Podcast Summary: "Just the News, No Noise" with John Solomon and Amanda Head

Episode Date: January 8, 2026
Network: Real America’s Voice / iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This episode centers on two major developments out of Minnesota:

1. An explosive story about $700 million in cash being couriered out of Minneapolis airport, reportedly mostly by Somali couriers.
2. A dramatic and deadly incident involving an ICE agent shooting a protester who attempted to escape a traffic stop, dragging an officer and striking another with her vehicle. The event is immediately declared an act of domestic terrorism by DHS, leading to political firestorms and live reactions as the situation unfolds.

The hosts, John Solomon and Amanda Head, guide listeners through the facts, video evidence, legal perspectives, political rhetoric, and community tensions. The episode features expert guests, a DHS press conference by Secretary Kristi Noem, and live on-the-ground reporting.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Minnesota Under Scrutiny

• $700 Million Cash Investigation
  • Story broken by the show the night prior: $700 million moved out of Minneapolis airport, allegedly by Somali couriers, with confirmation from DHS.
  • Compared to NYC’s JFK: 99% more cash moved than declared in New York.
  • “It’s a massive amount. It was unprecedented. The Biden administration didn’t look at it at all. Now it’s being investigated.” (John Solomon [00:36])
  • Money reportedly declared as legal, but suspicions of fraud abound.

2. ICE Shooting in Minneapolis

• Incident Recap and Video Evidence

  • A woman, later identified as Renee Good, used her pickup truck to block ICE agents during an operation.
  • Attempted to flee when ordered out, dragging one agent and striking another; the latter fires at her (she later dies).
  • Footage from several angles circulated widely.

• Legal and Tactical Analysis

  • Jonathan Gilliam (former FBI, Navy SEAL, Air Marshal):

    • “Basically she’s using a 3,000-pound vehicle as a weapon, as a lethal weapon. ...If you aim a vehicle at a human, it’s the same as aiming a gun at them.” ([03:51])
    • Labelled the shooting as “justified” and criticized a culture of coordinated interference with law enforcement ([06:58]).

  • Art Del Cueto (Border Agent, Union Rep):

    • Stresses the process: multiple investigations (OIG, internal affairs, locals) will drag out, sidelining the officer involved ([14:22]).
    • “Today, a law enforcement officer defended his life from somebody that was attempting to murder him. That is what happened in Minnesota.” ([18:20])

3. Political Rhetoric & Community Tensions

• Escalating rhetoric:

  • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey: “ICE get the F out of Minneapolis.” ([13:56])
  • Minnesota Governor Tim Walz disputes DHS, calling declarations “propaganda.”

• Amanda Head notes: “Just not used to seeing politicians talk like that.” ([13:56])

• Cultural Analysis

  • Discussion on the generational disregard for law enforcement.
  • Trisha McLaughlin (quoted indirectly): The culture of disrespect for police leads to dangerous escalation ([06:58]).
  • Art Del Cueto: Assigns blame to “irresponsible politicians” inciting resistance (“They have spread this hate and this rhetoric... [they] empower this criminal behavior.” [16:34]).

4. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Press Conference ([19:57] onwards)

• Key Statements (Selected Quotes and Timestamps):

  • “[This] appears as an attempt to kill or to cause bodily harm to agents, an act of domestic terrorism. The ICE officer... fired defensive shots.” ([21:16])
  • “ICE alone is facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them and an 8,000% increase in death threats...” ([22:57])
  • “Since Governor Walz has been in charge of Minnesota, we have seen homicides go up by over 50%... He has another 680 [criminals] still within his jurisdiction that he could give to us today…” ([23:47])

• Policy and Political Shots Fired

  • Lays blame for lawlessness on sanctuary city policies, local leadership, and prior federal inaction.
  • Announces intent to have DOJ investigate protest organizers as “conspirators.”
  • Stresses robust federal response and support for law enforcement.

• Press Q&A Highlights:

  • On Mayor Fry’s criticisms: “I say that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about…” ([25:31])
  • On ongoing operations: “No, we’re still out on the streets doing our work...” ([26:36])
  • On protester tactics: “People are being trained and told how to use their vehicles to impede law enforcement.” ([30:52])

5. Expert, Reporter, and Street Perspectives

• Art Del Cueto (Reaction Post-Press Conference):

  • Praises Noem’s “thorough and factual” briefing.
  • Contrasts “hate-filled” city/vocal leadership with federal messages emphasizing rule of law and public safety ([36:26]).

