Podcast Summary

Podcast: Bulwark Takes
Episode: Will Saletan: Kristi Noem Cannot Be Trusted to Investigate These Shootings
Date: January 26, 2026
Host: Will Saletan (The Bulwark)

Episode Overview

This episode features Will Saletan confronting the actions and public statements of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in light of two recent fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis. Saletan critiques Noem's handling of the cases—particularly her misrepresentation of facts, repeated falsehoods about the victims, and her insistence on leading internal investigations despite overwhelming video evidence contradicting her narratives. The central argument: Noem’s consistent dishonesty disqualifies her from credibly investigating these incidents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Two Fatal Shootings in Minneapolis

• Incidents examined:
  • The shooting of Renee Goode by an ICE officer (January 7, 2026).
  • The shooting of Alex Preddy by a Border Patrol agent (recently, date not specified).

2. Kristi Noem’s Contradictory and False Narratives

• On Renee Goode:

  • Noem’s claim: Goode attacked officers, attempting to run them over; labeled "an act of domestic terrorism."
  • Video evidence: Goode sits in her car as confronted by officers; officer places himself in front of her vehicle—she tries to leave, not attack.
  • Saletan’s critique:
    • [03:44] “Gnome’s story that this woman attacked the officers as they were trying to get their car out of the snow is a complete lie.”
    • “The officer walks around from her blind side and he puts himself in front of her car. So when she tries to leave, he is trying to block her path. And you can see her turn the wheel to get out. She’s not trying to hit him, she’s trying to leave.” ([04:25])

• Noem doubles down:

  • Keeps repeating the "domestic terrorism" accusation after video is public.
  • [05:15] “She then proceeded to weaponize her vehicle and she attempted to run an law enforcement officer over. This appears as an attempt to kill or to cause bodily harm to agents. An act of domestic terrorism.” — Kristi Noem

• Confronted by Media:

  • On CNN, Jake Tapper challenges her narrative.
  • [06:26] “It absolutely is what happened.” — Kristi Noem, doubling down even as video is widely available.
  • [07:25] Noem claims she’d seen the videos and had the facts before her initial statements.
  • [07:40] “She’s telling you. She watched. She watched the videos. She knew the truth. But she sits there four days later and repeats her lies.” — Will Saletan

3. The Second Shooting: Alex Preddy

• Noem’s account:

  • Preddy "approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9-millimeter handgun," resisted disarming, and sought to inflict "maximum damage"—implying a premeditated attack on law enforcement. ([08:25])

• Video evidence:

  • Preddy is shown holding a cell phone, not a gun.
  • Officers push him, spray him with irritant, beat him while on the ground, then shoot him after disarming him.
  • [10:03] “He’s not holding a gun. He’s holding a phone and his other hand is empty.” — Saletan
  • Preddy did have a licensed gun, but never brandished or reached for it.
  • [11:00] Noem again claims Preddy brandished a weapon and assaulted officers, calling it a "violent riot."
  • Noem defines his action as "domestic terrorism."
  • [11:56] "That is the definition of domestic terrorism. This individual who came with weapons and ammunition to stop a law enforcement operation..." — Kristi Noem

• Reality check:

  • Preddy was a nurse caring for military veterans.
  • Noem dismisses all contradicting facts.
  • [12:16] "No, no, those are not the facts. Here is what Fox News reported about Alex Preddy. He was a nurse who took care of military veterans in the icu. But Kristi Noem doesn't care about any of that." — Will Saletan

4. Saletan’s Final Assessment and Takeaways

• Noem repeatedly lies in direct contradiction to video evidence, even when publicly confronted.
• Her labeling of victims as terrorists is unsupported by facts.
• Her insistence on DHS leading investigations despite conflict of interest raises integrity concerns.
• Saletan’s central warning:
  • [12:55] "The one thing we should all be able to agree on is that this woman is an absolutely pathological liar and she shouldn’t have any job in our government, much less running the investigation of this killing." — Will Saletan

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:21] Will Saletan (after Gnome’s initial account):
  “The agents were trying to push out their car and a woman attacked them and tried to run them over. Now here is the video of what actually happened...”

• [05:30] Will Saletan (on Noem’s repeat lies):
  “No, she’s doubling down. She says Renee Goode weaponized her vehicle and tried to run over the officer. And again, she called Goode a terrorist.”

• [07:40] Saletan (on Noem’s knowledge):
  “She’s telling you. She watched. She watched the videos. She knew the truth. But she sits there four days later and repeats her lies.”

• [10:03] Will Saletan:
  “Huh. I didn’t see a gun there. He’s not holding a gun. He’s holding a phone and his other hand is empty. There’s no sign at all that this guy intended to do maximum damage to anybody.”

• [12:55] Will Saletan:
  “...the one thing we should all be able to agree on is that this woman is an absolutely pathological liar and she shouldn’t have any job in our government, much less running the investigation of this killing.”

Important Timestamps

• [01:36] Episode starts, Will Saletan introduces shooting incidents and premise.
• [02:51] Kristi Noem gives initial false statement on shooting of Renee Goode.
• [03:44] Video evidence contradicts Noem’s narrative.
• [06:06-07:52] Noem confronted on CNN by Jake Tapper; refuses to admit falsehoods.
• [08:25] Noem’s statement on shooting of Alex Preddy.
• [09:10] Video and witness reports contradict Noem’s description.
• [11:00] Noem again labels Preddy a terrorist; persists in dishonesty.
• [12:55] Saletan’s closing argument on Noem’s lack of fitness to investigate the shootings.

Conclusion

Will Saletan’s commentary is unwavering and direct, focused on exposing the repeated falsehoods spread by Secretary Kristi Noem concerning two controversial fatal shootings by federal agents. Saletan meticulously contrasts Noem's statements against video evidence, arguing that her dishonesty disqualifies her from overseeing any investigation into the incidents. The episode underscores the urgent need for independent oversight and truthfulness from those in positions of power, regardless of one's political viewpoint.

This summary covers all of the episode's substantive content, preserving the tone and key takeaways for those who have not listened.