Podcast Summary: “Independents Shift Trump Approval Ratings and Updates on Nancy Guthrie Investigation”

Podcast: Here’s the Scoop – NBC News
Host: Yasmin Vossoughian
Date: February 11, 2026

Overview

This episode of Here’s the Scoop tackles two major themes:

1. Declining approval ratings for President Trump, with a spotlight on how independents are driving shifts—particularly concerning immigration policy.
2. New developments in the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case, including law enforcement actions and the investigative process.

Other key segments include headline news on the Epstein files, job market updates, an Olympic highlights minute, and the passing of actor James Van Der Beek.

President Trump’s Approval Ratings and Immigration Policy

Key Poll Results & Analysis

• National Perspective: Trump’s overall approval rating has dropped to 39%, the lowest in his second term. Immigration-specific approval sits at 40%.
  • Steve Kornacki (Data Analyst): “President Trump's job approval rating falling in this to 39%, which is essentially the lowest it's been in, in his second term.” [01:08]
• Minnesota Focus: Only 31% of Minnesotans strongly approve of Trump’s border security approach.
  • Natasha Korecki (Senior National Politics Reporter): “There is always gonna be a segment of the population that is gonna be very faithful to Donald Trump. But the strong majority of the state was very unhappy with Trump across the board.” [02:20]
• Strong Disapproval Up Nationwide: 49% of adults now strongly disapprove of Trump’s handling of border security and immigration (up from 38% last summer and 34% in April).
• Independents Lead Disapproval:
  • 72% of self-identified independents now disapprove of Trump’s immigration policies.
  • The intensity of disapproval is notable: “...the intensity of that feeling has grown. And I think that's what you're getting at with the folks who don't just say they disapprove, they say they strongly disapprove.” — Steve Kornacki [03:43]
• Midterm Implications:
  • “This poll shows across the board that [independents are] really acting like Democrats. They're rejecting all kinds of policies from Trump… in some of these vulnerable seats, we're gonna see, you know, some Republicans getting really scared, I think.” — Natasha Korecki [04:22]
  • Trump’s approval pattern mirrors prior presidents heading into challenging midterm years (“blue wave” years for Obama and Biden, noted by Steve Kornacki [05:22]).

Voter Trust in Media & Investigations

• Social Media vs. News Media:
  • 34% of respondents in Minnesota said social media provided the most accurate information on immigration events—outpacing both national and local media.
    • “What they're talking about is regular people who are going out there and filming what ICE, what CBP is doing... Those videos are moving people. That's what it's showing.” — Natasha Korecki [07:15]
• Lack of Trust in Government Investigations:
  • Low faith in fairness of government probes into local shootings, with trust particularly low among all but MAGA-identifying Republicans.
  • High-profile local resignations and media contradictions fuel skepticism.

ICE Operations and Government Shutdown

• Public’s Stance on ICE:
  • 43% of poll respondents chose “reform” of ICE over status quo or abolition.
  • Roughly 30% (driven by Democrats) favor abolishing ICE—about half of Democrats express this maximal stance.
    • “Just under 30% of all adults in this poll said they wanted to abolish ICE. And that is driven by Democrats.” — Steve Kornacki [09:51]
• Congressional Implications:
  • Lawmakers, especially vulnerable Republicans and Democrats, likely to favor some reform given the public unrest.
    • “There's every reason for a Democrat in particular and a Republican who's worried about their seat, a vulnerable Republican, to take a look at some kind of reform.” — Natasha Korecki [10:05]
• Midterm Priority: Immigration vs. Economy:
  • Both topics are drivers, but local exposure to immigration issues intensifies its influence; economy remains a perennial concern. [10:33-11:22]

Nancy Guthrie Investigation: New Developments

Detainment and House Search (13:23–14:53)

