The Ben Shapiro Show

Ep. 2355 – COURSE CORRECTION? Bovino OUT, Trump and Walz Make Nice
Date: January 27, 2026
Host: Ben Shapiro

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the Trump administration’s tactical shift in handling immigration enforcement and public outcry over federal operations in Minneapolis, particularly after two controversial fatal shootings involving Border Patrol and ICE. Ben Shapiro delves into changes in key personnel, attempts at political conciliation between President Trump and Democratic leaders Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, and the broader political/media landscape shaping public perception of law enforcement. The episode also covers Democrats' response, Kanye West’s public apology for antisemitism, and a critique of Democratic attitudes toward religion and government programs.

Table of Contents

1. Trump Administration Shifts Tactics after Minneapolis Chaos
2. Analysis of Enforcement Policy & Media Criticism
3. Response from the White House and Local Officials
4. The Personnel Shake-up: Homan Replaces Bovino
5. The Democrats’ Political Maneuvering
6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
7. Kanye West’s Apology
8. Critique of Democratic Rhetoric
9. Obamacare Costs and Government Subsidies
10. Timestamps of Key Segments

1. Trump Administration Shifts Tactics after Minneapolis Chaos <a name="trump-shift"></a>

• Background: Trump administration comes under fire after federal enforcement operations in Minneapolis lead to the deaths of two American citizens, Renee Goode and Alex Preddy, during attempts to apprehend individuals obstructing federal law enforcement.
• Action Taken: Trump removes Gregory Bovino, commander at large for Border Patrol, from his Minneapolis post (demoted, pending retirement), and sends Tom Homan to take over the operation.
• Conciliatory Tone: Trump attempts rapprochement with MN Governor Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Frey, seeking cooperation over confrontation.

"It appears that the Democrats' chaos attempt in Minneapolis has now borne fruit... It's also the result of a couple of tragic incidents, and mishandling by people inside the Trump administration."
— Ben Shapiro (04:30)

2. Analysis of Enforcement Policy & Media Criticism <a name="analysis-enforcement-media"></a>

• Federal/Local Tension: Shapiro highlights blue states and sanctuary policies as roadblocks to targeted ICE enforcement. As a result, more confrontational, public arrests occur, producing negative optics.
• Media's Role: Legacy media, via figures such as Jimmy Kimmel, are accused of amplifying sensationalism and painting law enforcement as "jackbooted thugs" (14:03).
• Public Perception: Ugly images of law enforcement in action reduce public support for immigration sweeps, a political liability for Trump.

"[People] like law and order. They just don’t like to see law and order in progress... When those ugly pictures involve American citizens being killed under disputed circumstances, that allows legacy media actors to treat all law enforcement as an exercise in brutal tyranny."
— Ben Shapiro (11:26)

3. Response from the White House and Local Officials <a name="white-house-response"></a>

• White House Messaging: Emphasizes focus on deporting "criminal illegal immigrants" while carefully distancing from inflammatory previous statements (e.g., Stephen Miller's "assassin" line).
• Caroline Levitt, White House Spokeswoman: Lays out Trump's "cooperative" three-point plan for Minnesota and urges cooperation with ICE.

"As the duly elected president, the president is fulfilling the will of the people by arresting and removing these threats from our country... Democrat leaders in Minnesota with sanctuary city policies have actively defied federal immigration law and the will of the people."
— Caroline Levitt (20:36)

• Governor Walz: Insists state cooperation with ICE—for convicted felons only, not those in jails pre-conviction—arguing the administration misrepresents Minnesota’s practices.

4. The Personnel Shake-up: Homan Replaces Bovino <a name="personnel-shake-up"></a>

• Internal Administration Dispute: A divide within DHS—Noem, Bovino, and Lewandowski favor aggressive, high-profile tactics, while Homan and Lyons prioritize “quality over quantity” and focus on deporting serious criminals.
• Shapiro’s Take: Supports the personnel shift, calling Noem incompetent and praising Homan as the “adult in the room.”

