Podcast Summary: "Overnight: Agents Set to Leave Minneapolis and All It Took Was a Phone Call"

Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present, iHeartPodcasts
Date: January 27, 2026

Overview

In this fast-moving, reaction-filled episode, hosts Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes dive deep into the sudden and dramatic turn of events in Minneapolis following recent unrest and the death of Alex Preddy. The episode unpacks how, after weeks of escalating tensions and public outrage, a string of crucial phone calls between President Trump, Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry led to a major shift: the removal of Greg Bevino as lead on the ground, a promised scale-back of federal agents in the city, and a rare public alignment among contentious leaders. The conversation focuses on the impact of communication, credibility, and leadership in crises—and the price of waiting too long for dialogue.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Turning Point in Minneapolis (03:00)

• T.J. Holmes sets the stage: A change in "tone, strategy, and leadership" hits the city after weeks of unrest. The temperature is cooling, but not before more pain.
• Amy Robach contextualizes: “It’s sad that it took three public killings for this to happen, but yes, Alex Preddy’s killing has absolutely...all of that has built up to a point now where finally we are seeing...not reconciliation, but at least an acknowledgment of the other’s position.” (03:25)

2. Clashes and Arrests Continue Even Amid Change (03:50)

• Ugly scenes linger: Holmes notes at least a dozen (possibly 26, per Robach) protesters were arrested outside a hotel believed to house Greg Bevino. Protests escalated to property destruction and confrontations with police.
• Amy’s reaction: Suggests it would have “been nice” if protesters had stepped back once change was announced, recognizing the celebratory mood for many at Bevino’s departure, but notes the tensions on both sides.

3. Leadership Shakeup: Bevino Out, Homan In (05:26)

• Greg Bevino removed: Holmes confirms Bevino—the controversial face of the DHS response—is being replaced by Tom Homan, known as the “border czar.”
• Sustained role, but sidelined: Trump administration insists Bevino is not fired or demoted but simply being moved; he will continue to lead Customs and Border Patrol elsewhere.
• Loss of credibility: Both hosts dissect how Bevino and Kristi Noem’s misleading statements after the Alex Preddy shooting eroded public and journalistic trust.
  • “No matter what Bovino was going to say, and frankly, Kristi Noema's in this category right now, we're not going to believe as journalists what you tell us now because you've just proven that we cannot.” – Amy Robach (07:45)

4. The Power and Consequence of Narrative (07:27)

• Public trust broken: The hosts highlight how the false, quickly-issued statements from officials contributed to outrage: “It made it worse. Right. If you just say, hey, we’re gonna look at the investigation…they were lying to our faces.” – T.J. Holmes (07:27)
• Trump pivots: Public sentiment’s turn—even among his base—forces Trump to recalibrate. Taking social media access from Bevino signals Trump’s displeasure.

5. Tom Homan’s Reputation and Task (11:16)

• Bipartisan credentials: Robach emphasizes Homan’s extensive service across administrations—praised by both Obama and Trump—which might help in “a situation so much about Republicans vs. Democrats.”
  • “To have somebody who has been a unifier...is a step in the right direction.” (11:21)

6. The Game-Changing Phone Calls (12:31)

• From insults to alignment: For weeks, Trump, Waltz, and Fry refused to speak; yesterday, they finally did—and the tone changed overnight.
• Trump’s surprising statement: “I just had a very good telephone conversation with Mayor Jacob Fry of Minneapolis. Lots of progress is being made. Tom Holman will be meeting with him tomorrow...Thank you for your attention to this matter.” (14:01)
• Newfound civility: “The governor very respectfully understood and I will be speaking to him in the near future. He was happy with Tom Holman that he’s going to Minnesota, and so am I...Minnesota crime is way down but both Governor Waltz and I want to make it better.” – Sourced by Holmes, quoting Trump. (14:44)

