Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar

Episode: ICE Draws Down In MN, FBI Raids Fulton County Elections
Date: January 29, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti dive into two major breaking stories: first, significant changes to ICE operations in Minnesota (including a high-profile drawdown and leadership shakeups), and secondly, the startling FBI raid on Fulton County’s election offices in Georgia—with the unprecedented public involvement of ODNI Tulsi Gabbard. The hosts unpack the political maneuvering, internal federal conflicts, and broader implications for democracy, immigration policy, and the rule of law.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. ICE Operations in Minnesota: Drawdown and Political Retreat

New Leadership and Tone Shift

• Tom Homan has replaced Greg Bevino as head of ICE operations in Minneapolis. Homan is known as an architect of the family separation policy during Trump’s first term ([07:13]).
• Homan met with local officials and announced increased cooperation with jails: “County jails may notify ICE of the release dates of criminal public safety risk... It's safer for the community. It's safer for the agent and they're safer for the animal.” (Tom Homan, [00:52])
• He emphasizes targeted enforcement—ICE supposedly focusing on individuals with criminal backgrounds, though the hosts question whether this claim matches the reality on the ground.

The "Drawdown"

• Homan: “This is common sense cooperation that allows to draw down on the number of people we have here. Yes, I said it. Draw down...” ([03:27])
• Thousands of federal agents have been active in the Minneapolis area, outnumbering local law enforcement.
• Hosts interpret the rhetoric as a tactical retreat by the Trump administration in response to political blowback and internal strife.

Internal and Inter-Agency Tensions

• Explicit criticism of the previous ICE head (Bevino) and GOP figures—“I'm not here for headlines and for photo shoots. That's a huge shot across the bow at Kristi Noem...” (Saagar, [04:16])
• Saagar describes this moment as a “rhetorical surrender” from Trump’s team, indicative of behind-the-scenes infighting (leaks, memos, conflicting strategies).

Political Calculus

• Krystal argues the ICE surge is about targeting blue states and political opponents, more than immigration enforcement per se ([07:13]):

  • “If you're an Iowa farmer… you probably haven't faced a lot of immigration enforcement action.”
  • “This is about using this… ICE army effectively to go after your political opponents.”

• Senate and funding negotiations are influencing ICE actions:

  • Democrats have some leverage because Republicans want to avoid a government shutdown, potentially forcing new restrictions on ICE tactics ([11:54]).
  • Proposed limitations include body camera requirements, limits on mask usage, added accountability—though in practice, these measures are seen as mostly cosmetic.

2. The Alex Preddy Video and Protest Policing

New Video Surfaces

• Footage confirms Alex Preddy had a hostile confrontation with ICE agents in Minneapolis 11 days before being shot, including spitting, kicking a taillight, and being physically assaulted ([23:27]).
• Family confirms the video’s authenticity; the incident may have caused his rib injuries.

Host Reactions

• Saagar: “Frankly, I think he looks unhinged...He did commit a crime...That does not merit execution.” ([24:37])
• Krystal distinguishes between prior misconduct and the circumstances of his death—“A video of him doing something 11 days prior has literally nothing to do with whether it was appropriate for them to execute him in the street.” ([29:34])
• Both note the right is using the video to rationalize or excuse the shooting (“They've been looking for some way to say this was a bad guy. And he, he basically had it coming.” — Krystal, [29:34]).

Broader Implications and Law Enforcement Conduct

• The hosts discuss the difference between actual public safety, violent protest, and political narratives.
• ICE agents involved in the shooting were only placed on leave after sustained pressure, which is now cited as a possible indicator of the administration’s tactical retreat ([43:04]).

3. FBI Raid on Fulton County Election Office; ODNI Tulsi Gabbard Appears

Raid Details and Context

• FBI agents, accompanied by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, seized ballots and election records from Fulton County, Georgia ([44:24]).
• Krystal and Saagar are stunned by Gabbard’s involvement, noting that it’s “highly unusual for an ODNI official ever to be involved in a law enforcement operation like this one.” (Saagar, [45:54])

Political and Legal Implications

• The raid is linked to ongoing Trump claims about 2020 election fraud and appears targeted at producing pretext for future election interference: “They can say whatever they want about what these ballots actually contain. Like the truth is no barrier for them. We know that whatsoever.” (Krystal, [45:17])
• The Atlanta FBI field office head was removed just before the raid, suggesting internal dissent over the operation ([48:46]).
• This action is viewed as an escalation and a warning sign ahead of the 2026 midterms, raising concerns about stolen elections and abuse of state power.

