Podcast Episode Summary
Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Show: Breaking Point with David Zier
Date: January 17, 2026
Host: David Zier
Guests: Sarah O’Neal (“AZ Sarah”), Kalyn Deese (Washington Examiner DOJ Reporter), Anna Giaratelli (Washington Examiner Homeland Security Reporter)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Breaking Point" dives into current political activism and controversy in Minnesota, the role of grassroots engagement, legal battles over ICE tactics, protester violence, and the state of the U.S.-Mexico border. Host David Zier connects with Sarah O’Neal, a prominent grassroots GOP leader in Maricopa County; Kalyn Deese, a DOJ reporter tracking legal conflicts surrounding ICE and protesters; and Anna Giaratelli, back from reporting on the U.S. southern border.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Grassroots GOP Activism in Arizona

Guest: Sarah O’Neal (“AZ Sarah”) (01:25 - 11:41)

• Sarah’s Path from Viewer to Political Leader

  • Inspired after the 2020 election coverage and exposure to the War Room, Sarah joined the RAV Chat and became involved in GOP precinct-level politics, leveraging Dan Schultz's precinct strategy.

    “I found War Room and I just felt like I had some really good foundation of news. And you guys were going to keep me well, well informed.” (02:21)

  • Progressed from precinct captain to board treasurer for Legislative District 4, eventually elected as a member-at-large for the Maricopa County GOP.

    “Our group was handily elected to sit on the governing board of Maricopa County GOP.” (04:18)

• The Stakes and Races in Arizona

  • Discussed the competitive CD1 and CD6 races (“red hot” primaries) and efforts to consolidate and unify precinct strategy to support GOP candidates and influence the state’s political trajectory.

    “Our primaries are going to be red hot in Maricopa County CD1...” (05:05)

• Motivation and Mission

  • Rooted in military family tradition, driven by the desire to “restore the foundation of this nation.”

    “As a daughter of a Purple Heart Marine and the mother of a Purple Heart Army specialist, I’m telling you, the passion I have to restore the foundation of this nation has never been stronger.” (07:26)

• On Election Integrity and Processes

  • Emphasized ongoing vigilance for 2026, referencing past experiences as a poll watcher and hands-on roles in ballot curing and signature verification.

    “My first stint on Real America’s Voice was when I was a poll watcher... Those shenanigans in 2022 with the drawer three... opened my eyes wide open.” (09:46)

• Call to Action for Listeners

  • Encouraged citizens to find their passion and get involved at any level.

    “Whatever your passion, there’s some place to channel it and make a difference and get off the sidelines, jump in the arena and let’s go.” (08:21)

• Contact

  • Sarah’s social: @AZSarah_1 on Getter and Twitter/X (11:05)

2. Federal-State Legal Clashes & Protest Dynamics

Guest: Kalyn Deese, Washington Examiner (13:21 - 23:47)

• Minnesota Lawsuit Against ICE Tactics

  • Lawsuits are being filed to restrict ICE’s use of force (such as pepper spray) during protests. A Biden-appointed judge in Minnesota is deliberating on a restraining order that would potentially “remove ICE’s toolbelt... their ability to protect themselves and the public.” (13:49)

  • Noted growing state involvement, such as Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison taking legal action meant to limit ICE’s operational powers.

    “It’s the legal version of what Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was telling people... to get the F out [to ICE].” (16:18)

  • Federal agents have been injured by protester violence—shared documented evidence from court filings (agents bruised, attacked with paint canisters).

    “There’s actual images in this court document... agents’ legs with very severe bruises... describing... a pressurized metal canister... striking her in the knee.” (17:40)

• On Protests: Organization & Funding

  • Protests are highly coordinated; organizations like Indivisible receive large sums ("about $8 million"), funding orchestrated action across various causes.

    "These are Marxist insurgents out there, and they're ready for civil war." (12:40)

  • Monday’s upcoming MLK Day protest sees intersectionality, merging causes (BLM, Free Sudan, Free Congo, Free Palestine, Venezuela) to "take focus off Somali fraud."

• The ICE Officer Incident:

  • Ongoing investigations after ICE officer Jonathan Ross was injured when struck by a protester-driven vehicle. Ellison’s parallel state investigation may challenge federal law enforcement authority.

    “The maneuvers that Keith Ellison is doing right now is showing every sign... that he is looking to try to see if there is a case... for perhaps a state indictment against a federal officer.” (21:53)

• Notable Quote:

  “If ICE was somehow restricted from being able to... engage in the types of maneuvers they've been trained to do, that could significantly alter the landscape they're dealing with right now. It might put them in a position where... that could harm the officer involved.” (15:44)

3. On-the-Ground Reporting from Minneapolis: Escalation & Targeting of Reporters

Host/Field Report: David Zier (24:00 - 31:20)

• Escalation at Minneapolis Protests

  • Reports from Powderhorn Park: 20,000-30,000 people gathered; intense, coordinated protest environment with whistle networks used to track and harass media.

