Mark Levin Podcast — Episode Summary

Date: February 5, 2026
Guest Host: Larry O’Connor (for Mark Levin)
Main Theme:
Immigration Enforcement: Change in Approach, Not Policy

Episode Overview

Larry O’Connor sits in for Mark Levin, focusing on the Trump administration’s recent changes in approach to immigration enforcement—particularly in Minnesota. The episode dissects whether these changes represent a substantive policy shift or simply a tactical and communicative recalibration. O’Connor features audio from “border czar” Tom Homan, analyzes policy, challenges listener perspectives on mass deportation, and broadcasts excerpts from President Trump’s Super Bowl interview with NBC.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Sanctuary Policies and Local Cooperation

• [12:18] O’Connor reviews the ongoing tension between federal immigration authorities (ICE) and local law enforcement in Minnesota—especially Minneapolis—and the degree of cooperation (or lack thereof) for transferring criminal illegal immigrants.
• Emphasizes public safety concerns and law enforcement frustration with sanctuary policies:

  “98% of the cops on the beat do not want to follow these policies, do not want to follow these sanctuary policies.” —Larry O’Connor [16:16]

• Explains the basic mechanism: ICE issues a detainer if an illegal immigrant is arrested for a crime, but local officials often refuse cooperation, leading to street arrests that increase risks for all.

2. Tom Homan’s Press Conference: A ‘New Tone’ in Enforcement

• [17:05] & [21:11] Press conference with Tom Homan (Trump’s border czar), underscoring an unprecedented rise in local and state cooperation with ICE in Minnesota, largely credited to new strategies (not new policies):

“We currently have an unprecedented number of counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets. Unprecedented cooperation. This is smart law enforcement, not less law enforcement.” —Tom Homan [21:54]

• The Trump administration views this as a policy victory—compelling local cooperation while maintaining the core goal: apprehending, processing, and deporting criminal illegal immigrants.

3. Crime Stat Breakdowns & Detailing Enforcement Results

• Homan shares arrest figures post-surge operations, reinforcing that the strategic focus remains:
  • 14 people with homicide convictions
  • 139 assault convictions
  • 87 sex offenses
  • 28 gang members

“We’re taking a lot of bad people off the streets. Everybody should be grateful for that.” —Tom Homan [24:34]

• Homan also details federal prosecution for those interfering with ICE operations:
  • 158 arrests for violating 18 USC 111 (assaulting/facilitating ICE officers)
  • 85 cases accepted for prosecution

4. Dispelling the ‘Retreat’ Narrative

• O’Connor pushes back on media claims that Trump is retreating or caving on immigration:

“Don’t be confused with the new approach and a change in tone with a new policy or a retreat. The policy remains the same... If anybody’s changing policies here, it’s the state of Minnesota and the local municipalities who are now cooperating.” —Larry O’Connor [22:57]

5. Legal Context: Deportation for Legal vs. Illegal Immigrants

• Explains that even legal (green card holding) immigrants are subject to deportation for felonies, so defending sanctuary policies for illegal immigrants convicted of crimes is, in his words, “upside down.”

“If you are a legal immigrant...and you are convicted of a felony, you will be deported. But these guys want to protect the people who aren’t legal immigrants who get convicted of crimes.” —Larry O’Connor [27:20]

6. Self-Deportation Incentives & The Boundaries of Generosity

• O’Connor criticizes resistance to existing self-deportation programs (cash and transportation offered for voluntary exit), characterizing some illegal immigrants and their advocacy as hubristic.

“How generous are we supposed to be? … The offer is now up to $3,000. You get $3,000, cash in pocket, you go back to your country, no arrest, no conviction… [This] is your amnesty that you’ve been wanting.” —Larry O’Connor [29:30]

7. Calls & Listener Engagement

• Several callers challenge and support Trump’s mass deportation efforts:

  • Tom from Texas: Argues Trump has underdelivered on mass deportation, suggests employer fines are the real force for self-deportation. O’Connor counters that job loss alone won’t prompt mass departures without enforcement—citing 3 million departures in 2025 as partial progress.

  “If you think that the second people lose their job, they’re just going to leave on their own, I’m sorry—you’re living in fantasy land.” —Larry O’Connor [46:07]

  • Jim from Stockton, CA: (Ex-ICE agent) Backs O’Connor’s argument; just firing illegal workers won’t make them leave due to state and welfare benefits and the broader US quality of life.
  • Roger from Palm Springs & Riley from Humboldt County, CA: Discuss law enforcement oaths and call for ICE to “step up their game” in terms of civil rights, referencing rare cases of mistaken detainment of US citizens.
  • O’Connor notes only 170 US citizens were inadvertently detained out of millions processed—emphasizing professionalism and legal standards ([ProPublica report, ~97:35]).

