Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov

Episode Summary: "Immigration Enforcement Ends in Minneapolis — Now What?"

Date: February 13, 2026 | Host: Vox Media Podcast Network
Co-hosts: Jessica Tarlov & Erin Parnas

Episode Overview

This episode centers on major news stories through a centrist lens, including:

• Attorney General Pam Bondi’s contentious congressional testimony on Epstein files.
• GOP cracks on support for tariffs and defiance of Trump.
• The fast conclusion of the high-profile ICE/immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis, and broader implications for immigration policy.

The hosts break down the political strategies at play, analyze the effectiveness of oversight and hearings, and discuss midterm political dynamics, public sentiment, and how these events affect real people—especially survivors and voters in the middle.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pam Bondi's Congressional Testimony: The Epstein Files

[01:45 – 12:09]

• Stonewalling and Theatrics (Pam Bondi):
  • Bondi refused to answer questions directly, especially on the DOJ’s handling of Epstein files and co-conspirators.
  • Erin Parnas criticized both Bondi's evasions and the Democratic strategy:
    "She didn't answer a single question... I thought that the Democratic plan going into it was horrible... They just used it as a way to talk for five minutes." (Erin, 03:55)
  • Jessica was emotionally moved by Bondi’s refusal to even look at survivors in the room:
    "Almost crying when she wouldn't even turn to look at the survivors. Which seems like the lowest level of basic decency..." (Jessica, 02:56)
• Missed Opportunities in Oversight:
  • Both hosts agree the Democrats failed to press on key issues (e.g., indicting co-conspirators, six lawmakers almost indicted, etc.):
    "No one asked about the six Democratic lawmakers who were almost indicted. To me, that was kind of crazy..." (Erin, 07:11)
• Media Environment & Grandstanding:
  • Viral moments and fundraising have overtaken substantive oversight. "Everybody's just looking for their moment in the sun... But we are talking about a sex trafficking ring. It's not your regular or average story..." (Jessica, 05:07)
• Justice Department Frustrations:
  • Both see a lack of real action from both parties and past Justice Departments.
  • Opportunities exist for bipartisan accountability, but action is not being taken. "If they have enough to do that [name Wexner a co-conspirator], they have enough to secure an indictment, in my opinion, if they want to." (Erin, 11:06)

2. GOP and Tariffs: Republican Defiance of Trump

[12:09 – 17:14]

• Republican Political Calculus:
  • Some House Republicans broke ranks on tariffs (“symbolic” votes) to distance themselves from Trump ahead of the midterms. "They want to stay employed. That's why." (Erin, 12:54) "I don't think Trump is actually going to primary someone in a 50-50 district. He'll say it, but I don't think he'll do it." (Erin, 13:12)
• Electoral Pressures:
  • Tariffs are historically unpopular; vulnerable members trying to signal distance from Trump in tough districts.
  • Tariffs cost an average family over $1,000 a year, expected to rise to $1,300. "Tax Foundation calculated $1,000 per average family last year because of the tariff. This year it's going to go up to $1300." (Jessica, 14:21)
• Economic Messaging Woes:
  • Good jobs report provides thin political cover; skepticism on both sides. "So do I have to believe the good ones now? ... These job numbers aren't even that great." (Erin, 15:26) "It's just not zero or negative. It's the participation trophy of the jobs number." (Jessica, 15:54)
  • The real economy isn’t matching positive headlines for many. "If the average American isn't experiencing support and help in the job market, then it's all for not." (Erin, 17:14)
• Memorable moment: Erin jokes about Biden’s “participation trophy” in relation to jobs numbers.
  "It's the first time in history that a FIFA prize winner also won this participation trophy as well..." (Erin, 16:01)

3. Immigration Enforcement Shifts: The Minneapolis Drawdown

[19:11 – 26:53]

