Podcast Summary: No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen

Episode: Kristi Noem impeachment picks up steam-- even among Republicans

Date: January 28, 2026

Overview

This episode addresses the rapidly intensifying calls for the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, focusing on bipartisan outrage following deadly ICE operations in Minnesota. Host Brian Tyler Cohen explores Noem’s fall from grace—even among Republicans—and features interviews with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and U.S. Representatives Ro Khanna and Robert Garcia. The conversation centers on demands for accountability, the breakdown of DOJ and DHS proceedings, and the urgent need for Congressional action.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Noem’s Fallout and Republican Support for Impeachment

• Growing Bipartisan Condemnation: For the first time, prominent Republicans (Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis) join Democrats in voicing no confidence in Kristi Noem (00:55–01:41).
• ICE Atrocity in Minnesota as a Tipping Point: The episode’s narrative pivots on the killing of Alex Preddy and Renee Good by ICE agents in Minnesota, whose actions sparked nationwide outrage.
• Turning the GOP’s Signature Issue on its Head: Cohen explains that immigration—once a winning Republican talking point—has become a liability due to the administration’s response (02:39–04:30).

“To take that advantage and turn it into your biggest liability is almost impressive in terms of a bungled response.”
—Brian Tyler Cohen (03:45)

2. The Human Toll and Minnesota’s Response

Interview: Governor Tim Walz (07:33–21:57)

• Direct Engagement with Trump: Walz recounts his tense conversation with President Trump, emphasizing the moral vs. political motives behind any federal change of course (07:45–09:11, 09:40–11:13).
• Personalizing the Loss: Walz shares stories about Alex Preddy and the trauma inflicted on families and communities (11:13–15:29).
• Allegations of Federal Extortion and Mob-like Tactics: Walz draws parallels between administration behavior and mob boss tactics over demands tied to political concessions (15:29–16:06).
• State Commitment to Accountability: Walz pledges to pursue justice at the state level even as DHS evades or obstructs investigations (18:24–21:54).

“It’s a moral injury that is happening to this country... this feels like an invasion. And they came here all kitted up like they’re in Afghanistan against U.S. citizens.”
—Governor Tim Walz (12:18)

3. Legal Roadblocks and Determination for Justice

Interview: Attorney General Keith Ellison (22:01–29:49)

• State vs. Federal Investigation Tensions: Ellison confirms active state pursuit of evidence and judicial warrants as federal agencies stonewall (22:07–23:56).
• Public Evidence and Grand Jury Potential: While public videos surpass probable cause, Ellison stresses the complexity of legal prosecution beyond what’s visible (25:36–28:42).
• Federal Stonewalling: Multiple DOJ and DHS officials refuse to engage; several DOJ staff resign in protest over federal cover-ups (29:15–29:49).

“No one has ever accused me of being afraid or reluctant to pursue justice. And I’m absolutely going to do that.”
—Keith Ellison (28:42)

4. Legislative Paths Forward and the Limits of Minority Power

Interview: Congressman Ro Khanna (29:49–44:48)

• Immediate Legislative Proposals: Khanna outlines a bill including:
  • Defunding ICE in the shutdown bill
  • Repealing $75B in multi-year ICE funding
  • Ending qualified immunity for ICE agents (30:20–31:06)
• Finding Cross-Aisle Coalitions: Sees hope with certain Republicans, especially those alarmed over government overreach on Second Amendment grounds (31:30–33:41).
• Accountability as Non-negotiable: Khanna calls for criminal prosecution of ICE agents and higher-level officials like Noem and Pam Bondi, saying absence of consequences breeds more lawlessness (35:59–41:32).

“The only reason that we’re seeing any of these people act... as if there’s no consequences, is because when Democrats have had power in the past, they refuse to wield it.”
—Brian Tyler Cohen (39:15)

• ICE Beyond Redemption: Both Cohen and Khanna agree: ICE is irreparably corrupt and must be abolished, not reformed (43:14–44:43).

5. Oversight and the Political Realignment

Interview: Congressman Robert Garcia (44:51–55:41)

• Impeachment Push: Garcia stresses that impeachment proceedings should start immediately if Noem doesn’t resign (45:10–46:15).
• Republican Vulnerabilities: Cites how slim GOP majorities and overwhelming public opposition could force defections (46:15–47:42).
• Shifting National Sentiment: Observes that even traditional conservative bastions—including the NRA and Bush-era officials—are publicly rejecting the current ICE actions and Trump’s agenda (48:22–50:09).
• GOP Brand Collapse: Points to polling and on-the-ground reality in Minnesota, where Republicans are dropping out of races due to toxicity of the Trump/ICE issue (50:09–52:44).
• Accountability as Prerequisite to National Healing: Garcia, echoing Khanna and Ellison, argues that Democrats must aggressively investigate and hold Trump administration officials accountable if they retake power (53:55–55:37).
• ICE Is Unsalvageable: Garcia calls for ICE’s total abolition, recommending a return to previous law enforcement approaches (55:04–55:08).

“ICE needs to be abolished and we need to begin to rebuild real federal law enforcement, which we had in this country before in decades ago. Now we have a paramilitary force that's only accountable to Donald Trump.”
—Robert Garcia (55:08)

Notable Quotes

• “I said that. I’ve lost confidence in [Kristi Noem].”
  —Sen. Thom Tillis (01:10)

• “If we do an investigation and an indictment is warranted, these ICE officers are coming back to Minnesota and stand trial for what they’re held for.”
  —Gov. Tim Walz (19:22)

• “There is no immunity from criminal prosecution. JD Vance just literally made that up.”
  —Rep. Ro Khanna (37:11)

• “We should never be exercising power for retribution... But [Democrats] have been reluctant to exercise power for justice because of the political optics... Well, that's wrong.”
  —Rep. Ro Khanna (40:42)

• “She should be impeached. If Kristi Noem doesn’t resign or is not removed from office, that impeachment procedure should start immediately.”
  —Rep. Robert Garcia (45:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Republicans Join Impeachment Push:
  00:01–01:41
• Host’s Editorial on ICE and Noem’s Lies:
  01:44–07:33
• Interview: Tim Walz, Minnesota Governor:
  07:33–21:57
• Interview: Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General:
  22:01–29:49
• Interview: Rep. Ro Khanna:
  29:49–44:48
• Interview: Rep. Robert Garcia:
  44:51–55:41

Conclusion

The episode offers a scathing critique of Kristi Noem’s leadership and the Trump administration’s handling of ICE’s violent abuses. The bipartisan momentum for impeachment marks a striking political shift, fueled by public outrage and a cross-ideological consensus that ICE’s power has spiraled out of control. Guests agree: Without robust and immediate accountability, the rule of law and the future of American democracy remain in jeopardy. Calls to abolish ICE and prosecute those responsible signal a high-stakes inflection point for progressive and mainstream voices alike.