Minneapolis Fuels Unrest & Trump’s Iran Plan | 1.12.26

Summary

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Morning Wire Podcast Summary

Episode: Minneapolis Fuels Unrest & Trump’s Iran Plan
Date: January 12, 2026
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Guests: Cabot Phillips, Tim Pierce, Binham Bin Talablu
Main Theme:
This episode explores two headline stories: the aftermath and protests following a deadly ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis and President Trump’s developing response to the Iranian regime’s violent crackdown on anti-government protests, alongside rumblings regarding Cuba.

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1. Minneapolis ICE-Involved Shooting and National Unrest

Key Discussion Points:

• Cell Phone Footage and What Happened

  • [02:14] The hosts discuss new cell phone footage obtained by Alpha News showing the fatal ICE-agent-involved shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis.
  • The video provides more context, showing Goode's wife yelling "drive, baby, drive" before Good accelerates towards an ICE agent, who then opens fire ([02:50]).
  • Republican View: Video reinforces the agent acted in self-defense.
  • Democratic View: Some, like Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Adam Schiff, describe it as murder or wrongful killing.
  • Correction: Cabot Phillips notes Good and wife were not bystanders but acting as "legal observers" aiming to disrupt ICE operations ([03:26]).

• Political Response and Outrage

  • Rep. Ilhan Omar spoke at a protest (“We are going to make sure that these people pay for what they have done to us.” – Ilhan Omar, [03:50]), and on CBS implied the officer should not have been in front of a vehicle ([04:05]).
  • The episode highlights the polarized rhetoric and factual disputes shaping public reaction.

• Protests and Organized Movements

  • Tens of thousands protested in Minneapolis, with the demonstration spreading nationwide ([04:24]).
  • Organized under banners like “ICE out for Good,” with some protests turning violent and resulting in arrests and police use of tear gas. Organizations like Freedom Road Socialist Organization and The People’s Forum also offered support.

• Portland Incident and Broader Context

  • A similar ICE-involved shooting occurred in Portland, where agents opened fire after a vehicle was used as a weapon ([04:58]).
  • Both individuals shot were confirmed gang members, which led to a notable moment from Portland Police Chief Bob Day, who broke down in tears during a press conference ([05:33]).
  • ICE Director Todd Lyons commented:

    "I have no idea what he's crying about. I would think he would be happy that we take these criminal elements out of his neighborhoods." (Tim Pierce quoting Todd Lyons, [05:49])

  • Data shows a major uptick in vehicular attacks on ICE agents: two in 2024 compared to 66 in the past year ([06:00]).
  • DHS Secretary Noem describes these acts as domestic terrorism.

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2. Trump Weighs Action Amid Iranian Protests

Key Discussion Points:

• Scale and Severity of Protests

  • Anti-regime protests have escalated widely across Iran since late December ([07:35]).
  • The Iranian government has imposed internet blackouts, and reports suggest casualties may have reached hundreds or thousands as security forces crack down, bolstered by proxies ([07:48]).

• International Voices and Context

  • Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi:

    "In the last 48 hours Iranians have suffered more casualties than America did after the 9/11 attack. This is a moment that is defining.... This is an opportunity to liberate that nation." ([08:20])

  • Videos show massive demonstrations, fueling speculation about the regime’s hold on power.

• White House and DC Response

  • Reports suggest President Trump is considering a potential military strike to protect Iranian protesters. Wall Street Journal reports Trump will be briefed on specifics soon ([08:44]).
  • Iran threatens retaliation against U.S. and Israeli interests ([09:28]).
  • Mark Warner (Democratic Senator) warns:

    "We take a kinetic strike. Does that actually unite the Iranian people in a way that the regime has not been able to?... The last time we intervened in Iran in a major way was 1953... that led to the ayatollah." ([09:56])

  • Internal White House debate and concerns over unintended consequences are underscored.

