Podcast Summary: Apple News Today

Episode: Another shooting sparks anger as ICE protests grow

Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Shumita Basu

Episode Overview

In this episode, Shumita Basu covers the aftermath of another ICE-related shooting, protests erupting across major U.S. cities, and escalating public scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement. The episode then shifts to an examination of ongoing U.S. involvement in Venezuela and the influence of key Trump administration figures in shaping foreign policy. Additional segments highlight changes in executive security after prominent killings, new developments in Congress, a NASA mission cut short over medical concerns, and a preview of the NFL playoffs.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. ICE-Related Shooting in Portland and National Fallout

[00:05–05:22]

• Incident Summary: Federal agents fired on a man and woman in Portland, both injured and hospitalized ([00:55]). Authorities claim the victims had gang links and tried to use their vehicle as a weapon ([01:02]).

• Uncertainty & Tension: Local officials and police acknowledge a fraught situation, emphasizing that details are still emerging ([01:08–01:17]).

• Political & Community Response:

  • Oregon Governor Tina Kotek criticized the ICE presence:
    “When a president endorses tearing families apart and attempts to govern through fear and hate… you foster an environment of lawlessness and recklessness.” – Tina Kotek ([01:39])
  • The shooting follows the recent death of Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen shot by ICE agents in Minneapolis, sparking nationwide protests ([02:08]).
  • Conflicting reports and political disputes surround the Minnesota case. Federal officials claim Good attempted to use her car as a weapon; local leaders vehemently disagree ([02:26–03:01]).
    • Minnesota Governor Tim Walz:
      “It feels very, very difficult that we will get a fair outcome… people in positions of power have already passed judgment… and told you things that are verifiably false.” ([03:01])

• Public Protest & Safety:

  • Minneapolis public schools closed amid safety concerns as students joined demonstrations ([04:14]).
  • Protests erupted in New York, Chicago, and Portland, with chants of "Say her name. Renee Good." ([04:26])
  • National Guard deployed in Minnesota as a precaution, but Governor Walz commended the peaceful nature of protests ([04:38]).

• Escalating Trend: According to the New York Times, Good’s killing is the ninth ICE-involved shooting since September, all related to vehicle encounters ([05:01]).

  • Deadly Force Policy: Homeland Security justifies lethal force only if there’s “a reasonable belief that the subject... poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury.” ([05:07])

2. U.S. Foreign Policy: Venezuela and the Trump Administration

[05:22–09:11]

• Maduro's Capture: U.S. forces have taken Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro into custody. President Trump anticipates a prolonged U.S. presence in Venezuela ([05:25]).

  • Trump told the New York Times: “The US will run Venezuela for a long time, possibly years.” ([05:29])

• Congressional Dynamics: Some Senate Republicans have joined Democrats in passing a war powers resolution, aiming to limit Trump’s military actions without explicit congressional approval ([05:43]).

  • Despite this, Trump is expected to veto, and Congress’s actual power over events remains minimal ([05:56–06:08]).

• Key Policy Influencers:

  • Stephen Miller’s Influence: Shumita introduces the growing role of Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, described as “the president’s id,” in Venezuela strategy ([06:22]).
  • “We live in a world… governed by strength, by force, by power. These are the iron laws… By definition, we are in charge because we have the United States military stationed outside the country. We set the terms and conditions.” – Stephen Miller to CNN ([06:46–07:35])

• Immigration and Worldview Link:

  • New Yorker’s Jonathan Blitzer explains Miller views immigrants from Venezuela as criminals, which has colored his foreign policy stance ([07:54–08:36]).
    • “If you subscribe to this worldview that Maduro was behind this influx of immigrants… you have a target that you yourself have written into the script.” – Jonathan Blitzer ([08:37])

3. Rising Security for Corporate Leaders After High-Profile Killings

[09:24–12:30]

• High-Profile Murder Trial: Luigi Mangione appears in court regarding the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, with defense raising concerns about possible conflicts involving Attorney General Pam Bondi ([09:24–09:38]).
• Industry Response: The killings have prompted companies to reexamine and upgrade executive security, according to Chip Cutter of The Wall Street Journal ([10:07]).
  • CEOs’ families now receive regular threat briefings and are advised on public appearances ([10:07]).
  • Some event-goers, including major CEOs, have worn bulletproof vests at public gatherings ([10:51]).
• Broader Trend: Security for both famous and lesser-known figures has become standard, with boards prioritizing executive protection as essential to business continuity ([11:52]).
  • “Now it’s seen as essential… Some people don’t like to have security hanging around, but companies are saying this is important for business continuity.” – Chip Cutter ([11:52])
• Notable Incidents: Besides Brian Thompson, the killings of Minnesota legislator Melissa Hortman, her husband, Charlie Kirk, and a deadly shooting at a New York high-rise housing major corporate offices have intensified focus on executive safety ([11:23–11:30]).

4. Additional Headlines

[12:47–15:19]

• Congressional Activity:
  • House passes a mostly symbolic bill to renew Affordable Care Act subsidies alongside unsuccessful attempts to override two Trump vetoes ([12:56–13:21]).
• NASA Mission Cut Short:
  • Crew 11’s return from the ISS expedited due to an undisclosed but stable medical emergency—the first such early end for NASA due to medical concerns ([13:36–14:06]).
• NFL Playoffs Preview:
  • Highlights a new wave of second-year quarterbacks (Bo Nix, Caleb Williams, Drake May) supplanting established stars as the 2026 playoffs begin ([14:12–14:53]).
    • “There are a combined zero playoff wins among these fresh faces.” ([14:56])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Governor Tina Kotek on ICE ([01:39]):
  "Federal agents at the direction of the Department of Homeland Security are shattering trust."

• Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on the fairness of the investigation ([03:01]):
  "It feels very, very difficult that we will get a fair outcome… things that are verifiably false, verifiably inaccurate."

• Stephen Miller on U.S. Power in Venezuela ([06:46]):
  "We live in a world… governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power… by definition, we are in charge because we have the United States military stationed outside the country."

• Jonathan Blitzer on Miller’s worldview ([08:37]):
  "If you subscribe to this worldview that Maduro was... trying to destabilize the United States, then you have a target that you yourself have written into the script."

• Chip Cutter on corporate security ([11:52]):
  "Now it’s seen as essential… Boards are insisting that executives cooperate with security efforts because some people don’t like to be followed… important for just the business continuity."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Portland ICE Shooting and Fallout: [00:05–05:22]
• US-Venezuela Policy and Miller’s Influence: [05:22–09:11]
• Corporate Security After High-Profile Murders: [09:24–12:30]
• Congress/NASA Headlines: [12:47–14:12]
• NFL Playoffs Preview: [14:12–15:05]

In Summary

This episode offers an incisive look at the escalating impact of federal immigration enforcement, both within U.S. communities and in its intersection with foreign policy. Ground-level protests, political discord, and new scrutiny of ICE actions come amid a wider national debate about trust in institutions. The coverage then unpacks the Trump administration’s interventionist approach in Venezuela, spotlighting how domestic worldviews inform foreign policy decisions. As violence against leaders rattles corporate America, the episode highlights growing security protocols for executives. The news round-up ends with updates on legislation, an historic NASA move, and the beginning of an unpredictable NFL playoff season.

For deeper context on Venezuela, listeners are invited to hear the full conversation with New Yorker journalist Jonathan Blitzer in the following episode.