Podcast Summary: It Could Happen Here – "Executive Disorder: Alex Pretti Shooting, DHS Funding Bill & Rojava"

Date: January 30, 2026
Hosts: Garrison Davis, Mia Wong, James Stout, Robert Evans
Produced by: Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This episode delivers an intense, in-depth discussion of the week’s major events, focusing heavily on the killing of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, the chaotic political fallout, and repercussions across the country. The hosts also cover developments in federal DHS funding debates, briefly update on Rojava and U.S. foreign policy, and touch on the assault against Representative Ilhan Omar. The tone is urgent, skeptical, and laced with dark humor, in keeping with the show's chronicle-of-collapse approach.

Major Discussion Points and Insights

1. Alex Pretti Shooting in Minneapolis

Incident Recap

• [02:52] James Stout recounts being in Minneapolis Airport when the shooting occurred.
• Alex Pretti, 37, an ICU nurse and Air Force veteran, was shot by two CBP agents during an immigration raid. Pretti was filming the operation and attempting to assist a woman when he was detained, maced, beaten, disarmed, and then shot multiple times.
• [04:17] Agents appeared unclear about the gun’s status even after it was taken from Pretti: "The agent that first fired at Preddy was standing right behind the agent that disarmed him...and then seconds later starts shooting." – Garrison Davis

Official Narratives, Disinformation & Public Response

• DHS and officials publicly claimed Pretti attacked agents and was "brandishing his weapon", but multiple synchronized videos show him holding only his cell phone and being disarmed before being shot.
• The footage contradicts nearly every official justification.
• FBI and DHS ratcheted rhetoric, labeling Pretti a "domestic terrorist" and suggesting intentions to "massacre law enforcement".
• Press conferences were characterized by outright falsehoods, with government spokespeople caught in contradiction by video evidence:
  • [09:43] "The party told you not to believe your eyes and ears. It was their final, most important command. I mean, if this ain't that, then I don't know what is." – James Stout

Witness & Community Accounts

• Sworn testimony from bystanders consistently disputes the official story.
  • [11:34] “The man did not approach the agents with a gun. He approached him with a camera.” – (witness in ACLU suit)
• Federal agents prevented a doctor from assisting Pretti after the shooting and appeared to be "counting his bullet wounds" instead.

Fallout: Vigils, Protests, and the National Mood

• Protests erupted, with Minneapolis police deploying “less lethal” rounds to disperse vigils; the shooting resonated well beyond activist circles.
• [19:51] Some of the most striking cultural fallout included NFL stars and fans—deeply conservative spaces—expressing outrage.
  • [21:25] For the first time ever, national anthem booed at NFL games; “fuck ICE” chanted in Seattle during a live broadcast, forcing Fox to cut audio.
  • "He doesn't talk about politics, but he's very obviously conservative...and he looks at this and goes, holy shit, they murdered this guy." – Mia Wong on NFL commentator Kurt Warner [26:13]

Political Backpedaling

• Language from DHS and administration pivoted from harsh condemnation to qualified statements as video evidence went viral and criticism mounted.
• [18:05] DOJ lawyer: “I am not describing it as anything except for a tragedy.”
• Former aggressive officials like Stephen Miller began walking back the DHS' initial terrorism narrative.

Second Amendment Implications

• The scenario—government agents disarming and executing a legal gun owner—galvanized even gun rights communities against the administration.
  • [29:41] "The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus has been pretty impressive....they have been, like, reinforcing that what Pretty was doing was in no way illegal and should no way lead to you being killed." – James Stout

Disinformation, AI & Truth

• The hosts raise alarm over "AI-enhanced" stills claiming to show supplementary gunfire, and other doctored images spreading online, muddying the waters further.
  • [33:11] “Nothing can enhance a photo...you can’t just like add details...AI did. Someone said ‘add visuals of a bullet’ and they did...That’s just going to be everything...every controversial thing...” – Host

2. Surveillance, Databases, and Protester Intimidation

• CNN reports that Pretti had been previously identified/encountered by federal agents, was physically assaulted at a prior incident, and that a memo asked officials to collect information on “protesters and agitators”.
• ICE/Homeland Security have hinted at the desire for protester databases; similar surveillance observed at protests in other cities.
• Discussion clarifies that such surveillance and intimidation tactics are not new—activists and legal observers have long been harassed and photographed by law enforcement.
  • [47:43] "If you are spreading this as a ‘you need to be afraid now’...You are doing their job. You are spreading the fear...."