Links to Broader Pattern

• The raid echoes similar federal pressure on states like Minnesota, where part of the goal appears to be the acquisition of detailed voter rolls.
• Krystal: “They’re pushing every state in the country to send them these voter rolls. Some of the very first executive orders… had to do with ‘election integrity,’ which is an effort to… control these results.” ([48:46])
• Fears that ICE, loyal to Trump/Stephen Miller, could be used as a quasi-paramilitary force for political intimidation ([49:27]).

Legal Proceedings and Precedents

• Reference to prior failed lawsuits and massive defamation judgment against Rudy Giuliani for spreading false claims about Georgia election workers ([53:06]).
• Reminder that none of the fraud claims held up in court, and yet the Trump administration continues to push conspiracies ([54:30]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Give us access to the illegal alien public safety threat and the safety and security of the kill… It just makes common sense.”
  — Tom Homan, [00:52]

• “That's a huge shot across the bow at Kristi Noem… He continues to emphasize ‘targeted.’ Now, let's be clear, ICE has always claimed that these are targeted operations, but he's been very specific…”
  — Saagar, [04:16]

• “Yes, this is about immigration. It’s also about using this… ICE army effectively to go after your political opponents. So it is being wielded as a political weapon.”
  — Krystal, [07:13]

• “Trump needed a scapegoat… Bavino in particular, Kristi Noem, and Corey Lewandowski are serving that role.”
  — Krystal, [07:13]

• “250,000 people have been deported. That is the vast, vast more in one year than the entire Biden administration actually deported…”
  — Saagar, [18:52]

• “A video of him doing something 11 days prior has literally nothing to do with the legal analysis of whether it was appropriate for them to execute him in the street.”
  — Krystal, [29:34]

• “It looks like you guys are the ones who are currently out of control. That's what's caused a lot of the discourse, especially in the wake of Renee Goode and really after Alex Preddy.”
  — Saagar, [19:11]

• “It can be partially true, I think, I think, of course, I think all of these are partially true… There actually are like a large amount of deportations that are happening now to the way that it has been enforced.”
  — Saagar, [18:52]

• “This is why law and order actually saves lives. And yes, also no absolution whatsoever of the law enforcement officers here who also handled clearly the situation poorly.”
  — Saagar, [37:00]

• “This all sounds insane and I feel insane saying it, but we already saw this man try to steal one election and, and this thing with Tulsi Gabbard involved… These are things that all really happened.”
  — Krystal, [49:27]

Important Timestamps

• [00:52] – Tom Homan’s press conference on ICE's new approach in Minnesota
• [03:27] – Homan announces the "drawdown" and enhanced local cooperation
• [04:16] – Saagar analyzes the political implications; shots at GOP figures
• [07:13] – Discussion of ICE as a political weapon; blue vs. red state disparities
• [18:52] – Debate about scale and reality of mass deportations
• [23:27] – New video of Alex Preddy’s prior encounter with ICE released
• [29:34] – Legal and moral arguments about the relevance of Preddy’s prior behavior
• [44:24] – FBI raids Fulton County with ODNI Gabbard present
• [45:54] – Analysis of the Tulsi Gabbard angle and legal/political meaning
• [48:46] – Broader context: links to Minnesota, pattern of state pressure
• [53:06] – Giuliani verdict on defamation after false fraud accusations
• [54:30] – Recap of Trump’s failed efforts to prove fraud and current narratives

Tone & Style

The discussion is sharp, urgent, and unfiltered, balancing investigative outrage (Krystal) with pointed skepticism and political analysis (Saagar). Both hosts routinely push back on establishment narratives—whether Democratic or Republican—and are unafraid to lay out the realpolitik at play, especially regarding the use of law enforcement as a political instrument.

Conclusion

This episode provides a sobering view into the current state of U.S. immigration enforcement, the use of federal agencies for partisan purposes, and the continuing erosion of political norms around elections. The hosts contend that what’s happening in Minnesota and Georgia are not isolated incidents, but signal a broader pattern of political weaponization by the current administration—with potentially grave consequences for democracy and the rule of law.