Podcast Summary

Podcast: Letters from an American
Host: Heather Cox Richardson
Episode: January 13, 2026
Date: January 14, 2026
Theme: The Federal Response to Protests Against ICE—Escalation, Resistance, and Political Fallout

Episode Overview

In this episode, Heather Cox Richardson delves into the intensifying federal response to nationwide protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the controversial killing of Renee Goode in Minneapolis by federal agents. She explores how the Trump administration's tactics have backfired, sparking deeper resistance, and unpacks the political, social, and legal ramification of these developments—framing them within broader themes of law enforcement overreach, American identity, and rising authoritarianism.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Federal Escalation and Public Outrage

[00:00–03:20]

• Trump administration officials claim federal surges into Democratic-led cities are necessary for rounding up undocumented immigrants, but the reality appears to be about suppressing opposition.
  • "The agent's mission increasingly looks as if it is to frighten opponents of the administration into submission. But instead of submission, they appear to be sparking deeper and deeper opposition." ([00:15])
• The killing of Renee Goode by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis has triggered national protests, met with increased and often violent responses from federal agents.
• Alarming examples:
  • Armed home invasions by agents
  • Teenagers dragged from work
  • Agents conducting door-to-door searches without warrants
  • Use of illegal chokeholds
  • Detainment of people (including citizens) without legal justification

2. Administration and Media Narratives

[03:21–06:00]

• When confronted with evidence of illegal violence, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson insisted agents act “heroically.”
• Trump’s own rhetoric places blame on the victim:
  • "At a very minimum, that woman was very, very disrespectful to law enforcement." — Donald Trump ([04:00])
• Rep. Jamie Raskin counters this, highlighting hypocrisy compared to the treatment of January 6th insurrectionists:
  • "The police do not have the right to shoot people in the head because they consider them having acted in a disrespectful way. That legal standard would have led to a slaughter on January 6th." — Jamie Raskin ([04:41])

3. ICE as Performance, Not Enforcement

[06:01–07:45]

• David Frum’s analysis in The Atlantic: ICE is being used for political performance—its violence is meant as content for social media and a tool for MAGA to claim power.
  • "ICE is less a law enforcement agency than it is a content creator.” — David Frum ([06:23])
• Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff, has lowered standards for recruitment, increasing the number of untrained and violent agents.

4. Clashing Narratives and the Erosion of American Ideals

[07:46–09:05]

• Rather than reinforcing law and order, the administration’s tactics display lawlessness and foster community solidarity against ICE.
• The MAGA narrative: Resisters are anti-American. Even white women, traditionally seen as protected, are now portrayed as enemies for standing against Trump.
  • "On Sunday, David Marcus of Fox News warned that organized gangs of wine moms are using antifa tactics to harass and impede Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents." ([08:22])
  • "He seemed to threaten them by warning if we simply allow those cosplaying would be revolutionaries to do whatever they want, Renee Good will not be the last to needlessly die." ([08:49])
• Department of Justice is focusing its investigation on Goode’s activism and associates, not the shooting itself, drawing criticism and resignations from DOJ’s career civil rights prosecutors.

5. Resistance Grows as Legitimacy Crumbles

[09:06–10:15]

• Instead of intimidation, ICE’s presence galvanizes public resistance:
  • Neighborhood squads form to protect children and residents
  • Americans openly organize support for those targeted
• Polls show shifting opinion: now 46% of Americans support abolishing ICE.
• Unexpected critics emerge:
  • "Popular podcaster Joe Rogan, who endorsed Trump in 2024, today likened ICE to the Gestapo, Nazi Germany's secret police." ([10:23])

6. Legal and Political Pushback

[10:16–11:12]

• Illinois, Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul file lawsuits against the Trump administration and DHS, citing rights violations and excessive use of force.
  • Illinois AG Kwame Raoul:
    • "Border Patrol agents and ICE officers have acted as occupiers rather than officers of the law. They randomly and often violently question residents without warrants or probable cause..." ([10:41])
  • Minnesota AG Keith Ellison:
    • "These poorly trained, aggressive and armed agents of the federal state have terrorized Minnesota with widespread unlawful conduct." ([10:54])

7. Trump’s Continued Defiance

[11:13–11:40]

• Trump ramps up his rhetoric, blaming state officials and promoting fear of crime, while dismissing concerns about federal overreach as partisan attacks.
  • "Minnesota Democrats love the unrest that anarchists and professional agitators are causing because it gets the spotlight off of the $19 billion that was stolen by really bad and deranged people. Fear not great people of Minnesota. The day of reckoning and retribution is coming." — Donald Trump ([11:19])

8. Memorable Viral Moment

[11:41–11:55]

• During Trump's visit to a Michigan Ford plant, a union worker, TJ Sabula, shouts “pedophile protector” at the president, referencing the Epstein files cover-up.
  • Trump responds with an obscene gesture and profanity.
  • Sabula is suspended but remains defiant:
    • "He has definitely no regrets whatsoever." ([11:54])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Rhetoric of Retribution:
  • "At a very minimum, that woman was very, very disrespectful to law enforcement."
    — Donald Trump ([04:00])
• On Hypocrisy:
  • "The police do not have the right to shoot people in the head because they consider them having acted in a disrespectful way. That legal standard would have led to a slaughter on January 6th."
    — Rep. Jamie Raskin ([04:41])
• ICE’s Theatrical Purpose:
  • "ICE is less a law enforcement agency than it is a content creator."
    — David Frum ([06:23])
• Grassroots Opposition:
  • "Americans are forming squads to alert neighborhoods to their presence, escorting children, and helping feed neighbors who are afraid to leave their homes." ([09:26])
• Bipartisan Revulsion:
  • "Popular podcaster Joe Rogan, who endorsed Trump in 2024, today likened ICE to the Gestapo." ([10:23])
• Legal Pushback:
  • "Border Patrol agents and ICE officers have acted as occupiers rather than officers of the law."
    — Illinois AG Kwame Raoul ([10:41])
• Trump’s Defiance:
  • "Fear not great people of Minnesota. The day of reckoning and retribution is coming."
    — Donald Trump ([11:19])
• Viral Moment:
  • "He has definitely no regrets whatsoever."
    — TJ Sabula ([11:54])

Conclusion

This episode presents a chilling look at the Trump administration’s shifting use of federal force in American cities, the blowback from both the public and within government institutions, and the larger contest for the nation’s character and the rule of law. Heather Cox Richardson weaves historical context throughout, highlighting both the real-time consequences and the deeper ideological stakes of today’s political battles.