Bulwark Takes Podcast Summary

Episode: Disturbing New Videos Show ICE Harassing Minneapolis Residents
Date: January 13, 2026
Hosts/Commentators: Tim Miller and Bulwark team

Overview

This episode focuses on a disturbing surge of aggressive immigration enforcement actions by ICE and CBP in Minneapolis, as documented by a flurry of new videos circulating online. The Bulwark team, led by Tim Miller, review and discuss multiple firsthand accounts and videos, painting a vivid, alarming portrait of state agents engaging in harassment, racial profiling, and violence against ordinary residents—including citizens and legal immigrants—in Minneapolis. The team draws connections to historical abuses and issues a call for broad civic resistance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalating Federal Presence in Minneapolis

• Recent incidents: After the controversial police shooting death of Renee Goode by an ICE agent, there’s been a notable increase in confrontational encounters between federal agents and Minneapolis residents ([01:17–02:19]).

  • Notable quote:

    “And they've delivered us these just horrifying scenes of confrontations between ICE and CBP agents and the people of Minneapolis. People are just trying to live their lives and do their jobs.” — Co-host ([01:21])

• Anecdotal and reported escalation: Evidence and reports suggest a significant influx of agents into the area, intensifying police actions. Agents previously operating in other cities, like New Orleans, have been redeployed to Minnesota, leading to more confrontations ([02:08–02:45]).

• Critique of agency response: The hosts sharply criticize federal authorities for escalating tactics instead of de-escalating after the fatal shooting ([03:01–03:40]).

2. Disturbing Videos Highlight Pattern of Harassment

a. Racial Profiling: The Case of Ahmed Bin Hassan

• Incident: Hours after the Renee Goode shooting, Uber driver Ahmed Bin Hassan, a Somali immigrant, was stopped at Minneapolis airport and questioned based solely on his accent ([04:00–04:35]).
  • Key moment:

    “What do you mean, if I'm from this country?” — Ahmed Bin Hassan ([04:24])
    “Oh, so you're going by accents now? ... Have you heard the Israeli accent? Have you heard the European accent?” — Ahmed Bin Hassan ([04:27–04:32])

• Reaction: The hosts decry this tactic as un-American, highlighting the hypocrisy in a nation of immigrants ([04:35–05:29]).
• Ahmed’s retort:

  “I'm a fucking engineer... I'd rather make an honest day's living. I don't go harassing people at work.” — Ahmed Bin Hassan ([05:29])

b. Physical Aggression at a Minneapolis Gas Station

• Incident: ICE agents are seen violently pushing and tackling bystanders, including a woman in a pink jacket, and threatening the media ([06:53–07:43]).
  • Notable reaction:

    “This is something that you expect to see in a third world country. These mass agents and fatigues pushing and bullying people, pushing women with no evident target.” — Tim Miller ([07:48])

c. Underage Citizen Targeted at Target

• Incident: A 17-year-old U.S. citizen working at Target was detained, transported, and roughly handled, with agents reportedly targeting him because of his accent ([08:22–09:22]).
  • Quote:

    “US citizen, 17 year old getting pushed around doing his job at a Target. I assume he was also targeted because ... he has a little accent.” — Co-host ([09:03])

d. Fear Inside the Home: DoorDash Driver Fleeing ICE

• Incident: A DoorDash driver being chased by agents flees into a stranger’s house. The resident, with a baby inside, pleads for help over the phone as armed, masked ICE agents demand entry without a warrant ([11:26–13:47]).
  • Memorable moment:

    “I'm so scared.” — House Resident ([13:06])
    “How is this America? How's this America where this lady has to live in fear?” — Tim Miller ([13:07])

e. Violence Against Homeless U.S. Resident

• Incident: Juan Carlos, a homeless U.S. resident living in his car, is reportedly beaten by agents; his battered face is shared on GoFundMe to raise awareness ([17:55–18:21]).
  • Quote:

    “This is what they did to this guy. This is what I say. This is what the people we pay our tax dollars beat up. ... It's fucking outrageous. No wonder people are in the streets.” — Tim Miller ([18:21])

3. Analysis & Historical Context

• Chilling parallels: The hosts repeatedly draw connections between current ICE actions and darker episodes of American history, including Klan intimidation and discredited law enforcement practices targeting minorities ([15:27–15:49]).

  • Key insight:

    “It's, like, reminiscent of, like, the Klan and Bull Connor and, you know, cops in the South ... menacing black people is what it's reminiscent of, really.” — Tim Miller ([15:39–15:42])

• Law enforcement critique: Miller and the team emphasize how legitimate law enforcement objectives could be achieved without militarized force or intimidation, especially toward non-criminals and legal residents ([13:56–16:12]).

  • Quote:

    “Doing immigration enforcement does not require the type of firepower that you would need to clear a house in Fallujah.” — Tim Miller ([13:56])

• Impact on community: The actions are described as indiscriminate, ensnaring citizens, legal residents, and immigrants alike, with fear and chaos the main result ([16:06–17:18]).

4. Call to Civic Action

• Condemnation of tactics: The hosts are adamant that these actions are unacceptable, violating American values and law enforcement norms ([16:12–19:08]).

  • Quote:

    “We cannot stand by and allow our tax dollars to fund a bunch of thugs pushing women in gas station parking lots and beating up homeless people who are US Citizens and scaring the hell out of women inside a house with their baby and shooting women in the face three times on the street. It's a no. We have to stand in solidarity against all of this.” — Co-host ([18:52–19:08])

• History of successful resistance: Protest and civic pushback have led to federal agents being withdrawn from other cities; unity is needed again in Minneapolis ([19:33–19:43]).

• Warning and hope: Despite news that more agents are on the way, the hosts express solidarity with Minneapolis residents and urge vigilance and political action ([19:55–20:24]).

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Tim Miller:

  “This is a powder keg. It's a powder keg that's going to lead to more terrible results.” ([02:46])

• Ahmed Bin Hassan:

  “You know what that means? I'd rather make an honest day's living. I don't go harassing people at work. Dude, what the hell is that?” ([05:29])

• Co-host:

  “They're just going around and racially targeting people. Targeting people based on the way that they speak, targeting people based on their mood, their whim and ... manhandling them. Truly, truly insane.” ([09:36])

• House Resident (fearful for her child):

  “I'm so scared.” ([13:06])

• Tim Miller (closing):

  “It's crazy to me that the fucking guys in the Don't Tread on Me flags are for this ... if you're the type of person with a Don't Tread on Me flag, you should be at the front of the line protesting this. Because right now the federal government is trampling on us, on all of us.” ([16:57])

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:17–03:40] — Introduction of Minneapolis escalation & critique of federal response
• [04:00–05:55] — Ahmed Bin Hassan’s Uber Yard experience
• [06:45–07:47] — ICE physical altercations at gas station
• [08:22–09:22] — Underage Target worker detained
• [11:26–13:47] — DoorDash driver and house incursion
• [17:55–18:21] — Beating of Juan Carlos, homeless US resident
• [18:52–19:33] — Call for public solidarity and resistance

Tone & Language

The episode is urgent, emotional, and polemical. The hosts’ language is frank, often profane, underscoring the moral outrage and fear echoed by citizens in the featured clips. The Bulwark team speaks directly to the audience, encouraging skepticism, resistance, and solidarity with those afflicted.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking an in-depth, accurate account of the episode’s urgent and passionate discussion of federal law enforcement abuses in Minneapolis.