Podcast Summary: "Tony Jones on Neighborism in Minnesota"

Podcast: Religion on the Mind
Host: Dr. Dan Koch
Guest: Rev. Dr. Tony Jones
Episode: #378
Date: February 9, 2026
Theme: Exploring the recent ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids and community response in Minnesota, and the emerging ethic of “neighborism” at the intersection of religion, psychology, and politics.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on recent dramatic events in Minnesota, especially the controversial ICE raids that resulted in the deaths of community members Renee Good and Alex Preddy. Dr. Dan Koch interviews Rev. Dr. Tony Jones, a lifelong Minnesotan, writer, and theologian. They discuss the unique regional identity of Minnesota, the motivations and miscalculations of the federal government’s actions, and the powerful, disciplined, and peaceful community response—which commentators are calling “neighborism.” The episode is rich with personal stories, existential and psychological insights, and reflections on masculinity, religion, and protest in contemporary America.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Identity, Loyalty, and "Minnesota-ness"

• Tony Jones reflects on a deep, almost unique sense of regional loyalty among Minnesotans, describing the state’s history of good governance, communal spirit, and resilience in harsh conditions ([08:40]–[17:00]).
  • “There is something special about Minnesota. And I’ve just felt that in my bones since I was young... a great loyalty to this place that not everybody has.” — Tony Jones ([11:15])
• Sociocultural touchstones like Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion and the Scandinavian heritage are contrasted with the state's increasing diversity and tradition of openness to refugees and immigrants.

2. The ICE Raids: Political Context & Calculated Provocation

• The hosts discuss the context and apparent motivations behind the sudden influx of 3,000 ICE agents—despite Minnesota’s smaller undocumented population compared to states like California or Texas ([26:16]–[30:00]).
  • “This was not an attempt to significantly combat illegal immigration... This was a political attack on a state that Trump doesn’t like.” — Tony ([26:31])
• They highlight possible aims: to incite chaos, punish political opponents (e.g., Gov. Tim Walz, Rep. Ilhan Omar), and potentially instigate divisive, violent reactions—a strategy attributed to Stephen Miller.
  • “I think maybe he thought that all the whites or the critical mass of whites were going to be on his side... And I think maybe he thought it might provoke some kind of a race riot... that would play right into their hands.” — Tony ([29:13])

3. Community Response: Discipline, Organization, Weather, and “Neighborism”

• Rather than devolving into widespread violence as with the 2020 George Floyd protests, the recent response was characterized by disciplined nonviolence, attributed partly to freezing temperatures and partly to increased organization and learned tactical restraint ([17:29]–[23:13]).
  • “50,000 people marched through downtown Minneapolis... and, you know, riots don’t tend to happen when it’s 15 below zero, frankly.” — Tony ([20:17])
• The hosts dig into the Atlantic’s "neighborism" article by Adam Serwer, emphasizing the ethic of standing with "neighbors—whether they were born in Minneapolis or Mogadishu" ([34:03]).
  • “Minnesotans are insisting that their neighbors are their neighbors, whether they were born in Minneapolis or Mogadishu; that is arguably a deeply Christian philosophy, one apparently loathed by some of the most powerful Christians in America.” — Adam Serwer, quoted by Dan ([34:03])
• The existential-psychological dimension: In the face of destabilizing “boundary situations”, Minnesotans narrowed their focus to immediate, local action and mutual care, reinforcing identity and values ([43:06]–[45:33]).
  • “The response by and large has been to actually tighten attention to the concrete neighbor in front of you... this is who we are.” — Dan ([45:01])

4. Religion, Spirituality, and Civil Protest

• Exploration of "civil religion" at the spontaneous shrines to Alex Preddy, and the blending of religious and civic practices in the Minnesota response.
  • “There’s a kind of German Catholic, Scandinavian Lutheran civility... baked in the DNA of this place.” — Tony ([62:58])
• Notable moments include 100 liberal Protestant clergy arrested for peaceful civil disobedience at the Minneapolis airport and “singing protests” outside ICE hotels, contrasting sharply with violent images of federal agents ([67:20]–[68:43]).
• The role of liberal Protestantism, while fading nationally, remains a living and significant force in shaping protest and solidarity in Minnesota.