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3. U.S. Relations and Strategizing over Cuba

Key Discussion Points:

• Speculation over Trump’s Intentions
  • Trump’s post hints at a potential deal with Cuba as Venezuela’s support wanes ([10:25]).
  • Observations are made that Cuba lacks significant natural resources but is geopolitically relevant as a hub for Russian and Chinese influence and as an ally to Venezuela.
  • With Venezuela’s energy aid halted, Cuba’s regime may be on the brink of collapse.
  • Trump suggests the U.S. is positioned to negotiate, with Cuba needing U.S. protection ([11:02]).

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4. In-Depth: Iranian Protest Crackdown and the Future

Guest Analysis:
Binham Bin Talablu, Sr. Dir., Iran Program, Foundation for Defense of Democracies ([11:16]–[15:44])

Key Insights:

• Conditions on the Ground:

  • Internet blackouts aim to sever communication among Iranians, between domestic dissidents and those abroad, and to shield regime violence from international scrutiny ([11:37]).
  • Gruesome reports: regime workers power-washing blood from streets.

• Historic Scale and Nature:

  • This is seen as the most significant challenge to regime legitimacy in 46 years ([12:37]).
  • Protesters invoke the name of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as a symbol of hope for regime change ([13:07]).

• Potential Futures for Iran:

  • The biggest question is how the regime might fall—evolution, devolution, or revolution ([13:07]).
  • There’s a difference between foreign-imposed change and foreign-supported change, with the latter potentially facilitating a stable, representative system favored by protesters ([13:38]).

• U.S. Role:

  • President Trump is keeping U.S. allies and adversaries guessing, a psychological strategy ([14:42]).
  • Repeated threats may embolden protesters or inadvertently help the regime by suggesting the West’s support is unreliable.
  • Trump holds significant leverage after isolating Iran by undermining Venezuela, its key ally in the Americas.

Memorable Quotes:

• "There's nothing worse than having to imagine what a crackdown looks like based on texts and reports... having to see regime workers having to power wash blood off the streets." – Binham Bin Talablu, [12:07]
• "This... is the most important challenge to the regime's legitimacy from the street, in the past 46 years." – Binham Bin Talablu, [12:45]
• "Iranians want a more representative government. They've had one of the oldest constitutional revolutions in Asia, so this is not particularly alien to them." – Binham Bin Talablu, [13:38]
• "If it's left alone, if it's just the hard military men who come in, if it's another regime figure, that would be a setback..." – Binham Bin Talablu, [14:18]

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5. Notable Quotes & Moments

• “We are going to make sure that these people pay for what they have done to us.” – Rep. Ilhan Omar ([03:50])
• “He should know that you shouldn't be trying to get in front of a moving car.” – Rep. Ilhan Omar ([04:05])
• “I have no idea what he's crying about. I would think he would be happy that we take these criminal elements out of his neighborhoods.” – Todd Lyons, ICE Director ([05:49])
• "In the last 48 hours, Iranians have suffered more casualties than America did after the 9/11 attack." – Reza Pahlavi ([08:20])
• “Does that actually unite the Iranian people in a way that the regime has not been able to?” – Sen. Mark Warner ([09:56])

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6. Timeline of Important Segments

• Minneapolis shooting footage and reactions: [02:14]–[04:16]
• Nationwide protests and violence: [04:24]–[05:33]
• Portland ICE incident and analysis: [04:58]–[06:18]
• Discussion of Iranian protests: [07:35]–[09:22]
• Trump’s Iran strategy & Washington debate: [09:22]–[10:18]
• Speculation over Cuba: [10:18]–[11:02]
• Expert analysis on Iran’s uprising & US role: [11:16]–[15:44]

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Conclusion

This Morning Wire episode delivers a fast-paced, fact-focused breakdown of two high-stakes issues—the unrest following a deadly ICE-involved shooting and a historic protest wave in Iran. With reporting and contributions from policy experts and on-the-ground insight, the show offers both context and analysis of the facts, political rifts, and potential global consequences of both crises.

Transcript

[John Bickley]

As investigations into the Minneapolis ICE shooting continue, anti government protests spread into other cities across the U.S. i wish we.

[Ben Shapiro]

Would talk factually about what we see.

[Georgia Howe]

Every day from these protesters, how they chant over and over, kill ice, attack law enforcement, how they're trained to perpetuate violence against them.

