Episode Overview

Podcast: IHIP News
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Episode Title: Trump Wants Stephen Miller Gone as Republicans Call For His Removal in Public Attacks
Date: January 29, 2026

This episode confronts the intensifying criticism of Stephen Miller—a close Trump adviser known for hardline, often controversial policies—amid public attacks from within the Republican Party and Trump’s own reported dissatisfaction. The hosts and guests dissect infighting among Trump allies (including Kristi Noem), the implications of right-wing rhetoric and policies (notably on immigration and law enforcement), and the moral consequences of the Republican agenda. The tone throughout is direct, often biting, with a commitment to progressive values and civic activism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Republicans Turning on Stephen Miller (00:00–02:47)

• Krystal Ball opens with a forceful assessment: Stephen Miller is not just disliked by progressives but increasingly by Republicans as well.
  • “Stephen Miller is objectively unlikable. Stephen Miller is objectively a psychopath. And the only person that I have ever seen that actually says something favorable about him is Jesse Waters.” (00:14, Krystal Ball)
• Theory: After years of supporting Trump, Republicans are now searching for a scapegoat within their ranks—Miller as a tangible target for their discontent.
• Kristi Noem’s involvement highlights the toxic dynamics within Trump’s circle.
  • Noem is described as a narcissist and “not just going to walk away from this without bringing everybody down with her.” (01:47, Krystal Ball)

2. Miller and Noem: Loyalty, Ambition, and Internal Chaos (02:47–04:21)

• Saagar Enjeti comments on the inability of Miller and Noem (outside their bubble) to even “be assistant managers at Lowes,” due to their cruelty and lack of skill.
  • “They are mean, they are cruel. They are completely and totally without any skill except hate and cruelty.” (03:23, Saagar Enjeti)
• Predicts Miller will remain loyal due to “mutually assured destruction,” but that Noem is a potential turncoat if it benefits her.

3. Trump’s Weakness and Succession Intrigue (04:21–05:28)

• With Trump “frail” and showing signs of weakness, power struggles intensify among loyalists like Miller and Noem.
  • Krystal references historian Timothy Snyder: “You can tell when he’s spoken to Putin on the phone, because for three days, it’s Russian propaganda talking points.” (04:41, Krystal Ball)
• GOP Senators publicly criticizing Miller—example: Senator Tillis.

4. Toxic Culture and Escalating Violence (05:28–07:01)

• Exposes toxicity in Trump’s circle: “This is such a toxic work environment… This fissure is going to manifest into some massive, delicious shit show, shit throwing between the sycophants surrounding Trump.” (05:41, Krystal Ball)
• Discusses recent civilian shootings linked to Trump policies, and how Miller and Noem attempt to deflect blame.

5. The Alex Preddy Case: Media Spin, Cruelty, and Fear (07:01–13:08)

• Video footage shows Alex Preddy’s pre-shooting interaction with ICE. Despite media claims, kicking a vehicle did not justify his execution.
• Krystal condemns right-wing dehumanization:
  • “There is no world where you live in a democracy where you kick a taillight on a truck that you deserve to be shot and executed and have nine bullets unloaded into your back.” (07:47, Krystal Ball)
• Dissects Megyn Kelly’s incendiary tweet blaming Preddy, painting the left as “illegal loving” and ignoring his humanity.
• Shares personal anecdotes:
  • Families hiding from ICE in Oklahoma City
  • A woman in New York fearing for her boyfriend’s safety due to ICE’s unchecked power
• Rhetorical question: Why is right-wing media excited by, “recreational cruelty”?
• Distinction between worldviews: progressive empathy vs. MAGA authoritarianism.

6. The Erosion of Civil Liberties and Chilling Effect on Protest (13:08–14:23)

• Saagar notes: ICE now involved in high-profile security (Olympics, Super Bowl), impinging on free assembly and protest rights.
  • “Kicking a car is never a felony. I don’t care what state or county or federal government you’re in. Kicking a car is not a felony.” (14:14, Saagar Enjeti)
• Growing fear makes even the most committed activists hesitate to protest.

7. Right-Wing Double Standards & Propagandists (14:23–15:54)

• Krystal Ball highlights hypocrisy:
  • MAGA “insurrectionists” committed violence in 2021, but claim to support order and the Constitution.
• Criticizes “party built on lies” and profiteering for billionaires, who value “money over human beings.”
• Amplifies tweet from Molly Jong-Fast on ICE funding:
  • “80 billion” in funding is fueling a moneymaking system for “Stephen Miller style psychopaths.”

8. Money, Immigrants, and the Bigger Economic Picture (15:54–16:25)

• Dismantling immigrant populations threatens America’s economy, which is “built on immigrants.”
• Warning: US hostility to allies (and ties with Russia) could have catastrophic effects on global finance and ordinary Americans.

9. Humanity and the True Cost of Policy (16:25–episode end)

• Story of 5-year-old Liam Ramos—detained, sent to a Texas facility, now in poor health—drives home the reality of harsh enforcement.
  • “There is a group of tens of millions of Americans that see this and all they see is a brown skinned kid. The people who claim to love Jesus the most... they see this and they feel nothing.” (17:31, Krystal Ball)
• Asserts a moral duty to protest and defend the humanity of all Americans and immigrants, legal or not.
• Final call to action: “We will not be scared to go to another no Kings rally. We will never obey in advance. We will lock hands with everyone on the front lines of every single protest. I am not scared of these people. I’m scared of their end result.” (19:16, Krystal Ball)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Stephen Miller is objectively unlikable. Stephen Miller is objectively a psychopath.”
  — Krystal Ball (00:14)
• “These people could not be assistant managers at Lowes. They are mean, they are cruel. They are completely and totally without any skill except hate and cruelty.”
  — Saagar Enjeti (03:20)
• “You can tell when [Trump's] spoken to Putin on the phone, because for three days, it’s Russian propaganda talking points.”
  — Krystal Ball (04:41)
• “There is no world where you live in a democracy where you kick a taillight on a truck that you deserve to be shot and executed and have nine bullets unloaded into your back.”
  — Krystal Ball (07:47)
• “Kicking a car is never a felony. I don’t care what state or county or federal government you’re in. Kicking a car is not a felony.”
  — Saagar Enjeti (14:14)
• “Molly says, personally, I think [80 billion dollars] is too much money to give to Trump’s private militia.”
  — Krystal Ball quoting Molly Jong-Fast (15:25)
• “There is a group of tens of millions of Americans that see this and all they see is a brown skinned kid. The people who claim to love Jesus the most... they see this and they feel nothing.”
  — Krystal Ball (17:31)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Republicans turn on Miller / Kristi Noem’s woes: 00:00–04:21
• Infighting, succession, Trump’s vulnerability: 04:21–05:28
• Toxicity & shootings, media cover-up: 05:28–07:01
• Alex Preddy case, media narratives, ICE abuse stories: 07:01–13:08
• Rights, protest, increasing authoritarianism: 13:08–14:23
• MAGA hypocrisy, economy, ICE funding: 14:23–16:25
• Personal story, protest call-to-action: 16:25–end

Takeaway

This episode delivers a searing critique of the Trump administration’s inner circle, letting listeners feel the human cost of right-wing approaches to governance and immigration. It combines sharp political analysis, personal testimony, and a call to principled resistance—reminding supporters to resist intimidation and never stop fighting for humane values and justice.