Podcast Summary: The Morning Meeting

Episode: Does New Video Show Alex Pretti Behaving Violently Toward ICE and CBP? Will It Change the Debate?
Date: January 29, 2026
Host: Mark Levin (for 2WAY)
Co-hosts: Larry O’Connor, Kevin Walling

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Morning Meeting" circles around the contentious events in Minneapolis after the release of new video evidence related to Alex Pretti's actions against ICE and CBP officers. The conversation weaves together the reactions and policy responses to recent protests, the handling of the Pretti shooting, shifting media narratives, ongoing immigration and appropriations battles in Congress, and the political implications for key figures such as Kristi Noem, Tom Homan, and Gavin Newsom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tom Homan's Press Conference and Minneapolis Developments

• Summary:
  Tom Homan, administration figure overseeing aspects of federal immigration enforcement, held a 50-minute press conference aiming to de-escalate tensions after a fatal ICE-involved shooting. Homan called for a reduction in hostile rhetoric, praised local leaders, and announced a policy shift allowing jails to cooperate with ICE, referencing Attorney General Keith Ellison's support.
• Discussion:
  • The panel agreed Homan's tone was measured and humanizing, aligning the administration’s need to "bring order to chaos."
  • Quote (Kevin Walling, 11:55): "It was measured. I think it was the right tone. He talked about being prayerful, which is classic Homan."
  • The announcement about jails now being able to hand over criminals to ICE was seen as a significant—and newsworthy—policy update.
• Timestamps:
  • Homan’s press excerpt: [10:03–11:27]
  • Discussion of policy impact: [13:29–14:48]

2. Release and Analysis of New Alex Pretti Video

• Summary:
  A new video angle appears to confirm Pretti approached a federal vehicle, spit, and kicked, supporting the narrative of aggressive confrontation.
• Media and Political Response:
  • The right frames Pretti as hostile; the left downplays the video’s significance (“doesn’t justify being killed”).
  • The clip undermines initial media portrayals of Pretti as passive, igniting debate over shifting narratives in similar cases.
• Quotes:
  • (Mark Levin, 17:27): "What's the probative value of this video?"
  • (Larry O’Connor, 17:30): "It undermines what we consistently keep getting told about this... If ICE is so bad, why do you have to lie and misrepresent the case to tell me how bad they are?"
• Timestamps:
  • Video & discussion: [15:57–21:25]

3. Congressional & Policy Fallout: Shutdown Negotiations

• Summary:
  With Congress facing a possible weekend shutdown, the Senate moves towards a deal that may require the House to revote. Immigration-related policy riders are sticking points—such as whether ICE agents can wear masks and the standard for warrants.
• Insight:
  • Co-hosts believe a deal is likely, but Democrats may have to make significant compromises.
  • (Larry O’Connor, 23:26): "I think it's more likely...they're going to split DHS out...pass everything but DHS."
  • (Kevin Walling, 24:08): "The biggest stumbling block is the warrants, even more so than the masks."
• Timestamps:
  • Discussion of negotiations: [21:24–24:13]

4. Cabinet Dynamics & Kristi Noem’s Future

• Summary:
  Anticipation surrounds whether embattled Cabinet Secretary Kristi Noem will receive praise or face removal; POLYMARKET puts her chances of being out by March 31 at 27%.
• Panel Split:
  • Larry O’Connor and Kevin Walling foresee her departure; Mark Levin remains skeptical and notes Melania Trump’s support for Noem.
  • (Larry O’Connor, 25:43): "Ultimately, I do (think she’s out), but not until June 30."
• Timestamps:
  • POLYMARKET discussion & bets: [25:41–27:09]

5. Foreign Affairs: Iran, Ukraine, and Russia

• Summary:
  The hosts weigh the likelihood of Trump administration military action against Iran, with recent overtures (and rumors of a pending deal) increasing speculation.
  • Differing views: Mark guesses peace, co-hosts predict possible escalation.
• On Ukraine-Russia:
  • Tentative optimism for diplomatic progress, but skepticism remains about Putin’s intentions.
  • (Kevin Walling, 32:21): "I'm always bearish with Putin. He's never gonna agree."
• Timestamps:
  • Iran segment: [29:58–31:47]
  • Ukraine discussion: [31:47–33:39]