[John Bickley]

I'm Daily Wire Executive editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Monday, January 12th. This is Morning Wire.

[Georgia Howe]

President Trump weighs his options in Iran as the government cracks down with deadly force on anti regime protests.

[Binham Bin Talablu]

I've made the statement very strongly that.

[Mark Warner]

If they start killing people like they.

[Tim Pierce]

Have in the past, we will get involved.

[Binham Bin Talablu]

We'll be hitting them very hard where it hurts.

[John Bickley]

Will the US Carry out more strikes? And is Cuba now in the president's crosshairs?

[Georgia Howe]

Thanks for waking up with MORNING wire. Stay tuned. We have the news you need to know.

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[John Bickley]

Today.

[Georgia Howe]

Nationwide protests continued to spread this weekend following a deadly ICE involved shooting in Minneapolis.

[John Bickley]

Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips is here with the latest. Hey, Cabot. So the story out of Minneapolis continues to dominate the headlines. Lots of video footage streaming in. Where do things stand now in the city?

[Cabot Phillips]

Yeah, you mentioned video footage coming in. Alpha News actually obtained the cell phone footage taken by the ICE agent during last week's shooting. And it does give a much fuller picture of what transpired. As the agent approaches 37 year old Renee Good, who is sitting in the driver's seat. He's first haunted by Goode's wife. Have a listen.

[John Bickley]

Want to come at us?

[Binham Bin Talablu]

You want to come at us? I say go get yourself some lunch, big boy.

[Cabot Phillips]

Seconds later, as other agents demand that Good get out of her car, her wife yells, quote, drive baby, drive. You can then see Good appearing to look directly at the officer in front of her car before revving her engine and accelerating. We're not going to play that part, but you can hear the officer let out a panicked scream as he is seemingly hit by the vehicle. You can also hear that on the video before three shots ring out. Now Republicans felt that footage further vindicated the officer and showed that this was a justified case of self defense. But many on the left continued to double down and claim that this was murder. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, for example, demanded that the entire agency be abolished, while Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff claimed the victim was not even taking part in any protest but was simply caught up in the crowd. Now obviously that is just a false claim. Renee Good and her wife were acting as so called legal observers, which typically applies to protesters attempting to document and often disrupt ICE operations elsewhere. Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, who represents Minneapolis in Congress, spoke at a rally there.

[Ilhan Omar]

We are going to make sure that these people pay for what they have done to us.

[Cabot Phillips]

She later appeared on CBS and then went on to basically blame the ICE agent for being in the way of a moving car.

[Ilhan Omar]

They are saying that he has 10 years on service and is trained. He should know that you shouldn't be trying to get in front of a moving car.

[John Bickley]

Some of those claims pretty remarkable to listen to. So tell us more about these mass protests that we saw really take over the city over the weekend.

[Cabot Phillips]

Yeah, tens of thousands of people gathered in Minneapolis and cities and towns across the entire country. And this was part of a highly organized, what they called ICE out for Good movement. And a number of these protests, many of which were outside ICE facilities, did turn violent, prompting a number of arrests and forcing police to deploy tear gas. Other groups like Freedom Road, Socialist Organization and the People's Forum also provided resources and other support to demonstrators.

[John Bickley]

Now on the other side of the country, we saw another ICE involved shooting over the weekend. Tell us about that.

[Cabot Phillips]

Right over in Portland, immigration agents were conducting a targeted traffic stop on two individuals when, according to the dhs, quote, agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants. The driver weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents. One of those agents opened fire in self defense and struck both occupants. Within hours, law enforcement confirmed that both victims not only had lengthy rap sheets, but were also affiliated with the Violent Trend Gang. And in a remarkable press conference, Portland Police Chief Bob Day actually broke down in tears when he confirmed that news.

[Binham Bin Talablu]

It saddens me that we even have to qualify these remarks.

[Cabot Phillips]

As you can imagine, the Trump White House quickly pushed back on that video. For example, here's ICE Director Todd Lyons giving a strong response to those comments. Have a listen.

[Tim Pierce]

I have no idea what he's crying about. I would think he would be happy that we take these criminal elements out of his neighborhoods.