• Potential Escalation:

  • Discussed possibility of conflict between the National Guard and federal agents if state/federal tensions escalate.
  • Del Cueto labels governor’s call to arm the Guard as “treason against the federal government.” ([37:52])
  • John Solomon notes the President could federalize the National Guard if needed ([38:54]).

• Responsibility Across the Spectrum:

  • Amanda Head: “People who support law enforcement have to take some blame for this... Republicans on Capitol Hill... allowed this to happen... over and over again.” ([39:35])

• Investigative Journalist Nick Sorter (Live from Minneapolis):

  • Describes an “extremely tense and dangerous” situation as darkness falls.
  • Protests and potential for violence escalate after dark; Minneapolis PD largely absent ([44:51]).
  • Notes this protest is different because the deceased is a white woman, preventing a “George Floyd” narrative ([46:35]).
  • On Somali cash flows: “It’s pretty clear where the money is coming from. It is part of the fraud.” ([48:43])
  • On public sentiment: Outside Minneapolis proper, “the normal people here... absolutely in support of what ICE is doing.” ([49:46])
  • On federal racketeering charges: “That’s how you cut off the funding... We have to show these people that they are not untouchable.” ([51:34])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• John Solomon:
  • “[The ICE agent] did not follow instruction, knew she was being stopped by police officers...She drives off...” ([01:44])
• Amanda Head:
  • “Of all the angles… the one that I think has gone most viral is shot by a woman. You can hear her screaming in the background at these agents… It’s probably going to be her video… that ultimately, if this officer is exonerated, that does it.” ([02:33])
• Jonathan Gilliam:
  • “If you aim a vehicle at a human, it’s the same as aiming a gun at them.” ([03:51])
  • “They are odd individuals that believe in things that have no value except for their narcissistic, altruistic personas.” ([08:29])
• Art Del Cueto:
  • “Irresponsible voters and irresponsible politicians… have spread this hate and this rhetoric… That is why we’re seeing what we’re seeing today.” ([16:34])
  • “Trying to provoke violence and attacks on federal agents… that is treason against the American public.” ([37:52])
• Secretary Kristi Noem:
  • “This appears as an attempt to kill or to cause bodily harm to agents, an act of domestic terrorism.” ([21:16])
  • “ICE alone is facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them and an 8,000% increase in death threats.” ([22:57])
  • “People are being trained and told how to use their vehicles to impede law enforcement operations...” ([30:52])
• Nick Sorter:
  • “You feel like you’re in… some sort of banana republic where you’re in danger just for existing out here.” ([44:51])
  • “The person… was a white woman. So they couldn’t make her, you know, Georgette Floyd as easily as… if it was a Hispanic woman or a black woman. And that might be the only… consolation.” ([46:35])
  • “It’s almost like small potatoes… but it needs to be investigated much further.” (on $700M [48:43])

Important Timestamps

| Segment Topic | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Episode theme and breaking news intro | 00:26-01:44 | | Amanda Head on viral video angle | 02:33-03:21 | | Jonathan Gilliam: Legal/tactical analysis | 03:38-09:36 | | Art Del Cueto: Law enforcement perspective | 13:56-19:42 | | Sec. Kristi Noem press conference begins | 19:57 | | Key stats, “act of terror” declaration | 21:16-23:47 | | Press Q&A, ongoing federal efforts | 25:30-31:56 | | Noem on protest organizers as conspirators | 33:00-34:10 | | Nick Sorter: On-the-ground in Minneapolis | 43:23-53:11 |

Tone and Language

• Direct, urgent, and unsparing: The hosts and guests use blunt language, show frustration at political leadership, and express grave concerns about public safety and the rule of law.
• Expert-driven yet combative: Law enforcement voices dominate, and accusations of political irresponsibility fly in both state and federal directions.
• Descriptive, sometimes charged: Frequent references to chaos, “anarchy,” “treason,” “fraud,” and “terrorism.”

Conclusion

This episode provides a comprehensive, real-time window into the collision of law enforcement, protest culture, immigration policy, and political gamesmanship unfolding in Minnesota. With breaking news, legal analysis, first-responder and expert voices, a direct DHS briefing, and raw on-the-ground updates, listeners get an unfiltered and deeply opinionated look at issues surrounding law, order, and American identity.