"I think the president is right to replace Noem with Homan in this position. Homan, again, is the adult in the room."
— Ben Shapiro (35:15)

5. The Democrats’ Political Maneuvering <a name="dems-politics"></a>

• Capitalizing on Chaos: Democrats seize upon unflattering incidents as evidence of federal “brutality,” pushing for more oversight, Noem’s impeachment, and some even for abolishing ICE.
• Divided Democratic Message: Mainstream Democrats (e.g., Fetterman) call for pausing current operations, but not full shutdowns; progressives (e.g., Ilhan Omar) want abolition of ICE.
• Sanctuary Policy Nuances: Walz claims compliance with ICE, but Shapiro notes this is only true for state prisons, not county jails—a key loophole exploited by sanctuary policies.
• Long-Term Outlook: Shapiro suggests Democrats may “win the battle but lose the war” by overplaying their obstructionist hand, forecasting a backlash similar to the 2020 anti-police movement fallout.

"If you can politically win by obstructing federal law, that is a massive problem."
— Ben Shapiro (34:40)

6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments <a name="quotes-moments"></a>

Media Criticism:

• Jimmy Kimmel (progressive TV host, mocking ICE):
  “Just one atrocity after another being committed by this gang of poorly trained, shamefully led, masked-wearing goons… and that is what they are. They're goons and committing vile, heartless, and even criminal acts.” (13:14)

White House Rebuttal:

• Caroline Levitt (White House):
  "Obstructing federal law enforcement and inciting violence against officers is wrong and illegal. This used to be a universally accepted position in the United States." (19:48)

7. Kanye West’s Apology <a name="kanye-apology"></a>

• Context: Kanye West publishes a full-page Wall Street Journal ad apologizing for antisemitic comments and blaming his bipolar disorder.
• Shapiro’s Take: Expresses more sympathy toward mentally ill offenders than to opportunists or supporters who platform bigotry for clout.

“I have zero sympathy for the people who decided that the worst excesses in which Kanye West was engaging were somehow justifiable... Not the ramblings of somebody who clearly has a mental disorder and who has admitted as much.”
— Ben Shapiro (46:05)

8. Critique of Democratic Rhetoric <a name="dem-rhetoric"></a>

• Clip Highlight – Jennifer Welch: Outspoken progressive slams white evangelical Christians as “a cancer... the worst people in our country.” (48:07)
• Shapiro’s Reaction: Condemns such rhetoric as counterproductive, divisive, and out of touch with average voters.

9. Obamacare Costs and Government Subsidies <a name="obamacare"></a>

• Issue: ACA subsidies expiration leads to shocking premium increases; highlighted with a family’s insurance bill rising to triple their mortgage.
• Shapiro’s Argument: Government subsidies inflate prices in healthcare, education, and housing, making them less affordable.

"All of the areas that are most subsidized by the government are the areas that are least affordable, according to Americans. That is not a coincidence."
— Ben Shapiro (51:05)

10. Timestamps of Key Segments <a name="timestamps"></a>

• 04:30 – Analysis of Minneapolis ICE controversy and administration’s response
• 11:26 – Enforcement in blue states and the role of ugly images in public backlash
• 13:14 – Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue lambasting ICE and law enforcement
• 14:03 – Shapiro deconstructs media narrative and Democratic spin
• 18:52 – Caroline Levitt navigates questions on “terrorist” language and White House position
• 19:48–22:34 – White House outlines Trump’s plan for restoring order in Minnesota
• 35:00–36:00 – Internal divisions in the administration; Noem vs. Homan
• 39:52 – Senator Chris Van Hollen: “The real domestic terrorists are in the White House.”
• 43:56 – Ilhan Omar calls to abolish ICE: “ICE is beyond reform. Abolish it.”
• 46:05 – Shapiro unpacks Kanye West’s apology and the responsibilities of those enabling bigotry
• 48:07 – Jennifer Welch trashes white evangelical Christianity
• 51:05 – Obamacare premium spikes and government subsidy criticism

Summary Takeaway

This episode showcases a vivid moment of political and operational course correction inside the Trump administration, forced by both tragic incidents in Minneapolis and unfavorable public/press reaction. Ben Shapiro criticizes both the breakdown in administrative messaging and Democratic obstruction, warning of the risks in both approaches. The episode features biting criticism of media sensationalism and progressive rhetoric, a nuanced response to personal and political apologies, and a call for policy shifts away from government dependency.