[Cabot Phillips]

And more broadly, it's worth noting just how much of an uptick in attacks on ICE agents that we've seen this year alone since. So according to the data from DHS, in 2024 there were two vehicular attacks against ICE agents. But in the last 12 months, there have been, get this, 66. Secretary Noem and the White House say that perpetrators should be treated as domestic terrorists.

[John Bickley]

Right. The department has been very consistent on that front. Kevin, thanks so much for reporting.

[Binham Bin Talablu]

Absolutely.

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[John Bickley]

President Trump is reportedly weighing action in Iran as the regime cracks down on protests that have roiled the country since late December.

[Georgia Howe]

Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce is here to discuss the latest with Iran as well as new noise out of Washington about Cuba. So, Tim, we've been tracking these protests in Iran that have ramped up over the last few days. What's the latest with those protests?

[Tim Pierce]

Yeah, they've really exploded across the country. The Iranian government shut down Internet access and banned international phone calls late last week. And since then, we've seen many grave reports that suggest a severe crackdown on the demonstrations. Over the past few days, the estimated death toll has risen from a few dozen to hundreds or maybe even thousands killed by Iranian security forces, which have been bolstered by some of Iran's terror proxies from outside the country. Here's exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi on Fox News yesterday.

[Reza Pahlavi]

In the last 48 hours, Iranians have suffered more casualties than America did after the 911 attack. This is a moment that is defining. Despite being completely cut off from the world Internet shutdown and for a regime that is massacring its own people, this is an opportunity to liberate that nation. Remember, the same thugs that hate America also hate their own people.

[Tim Pierce]

This of course raises the question of whether President Trump will follow through on his threat to take action to protect the lives of Iranian protesters. There have been some reports of high level talks about options for a potential strike. And a Sunday report in the Wall Street Journal says that Trump will be briefed specifics for a strike on Tuesday. Meanwhile, videos of some protests have made it on social media and show sometimes crowds of thousands of people at a single demonstration. This is only increased speculation about whether the regime will in fact continue to hold on or whether we could see it toppled after nearly 50 years of authoritarian rule, which we will hear more about in the next segment. Right.

[Georgia Howe]

And meanwhile, President Trump is reportedly considering another strike. What's the reaction to that, Ben?

[Tim Pierce]

So inside Iran, the Islamic regime has threatened payback for any outside involvement when it comes to the U.S. a spokesman for Iran's parliament said that potential targets include U.S. military bases and shipping lanes in the Middle east as well as Israeli military bases. In response to that, Israel said that the Israeli military is prepared for anything. But a potential US Strike is also receiving resistance from inside Washington, too. Here was Democratic Senator Mark Warner on Fox News on Sunday.

[Mark Warner]

We take a kinetic strike. Does that actually unite the Iranian people in a way that the regime has not been able to? The last time we intervened in Iran in a major way was 1953 when the CIA overthrew the Iranian regime to protect Iranian oil for the West Many historians would argue that led to the the ayatollah.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, back in the Western Hemisphere, Trump is reportedly interested in making a deal with Cuba. What does Trump want out of that deal?

[Tim Pierce]

You know, that's not really clear. Unlike Venezuela, Cuba doesn't really have any natural resources in any significant quantities that the United States needs. Although Cuba has been a useful pond for Russia and Chinese influence in the Western Hemisphere, it was very close with Venezuela and Maduro, specifically, Venezuela sent Chipo to Cuba, and Cuban special forces helped protect Maduro's hold on power. Now, without that easy source of energy, Cuba's government may be on the edge of collapse as well. Trump's Truth Social post on Sunday suggested that Cuba needs to make a deal with the US for protection since it no longer has Venezuela's support.

[Georgia Howe]

Well, they're in dire straits without that oil. Tim, thanks for reporting.

[Tim Pierce]

Good to be on.

[Georgia Howe]

The uprising in Iran could get even more bloody, but it also presents the possibility of a more stable, democratic Middle East.

[John Bickley]

Joining us now to discuss is Binham Bin Talablu, the senior director of the Iran Program at the foundation for Defense of Democracies. Binham, thank you for coming on the show.