    “It’s like a weird cult, a zombie cult of ICE and Trump haters.” (28:30)

  • Personal account of being followed, harassed, blocked by protesters, and attacked when leaving the park.

    “We just got chased out of Powderhorn park by the tolerant left... blocking our egress... throwing ice chunks at the window... we were boxed in and it’s like Escape from New York.” (28:55)

• Narrative About Somali Fraud

  • Claims Somali-American fraud is being covered up by merging disparate protest causes—allegations of up to $700 million funneled out of Minneapolis airport and possible terrorism links.

    “The fraud... might be the largest amount of fraud ever committed in the history of the United States.” (26:10)

• Media Targeting & Antagonism

  • Example: Reporter Brandon Jarvis had a drink thrown in his face, and both experienced direct confrontation simply for being recognized as RAV journalists.

  • Comic relief: Brandon jokes about having a security tag left on his jacket.

    “Don’t mind the security tag. Target forgot to take it off last night.” (31:26)

4. U.S.-Mexico Border Update: El Paso, Policy & Public Misconceptions

Guest: Anna Giaratelli, Washington Examiner (36:31 - 47:44)

• State of the Border in El Paso

  • Anna’s field report: Governor Greg Abbott (TX) is endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council for his record on border security (deployment of National Guard, state police, various barriers).

    “The National Border Patrol Council, the union for border patrol, endorsed Abbott for a fourth term.” (36:37)

  • Describes the current border as “silent” compared to chaotic surges of previous years—partly due to militarization and expanded fencing at strategic points.

    “It was silent. I mean, there’s just nothing to see.” (37:56)

• Effectiveness and Safety

  • Real estate market doing well; El Paso cited as one of the safest border cities due to heavy federal presence.

    “El Paso is one of the safest cities and border cities tend to be because they have such a heavy federal presence.” (40:20)

• Abbott’s Policy Impact

  • Actions included enhanced barriers, “buoy system,” and facilitating busing of migrants to relieve overwhelmed localities.

    “He paid for over 120,000 people to get free bus rides to cities nationwide.” (41:47)

• ICE Operations and Public Understanding

  • ICE doesn’t target people at random; always has specific warrants, typically for those with criminal histories.

    “ICE is looking for a specific person every single time they hit the street... It is not random.” (43:15)

  • Sanctuary cities’ policies complicate ICE transfers, leading to immigration enforcement activities in neighborhoods rather than inside jails.

  • Misconceptions abound—emphasizes that the majority of those ICE targets have criminal warrants.

    “If these jails in these liberal cities would have cooperated, they wouldn’t be in your neighborhood looking for these... criminals.” (45:14)

• How to Follow Anna

  • Social: @annagiaratelli (47:17)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• David Zier (Host):

  “You couldn't have been nicer, but you took it to another level. Tell us your story, Sarah.” (01:57)
  “It's purplish, right? Tell us the fights you have ahead and you got a lot of hot races come up, especially in the CD1.” (04:46)
  “These are Marxist insurgents out there, and they're ready for civil war.” (12:43)
  “We just got chased out of Powderhorn park by the tolerant left... blocking our egress from the park, screaming at us, throwing ice chunks at the window... we were boxed in and it’s like Escape from New York.” (28:56)

• Sarah O’Neal:

  “Whatever your passion, there’s some place to channel it and make a difference and get off the sidelines, jump in the arena and let’s go.” (08:21)
  “As a daughter of a Purple Heart Marine and the mother of a Purple Heart Army specialist, I’m telling you, the passion I have to restore the foundation of this nation has never been stronger.” (07:26)

• Kalyn Deese:

  “If ICE was somehow restricted from being able to... engage in the types of maneuvers they've been trained to do, that could significantly alter the landscape they're dealing with right now.” (15:44)
  “The maneuvers that Keith Ellison is doing right now is showing every sign... that he is looking to try to see if there is a case... for perhaps a state indictment against a federal officer.” (21:53)

• Anna Giaratelli:

  “ICE is looking for a specific person every single time they hit the street... It is not random.” (43:15)
  “El Paso is one of the safest cities and border cities tend to be because they have such a heavy federal presence.” (40:20)

Memorable Moments

• Sarah O’Neal’s grassroots “Cinderella” story, from viewer to GOP board member. (01:25–04:30)
• On-the-ground protest coverage: being harassed at Powderhorn Park; “zombie cult” remark; chaotic intimidation of media crews. (28:30–29:40)
• The drink-throwing incident at a Minneapolis restaurant for wearing RAV credentials. (31:26–31:40)
• The sobering statistic and anecdotal reports of organized protest funding and overlap with legal strategies to restrict ICE. (16:10–18:56)

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In:
This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at grassroots political organizing, the logistical and legal complexities of immigration enforcement, the reality of organized protest movements, and the state of the U.S. southern border. Guests provide first-hand reporting, expertise, and candid anecdotes illustrating the high stakes and intensity at work in America’s ongoing political and cultural clashes.