8. Media Perception & Democratic Rhetoric

• Shares how Democratic officeholders label ICE a “gestapo” or Trump’s “personal paramilitary force;” clips played:

  “ICE is not law enforcement. They are literally Trump’s personal paramilitary force turned against civilians. No different than many authoritarian regimes around the world.” —Rep. Yasmin Asari [54:19]

• O’Connor: “You’re ticking off all of those lunatics … and meanwhile you’ve got Tom in Texas saying you’re not doing enough.”

9. President Trump Super Bowl Interview Excerpts

• [60:17] Trump Interview with NBC (Tom Llamas):
  • Defends withdrawal of 700 ICE officers from Minnesota as “a change in approach, not policy” due to increased local cooperation.
  • Attributes reduced crime rates in cities like Minneapolis and Chicago to federal immigration enforcement.

  “I learned that maybe we can use a little bit of a softer touch, but you still have to be tough. These are criminals—we’re dealing with really hard criminals.” —President Trump [62:17]

10. Political Ramifications & Electoral Stakes

• O’Connor reflects on the success of the current approach, notes majority support for stricter enforcement even amid overwhelmingly negative media coverage.
• Suggests Democrats’ electoral desperation is driving their opposition to enforcement:

“They are in a desperate state. The reason they are acting the way they are acting right now, the reason that they are trying to protect people in this country illegally ... they know it’s game over if these policies continue.” —Larry O’Connor [65:20]

11. Previewing 2028: Vance & Rubio

• Plays Trump interview audio referencing Sen. J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a formidable future GOP ticket:

“J.D. is fantastic and Marco is fantastic … I do think this: The combination of J.D. and Marco would be very hard to beat, I think.” —President Trump [74:05]

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Tom Homan:

  “Unprecedented cooperation... This is smart law enforcement, not less law enforcement.” [21:54] “We’ve arrested 14 people who had homicide convictions, 139 assault convictions, 87 sex offenses, 28 gang members...” [24:34]

• Larry O’Connor:

  “Don’t be confused with the new approach and a change in tone with a new policy or a retreat. The policy remains the same.” [22:57] “If you think that the second people lose their job, they’re just going to leave on their own, I’m sorry—you’re living in fantasy land.” [46:07]

• President Trump:

  “I learned that maybe we can use a little bit of a softer touch, but you still have to be tough. These are criminals—we’re dealing with really hard criminals.” [62:17]

Important Segments — Timestamps

• [12:18] – O’Connor introduces the core issue: Minneapolis’ previous non-cooperation and ICE policy.
• [17:05] & [21:11] – Tom Homan press conference audio: details on new cooperation and enforcement results.
• [24:05] – Homan recites crime/arrest figures.
• [27:20] – O’Connor explains—legal vs. illegal immigrant deportation standards.
• [36:08] – Addressing protester barricades and ICE’s commitment to continue enforcement.
• [40:06–46:07] – Callers debate mass deportation expectations and employer sanctions.
• [63:23, 65:20] – Caller Carolyn shares alarm about the “1776 moment”; O’Connor discusses electoral implications.
• [74:05] – Trump floats Vance-Rubio 2028 GOP ticket.
• [98:56–102:20] – Deep dive debunking claims of citizen detainment by ICE/BP; legal context and Supreme Court precedent.

Tone and Language

• O’Connor’s voice is energetic, sarcastic, and frequently humorous.
• Strongly dismissive of Democratic “sanctuary” arguments and tired of “doomsday” narratives from right-wing critics.
• Frequently appeals to factual data and law enforcement logic, occasionally ribbing callers or Democrats.
• Quotes and audio clips capture both the deadpan delivery of officials and the heated hyperbole of opponents.

Conclusion

This episode is a robust, detailed dive into the Trump administration’s current immigration enforcement approach, underlining that recent changes are tactical rather than ideological. O’Connor, filling in for Mark Levin, vigorously rebuts both media and activist claims of policy backpedaling while reiterating that actual cooperation with local governments has achieved longstanding enforcement goals. The episode addresses the myths around mass deportations, sanctuary city policy consequences, local and federal law enforcement cooperation, and upcoming political ramifications—all while engaging substantively (and occasionally snarkily) with guests and callers.