American Sunrise Early Edition — January 26, 2026

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: Brian Glenn, with Terrence Bates, Jack Brewer, David Brody
Date: January 26, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of American Sunrise Early Edition centers on widespread national crises, including a massive winter storm affecting much of the country and a tense, polarizing confrontation in Minneapolis involving ICE agents, protestors, and a deadly shooting. The hosts deliver “honest views” aligned with American conservative values, covering the handling of the Minneapolis incident, public protests against law enforcement, media coverage, political accountability, and the looming government shutdown over DHS and ICE funding. Faith, family, and patriotism serve as recurring touchstones throughout the discussion.

Key Topics & Discussion Breakdown

1. Winter Emergency: Weather Crisis Across America

[00:21 - 04:07]

• Host Brian Glenn kicks off with live updates from Washington, D.C. amidst a nationwide winter storm.
• Over 250 million Americans affected, spanning New Mexico to New England and the Deep South; at least 24 states with emergency disaster declarations.
• Over one million lose power, 16,000+ flights canceled.
• Meteorologist Tracy Anthony describes ongoing subzero temperatures, power outage challenges, and historic snowfall:
  • "The cold is going to stick around... Even if your daytime highs get above freezing, overnight lows will be dropping below freezing. One of the big concerns... is going to be that refreeze." — Tracy Anthony [01:39]
  • Duluth, MN: -35°F, wind chill -41°F. Northeast digging out from 20" snow, possible record-breaking event.
• Emphasis on slow recovery and need for resilience.

2. A Prayerful Start Amid Crisis

[04:07 - 04:57]

• Brian Glenn introduces a Bible verse (John 16:33) for hope amid turmoil:
  • “I have told you these so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble but take heart; I have overcome the world.”
• Touches on “chaos fatigue”—news overwhelming viewers with violence and disorder.

3. The Minneapolis ICE Shooting & Civil Unrest

[04:57 - 18:41]

The Incident & Reactions

• Terrence Bates (Denver) reports on a federal agent fatally shooting a man in Minneapolis—man was holding a phone, but armed.
  • "Man killed by federal agents in Minneapolis was holding a phone, not a gun." — NYT headline quoted by Terrence Bates [05:28]
• President Trump responds on Truth Social, blaming Democrats for creating an anti-law enforcement environment, but also calling for de-escalation and law enforcement cooperation.
  • "It felt like President Trump was trying to de-escalate the situation. Hopefully, he's successful in it, because the reality is... Americans are being killed." — Terrence Bates [07:48]
• Governor Tim Walz calls in National Guard. Speculation on whether Insurrection Act might be invoked.

Underlying Causes & Broader Patterns

• Brian and Terrence debate justification for the shooting, public vs. law enforcement, and messaging.
  • "It's just constant clash between the government and the people. And the messaging on this is what's really critical." — Brian Glenn [08:44]
• The NRA defends the victim’s right to carry; Brian questions wisdom of carrying a weapon to a protest.
• Scrutiny of government communication and transparency re: ICE presence.
• Terrence: calls for public restraint—observe, document, but do not physically interfere.
  • "If you want to protest their actions, do so from across the street...but don't get involved, because...you just never know how your involvement is perceived." — Terrence Bates [10:10]
• Discussion of family warnings ignored by the victim, and costs for families.

4. Organized Resistance: Protester & Digital Tactics

[12:38 - 14:37]

• Reports of online groups (such as Signal chats) tracking and impeding ICE operations in Minneapolis.
  • "When you've got more of these demonstrators getting in the way of these ICE agents...it's going to create an environment longer term...in which people feel emboldened to push back against law enforcement." — Terrence Bates [13:16]
• Comparison to apps promoted during California ICE activity—concerns over organized attacks on law enforcement.

5. Rights, Boundaries, and Hypotheticals

[14:37 - 16:31]

• Both hosts endorse the right to protest, but stress it's criminal to physically interfere with police operations.
• Brian draws a parallel: how would the right react if DOJ/FBI “rounded up J6ers” and a conservative journalist was shot?
  • "I know how MAGA reacted. If Joe Biden's DOJ and FBI would have rounded up J6ers and one of our independent journalists got in the middle of it and they got shot, we would be pissed off." — Brian Glenn [15:58]

6. Political Corruption: Ilhan Omar Wealth Investigation

[16:31 - 18:57]

• House GOP investigates Rep. Ilhan Omar’s “skyrocketing” net worth ($30M vs. prior modest income).
  • "Going from little income to $30 million. I'm sorry, I have to give that the Vulcan eyebrow." — Terrence Bates [18:41]
• Host insinuates likely financial impropriety; points to “fraud” in her community and misuse of public/NGO funds funneled back to Democrats.