5. Masculinity and Leadership: Unlikely Symbols

• Discussion of Minneapolis Chief of Police Brian O’Hara as an example of healthy, visible masculinity, breaking stereotypes of progressive “softness.” Commentary on other “normie” men and their outspokenness as key to shifting public perception, even among previous MAGA voters ([69:30]–[73:41]).
  • “There is something about the men who are in the spotlight in this moment that is peeling off some MAGA dudes to be like, okay... These are normies.” — Tony ([72:13])

6. Realism and Self-Critique: Hard Problems, Real Consequences

• Confronts uncomfortable realities, such as major Medicaid fraud perpetrated by Somali immigrants ([50:03]), and local pressures against whistleblowers in progressive circles ([51:00]–[51:46]).
  • “That kind of stuff is fixable. It’s not fixable when someone’s dead on the goddamn sidewalk.” — Tony ([50:23])
• Reflections on gun ownership and the meaning of the Second Amendment in the context of actual government overreach ([54:10]–[61:31]).
  • “For the first time... I thought, okay, the reason we have a Second Amendment is to have a voluntary militia to overthrow a tyrannical federal government. That is the reason...” — Tony ([54:32])
  • Dan admits to shifting his view on citizens being armed as a check on tyranny ([56:31]–[59:39])

7. Political Shifts and Red Lines

• Signs of shifting public mood and MAGA voters being alienated by the recent federal intervention and violence ([51:49]–[53:59]).
  • “If your red line has not been crossed now, you are, I don’t know, beyond hope, beyond reason... you are blindly following a cult leader.” — Tony ([52:58])

8. Ongoing Questions and Hopes for the Future

• Both hosts express cautious hope and pride in Minnesota’s response, while acknowledging economic aftershocks, the fragility of institutional protections, and national implications ([75:51]–[78:10]).
  • “We are under assault by a federal force. And it’s very weird to also be kind of going about business as usual.” — Tony ([48:54])
  • “Just remember your friends in Minnesota, because... restaurants are going to close... tax revenue is going to go way down. They’re going to pin that on their Democratic governor.” — Tony ([75:51])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Melania documentary (Comic Relief / Opening)

  • “The full film title is Melania: 20 Days to History.” — Dan
  • “What the fuck? Who approved this subtitle?” — Dan ([02:38])

• On “neighborism” and faith:

  • “Minnesotans are insisting that their neighbors are their neighbors, whether they were born in Minneapolis or Mogadishu; that is arguably a deeply Christian philosophy...” — Adam Serwer, quoted by Dan ([34:03])

• On assimilation and multicultural Minnesota:

  • “It’s weird for me to even refer to our neighbors as immigrants, because they’re just our neighbors... they’re incredible neighbors, they’re so generous.” — Tony ([36:41])

• On the peacefulness of protests:

  • “I think to your MLK vs Malcolm X point earlier, I think the peacefulness of these protests has been far more powerful.” — Tony ([61:22])

• On political and psychological transformation:

  • “I will remember where I was when I saw on my phone the video of Alex Preddy being shot... It happened again. What are we doing here?” — Tony ([48:18])

• Closing thoughts:

  • “We both came in kind of lower energy... but I also feel like this was encouraging. Orienting is maybe... the word, I think, for me.” — Dan ([79:17])

Important Timestamps

• 00:22–04:26 – Casual banter, the tone of the discussion, intro to Minnesota and current mood
• 06:27–10:58 – Tony’s perspective as a “moderate uncle,” state loyalty, state identity, and regional pride
• 13:19–20:17 – Reflections on changing demographics, local immigration, and riot/protest responses influenced by weather and organization
• 22:53–29:13 – Political aftermath of “defund the police,” Minneapolis political context, reasons for ICE incursion, and the Stephen Miller theory
• 34:03–45:33 – Neighborism, existential challenges, local organization and psychology, identity formation during crisis
• 50:03–53:59 – Facing ugly realities: Medicaid fraud, whistleblowing consequences, red lines for MAGA voters
• 54:32–61:31 – The Second Amendment, changing perspectives on guns and protest
• 62:12–67:22 – Religion/spirituality at ground zero, the DNA of Minnesota’s religious culture
• 75:51–78:26 – Economic impacts, lasting effects, political consequences, national implications

Final Thoughts

The conversation offers a nuanced, personal, and political portrait of Minnesota as a case study in how local identity, values, history, and religious culture can shape national narratives and grassroots resistance. The ethic of “neighborism” provides a hopeful counterpoint to attempts at sowing discord, and the episode balances realism, cautious hope, and humor in a time of crisis.

Contact: Religion on the Mind – dan@religiononthemind.com
If you enjoyed this episode, check out prior shows on regional identity, existential psychology, and community organizing.