Podcast Summary: Louder with Crowder

Episode: Is Trump Backing Down or Doubling Down in Minnesota: Special Guest Nick Sortor

Date: January 27, 2026
Host: Steven Crowder (Co-host 2)
Co-host: (Co-host 1)
Special Guest: Nick Sortor

Overview

This episode scrutinizes recent events in Minnesota regarding ICE operations and the Trump administration’s response to sanctuary policies in the state. With guest reporter Nick Sortor joining later in the show, the hosts dissect the political narrative, media manipulation, and confusion over law enforcement actions and leadership changes. The discussion aims to clarify if Trump is retreating or strategically regrouping, especially in light of media spin and Democratic pushback.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Media Manipulation and Selective Editing

• Crowder’s Main Theme: The episode opens with an extended critique of how media outlets can manipulate public perception by selectively editing video clips and using misleading timecodes.
• Illustrative Example: Crowder demonstrates with staged office conflict how context can flip the apparent aggressor/victim roles completely ([07:10–09:31]).
  • “You can be deceived to believe that an innocent party is guilty and a guilty party is innocent simply by the time codes...” — Crowder, [07:11]
• Media selectively omits crucial context to paint law enforcement as unjustified aggressors, particularly in recent incidents involving Alex Preddy.

2. Minnesota ICE Incident and New Footage

• Hosts discuss the now-viral footage of protests and ICE altercations in Minnesota.
• The newly released footage adds complexity, suggesting that the supposed victims were serially provoking or obstructing law enforcement, challenging the narrative presented by CNN and other outlets ([13:30–15:20]).
  • “This is someone who is there to start trouble. This is someone who is looking for conflict. This is someone who is looking to disrupt someone from doing their job.” — Crowder, [15:14]
• The conversation draws larger points about media credibility and the dangers of misleading narratives:
  • “You do not hate the media enough.” — Crowder, [18:00]
• Discussion covers injuries to ICE officers and the need for clear boundaries:
  • “To what level should we tolerate aggression? And that’s never actually called out.” — Crowder, [18:24]

3. Media Malpractice & Political Rhetoric

• Hosts criticize MSNBC and other outlets for “beautifying” leftist subjects and villainizing conservatives, referencing the treatment of Alex Preddy’s image and previous examples like Joe Rogan ([22:46–25:09]).
• Left-leaning figures, including Governor Tim Walz and other guests on cable news, are accused of irresponsibly invoking Holocaust analogies and branding ICE operations as “concentration camps” ([25:09–27:33]).
  • “Leaders making false equivalencies to her experience for political purposes is never acceptable.” — U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (summary), [27:33]

4. Minnesota Leadership & The Narrative Battle

• Trump’s communication with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is discussed, focusing on the lack of clarity and whether these talks reflect a strategic pause or a backdown by the administration ([34:36–36:27]).
• The hosts break down numbers, refuting Walz’s claims about incarceration statistics and ICE detainers ([38:46–39:30]).
  • “Tim Walz knows he’s lying because Minnesota’s total incarcerated population is over 17,000.” — Crowder, [38:46]
• Democratic framing of the situation is characterized as fear-mongering, with accusations of a “federal occupation” and inflammatory language:
  • “Gestapo, these thugs, unmarked vehicles, torture dungeons, atrocities being committed against Minnesotans...” — Crowder summarizing Walz’s rhetoric, [41:55–42:00]

5. Comparison with Other States

• Contrasts are drawn between the handling of ICE in Minnesota compared with Texas and Florida. In those states, local cooperation leads to fewer confrontations and more effective enforcement ([44:33–46:45]).
• Statistical comparison highlights how much of the violence and chaos is concentrated in sanctuary cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, and LA, which refuse to cooperate with ICE.

