Podcast Summary: Next Comes What

Host: Andrea Pitzer
Episode: THIS is what momentum looks like
Date: February 5, 2026

Episode Overview

In this urgent and deeply engaged episode, author and journalist Andrea Pitzer examines how communities and institutions are resisting the return of Trump-era authoritarian policies—particularly regarding immigration enforcement—and what lessons from global struggles against strongmen can teach Americans about sustaining and magnifying democratic momentum. Pitzer weaves together on-the-ground stories, legal rulings, polling data, and analysis from protest experts, offering a multi-faceted portrait of resistance and the critical factors that are shifting the political landscape beneath the Trump administration’s feet.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Turning Points: Recent Events and Grassroots Victories

• Texas State Senate Election Upset (02:00-04:30):
  • Democrats flipped a seat held by Republicans for 48 years, winning 57–43%, in a district Trump carried by 17 points in 2024. “It took a rocket ship to the left. The numbers were even more surprising than it sounds.” (Andrea, 03:00)
  • Signals a larger backlash and organizing momentum: “They ignore this result at their own peril.” (Andrea, 03:30)
• Release of Liam Conejo Ramos (00:30-01:45):
  • Five-year-old Liam, reportedly used as bait by ICE, was released from detention thanks to public pressure and the intervention of Rep. Joaquin Castro.
  • Human stories like Liam’s galvanize wider support and awareness for reform.

2. Ongoing and Evolving Government Crackdown

• ICE Operations & Drawdown in Minnesota (06:00-10:00):
  • Despite a drawdown of 700 agents, “...Stephen Miller’s and Trump’s crusade against immigrants is proceeding full steam ahead.” (Andrea, 07:30)
  • Conditions in detention facilities remain dire, with measles outbreaks and reports of children being held in violation of court-mandated time limits: “Child welfare experts...say no amount of time in detention is good for children.” (Patrick Terpstra, 10:45)
  • Judicial pushback is increasing—federal judges sharply criticize the government’s logic and compassion in handling immigration.

3. Judicial and Legislative Pushback

• Federal Judges Stand Firm (15:00-22:00):

  • U.S. District Judge Fred Beery calls government pursuit of removal quotas “ill conceived and incompetently implemented.” Beery includes biblical references and a child’s photograph in his critique (17:00).
  • Other judges block attempts to criminalize journalists and deny congressional oversight at detention centers, illustrating “the court is not crumbling in the face of increasing authoritarianism.” (Andrea, 21:30)
  • Notable quote: “There is no evidence that those two engaged in any criminal behavior or conspired to do so. No evidence.” (Judge Schultz on Don Lemon case, 20:00)

• Congressional Efforts:

  • Congressional visits to ICE centers, including “surprise inspections,” are upheld by courts against DHS attempts to restrict oversight.

4. Public Opinion & Political Calculus

• Dramatic Shifts in Polling (25:00-29:00):
  • Support for Trump and his policies is falling—only 27% say they support all or most of his policies, down from 35% a year ago (28:40).
  • “59% of voters indicated to Fox News that ICE was being, quote, too aggressive in its deportations.” (Data via G. Eliot Morris, 28:00)
  • Political showmanship in Congress reflects growing pressure to address ICE’s conduct: “The polls are the first thing that got to him because he’s absolutely cratering in the polls on this issue.” (29:00)
  • Even local Republican-dominated councils are opposing new detention facilities in their communities (35:00-37:00).