7. Offers and Conditions from the Administration (15:08)

• Three demands for agent withdrawal: Robach and Holmes detail the White House's public offer to state leaders—hand over all undocumented prisoners, assist in their apprehension, and let federal authorities handle detentions in exchange for scaling back the federal presence.
• Skepticism over demands: Holmes worries these “conditions” still maintain a degree of federal leverage: “She once again doubled and tripled down on a narrative...three conditions...Do this and it’s all good.” (15:56)

8. The Fundamental Lesson: Talk to Each Other (17:16)

• Frustration over delay: Robach compares the lack of communication to family drama: “If there is a problem or a conflict. How is it going to get solved if you’re back in the bedroom and homeboy is downstairs in the basement? You have to talk.” (17:16)
• Holmes sums up: “Just one phone call, and all of a sudden things are okay. Why didn’t we do that from the beginning?”

9. What Leaders Actually Said: Reaction Roundup (21:05)

• Trump’s tone shift: Discussed as finally “acting as the peacemaker.”
• Mayor Jacob Fry on X: Shares that agents will begin withdrawing and the President agreed the situation “can’t continue.”
  • Fry: “I spoke with President Trump today and appreciated the conversation...Operation Metro surge needs to end. The President agreed the present situation can’t continue. Some federal agents will begin leaving the area tomorrow and I will continue pushing for the rest involved in this operation to go.” (22:55)
• Governor Waltz statement: Reports a productive call, insists on impartial investigations and reduced federal presence. Trump agrees to both.
  • Waltz: “I told him we need impartial investigations of the Minneapolis shootings involving federal agents and that we need to reduce the number of federal agents in Minnesota. The President agreed to look into reducing the number...and to...ensure the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension...can do its own investigation.” (24:55)
• Shift in prognosis: Both hosts consider this a significant, positive move—“ginormous” given the prior gridlock and violence—even though it comes too late for victims.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We went from ‘get the fuck out of Minneapolis’ to ‘I just had a good phone call.’ That’s—why didn’t you have the good phone call at the beginning?” — T.J. Holmes (03:50)
• “No matter what Bovino was going to say...we’re not going to believe as journalists what you tell us now because you’ve just proven that we cannot.” — Amy Robach (07:45)
• “If there is a problem or a conflict. How is it going to get solved if you’re back in the bedroom and homeboy is downstairs in the basement? You have to talk.” — T.J. Holmes (17:16)
• “Just one phone call, and all of a sudden things are okay. Why didn’t we do that from the beginning?” — T.J. Holmes (17:16)
• “We are going to see...today agents will start leaving Minneapolis. That is a big headline. That’s a big deal. And it can go a long, long way...to changing these scenes we’ve seen on the streets. There was a less chance starting today of somebody getting killed again.” — T.J. Holmes (23:23)
• “It’s so sad that it took Alex Preddy’s death for us to get here...it was found and it was there all along. After a third man had to die. It’s tough.” — Amy Robach (23:47)

Highlights by Timestamp

• 03:00 – News of leadership change and impending federal drawdown.
• 03:50–05:50 – Details and debate about protests and arrests.
• 06:41–09:59 – Explaining Bevino’s removal and Trump’s shifting strategy.
• 11:16–12:28 – Introduction and reputation of Tom Homan.
• 13:03–14:44 – How one phone call reversed weeks of hostility—direct quotes from leaders.
• 15:08–16:57 – The White House’s conditions for agent withdrawal; host skepticism.
• 17:16–17:51 – Raw frustration over delayed communication.
• 21:05–25:45 – Leaders’ statements confirm agents will start leaving, and a new tone emerges.

Conclusion

The episode provides a fast-paced, at times exasperated inside look at the cost of communication breakdown at the highest levels—and the relief, however bittersweet, when dialogue finally breaks the stalemate. Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes blend outrage, empathy, and cautious hope as they document a watershed moment for Minneapolis. Their fundamental lesson is unequivocal: talking solves more than posturing ever will, even if the reckoning arrives too late for some.