Apple News Today: "Trump sidelines his top Border Patrol commander. What to know."

Date: January 27, 2026
Host: Shemitah Basu

Episode Overview

In this episode, Shemitah Basu covers significant changes in U.S. border immigration leadership under President Trump’s second term, internal GOP dissent regarding aggressive immigration policies, and the mounting calls for accountability in recent law enforcement shootings in Minnesota. The episode also explores a landmark California trial testing whether social media is dangerously addictive for teens, and rounds out with quick updates on a major winter storm, a rift in vaccine guidance, and the secretive WD-40 formula.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Turmoil and Changes at the Top of Border Enforcement (00:05 – 04:26)

• Gregory Bovino Demoted: Gregory Bovino, a controversial and high-profile Border Patrol commander, is removed from his Minnesota post and reassigned to El Centro, California. The move comes amid a surge in public and internal GOP criticism following police-involved shootings.

• Tom Homan Steps In: Former ICE Director Tom Homan, known for hardline immigration stances but more measured recent commentary, replaces Bovino.

• GOP Voices Dissent: Notable resistance emerges within Republican ranks against the current immigration crackdown and the handling of shootings involving federal agents.

  • Texas Governor Greg Abbott hints at recalibrating strategy.
  • Utah Senator John Curtis criticizes Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's initial response to the shootings.
  • Senator Ted Cruz calls for a “more measured” approach (03:28).

  "I would encourage the administration to be more measured, to recognize the tragedy and to say we don't want anyone, anyone's lives to be lost."
  — Sen. Ted Cruz, on his podcast, (03:32)

• ICE Operations Expand: Operation Metro Surge faces increased scrutiny for allegedly overreaching and creating fear among U.S. citizens, especially people of color.

  • Chris Mattle, attorney for the agent who shot Renee Goode and a GOP gubernatorial candidate, ends his campaign, citing the ICE surge (03:41).

  “United States citizens… live in fear. United States citizens are carrying papers to prove their citizenship. That's wrong.”
  — Chris Mattle (03:59)

2. Accountability and Legal Hurdles for Federal Officers (04:26 – 08:04)

• Calls for Investigation: Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz and others encourage documentation of federal operations to foster future accountability.

  • "[Take] out that phone and hit record. Help us create a database of the atrocities against Minnesotans..."
    — Republican Lawmaker/Critic (05:11)

• Qualified Immunity Explained: Reuters’ Jack Queen details how federal agents, though not absolutely immune, benefit from strong legal protections (qualified immunity) when acting in their official capacity.

  • Attorneys must prove violation of "clearly established constitutional rights," an often insurmountable bar, especially in use-of-force cases.

    "Courts will find that it's not exactly clear that... a person had a clearly defined constitutional right that was clearly violated knowingly by a federal agent."
    — Jack Queen, Reuters (06:28)

• Federal Reluctance to Prosecute: DOJ is unlikely to charge officers, defending their actions as self-defense.

• Historical Precedent: Qualified immunity, established 60 years ago to protect officials from frivolous lawsuits, has become a shield in excessive force cases—likely relevant in the Minnesota shootings (07:48).

  "If this case was litigated... a court would find that the officer was immune for that. And I think to a lot of people that would be shocking and unconscionable. But that is the way that the law tends to work and cases like this are extremely rare."
  — Jack Queen (07:48)

• Investigations Continue: DHS, aided by the FBI, is leading the probe. Review of body cam footage is underway (08:04).

3. Landmark Social Media Addiction Lawsuit (09:04 – 11:39)

• First-of-its-Kind Trial: In California, a jury will hear the case of "KGM," a 19-year-old alleging that social media addiction impacted her mental health and robbed her of her childhood.

• Allegations & Evidence: Families argue that platforms, through design, foster addiction leading to depression, anxiety, and even tragic outcomes like suicide from online exploitation or dangerous challenges.

  • "Those harms ranged anything from depression and anxiety to even more tragic scenarios like untimely deaths..."
    — Naomi Nix, Washington Post reporter (09:04)

• Tech Industry Defense: YouTube and Meta dispute the claim, with Mark Zuckerberg reiterating most users don’t find services addictive, but controls should be enhanced (10:22).

  "Most of the research suggests that the vast majority of people do not perceive or experience these services as addictive or have issues."
  — Mark Zuckerberg to Congress, (10:22)

• Complex Research Landscape: Studies show mixed results: both very low and very high usage correlate with poor outcomes; APA found social media isn't inherently good or bad.

• Potential Impact: The trial is expected to pull back the curtain on internal decision-making at big tech firms, with executives potentially testifying about their platforms' design on teens (11:22).

  "We're going to see the internal research about how teens are affected by their products."
  — Naomi Nix (11:22)

• Snapchat Settles: Snapchat has preemptively settled for an undisclosed amount.

4. Quick News Roundup (11:39 – End)

• Deadly U.S. Winter Storm: After a major storm, record cold is hitting the eastern U.S., with over 30 deaths and $115 billion in estimated damages.
• Vaccine Guidance Rift: For the first time, the American Academy of Pediatrics diverges from CDC recommendations, continuing to endorse vaccinations for all children against 18 diseases, contrasting with the CDC’s narrower guidelines.
• WD-40 Secrecy: The Wall Street Journal reveals the iconic lubricant’s formula is secretly kept in a handwritten note locked in a San Diego bank vault—only accessed three times in three decades.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Escalating Rhetoric:

  "Escalating the rhetoric doesn't help, and it actually loses credibility."
  — Republican lawmaker/critic (00:16)

• On ICE Home Raids:

  "ICE has authorized its agents to raid homes using a civil warrant that need only be signed by a Border Patrol agent. That's unconstitutional and it's wrong."
  — Chris Mattle (03:59)

• On Justice for Federal Shootings:

  "Help us create a database of the atrocities against Minnesotans, not just to establish a record for posterity, but to bank evidence for future prosecution."
  — Republican Lawmaker / Critic (05:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Border Patrol Leadership Change & GOP Response: 00:05 – 04:26
• Legal Accountability and Qualified Immunity Explained: 04:26 – 08:04
• Social Media Addiction Lawsuit: 09:04 – 11:39
• Quick News Roundup: 11:39 – End

Tone & Style

The episode maintains Apple News Today's crisp, factual tone, with Shemitah Basu delivering news summaries interspersed with expert and official audio clips. The language remains accessible and urgent, reflecting the gravity of both the law enforcement controversies and the social media trial.

For further details and all featured stories, listeners are encouraged to follow up via the Apple News app.