump, who had a re-election, either lost or -- actually, they didn't even run. They retired. They resigned in the case of Ben Sasse. Or there are two up for re-election this year, Bill Cassidy and Susan Collins up in Maine.

But the bottom line is this, if you voted to convict Trump, so far your chances of winning re-election have been quite, quite small. And Bill Cassidy, of course, just got a major impediment to his road to re-election if Letlow decides.

BERMAN: And this really largely has to do with how much Republicans still support Donald Trump.

ENTEN: Yes, I mean, look, Donald Trump was popular in 2016. He was really popular in 2018. Really popular in 2020. Popular in 2022. Popular in 2024. And now we come to 2026.

BERMAN: Among Republicans.

ENTEN: Among Republicans. Exactly right. And he is still quite popular amongst Republicans at this point. Look, overall, in July it was 89 percent. That was six months ago. Today it's basically the same at 88 percent.

How about strongly approve. Those who don't just like Donald Trump but love him, love him, love him. In July it was 61 percent. It's the same 61 percent now. And that is why the GOP voters, when Donald Trump says something, they say, how quickly can we get to Donald Trump's position?

BERMAN: And if you want to see the impact that this had, just this one statement from President Trump over the weekend, what did it do in the betting markets to Bill Cassidy's chances of being elected?

ENTEN: Yes, you look at the prediction markets. Take a look here. Chance to be the 2026 GOP nominee for the Louisiana Senate race. Bill Cassidy at just an 18 percent chance at this point. And this lines up very much with what we've seen, historically speaking. That is when Donald Trump goes against you in a Republican primary, your chances fall through the floor.

BERMAN: All right, that number says everything.

Harry Enten, thank you very much.

We've got a lot of news, including some breaking sports news you're going to want to stick around for.

ENTEN: I think I might.

BERMAN: We'll be right back.

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[09:51:34]

BOLDUAN: So a huge fire at a mall in Pakistan has killed at least six people, including a firefighter. Dozens of people are still reportedly missing. And rescue crews are searching through the rubble. The four- story building housed about 1,200 shops we're told. The fire broke out late Saturday in the southern port -- in the southern city of Karachi. It took fire crews, though, nearly 24 hours to extinguish the flames. Very clearly the cause under investigation now.

Also happening today, Prince Harry is back in a London courtroom and this time he's brought back-up. The duke of Sussex, along with stars like Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, are taking on the publisher of "The Daily Mail" in a high-stakes trial. They are all alleging a criminal campaign of illegal spying that they say included planting listening devices, even stealing medical records. The newspaper group has denied all allegations, calling the suit preposterous. Prince Harry is expected to take to the witness stand himself this week.

And it is one of the most sought after cars in the world, and it just sold at auction for $38.5 million. Here is the moment.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Last call, $35,500,000. And it is, sold! $35 billion.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh! Wow!

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BOLDUAN: He says 35. I was going to say, it's still 38.5. A car in for -- the car is a Ferrari 250 GTO. Clearly, I don't have one. I don't even know how to pronounce it. One of only 36 ever made between 1962 and '64. The only one finished in factory white. The buyer, now new owner, is David Lee, a well-known Ferrari collector. This Ferrari, while eye-poppingly expensive, is not the most expensive ever sold. A few years back, another Ferrari went for more than $50 million.

John.

BERMAN: Like a coffee maker or a good sound system or something, that kind of money.

BOLDUAN: Something.

BERMAN: All right, breaking news out of the NFL. Huge tremors. We felt them just moments ago. A big coach gets fired.

Let's get right to CNN's Coy Wire.

This is a big one, Coy.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: It is. And partly going to blame your Patriots there in the AFC East, John. Good to see you.

This has been a wild NFL season. Ten head coaches have been fired. The latest, the Bills' Sean McDermott according to multiple reports. He led Buffalo to become the second winningest team in the NFL during his nine years there, but they were just eight and eight in the playoffs. No Super Bowl appearances. They last lost, of course, to the Broncos in the divisional round. McDermott, a great leader, will be highly sought after, as will that new head coaching position in Buffalo.

Now, more wild playoff action last night. Chicago's been the comeback kids all season. Down 17 to 10 to the Rams with just seconds to go. Fourth down, they have to go for it. So, Caleb Williams retreats, heaves it off his back foot, 45 yards to Cole Kmet for the touchdown, sending it to snow-vertime. It was two degrees feels-like temps there. But Williams would throw an interception in overtime, and the Rams would kick the game-winning field goal, 20 to 17. Three turnovers for Chicago, none for L.A. They'll play at Seattle next for the NFC championship.

Now, Berman's Patriots. Coach Mike Vrabel'marcuss Patriots facing the Texans. They did it on defense. Five turnovers, four interceptions, including Marcus Jones for a touchdown.

[09:55:05]

And on offense, you have to see that catch from Kayshon Boutte, the one-handed game-sealing grab. And 28 to 16 is the final. Drake Maye threw three touchdowns. They will go to Denver to face the Broncos in the AFC title game.

Now tonight college football national championship. Miami Hurricanes playing for their first national title in 24 years. Playing on their home field. Head coach Mario Cristobal played for the Canes. They've shocked the world. They were 100 to one underdogs before playoff selection. They will face the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers. The Heisman trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza, their coach, Curt Cignetti, says he has seen the media sensationalize how closely knit they are. They're hugging at practice. But he is tired of that narrative. He says it's about to be on.

Listen to this.

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CURT CIGNETTI, INDIANA UNIVERSITY BLOOMINGTON COACH: I think it's time to sharpen the saw now. Throw those warm fuzzies over -- out the door. That's sentimentalism. You know, it's time to go play a game against a great opponent. We got to have a sharp edge going into this game. And, you know, you don't go to war with warm milk and cookies.

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WIRE: No warm milk and cookies for you, Berman. Ticket prices are mind-blowing. Current get in price for the worst seat hovering around $4,000. That's more than a Taylor Swift concert.

BOLDUAN: No warm and fuzzies here.

BERMAN: I think maybe you should go to war with milk and cookies. I just don't think anyone's ever tried it.

Coy Wire, great to see you. Thank you very much.

BOLDUAN: Thanks for joining us. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL. "SIT ROOM" is up next.

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