US allies scoff at Trump’s Board of Peace

🎤 Plus: Jack Smith publicly defends Trump charges

12:30 REPORT 12:30 REPORT Thursday, January 22 | By Cate Martel Today in DC: ☀️ 50°  View Online  |  Sign up It's Thursday! The forecast for this massive winter storm is looking gnarly. Fifty-five percent of the contiguous U.S. may feel its effects. Stock up on eggs, milk and bread (or more like hot chocolate, bagel bites and Cheetos for a good time). In today's issue: Trump launches peace board sans EU allies Greenland tensions de-escalate Jack Smith defends Trump charges 'Sinners' sets Oscar nomination record ✌️ IN SWITZERLAND Join my club. It only costs $1B to join! And I'm the chair: AP Photo/Evan Vucci President Trump unveiled a new international board for global peace and security and to promote stability. (That sounds an awful lot like the United Nations, doesn't it?) While Trump's "Board of Peace" initiative in Gaza has drawn parallels with the U.N., none of the U.S.'s major European allies is involved. Neither is Canada. In fact, several European leaders have voiced concerns this new board could attempt to replace the longstanding U.N. Security Council. More than 20 countries have signed on so far, and Trump named himself the chair. Which countries *did* agree to be a part of the Board of Peace?: The list includes Argentina, Belarus, Morocco, Vietnam, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, Hungary, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. The White House initially released a list that included Belgium, but Belgium's deputy prime minister quickly said otherwise. Trump also invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to join. What will this board do?: Its purpose is to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza. To join, countries must agree to pay $1 billion. The president's son-in-law Jared Kushner is on the "founding Executive Board" and so is Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 📸 Trump's new presidential cars in the motorcade Related read, via The New York Times: 'Trump's 'Board of Peace' Would Have Global Scope but One Man in Charge' The gist: "The initiative is the latest example of the president's dismantling the post-World War II international system and building a new one, with himself at the center." 💬 Follow today's live blog ➤ TIDBIT FROM DAVOS: At one point on Wednesday, the main venue for the World Economic Forum was evacuated by firefighters. 📹 Footage of the evacuation ➤ WHEN IS TRUMP GETTING HIS NEW PLANE?: The Wall Street Journal reports that the new Air Force One being donated by Qatar will be ready for Trump by this summer. It could be featured in the 250th anniversary celebrations in July. 'Framework of a future deal' is the new 'I have concepts of a plan': Trump says he has reached the "framework of a future deal" with NATO on Greenland, and he will no longer impose the tariffs he threatened on European countries. The de-escalation has allowed many leaders, both nationally and internationally, to breathe a sigh of relief. However, The Hill's Sudiksha Kochi and Mike Lillis spoke with lawmakers in both parties, some of whom are worried that the damage to NATO and the transatlantic alliance has already been done. What we know about this framework: "It's the ultimate long-term deal, and I think it puts everyone in a pretty good position, especially as it pertains to security and minerals and everything else," the president told reporters in Davos. Read more on what we know about the deal For what it's worth: Finland's president says "it's not over yet" with regards to Greenland. Related read, via The Wall Street Journal: 'Alarm Over Trump's Greenland Threat Gives Way to Uncertainty Around Future Deal' The gist: "There was little clarity about what would happen next after the president made an abrupt U-turn in his push to take control of the island." ➤ INTERESTING ANALYSIS: The New York Times's Ana Swanson published a new analysis of Trump's reversal on tariffs over Greenland. Excerpt: "The president may have walked away from a brewing trade war with Europe as quickly as he began it, but what he left in his wake was another destabilizing moment in global trade. And as those moments pile up, they are having their own effects — including increasing doubts about the value of cooperating with the president and undermining some of the trading system he and his advisers have been working to create. His approach has also pushed countries away from the United States, toward one another and, more important, toward China." Read: 'Trump Returns to a Familiar Role: Sowing Trade Chaos' 🪑 ON CAPITOL HILL  Hear from Jack Smith himself: Former special counsel Jack Smith is publicly testifying today on his decision to bring charges against Trump. It's going exactly how you would expect. Republicans on the committee have been combative and skeptical of Smith, while Democrats have been supportive and friendly toward him. Smith stood by his decision to investigate Trump over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his alleged mishandling of classified documents. "President Trump was charged because the evidence established that he willfully broke the law, the very laws he took an oath to uphold," Smith said. 📸 Smith swarmed by cameras 💻 Watch Smith's public testimony Will the government shut down at the end of January?: Trump thinks so. He predicted this morning the U.S. is likely headed to a shutdown, already dubbing it "another Democrat shutdown." "The [prior] shutdown cost us a lot, and I think they'll probably do it again. That's my feeling. We'll see what happens," Trump told host Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business's "Mornings with Maria." Where things stand: So far, six of the 12 government funding bills have been passed. The House passed two more. The Senate is out this week and will likely vote on them next week when senators return from recess. So far, Democrats don't appear to have much of an appetite for another shutdown. But funding for the Department of Homeland Security has been hotly debated because it includes funding for the Trump administration's immigration policies. 📰 OTHER NEWS ➤ QUICK HITS: — Prince Harry testified in a London court, telling the court that British tabloids made Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex's life "absolute misery." — The newest immigration crackdown is in Maine, and it's been named "Operation Catch of the Day." — Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) told CNN that he is seriously considering running for president in 2028. ➤ MORE READS: The New York Times: Investigations and a Billion-Dollar 'Shakedown': How Trump Targeted Higher Education The Washington Post: Can your health records be sold for profit? A lawsuit says it's happening. Op-ed in The New York Times: I've Covered Police Abuse for 20 Years. What ICE Is Doing Is Different. NewsNation: Will Trump's plan to limit institutional investors lower home prices? Puck News: Bari's Prison of Her Own Design COMING UP The House is in. The Senate is out. President Trump is flying back to Washington from Switzerland. (All times EST) 2:30 p.m. Industry CEOs testify on health care affordability. 💻 Video 3:45 p.m. Last House votes of the day. 📆 Today's agenda This evening: Trump returns to the White House. 🐝 INTERNET BUZZ 🍪 Celebrate: Today is National Blonde Brownie Day!   📽️  Well, I know what movie I'm watching when I'm snowed in: "Sinners" set an Oscars record with 16 nominations. 👋 AND FINALLY… Because I'm here for the drama, watch this cat fake an injury for attention.  Stay Engaged  📺 Miss yesterday's newsletter? Catch up with a 1-minute video. I love hearing from you — send your feedback, tips and favorite cookie recipes 🍪 to cmartel@thehill.com. Check out more newsletters here. See you next time! Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe |  View Online  | Sign Up for Other Newsletters 400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 © 1998 - 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.