Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway & Jessica Tarlov

Episode: Trump Administration Still Avoiding Accountability for Minneapolis
Date: January 30, 2026
Hosts: Jessica Tarlov (JT), Aaron Parnas (AP)
Network: Vox Media Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the continuing fallout from the death of Alex Preddy at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis, ongoing immigration enforcement crackdowns, a looming government shutdown, and the Trump administration's controversial "Trump Accounts." Hosts Jessica Tarlov and Aaron Parnas discuss these stories through a pragmatic centrist lens, calling out political performance, lack of accountability, and the manipulation of public opinion.

1. Minneapolis Fallout & Immigration: Crisis, Narrative, and Accountability

[01:14 – 13:26]

Key Discussion Points

• Press Conference by DHS Border Czar Tom Homan ([02:15])

  • Holman’s damage control visit following Alex Preddy’s death.
  • White House aims to de-escalate but is mainly concerned with optics and polling, not policy outcomes.
  • Ongoing internal infighting: Stephen Miller vs. Kristi Noem.

• Public Messaging vs. Reality ([03:19])

  • AP: "Tom Homan was sent there to lower down the temperature publicly... Trump was upset not because Alex Preddy was murdered... he was upset because everyone saw it happening." ([03:19])
  • Announced a reduction in ICE agents in Minneapolis, but enforcement is still overwhelming compared to local police.
  • Homan says priority is on violent criminals and national security threats, but regular undocumented immigrants may still be caught up.

• Cynicism toward Real Reform ([06:47])

  • AP: "What is normalcy, right? Since January 20, people's constitutional rights have been stamped on every day."
  • JT remains cautiously optimistic, noting agents responsible for Preddy’s death have at least been put on leave.
  • AP wants charges, not just administrative actions; highlights DOJ’s reluctance to investigate.

• Political Posturing Around Funding and Shutdown ([07:49])

  • Likelihood of a government shutdown over DHS/ICE funding is debated.
  • Both hosts are critical of Democrats for potentially "caving" with a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that does little to address root problems.
  • AP: "A lot can happen in two weeks. A lot can be done in two weeks in terms of what ICE and DHS can do... people want a backbone, and like no one's showing a backbone these days." ([08:46])

Notable Quotes

• Tom Homan at Minneapolis Press Conference ([02:15]):
  "If you want certain laws reformed, then take it up with Congress... ICE isn’t making this up. They’re enforcing laws enacted by Congress and signed by the President. The same laws have been on the books for the last six presidents I worked for."

• Jessica Tarlov ([04:39]):
  "In general, I think Holman is saying, I want to return to what the original mission was. And he also threw a tremendous amount of shade at Noem and Bovino, saying, mistakes have been made here. I would not be here if things had gone perfectly."

2. Sanctuary Cities & Law Enforcement Cooperation

[11:37 – 13:11]

Discussion Points

• Should mayors of sanctuary cities cooperate with federal immigration authorities when violent criminals are in custody?
• AP: Yes when it comes to violent criminals in jail; draws a bright line distinguishing criminal cases from apprehending nonviolent undocumented people (e.g., those seeking shelter).
• JT points out even conservative figures (like Newt Gingrich) are calling for a saner, more compassionate policy.

Notable Quote

• Aaron Parnas ([12:59]): "Full cooperation involves apprehending a lot of people who probably shouldn't be apprehended."

3. Minnesota Politics: Amy Klobuchar’s Gubernatorial Run

[13:11 – 14:26]

Discussion Points

• Gossip and excitement about Amy Klobuchar running for Minnesota governor.
• Both believe she’s a formidable candidate, possibly even a future presidential contender.

Memorable Moment

• Jessica Tarlov ([13:41]):
  "Every single boyfriend I've had has donated to my campaign."
  On Klobuchar’s fundraising.

4. Trump’s “Trump Accounts” Investment Program

[16:16 – 19:26]

Key Points

• New government-backed investment accounts for children; heavily branded as “Trump Accounts.”
• Mixed feelings: The policy is broadly popular and potentially helpful, but the branding is polarizing and undermines its bipartisan appeal.
• Program design criticized for underdelivering on promised gains—some families would get more by not participating.

Notable Quotes

• AP ([16:52]):
  "It's one of those populist policies that like 80% of America agrees with... But the fact that he decides to just throw Trump on everything, there's opposition to it. And it's unfortunate because the policy... is a bipartisan policy."

• JT ([17:31]):
  "I was actually expecting the Trump accounts to be much better for people than they ended up being..."

• AP ([18:41]):
  "If Congress can pass legislation that provides these funds for newly born children in America, that means we can pass legislation to actually fully fund Medicaid. Right. Fully fund social service programs that Americans rely on."

