Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams – Ep. 70: Federal Power, Voter Data, and the ICE State (with Jon Favreau)

Date: February 3, 2026
Host: Stacey Abrams
Guest: Jon Favreau (Pod Save America, Offline)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Stacey Abrams and Jon Favreau (of Pod Save America and Offline) tackle the intensifying threat of authoritarianism in the U.S., focusing on recent ICE raids, the politicization of voter data, and the rapid expansion of federal executive power. Against the backdrop of controversial ICE activity—including aggressive church raids and looming threats to immigrant communities—the hosts examine connections between immigration policy, voter suppression, and the erosion of democracy. Throughout, they challenge Democratic strategies, call out government hypocrisy, and discuss how to re-frame public conversations around citizenship, activism, and American values.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. ICE Raids on Churches & Criminalizing Protest

• Stacey contextualizes current ICE actions by referencing the 1833 Alabama slave code, which forbade enslaved people from gathering, to highlight how places of worship have historically (and still are) targeted to stifle dissent.
• Multiple protesters, including journalists, were arrested for protesting ICE at a church where the pastor helms a regional ICE field office. Abrams notes the hypocrisy: “ICE has repeatedly raided churches…seized, kidnapped, disrupted, and they have broken not just the law but the spirit of America.” (05:06)
• “We should be, in the tradition of American citizenship, offended by anyone who would say that protest in the church is wrong.” (06:01)

2. Immigration as a Test of National Values

• Abrams reframes immigration as a “values test, a faith test, a truth-telling test,” rather than a standalone political issue.
• Temporary Protected Status is about to end for thousands of Haitian immigrants, and ICE plans mass arrests. This exemplifies how the regime scapegoats the vulnerable:
  • “Step seven [in authoritarianism] is where we lose America’s soul.” (10:51)
• Jon Favreau agrees, noting the administration’s scapegoating as central to consolidating power.

3. Federal Raids on Election Centers & Voter Data Seizure

• Abrams details the FBI’s raid on Fulton County’s election center, which resulted in federal authorities seizing voter lists to which, she argues, they are not entitled.
• Favreau and Abrams agree this is likely a deliberate national strategy to intimidate immigrants and undermine democratic trust:
  • “What could they use all this information for...? Purge voter rolls…create this climate of confusion and fear.” (15:40)
• This pattern appears nationwide, exemplified by authorities pressuring states like Minnesota to turn over SNAP (food assistance) beneficiaries and voter rolls in exchange for easing ICE actions.

4. The Manipulation of Citizenship & the SAVE Act

• The SAVE Act, attached to DHS funding, introduces harsh voter ID requirements and would disproportionately disenfranchise women (due to name changes) and immigrants.
• Favreau underscores the underlying ideology:
  • “They believe the government should decide who is a citizen…and when you listen to [figures like] J.D. Vance and Stephen Miller…they will talk pretty openly about how they’re not huge fans of the Declaration of Independence and the idea that all of us are created equal.” (23:12)
• Abrams notes: “The value of your citizenship just keeps dropping in this country.” (22:30)

5. Authoritarian Playbook: Systemic Rigging over Dramatic Martial Law

• Discussion of the 10 steps to authoritarianism: the final step isn't always open dictatorship, but rigging elections so votes no longer matter.
• Favreau: “Do they have to declare martial law? If you just rig the system completely and dismantle access…” (25:49)
• Worry extends to post-election scenarios in 2026 and 2028, with concerns about purges, intimidation at polls, and weaponization of federal agencies like ICE.

6. Broader Harm & Collateral Damage of Voter Suppression

• Abrams shares a personal story: Habersham County, GA (mostly white, rural) had to repeat elections due to disenfranchisement policies meant to target minorities, illustrating systemic fallout.
  • “When you break the system for some, you invariably break it for people you didn't intend to harm.” (28:26)
• Favreau stresses elites’ indifference to the “collateral damage” their policies create:
  • “These people don’t care about anyone but themselves.” (29:10)

7. Partial Government Shutdown & Limits on ICE Reform

• Democratically-led attempts to condition DHS funding on ICE accountability are running up against legal and political ceilings:
  • Favreau: “To completely defund ICE through this is impossible… ICE now has more funding…than most militaries…” (31:27)
  • Only relatively modest reforms (body cams, limits on roving patrols, use-of-force rules) are on the table.