• Recent Law Enforcement Action:
  • Investigation centered on a delivery driver, detained and released after a court-authorized home search near Rio Rico, Arizona.
  • No prior criminal history or connection found so far; person denies knowing Nancy Guthrie.
  • Tom Winter (National Law Enforcement Correspondent): “It’s not somebody that immediately sticks out in the investigation… they could have held this person for up to 48 hours, but… we’re not going to get there yet on this person.” [14:05]

Evidence and Search Strategy (16:07–19:33)

• Tip Volume Surge:
  • After the FBI released suspect footage, tip call volume spiked: 18,000 since Feb 1, with over 4,000 in the last 24 hours.
  • Importance of vetting tips: fake or malicious leads are common.
• Search Focus in Catalina Foothills:
  • FBI concentrated on the area around Guthrie’s home, noting the lack of a visible vehicle in surveillance footage.
  • Tom Winter shares investigative thinking: Perhaps the suspect approached on foot, possibly camped nearby, and intended to evade detection by not using technology.
  • Investigators are hoping for key physical evidence (e.g., a dropped item) and help from the public.

Solvability, Evidence, and Public Appeal (20:04–21:58)

• Criminal Investigation Outlook:
  • Tom Winter: “I believe this is a solvable crime… you look at the evidence, the big clue yesterday in the form of that video… this is definitely something that is solvable. Somebody knows something.” [20:24]
• Urgency:
  • As days pass (now 11 since disappearance), investigators emphasize the need for public pressure and critical tips.
  • “They took an 84 year old woman out of her house in the overnight hours on Sunday… Why would you do this? They need to pressure this person. That's the goal for investigators.” — Tom Winter [21:58]
• Contact Info:
  • FBI tipline: 1-800-CALL-FBI; Pima County Sheriff: 520-351-4900

Headlines Round-Up

Attorney General Pam Bondi/Epstein Files (24:00–25:11)

• Capitol Hill hearing: Pam Bondi, Attorney General, clashes with House Democrats over redacted Epstein files, delivers combative testimony, and refuses to apologize to survivors.

US-Israel Relations/Iran Deal (25:11–25:37)

• President Trump: Reaffirms US-Israel relations, insists on Iran negotiations but warns of deploying further military force if talks fail.

US Economy: Jobs Data (25:37–26:27)

• Labor market: Revised 2025 data reveal only 181,000 jobs created (down sharply from initial estimates), though 2026 hiring is rebounding.

Olympics Minute (26:27–27:34)

• Highlights: Elizabeth Lenley and Jaylen Kauf take first and second in moguls; Ryan Cochran Siegel wins Super G silver; Lindsey Vonn posts update post-injury; Breezy Johnson wins gold in downhill; Ilya Malinin (“quad God”) leads in figure skating, final skate Friday.

In Memoriam: James Van Der Beek (27:34–28:57)

• Actor James Van Der Beek dies at 48, remembered for “Dawson’s Creek” and advocacy for cancer awareness.
  • “His wife said he faced his illness with, quote, courage, faith and grace.” — Yasmin Vossoughian [28:57]

Notable Quotes

• “Almost three out of four independents disapprove of how Trump and his administration are handling immigration.” — Steve Kornacki [03:26]
• “I was expecting a little bit more of a difference maybe in Minnesota because they were seeing it up close… But the strong majority of the state was very unhappy with Trump across the board.” — Natasha Korecki [02:20]
• “This poll shows across the board that [independents are] really acting like Democrats. They're rejecting all kinds of policies from Trump.” — Natasha Korecki [04:22]
• “You just hope you get the critical tip that leads you to an arrest. But you gotta push the case; the time is not on Nancy Guthrie’s side.” — Tom Winter [20:24]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Immigration and Approval Ratings: 00:03–11:22
• Nancy Guthrie Investigation: 13:23–21:58
• Headlines (Bondi, Economy, Olympics, In Memoriam): 24:00–28:57

Tone and Style

The conversation is clear, fact-focused, and analytical, with urgency in the reporting of the Guthrie investigation and measured, data-centric discussion about polling and its political ramifications. The speakers use conversational language but maintain journalistic professionalism throughout.