5. DOJ Seizes Georgia Voting Records: Elections, Legitimacy & Conspiracy

[19:26 – 23:25]

Discussion Points

• FBI seizure of 2020 ballots and voter rolls from Fulton County, Georgia—raising alarms about election integrity and political motivation.
• Tulsi Gabbard’s presence at the scene causes further concern; hosts see a pattern of groundwork being laid to contest or suppress future election results.
• AP: Connects current events to fictionalized “Scandal” plots; worries about using National Guard at polling stations as a suppression tactic.

Notable Quotes

• AP ([20:26]):
  "They're going after the whole Venezuela theory... They took all the ballots... every single voter roll... This reminds me of... Scandal... laying the groundwork for them to now serve search warrants in jurisdictions across the country..."
• JT ([21:48]):
  "We've seen that time and time again. It does feel like a perfect storm. But if he did win in 2020, aren't we in his third term? And then it's unconstitutional and maybe he could leave tomorrow."

6. Trump’s Health Concerns & Public Transparency

[23:35 – 25:46]

Key Points

• New interview and reporting raise questions about Trump’s mental and physical health.
• White House explanations “lack transparency”; compare unfavorably to Biden coverage.
• Reports that foreign leaders and some U.S. officials describe Trump’s mental state as “dangerous.”

Notable Quotes

• AP ([24:21]):
  "Regarding Trump's health, the White House isn't being transparent, in my opinion. Like, there are serious health issues there... just be honest."

• AP ([25:16]):
  "This is a lot worse than anything Biden's ever done... And Trump, right now, based on everything I see, exponentially worse. But no one cares."

• JT ([25:46]):
  "We just feel totally powerless about it. And then people come back at you and say like, oh, well, where were you when you were talking about blah, blah, blah with Biden?... Who amongst us is [sharp] post 4pm?"

7. Rage and Calm: Closing Riff

[25:58 – 27:50]

Memorable Closing Segment

• What Makes the Hosts Rage?

  • AP: D.C.'s inability to shovel snow—personal grievance.
  • JT: The modern reality that only moms help with strollers; expresses solidarity with mothers everywhere.

• What Should People Calm Down About?

  • AP: Fear that Trump is winning everything in court; in reality, his record is weak at the district court level.
  • JT: For just 24 hours, be hopeful that Tom Holman could signal a real shift on immigration enforcement (tempered optimism).

• AP ([27:49]):
  "Let's see."

• JT ([27:50]):
  "Let's see. All right. See you next week."

Notable Quotes Recap (with Timestamps)

• AP ([03:19]): "Trump was upset not because Alex Preddy was murdered... he was upset because everyone saw it happening."
• JT ([04:39]): "Holman is saying, I want to return to what the original mission was... I would not be here if things had gone perfectly."
• AP ([06:47]): "What is normalcy, right? Since January 20, people's constitutional rights have been stamped on every day."
• AP ([08:46]): "A lot can happen in two weeks... people want a backbone, and like no one's showing a backbone these days."
• AP ([12:59]): "Full cooperation involves apprehending a lot of people who probably shouldn't be apprehended."
• AP ([16:52]): "It's one of those populist policies that like 80% of America agrees with... throw Trump on everything, there's opposition to it."
• JT ([21:48]): "It does feel like a perfect storm. But if he did win in 2020, aren't we in his third term? And then it's unconstitutional and maybe he could leave tomorrow."
• AP ([24:21]): "Regarding Trump's health, the White House isn't being transparent, in my opinion."
• AP ([25:16]): "This is a lot worse than anything Biden's ever done... Trump... exponentially worse. But no one cares."
• JT ([27:16]): "Shout out to the moms out there. They always help. We're in this together. Our estrogen unites us."
• JT ([27:49]): "Calm down about...Maybe just for 24 hours, Tom Holman. ...We need a change in direction badly. And hopefully he can be the start of that."

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Opening & News Agenda | 00:35 | | Minneapolis Fallout, Holman Presser | 01:14–07:45| | Shutdown, DHS Funding, Democratic Response | 07:45–10:52| | Sanctuary Cities, ICE, Cooperation | 11:37–13:11| | Amy Klobuchar, MN Gubernatorial Race | 13:11–14:26| | Trump Accounts: Wealth Program | 16:16–19:26| | DOJ Seizes Voting Records (Georgia) | 19:26–23:25| | Trump’s Health, Insider Concerns | 23:35–25:46| | Rage & Calm: Host Personal Riffs | 25:58–27:50|

Final Thoughts

This episode is a sweeping, often sardonic survey of the state of the Trump administration’s accountability failures, ongoing immigration controversies, threats to electoral integrity, and the complexity of policymaking in a hyper-branded, hyper-political era. Tarlov and Parnas offer a uniquely centrist perspective—questioning both parties’ actions, critiquing performative politics, and calling for meaningful reform while never losing sight of the real-life consequences behind the headlines.