6. Trump’s Approach: 8D Chess or Weakness?

• The hosts set the stage for Nick Sortor by laying out two theories:
  • Trump is strategically regrouping, possibly setting up Democrats to fail compliance and then re-engaging more forcefully.
  • Alternatively, Trump may be tacitly backing down, risking perceptions of weakness ([32:36–34:36]).
  • “If the perception is that this administration is weak or that they will throw their own people under the bus … you will get whole cities who refuse to play ball.” — Crowder, [52:18]

7. Interview with Nick Sortor

Starts at: [55:38]

• Sortor reveals new on-the-ground reporting:
  • Clarification on Greg Bevino’s Status: The Border Patrol commander has been relieved and reassigned to El Centro, CA, despite official statements saying otherwise ([56:45]).
    • “He was relieved of duty as commander... If you notice in the statement that DHS released...they started calling him chief again because he went back to his former role.” — Sortor, [56:45]
  • Trump’s Awareness: The decision was made without Trump’s direct knowledge; when informed, Trump was reportedly upset.
  • New Orders for Border Patrol Agents: Agents in Minnesota have been told not to arrest certain illegals previously allowed in under Biden, even if their status is flagged—raising concerns about a return to “Biden-era” hands-off policies ([59:24]).
    • “This feels like we just reverted to the Biden days.” — Sortor quoting an agent, [59:27]
  • Policy Confusion: Sortor stresses this may be temporary or isolated to Minnesota, possibly to facilitate Tom Homan’s negotiation efforts.
    • “There are definitely competing people trying to create policy out in Minnesota.” — Sortor, [60:27]
  • Local Cooperation Problems: Sortor points out that Minnesota, while claiming to hand over violent illegal aliens from state prisons, does not honor detainers from county and city jails—a significant loophole ([62:24]).
    • “If an illegal is arrested even for a violent crime … they still don't get turned over.” — Sortor, [62:39]
  • Sortor’s bottom line: The situation is in flux, and the administration’s next move—whether to double down or fold—will be crucial.

8. Calls for Clear, Forceful Action

• Crowder urges the Trump administration to avoid capitulation, warning of long-term consequences if “backing down” appears to concede ground ([47:56–49:50]).
  • "President Trump cannot back down on Minnesota. He cannot set a tone of capitulation that will then be a cancer…” — Crowder, [47:55]
• The need for strong, unwavering federal action is underscored, especially to set a precedent for other defiant cities.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Media Misinformation:
  • “You do not hate the media enough.” — Crowder, [18:00]
• On Trump’s Communications:
  • “Even the perception of weakness or the perception of backing down is not great.” — Crowder, [55:55]
• On Sanctuary State Dynamics:
  • “Is it compassionate to not enforce it? … If your child is about to do something dangerous, you tell them to stop and you count to three.” — Crowder, [47:17]
• Nick Sortor on Border Patrol:
  • “Border Patrol agents have now been given new orders … they are no longer allowed to arrest that person.” — Sortor, [59:24]
• On Political Rhetoric:
  • “Gestapo, these thugs, unmarked vehicles, torture dungeons, atrocities …” — Crowder listing Walz’s accusations, [41:55]
• Comparing Policing in Other States:
  • “The idea that you’re going to assault one of our troopers is unacceptable. And you are going to face consequences as a result of that.” — Florida clip, [45:10]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Media Manipulation Demonstration: [07:10–09:31]
• Analysis of New Minnesota ICE Footage: [13:30–17:15]
• Discussion of Governor Walz & Democratic Narratives: [38:46–43:00]
• Contrast with Texas & Florida ICE Enforcement: [44:33–46:45]
• Set-up for Nick Sortor Interview: [52:44]
• Nick Sortor Interview (Minnesota ICE, Command Confusion, DHS Policy): [55:38–end]

Tone

The tone is highly skeptical, irreverent, and unsparing, combining humor, sarcasm, and a sense of urgency about media misrepresentation and law enforcement challenges. The hosts frequently mock mainstream media, elected officials, and activists, while urging clarity and resolve from the Trump administration.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a deep dive into recent ICE operations in Minnesota, filtered through Louder with Crowder’s distinctly combative lens. Key themes include media spin, local vs. federal jurisdiction battles, Trump’s ambiguous moves amidst political crossfire, and the need for both transparency and strong resolve. With on-the-ground insight from journalist Nick Sortor, the discussion lands on the importance of holding firm in the face of both internal confusion and external political opposition.

Find Nick Sortor:

• X (formerly Twitter): @nicksortor

Next Steps:
The story is developing, with more information and potential policy shifts expected as events and negotiations continue in Minnesota.