3. Congressional and DHS Funding Fallout

• The Pretti shooting catalyzed a backlash in Congress.
• Senate Democrats blocking a House-approved DHS funding bill unless concessions are made: strict rules on body cams, agent identification, judicial warrants for arrests, ending “roving patrols,” etc.
  • [39:45] James Stout explains the legal meanings of border jurisdiction.
  • [41:46] Push for judicial warrants instead of administrative “Form 215” was highlighted as crucial.

4. Assault on Rep. Ilhan Omar

• [48:50] Omar assaulted at town hall—sprayed with apple cider vinegar by man shouting for her resignation; no serious injuries but considerable concern.
• DOJ quickly brought federal assault charges; more details provided via producer update.
• Trump’s response: “She probably had sprayed herself, knowing her.” [51:17]

5. Rojava, Middle East Updates

• Brief update as per listener requests:
  • Syrian Democratic Forces and opposition government agreed to a fragile, frequently-violated ceasefire, mainly due to U.S. concerns over ISIS prisoner escapes.
  • U.S. resuming detainee transfers; Trump threatening Iraq over PM choice, signaling intent to "cut all ties."
  • Region remains highly unstable; U.S. maintains transactional approach to alliances, especially with the Kurds.
  • “We spent twenty fucking years killing people in Iraq...the idea that we were doing regime change, but when the regime isn’t the one that we like...we’re doing regime change again. Obviously, the whole thing was a fraud and a lie.” – James Stout [55:18]

6. Federal Reserve Independence

• Quick update on efforts to pressure the Fed:
  • Despite political pressure, Fed held rates steady; no public comment on the Trump DOJ’s investigation into the Fed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The party told you not to believe your eyes and ears. It was their final, most important command. I mean, if this ain't that, then I don't know what is."
  – James Stout [09:43], on administration lying about the shooting.
• "You can't make a case for that. Reasonably. People will do it unreasonably. I don't care."
  – James Stout [06:24], on official justifications.
• "He doesn't talk about politics, but he's very obviously conservative...and he looks at this and goes, holy shit, they murdered this guy."
  – Mia Wong about Kurt Warner [26:13].
• "This is the second time they've done this in two weeks."
  – Recurring theme across the episode—on repeated federal shootings and narratives [25:41].
• "This story is like the ultimate conservative nightmare of the government physically disarming you, then executing you."
  – Garrison Davis [27:59].

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:52] – Detailed walkthrough of the Alex Pretti shooting
• [09:43] – Analysis of official narrative versus documented evidence
• [19:51] – Sports world, NFL enters the discourse
• [26:13] – Cultural shift & conservative response
• [33:00] – Disinformation & AI-evidence segment
• [39:45] – Congressional fight over DHS funding
• [48:50] – Ilhan Omar assaulted
• [52:54] – Rojava and Middle East situation
• [55:55] – Federal Reserve update

Conclusion

The episode paints a portrait of rapidly unraveling federal legitimacy, unprecedented cultural backlash against administration violence, and a growing chasm between official narratives and documented realities. The Alex Pretti shooting is dissected as both a symptom and catalyst: exposing how state power, technological shifts (AI fakes), and escalating surveillance intersect with deep national divides and resistance, even in traditionally “apolitical” spaces. The hosts close with a reminder to support Minneapolis mutual aid and efforts, underscoring the urgent, participatory nature of this uniquely volatile moment.