6. Political Landscape: Minnesota, California, and 2028

• MN Protests & ICE:
  • New guidance: officers told not to interact with agitators [34:50; see 107].
  • Polls show rising negative perception of ICE.
• California Governor Race:
  • Rising dissatisfaction among Democrats, weak candidate field, and possibility for a pragmatic outsider (Mahan, San Jose mayor).
  • (Kevin Walling, 40:06): "This...represents a lot of dissatisfaction among Democrats with Katie Porter and Eric Swalwell."
• 2028 Democratic Primary:
  • Newsom and Shapiro seen as current frontrunners, but both face criticism and weak public performances.
  • Newsom ridiculed for inauthenticity by "bro podcasters" Shane Gillis, Andrew Schultz, and Joe Rogan. [41:41–43:40]
  • (Larry O’Connor, 43:30): "He's such an easy person to make a caricature of...these guys would rather have Gavin Newsom be a foil."
• Timestamps:
  • Minnesota ICE poll: [34:50]
  • California governor race & poll: [39:23–41:02]
  • Newsom bro podcast clips: [41:41–43:40]

7. Media Narratives and Book Tours

• Josh Shapiro’s Book Tour:
  • Criticized as a non-event, failing to control or break through the news cycle.
  • (Mark Levin, 45:20): "I think that Shapiro book tour is a failure, and I’m getting criticism for saying it, but I just think it’s not breaking through."
• Timestamps:
  • Shapiro segment: [45:20–48:13]

8. Community Questions & Protest Dynamics

• Momentum & Decline of Protests:
  • Listeners ask whether the current protest movement around ICE and CBP will fade, with comparisons to previous cycles (Occupy Wall Street, BLM, Tea Party, etc.).
  • (Kevin Walling, 53:00): "It's indicative of a larger, you know, conversation about our society where people need to feel like they belong to something."
  • Larry O’Connor warns future movements could become more organized and potentially more violent.
• Timestamps:
  • Protest momentum: [51:28–55:37]

9. MAGA and Trump’s Base

• Will De-escalation Alienate the Base?
  • Panel largely dismisses claims that de-escalation in Minneapolis could cost Trump MAGA support, unless core policies are abandoned.
• Timestamps:
  • MAGA question: [56:39–57:46]

10. US-Canada-China Trade Tensions

• Listener Question:
  • Why does Trump pressure Canada over even minor moves towards China, given US’s own shifting stance?
  • Panel argues Canada's decision was portrayed (by leaks or messaging) as a rebuke to Trump, which made the difference.
• Timestamps:
  • US-Canada-China: [59:08–61:22]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On shifting perceptions of ICE:
  (Larry O’Connor, 14:48): "It does undermine the sanctuary policies that have been at the root of a lot of the problems in the state. And that's a big, big win for the administration."

• On media narratives:
  (Larry O’Connor, 17:30): "My instinct is, listen, if ICE is so bad and so awful, why do you have to lie and misrepresent the case to tell me how bad they are?"

• On protest culture:
  (Kevin Walling, 53:00): "People want some semblance of belonging and I think that's what's going to drive it."

• On Gavin Newsom’s authenticity problem:
  (Larry O’Connor, 43:30): "He's such an easy person to make a caricature of and to mock and...I'd rather have Gavin Newsom be a foil that they can make fun of."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Tom Homan’s press conference & panel reaction: [09:26–14:48]
• The Alex Pretti video & media narratives: [15:57–21:25]
• Congressional negotiations & shutdown: [21:24–24:13]
• Kristi Noem's job security / POLYMARKET: [25:41–27:09]
• Foreign policy – Iran & Ukraine: [29:58–33:39]
• Political landscape – California & Minnesota: [39:23–41:02]
• Gavin Newsom and podcaster mockery: [41:41–43:40]
• Josh Shapiro’s book tour: [45:20–48:13]
• Listener questions – protest dynamics & MAGA: [51:28–57:46]
• US-Canada-China relations: [59:08–61:22]

Tone and Style Notes

• The episode maintains a lively, insider, and analytical tone, with a mix of dry humor, political skepticism, and candid assessments from all panelists.
• Mark Levin steers conversation deftly, often poking fun at media practices, politicians’ foibles, and even his own wardrobe, while keeping the focus on the political and media realities shaping both the newsroom and national debates.

For Listeners

This episode offers a detailed, nuanced, and at times irreverent look behind the scenes of America’s unfolding political dramas—addressing both immediate controversies like the Pretti video, and broader implications for immigration, cabinet dynamics, upcoming elections, and the state of protest movements nationwide. Whether or not the Pretti video alters the wider debate, the panel makes clear: narratives matter, media cycles are fleeting, and the politics of immigration remain tangled and volatile.