Legal AF – “Trump ICE Story Collapses After Agents Caught Lying”

Episode Date: February 14, 2026
Host(s): Michael Popok (for this episode), part of MeidasTouch Network

Episode Overview

This episode of Legal AF focuses on a shocking federal case collapse involving two migrants accused of violently attacking ICE agents—a story now exposed as false after ICE agents were found to have lied under oath. The hosts provide legal analysis on the episode’s main controversies: the actions of ICE, the DOJ’s response, the legal protections for the accused, and the ensuing political and personal scandals surrounding South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Trump-era advisor Corey Lewandowski.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The False ICE Shovel & Broom Attack Story

• Background: Two migrants, Alfredo Aljorna and Julio Sosa Selles, were accused by ICE agents of attacking federal officers with a shovel and a broom, allegedly justifying use of force (one was shot in the leg).
• Revelation: Video evidence and further legal scrutiny revealed ICE agents lied in official affidavits and under oath.
• Federal Response:
  • DOJ filed a one-page motion to dismiss the indictments “with prejudice” due to the misconduct of their own agents, but did not name or discipline those involved.
  • The government’s filing reads:

    "Newly discovered evidence is materially inconsistent with the allegations in the complaint affidavit as well as the preliminary hearing testimony. … Accordingly, dismissal with prejudice will serve the interest of justice.” —Michael Popok reads from the DOJ’s filing (09:45).

2. Legal Consequences and Defense Actions

• Dismissal of Charges:
  • Federal Judge Magruder granted the dismissal as requested by the government.
  • Another judge, Chief Judge Schultz of Minnesota, granted a writ of habeas corpus, ordering the immediate release (with conditions) of the accused. (11:00–12:40)
• Judicial Protection:
  • Judges involved acted swiftly to protect the constitutional rights of the accused, standing in stark contrast to the lawlessness of certain ICE actions.
  • Notable moment:

    “Federal judges are doing what they need to do to protect our rule of law against a lawless presidency and right down to a lawless ICE and Homeland Security.” —Michael Popok (12:23).

3. Kristi Noem’s Role and Political Fallout

• Noem’s Public Statements:
  • South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem heavily relied on the false ICE narrative for public attacks against migrant protections and local officials.
  • Quoting Noem from a televised defense of ICE officers:

    “…as they were wrestling on the ground… two other men came out of that building and started attacking him with shovels and brooms. … the agent feared for his life and defensively had to take action.” —Kristi Noem (played by Popok, 05:55)

• Call for Accountability:
  • Democrats are demanding Noem's firing and hinting at imminent impeachment.
  • Broader Issue: Systemic concern over “bad cops incentivized to do civil rights violations” and a call for a culture overhaul at ICE.
• Notable Host Rant:

  “You need to root them out of ICE and totally change the culture of ICE.” —Michael Popok (10:45)

4. Lewandowski–Noem Affair Rumors and Trump’s Displeasure

• Scandal Details:
  • Reports of an affair between Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski (former Trump campaign advisor, now at Homeland Security).
  • Their suspicious travel arrangements on government aircraft and Lewandowski’s controversial history are highlighted.
  • New reports say Trump is “not happy” and may move to fire one or both—less for their abuses of power, more for the political scandal.
• Notable Moment:

  “Not because of all the bad things she did to get Americans killed and to violate our civil rights and civil liberties, but because of this, this transgression.” —Michael Popok (13:15)

5. Immigration and Justice System Critique

• Family Hardship:
  • Popok recounts the story of one partner of the accused, who was separated from her burned, hospitalized child and forcibly transferred between detention sites. (11:45)
• Government Reticence:
  • ICE still refuses to name corrupt agents or indicate further discipline—prompting outrage from hosts and legal experts.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Michael Popok’s summary of the story:

  “Looks like a fake shovel and a fake broom are mightier than the sword… at least two of their ICE agents lied under oath in a federal court … trying to deny them their constitutional rights and put them in jail for the rest of their lives.” (00:30)

• Kristi Noem defending ICE conduct:

  “…the agent feared for his life and defensively had to take action. But, you know, this kind of violence is perpetuated by what we hear the governor saying …” (05:55)

• On judicial intervention:

  “Federal judges are doing what they need to do to protect our rule of law against a lawless presidency …” (12:23)

• On accountability:

  “You need to root them out of ICE and totally change the culture of ICE.” (10:45)

• Popok on potential firings after the Lewandowski affair revelations:

  “I would not be surprised if either Corey Lewandowski gets fired and/or Kristi Noem does too. Not because of all the bad things [they] did to violate civil rights … but because of this, this transgression.” (13:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• ICE agents caught lying; motion to dismiss – 00:30–05:50
• Kristi Noem’s defense of ICE officers – 05:55–07:15
• Reading of DOJ motion and legal analysis – 09:30–10:50
• Habeas petitions, family hardship, release orders – 11:00–12:25
• Noem–Lewandowski scandal explained – 12:30–13:15
• Closing summary and upcoming reporting – 13:16–13:58

Tone and Style

Throughout the episode, the tone is sharp, outraged, and unfiltered—consistent with the Legal AF brand. Popok blends legal rigor with pointed political critique, punctuated by memorable soundbites and a sense of urgency about accountability and the threat to the rule of law.

Summary

In this episode of Legal AF, host Michael Popok unpacks the collapse of a high-profile ICE case that relied on agents’ lies, explores the quick and decisive intervention by federal judges to uphold justice for the accused migrants, lambasts the continued impunity within federal law enforcement, and skewers the hypocrisy of political figures like Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski, whose personal scandals now threaten their careers more than their civil rights violations. The episode gives context, legal detail, and passionate advocacy, making it a must-listen (or read) for those tracking the intersection of American law, immigration, and executive branch accountability.