7. Patriot Economy & Positive Headlines

[18:57 - 22:17]

• Announcement: Old Glory Bank to go public — lauded as a “patriotic” bank for “everyday Americans who love this country,” upholding “traditional values.”
  • Brief sponsor mentions, followed by return to Minneapolis and anti-ICE protests.

8. Guest Segment: Former NFL Player Jack Brewer on Minneapolis Unrest

[22:17 - 29:41]

• Ex-Vikings captain Jack Brewer gives a deeply critical assessment of Minneapolis protest culture.
  • "It's sickening, to be honest with you. The audacity, the lawlessness...People that don't respect law enforcement, they believe that a citizen has authority over law enforcement." — Jack Brewer [22:33]
• Argues city is “spiritually broken” and “lawless”—blames left-wing ideology, erosion of Christian beliefs, and cultural change.
• Cites supposedly “millions of dollars” in anti-ICE protest coordination, government officials implicated in organizing resistance.
• Brewer ties unrest to family breakdown, loss of faith and discipline, and influx of Somali immigrants, claiming Minneapolis “doesn’t look like America.”
  • "You gotta understand, man, Somalians have taken over the city of Minneapolis...the entire culture has shifted." — Jack Brewer [29:18]
• Asserts criminality is being orchestrated and demands accountability on a large scale.
• Serves as a culmination of the show’s themes: law and order, faith, and skepticism of progressive policy.

9. Government Shutdown & ICE Funding Standoff

[29:49 - 41:20]

• Brian Glenn turns to DC: looming government shutdown as Democrats threaten not to approve DHS funding if it includes ICE money.
  • "I truly believe that we will have a government shutdown. The Democrats will absolutely do it. And it will be in the name of ICE funding." — Brian Glenn [41:00]
• He chastises GOP leadership for funding “refugee camps” via DHS budget (approx. $5.6 billion), accusing them of defying the voters.
• Urges Republicans to communicate more effectively and to ensure ICE operations are publicly justified (e.g., by specifying dangerous targets).
• Criticizes lack of congressional codification of Trump executive orders into law.
• Advises listeners to review politicians’ actual voting records, not campaign rhetoric:
  • “Don’t look up how they message on social media... Look at how they vote.” — Brian Glenn [41:00]

10. Final Thoughts: Local Focus, Chaos Fatigue, and Making a Difference

[42:31 - 46:46]

• Regular host David Brody joins for wrap-up, discussing “chaos fatigue” and emotional burnout from constant crisis news cycles.
  • “I can't care about a foreign conflict anymore. I'm more worried about what's in my neighborhood.” — Brian Glenn [44:00]
• Brody underscores importance of community action:
  • "Take care of your own bean patch right in front of your house... We can make a difference where we live."
• Both hosts warn of “doom-scrolling” and urge listeners to focus on local engagement as the starting point for national change.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tracy Anthony, on the cold:
  • "The cold is going to stick around... Even if your daytime highs get above freezing, overnight lows will be dropping below freezing." [01:39]
• Terrence Bates, on the ICE shooting:
  • "Man killed by federal agents in Minneapolis was holding a phone, not a gun." [05:28]
  • "It felt like President Trump was trying to de-escalate the situation." [07:48]
  • "If you want to protest their actions, do so from across the street..." [10:10]
• Brian Glenn, on messaging and chaos:
  • "It's just constant clash between the government and the people. And the messaging on this is what's really critical." [08:44]
  • “Don’t look up how they message on social media... Look at how they vote.” [41:00]
• Jack Brewer, on Minneapolis culture:
  • "It's sickening, to be honest... The lawlessness... People that don't respect law enforcement, they believe that a citizen has authority over law enforcement." [22:33]
  • "Somalians have taken over the city of Minneapolis...the entire culture has shifted." [29:18]
• David Brody, on burnout:
  • "Take care of your own bean patch right in front of your house...We can make a difference where we live." [44:19]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Winter storm & weather breakdown: [00:21-04:07]
• Bible verse & intro to Minneapolis news: [04:07-04:57]
• Minneapolis ICE shooting & protest coverage: [04:57-18:41]
• Digital protest organization & right to protest: [12:38-16:31]
• Ilhan Omar wealth investigation: [16:31-18:57]
• Jack Brewer interview: [22:17-29:41]
• DHS/ICE funding & government shutdown discussion: [29:49-41:20]
• Wrap-up and focus on local engagement: [42:31-46:46]

Tone & Language

The hosts adopt a tone of urgency, fatigue, and frustration with ongoing national crises, while continually returning to themes of faith, patriotism, and the need for grassroots involvement. Interviews and commentary convey skepticism of progressive politics, direct criticism of Democratic figures, and strong support for law enforcement. The episode closes on a call for personal engagement and local solutions amid the overwhelming national narrative.