[Binham Bin Talablu]

Pleasure. Great to be with you.

[John Bickley]

So Iran's protest crackdown has already killed hundreds, and the regime is taking increasingly drastic action. What have you heard about what things are like on the ground there?

[Binham Bin Talablu]

Well, I gotta tell you, there has been an escalating Internet blackout in Iran. And if past this prologue, it's Iranians who die in the darkness. The regime is first and foremost doing this Internet blackout to sever the ability of Iranians to communicate and organize with one another. Second, to be able to cut that very important bridge between external opposition and internal revolutionaries and internal protesters. And third, to be able to kind of allow US President Donald Trump as well as the international media to turn a blind eye and say they didn't see the crackdown. And I got to tell you, there's nothing worse than having to imagine what a crackdown looks like based on texts and reports. Just earlier today I was looking on Persian language social media, there was reports of Iranians waking up to having to see regime, you know, workers having to power wash blood off the streets with very big hoses.

[John Bickley]

Like you said, hard to imagine. How do these protests compare in scale and organization to past uprisings in Iran.

[Binham Bin Talablu]

Sure. So I've looked at a heck of a lot of protests against the Islamic Republic. And certainly as long as there's been an Islamic Republic, there's been some level of street activity against it. This most recent iteration is the most significant battle for power in Iran between the street and the state, and also I would say, the most important challenge to the regime's legitimacy from the street. In the past 46 years.

[John Bickley]

If there is regime change, what would you expect to take its place?

[Binham Bin Talablu]

Well, I know what the ideal is because certainly more than ever before, Iranian protesters have been chanting the name and even the family of the son of the late Shah of Iran, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who lives in America. The most important question is not if and when the regime falls, but how the regime falls, what role the west plays, what role Washington plays. How the regime falls will tell you if there's evolution, if there's devolution, or if there is revolution.

[John Bickley]

Any chances that a new government would see more democratic elements?

[Binham Bin Talablu]

Certainly, if you have the trajectory go your way, which also happens to be the way that's in the national interest of America, the national interest of Israel, and most importantly, in the national interest and in the popular will of your average protesting Iranian. Iranians want a more representative government. They've had one of the oldest constitutional revolutions in Asia, so this is not particularly alien to them. And that's why for Washington and American audience, I say there's a difference between foreign imposed versus foreign supported regime change. But again, that how question the kind of help that the liberals and the Democrats and the secularists and the nationalists in the Middle east and get will be critical to achieving a post Islamic Republic future that looks better. Because otherwise, if it's left alone, if it's just the hard military men who come in, if it's another regime figure, that would be a setback in my view and certainly would be a setback for the century long quest for representative government by the Iranian people.

[John Bickley]

Do you expect the US to get involved? You've mentioned the role outside support could play. Do you think strikes are in the works here or will the US Provide other means of supporting an uprising?

[Binham Bin Talablu]

Well, I think President Trump has everybody where he wants them, which is both allies and adversaries having to guess as to what he's gonna do. No doubt there's a psychological element there. But I will also say, given the repeated number of times the President has re upped his threat against the regime, it can go from putting wind behind the wings of Iranian protesters, which his very historic statement did, to ultimately, unfortunately, being a prop by the regime against the threat to say, aha, you see, the west never really would bail you out anyway. And then that paved the way for an even more grotesque crackdown. So certainly in terms of options, President Donald Trump against this regime, who had a horrible year in 2025, economically, environmentally, politically, and certainly militarily, President Trump has all the cards. But I would say that the Islamic Republic would be making a bad bet if they think the guy who just a few days ago robbed the regime of its sole state ally in South America. I would say they would be making a very bad bet that what he would not do is something not lethal.

[John Bickley]

Indeed, as you've said, the record makes that clear. Bindam, thank you so much for joining us.

[Binham Bin Talablu]

Pleasure. Really good to see you. And thanks for having me.

[Georgia Howe]

Thanks for waking up with us. And for those of you listening to the show now, you can watch for free on Daily Wire. Plus, we'll be back later this evening with more news you need to know.