The Big Take – "The Fight Over ICE Funding"

Date: January 29, 2026
Podcast: Big Take (Bloomberg & iHeartPodcasts)
Host: Sarah Holder
Guests/Reporters: Stephen Dennis, Alicia Diaz

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the escalating fight in Congress over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Against the backdrop of controversial ICE and Border Patrol shootings in Minnesota, lawmakers face a Friday night government funding deadline. The debate centers on whether to attach greater oversight and restrictions to billions allocated to ICE, as both parties reckon with the political fallout of recent events. The show analyzes evolving Republican and Democratic positions, the leverage Congress wields, proposed accountability measures, and the broader implications for immigration policy and public sentiment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Background: The Current Crisis

• Context: Congress faces a spending package deadline to keep the government open, a package that includes significant funding for DHS/ICE.
  • Recent fatal shootings by ICE and Border Patrol agents (notably Alex Preddy and Renee Good) in Minnesota have heightened scrutiny and triggered political turmoil.
  • Senate Democrats are demanding stronger safeguards before fully supporting the spending bill.

Political Fallout and Congressional Response

• Democratic Concerns:

  • Senate Democrats (Amy Klobuchar and Chris Murphy) vow to oppose the current package without added ICE oversight (01:54, 02:37).
  • Democratic dismay centers not only on budget allocations but on the character of U.S. immigration enforcement:

    "This is no longer about how many dollars somebody gets. This is about the kind of country we are."
    – Stephen Dennis (04:26)

• Republican Reactions:

  • Initially supportive of boosted ICE budgets through Trump’s "one big beautiful bill act," some Republicans are now concerned by ICE tactics and the political blowback (03:10, 07:26).
  • Calls for change emerge from within the party, notably from Rand Paul and moderate senators questioning civil liberties and oversight (07:26–08:17).

• Public and Party Repercussions:

  • Notable Minnesota Republican Chris Mattel exits the gubernatorial race, citing party retribution and lost confidence in GOP leadership (10:27):

    "I cannot support the national Republican stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so."
    – Chris Mattel, candidate statement (10:41)

  • Alicia Diaz notes a shift:

    "It's definitely a signal that there is a growing sense of discontent in what is going on in Minneapolis."
    (10:53)

  • Stephen Dennis captures Republican frustration:

    "They should be winning on this issue and they're kind of flubbing it."
    (11:03)

Dynamics in the House and Shifting Positions

• Democrats Divided:

  • Seven Democratic representatives voted for the DHS funding bill amid political vulnerability, arguing that immigration is popular among their swing or red district constituents (11:32).
  • One, Tom Suozzi (NY), quickly expressed regret, highlighting how quickly the context can change following high-profile incidents (11:58).

• Ongoing Leverage & Shutdown Threats:

  • Congress could decouple DHS funding for separate debate, but doing so would reduce Republican negotiating power (15:49–18:24).
  • Partial government shutdown is possible, but essential ICE operations would continue unabated (16:12).

ICE Funding, Oversight, and Reform Proposals

• Current Funding:

  • Last year’s act boosted ICE funding for years—a "big slush fund" per Democrats—that can be spent regardless of government shutdowns (16:47).

• Oversight Provisions:

  • The House bill includes $20 million for ICE agent body cameras and $20 million for facility oversight (18:50).
  • Senate Democrats propose further limits:
    • Ban on ICE agents wearing masks
    • Prohibition on racial profiling and targeting places of worship (19:16)

• Skepticism About Executive Promises:

  • Senator Tina Smith (MN) expresses little faith in executive branch assurances:

    "She said she is not going to be satisfied with what she called a pinky promise from this administration."
    – Stephen Dennis (19:42)

The Broader Political Stakes and Trump’s Position

• Implications for Midterms:

  • ICE’s actions risk becoming a political liability for Republicans, even as immigration remains popular with the base (03:23, 11:03).

• Presidential Rhetoric:

  • President Trump signals possible de-escalation in Minnesota while maintaining incendiary language about ICE detainees, calling them "hardened, vicious criminals" despite evidence to the contrary (21:26).
  • Alicia Diaz observes consequences if Trump’s rhetoric diverges significantly from public sentiment:

    "Time will tell how he will respond to changes in a government funding bill, but he seems, as of now, open to some sort of reigning in, even if it's not by his own actions, because we've seen the American people respond to this, and this is one of his most popular policies, and it doesn't bode well for anyone if his voters and constituents start to turn the tides on that."
    (22:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the nature of the debate:

  "This is no longer about how many dollars somebody gets. This is about the kind of country we are."
  – Stephen Dennis (04:26)

• Emerging Republican dissent:

  "I am strongly opposed to more funding for ICE."
  – Stephen Dennis (02:37)

• Crisis in party unity:

  "They should be winning on this issue and they're kind of flubbing it."
  – Stephen Dennis (11:03)

• From a Republican candidate bowing out:

  "I cannot support the national Republican stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so."
  – Chris Mattel (10:41)

• On oversight skepticism:

  "She said she is not going to be satisfied with what she called a pinky promise from this administration. There is no trust..."
  – Stephen Dennis, on Senator Tina Smith (19:42)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 01:54 – High-stakes spending fight and recent ICE shootings
• 02:37 – Senate Democrats draw a line on ICE funding
• 04:26 – Stephen Dennis on the deeper meaning of the fight
• 06:15 – Congressional tools for ICE oversight
• 07:26 – Republican soul-searching and Rand Paul’s push for hearings
• 09:45 – Republican cracks and oversight debate grows
• 10:41 – Chris Mattel’s dramatic withdrawal from MN governor’s race
• 11:58 – House Democrats in swing districts under pressure
• 15:49 – The possibility and implications of a partial shutdown
• 16:12 – ICE operations likely to continue in event of shutdown
• 18:50 – Proposed oversight measures (body cams, facility monitoring)
• 19:16 – Human rights provisions under debate
• 19:42 – Senate skepticism about executive oversight promises
• 21:26 – Trump’s rhetorical shifts and their political meaning
• 22:15 – Outlook on Trump’s strategy and public opinion

Conclusion: What’s Next?

As Congress faces an imminent shutdown deadline, the debate over ICE funding has become a crucible for wider questions of American identity, government oversight, and party unity. The episode leaves listeners with a sense of mounting stakes, fast-moving political calculations, and uncertain outcomes—especially as attention returns to both the ground realities in Minnesota and the shifting winds in Washington.

For full context and more coverage, visit bloomberg.com or subscribe to Big Take.