Podcast Summary: Letters from an American

Host: Heather Cox Richardson
Episode Date: January 22, 2026 (Published January 23, 2026)
Theme: The history and implications of present-day U.S. political events, focusing on public backlash against ICE, polling data on Trump and the administration, ongoing legal battles and hearings, and a national protest in Minnesota.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode explores the mounting disapproval of federal immigration enforcement agencies following recent violence, new polling data that signals trouble for the Trump administration, legal controversies involving former President Trump, and the political fallout from these events. Heather Cox Richardson provides historical context to these current news stories, with a focus on public sentiment, legal accountability, and the state of American democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Public Backlash Against ICE and Federal Enforcement

• Jury Acquittals & ICE Actions:
  • Vice President J.D. Vance traveled to Minnesota to address concerns over violent actions carried out by ICE and CBP agents.
  • The killing of Renee Good by ICE Agent Jonathan Ross on January 7th ignited national outrage. Vance initially defended Ross, blaming the victim and asserting officer immunity, but has since tempered his stance.
  • Public opinion has sharply turned:
    • "A new poll out today from the New York Times and Siena University shows that nearly 2/3 of Americans, 63%, disapprove of how ICE is handling its job" (01:10).
    • Even among typical MAGA supporters, ICE’s actions are being criticized. Podcaster Joe Rogan "has compared ICE to the Gestapo." (02:05)
    • Newsmax analyst Andrew Napolitano called a secret ICE memo justifying warrantless home raids a "direct and profound violation of the Fourth Amendment" (03:00).
  • Chicago federal action led to numerous prosecutions, but of 31 non-immigration cases, 15 have been acquitted and none convicted so far (04:05).

2. Vice President Vance’s Shifting Narrative

• Vance recanted earlier rhetoric defending absolute officer immunity:
  • "I didn't say that officers who engaged in wrongdoing would enjoy immunity. That's absurd." (05:30)
  • He now concedes: "Of course there have been mistakes made because you're always going to have mistakes made in law enforcement..." (05:10)

3. Trump’s Diminishing Poll Numbers and Reaction

• New York Times/Siena poll signals trouble for Trump:
  • "His approval rating has fallen to 40%, while 56% disapprove... 49% of registered voters think the country is worse off than it was a year ago." (06:05)
  • Trump is underwater on every major issue except the US-Mexico border.
  • Trump lashes out on social media, calling the poll "fake and fraudulent" and threatening more lawsuits (07:00).
    • "Something has to be done about fraudulent polling... Isn't it sad what has happened to American journalism?" (08:00)

4. Legal Battles: Trump vs. JPMorgan & DOJ Events

• Trump sues JPMorgan Chase for closing accounts, demanding $5 billion, alleging political discrimination; the bank asserts closures are for legal or regulatory risk, not politics (09:00).
• Ongoing impact of January 6 and 2020 Election investigations:
  • Special Counsel Jack Smith testified before the House Judiciary Committee about indicting Trump:
    • Smith declared: "Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in criminal activity." (10:45)
    • When pressed on why only Trump was charged: "I had been in the process of considering charging others when Trump was elected president again and the case was then closed." (12:00)
• House and Senate members are upset about DOJ obtaining their call logs (toll records), fueling political tension (12:30).

5. GOP and MAGA Reactionary Rhetoric

• Trump posts further attacks on Jack Smith, calling him a "deranged animal" and labeling the investigation a "Democrat scam" (11:40).
• White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller: "Everyone serious understands that the justice system is rigged. Far left prosecutors, magistrates, judges and juries unhesitatingly shield their violent activists and gleefully imprison their political opponents." (12:45)
• Elon Musk supports Miller’s sentiment, replying: "Absolutely." (13:00)

6. The U.S. Withdrawal from the World Health Organization

• As of this episode, the U.S. has officially withdrawn from the WHO owing $278 million in dues (13:05).

7. Minnesota ICE Protest – “ICE Out Day”

• A statewide general strike is underway in Minnesota, with businesses, unions, faith groups, lawmakers, and activists protesting federal agents' actions (13:10).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joe Rogan on ICE: "ICE ... is being compared to the Gestapo." (02:05)
• Andrew Napolitano (Newsmax): "[The ICE memo is] a direct and profound violation of the Fourth Amendment..." (03:00)
• Vice President Vance:
  • "I didn't say that officers who engaged in wrongdoing would enjoy immunity. That's absurd." (05:30)
  • "You're always going to have mistakes made in law enforcement..." (05:10)
• Trump on Polls: "Fake and fraudulent polling should be virtually a criminal offense...I won in a landslide..." (07:00–08:00)
• Jack Smith on Charging Trump: "Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in criminal activity." (10:45)
• Stephen Miller: "Unrigging the system is necessary for the survival of the republic." (12:45)
• Elon Musk: "Absolutely." (13:00)
• Minnesota’s Strike: "Tomorrow, people across Minnesota will stay home from work, school and shopping areas in an ice out day to protest the federal agents..." (13:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• ICE, Polls, Public Backlash: 00:10 – 05:45
• Vance’s Statements, Law Enforcement Immunity: 05:45 – 06:30
• Trump Polling Reaction/Social Media Outburst: 06:30 – 09:30
• Trump–JPMorgan Lawsuit: 09:30 – 10:00
• Jack Smith Testifies, GOP Reactions: 10:00 – 12:30
• DOJ & January 6 Toll Records: 12:30 – 12:45
• MAGA/White House/Musk Responses: 12:45 – 13:05
• U.S. Withdrawal from WHO: 13:05 – 13:10
• Minnesota “ICE Out Day” Strike: 13:10 – 13:34

Conclusion

Heather Cox Richardson's analysis weaves historical context into urgent national events: widespread public disapproval of ICE, declining support for Trump, growing alarm over the administration’s legal and political maneuvering, and intensifying partisan rhetoric. The Minnesota “ICE Out Day” signals a rare consensus across business, labor, and civil society against federal overreach, while legal and political institutions remain enmeshed in controversy as the election year unfolds.