• The ICE Surge Ends Abruptly:
  • Officials announced the end of the “surge” in Minneapolis just weeks after it began. "That was fast. Right? It was just, what, two weeks ago that Homan showed up... now the surge is over." (Jessica, 20:43)
  • Skepticism whether enforcement will truly be scaled back or simply shifted elsewhere. "I'm kind of still in the I'll believe it when I see it mode... it's going to take some time for them to move out..." (Erin, 21:07)
• The Future of ICE:
  • Erin distinguishes between abolishing ICE entirely and “abolishing Trump’s ICE,” supporting civil enforcement for violent criminals but not mass deportations of contributing undocumented immigrants. "I never liked the moniker abolish ICE. I actually preferred Abolish Trump's ICE. Just this version of the department..." (Erin, 22:12)
• Democratic Leverage and Shutdown Politics:
  • Anticipation of a government shutdown over funding for ICE/DHS, with both sides feeling they have leverage. "I think it's going to last through Trump's State of the Union... I am not funding ICE and DHS in its current form. You hold out as long as you need to until they cave." (Erin, 22:11, 25:24)
  • Jessica raises concerns about broader government services:
    "DHS also covers FEMA, they cover the GSA..." (Jessica, 26:05)
• Wider Implications for Immigration Debate:
  • Erin: "What's going to happen next? ... Or are we just going to put a pause on this, put a pin on immigration until December, until after the midterms so people forget about it a little more?" (22:55)
  • Jessica: "It would be smart of them since, you know, Donald Trump took his most popular issue and flushed it down the toilet..." (23:19)

4. Miscellaneous Key Segments

RFK Jr.'s "Eat Real Food" Campaign

[27:11 – 29:19]

• Discussion about RFK Jr.'s pivot to food policy amid his vaccine messaging.
• Critique of both parties’ inept messaging on food safety and health issues. "Democrats could have messaged it better, but I don't think they're messaging it that well either right now." (Erin, 28:30)

Pelosi Backs Jack Schlossberg in NY-12 Race

[29:19 – 30:37]

• The role of loyalty and effectiveness of Pelosi's endorsement debated.
• Insight into local NYC politics and the Kennedy legacy in fundraising and attention.

Royals & Epstein Updates

[30:37 – 32:24]

• Reports that Queen Elizabeth paid Prince Andrew’s settlement to Virginia Giuffre.
• Jessica: “This feels very bad for the monarchy, like, way worse than Prince Andrew actually existing.” (31:26)

Olympics & Free Speech: Ukrainian Skeleton Racer Disqualified

[32:24 – 32:59]

• IOC’s ban on honoring slain Ukrainian athletes called out as inconsistent. "When a Ukrainian wants to support those who died at the hands of the Russian government, like, come on, come on, IOC." (Erin, 32:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bondi's performance & oversight:

  • "She didn't answer a single question... I thought that the Democratic plan going into it was horrible." (Erin, 03:55)
  • “Almost crying when she wouldn’t even turn to look at the survivors… lowest level of basic decency…” (Jessica, 02:56)

• On the problem with hearing culture:

  • “Everybody’s just looking for their moment in the sun and their takedown.” (Jessica, 05:07)

• On ICE surge ending:

  • “That was fast… Were you surprised? I was surprised that it was this quick.” (Jessica, 20:43)

• On the drawbacks of shutdown brinksmanship:

  • “Democrats have all of the leverage for the first time, I really think in a long time, they have all of the leverage. …Use it.” (Erin, 26:09)

• Personal Touch:

  • Erin humorously rages about late-night Amtrak schedules: “I hate the fact that the Amtrak schedule from D.C. to New York… does not run after, like 11pm…” (Erin, 33:23)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Pam Bondi hearing & Epstein files: 01:45 – 12:09
• GOP tariffs rebellion: 12:09 – 17:14
• Minneapolis ICE drawdown & immigration: 19:11 – 26:53
• RFK Jr. & health politics: 27:11 – 29:19
• Pelosi, NY-12 race: 29:19 – 30:37
• Royal Family/Epstein payment: 30:37 – 32:24
• Olympics, Ukraine protest: 32:24 – 32:59
• Erin’s “rage”/Amtrak: 33:23 – 34:10

Tone & Takeaways

• Tone: Candid, informed, wry, bipartisan-criticizing, with both policy depth and pop culture asides.
• Big-picture themes:
  • Congressional decorum and oversight are broken by media incentives.
  • Political parties are often out of step with both substance and messaging.
  • ICE enforcement and border politics remain central but fraught with political risk.
  • Both co-hosts maintain a “raging moderate” skepticism about partisan strategies and false victories.

For centrist listeners, this episode offers a reality check on the effectiveness of Washington’s rhetoric and the constraints facing pragmatic governance.