5. Civil Society Response: Whistles, Rapid Response, and Nonviolent Resistance

• Civilian Organizing and Whistle Alerts (12:00-14:30):
  • Whistle alerts in Minneapolis: “Activists...say the sound these whistles make travels faster than a text message alerting neighbors of when immigration agents are nearby.” (13:20)
• Training and Rapid Response (41:00-43:30):
  • Massive surge in ICE observers and rapid responder volunteers: “More than 34,000 people have taken steps toward training as ICE observers.” (Andrea, 41:45)
  • Focus on nonviolent witness and peaceful resistance, not confrontation.
• Escalating Protest and Civil Disobedience (44:00-48:00):
  • Sociologist Dana Fisher and expert Erica Chenoweth note: “99% reported that they support organizations engaging in nonviolent civil disobedience...79% agreed that they support more confrontational action.” (Erica Chenoweth, 45:30)

6. Lessons from International Movements and Historical Parallels

• Authoritarian Blitz & Public Backlash (49:00-54:00):
  • Citing historical cases (England during the Blitz, US bombing of Hanoi): “But being able to terrorize a people is often not sufficient to force them to surrender...” (Andrea, 52:15)
  • “Fear does not have to mean paralysis. Whole American communities have spent decades or even centuries resisting this kind of violence.” (Andrea, 53:10)
• Individual Actions & Political Courage:
  • Senator Van Hollen’s intervention in El Salvador, District Attorney Larry Krasner’s national coalition to prosecute rights-violating ICE agents, and widespread local protests show the compounding impact of small and large acts of resistance.

7. Building Lasting Momentum

• “This is what momentum looks like.” (Recurring Theme, multiple timestamps):
  • Pitzer underscores that protest is only the beginning—the path to lasting change requires organized, sustained strategy:
    • “Protest is a tactic, and what is needed are strategies to build momentum, build power, and put pressure on institutions...” (Andrea, 56:20)
  • Large-scale protest planned: “We announced the next No Kings for March 28, which is going to be the largest protest to date in American history.” (Andrea, 54:55)
• Actionable Takeaway:
  • “Whatever you’ve been doing, keep doing more of that. And if you haven’t been doing anything, now is the best moment to start.” (Andrea, 01:02:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the release of Liam Conejo Ramos:
  • "His name was Conejo, which means bunny in Spanish ... was released from the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in San Antonio, Texas." (Andrea, 00:40)
• On government overreach:
  • “The case has its genesis in the ill conceived and incompetently implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatized children.” (Judge Fred Beery, 17:40)
• On community resistance:
  • “Activists here in Minnesota say the sound these whistles make travels faster than a text message alerting neighbors of when immigration agents are nearby.” (Andrea, 13:20)
• On ICE tactics:
  • “This is a small bunch of wannabe Nazis, that's what they are. In a country of 350 million, we outnumber them.” (DA Larry Krasner, 58:15)
• On momentum and hope:
  • “It's beautiful to know that so many people coast to coast are making a constellation of stars by which everyone might steer in darkness.” (Andrea, 01:01:00)

Important Timestamps

• [00:30] Story of Liam Conejo Ramos and public response
• [03:00] Texas Senate Democratic win: “rocket ship to the left”
• [10:45] Measles and detention conditions: medical experts’ warnings
• [17:40] Judge Beery’s condemnation of ICE tactics
• [20:00] Judge Schultz: No evidence against journalists
• [28:00] Fox News poll: “ICE too aggressive”
• [35:00] Local Republican council opposes ICE facility
• [41:45] “34,000 trained ICE observers” in Minnesota
• [45:30] Erica Chenoweth: overwhelming support for civil disobedience
• [52:15] On fear and resistance: “Being able to terrorize people is often not sufficient to force surrender."
• [56:20] On strategy versus mere protest
• [01:01:00] “Constellation of stars” closing reflection

Final Thoughts

Andrea Pitzer delivers a compelling, grounded analysis of how democratic forces in America are pushing back against escalating authoritarianism—through electoral turnarounds, assertive judicial resistance, rising popular disapproval, and swelling grassroots direct action. The episode draws critical lessons from history and global movements, emphasizing that real momentum comes not just from moments of outrage, but from sustained, organized, and collective action. Listeners are urged to keep pushing, keep organizing, and recognize the immense, compounding impact of their voices and actions.

For more, subscribe at Andreapitzer.com and stay engaged for upcoming actions and organizing opportunities.