8. Democratic Messaging & Strategy—Missed Opportunities & Reluctance

• Both hosts lament Democrats’ hesitancy, performative pragmatism, and failure to “hold their nerve.”
  • Abrams: “They do behavioral psychology and we do cognitive psychology.” (46:47)
  • Democrats often retreat from confrontation, fear complex conversations, and recondition language in response to rightwing bullying, rather than leading with moral clarity.

9. Calls to Action for Candidates and Organizers

• Favreau: “There’s a million ways to fight…showing you’re fighting for people is better than just fighting the administration.” (54:38)
• Highlighting personal stories, congressional town halls, and shifting from mere reactive messaging to offering a vision for humane immigration policy and real citizenship.

10. Public Opinion, Polls, and Erosion of Trust

• Current polling reveals record-low confidence in Trump, especially on the economy and immigration—but the hosts caution that outrage is often temporary.
• Favreau: “If you’re upset at the cost of living and then see the president getting his new Qatari plane…now you’re really pissed off. At the same time, there’s also roving bands of paramilitary squads in your streets. It’s not great for him.” (60:18–63:20)

11. Attacks on Journalists & The Truth

• Arrests of journalists like Don Lemon and Karen Attia are part of a broader strategy to criminalize dissent, erode the truth, and normalize authoritarian tactics:
  • Favreau: “That could be us…just because you may not be a journalist…it could be you. Just because you may not be in Donald Trump’s sights today…doesn’t mean you’re not vulnerable…” (65:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[ICE] have broken not just the law but the spirit of America.” — Stacey Abrams (05:08)
• “Step seven [in authoritarianism] is where we lose America’s soul.” — Stacey Abrams (10:51)
• “What could they use all this information for...? Purge voter rolls…create this climate of confusion and fear.” — Jon Favreau (15:40)
• “[The administration] believe that the government should decide who is a citizen in this country and who is not and who is worthy…When you listen to Miller and Vance…they will talk openly about how they’re not huge fans of the Declaration of Independence.” — Jon Favreau (23:12)
• “When you break the system for some, you invariably break it for people you didn’t intend to harm.” — Stacey Abrams (28:26)
• “These people don’t care about anyone but themselves…if you get hurt as a result of them breaking all these systems, they don’t care.” — Jon Favreau (29:10)
• “They do behavioral psychology and we do cognitive psychology…we are squandering this moment.” — Stacey Abrams (46:47)
• “There’s a million different ways to fight…I always think Democratic leaders are better off when they show they are fighting on behalf of people…” — Jon Favreau (54:38)
• “That could be us. It could be you.” — Jon Favreau, on attacks on press freedom (65:52)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:08-07:03 — 1833 Alabama Slave Code, ICE raids, and faith as shield
• 09:24-10:51 — ICE’s use of voter data, threats to Haitian immigrants, step 7 of authoritarianism
• 11:26-16:48 — With Jon Favreau: Fulton County raid, motives for voter data seizures
• 16:48-23:12 — The SAVE Act, voter IDs, citizenship, “great replacement” theory
• 25:49-28:26 — Authoritarian tactics, threats to elections, collateral damage in voting rights
• 31:21-33:17 — Limits on ICE reform, shutdown scenario, executive powers
• 37:23-41:43 — Potential for ICE accountability reform, Congressional strategy
• 45:29-50:00 — Messaging, behavioral v. cognitive psychology, rightwing manipulation of public opinion
• 53:32-58:01 — What Democratic candidates should do differently, centering immigrants’ stories
• 59:05-63:20 — Polling, public opinion, economy and immigration, signs of durable outrage
• 63:20-66:56 — Dangers of attacks on press, criminalizing dissent, authoritarian normalization

Actionable Takeaways

• Be Relentless & Honest: Demand the truth be told about abuses, even when uncomfortable or not politically “safe.”
• Center People, Not Just Politicians: Highlight the stories of targeted immigrants, voters, journalists, and underscore the American promise of fairness and justice.
• Engage in Deep Conversations: Resist the urge to dumb down complex issues—have real, nuanced debates on policy.
• Defend Rights for All: Protest and speak up for the persecuted, knowing that attacks on the vulnerable today will become normalized for others tomorrow.
• Support Immigrant & Voting Rights Groups: Donate, volunteer, and work with organizations like the Immigrant Rapid Response Fund, League of Women Voters, Fair Fight, and Common Cause.

Conclusion

This episode is a clarion call: the intersection of ICE overreach, attacks on voter data, and new limits on citizenship are not just isolated incidents but integral components of a broader authoritarian project. Abrams and Favreau urge listeners and leaders to move beyond performative gestures, embrace moral clarity, and fiercely defend the democratic ideals—before they are irreparably eroded.