The Briefing with Jen Psaki

Episode Title: NYC Mayor Mamdani Calls for Accountability for ICE Killing of Minneapolis Mom
Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Jen Psaki (MS NOW)
Guests: Zoran Mamdani (NYC Mayor), Josh Shapiro (Governor of Pennsylvania), Janelle Bynum (Oregon Congresswoman), Peggy Flanagan (Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota)

Overview

This episode confronts the national outrage following the fatal shooting of Renee Goode, a 37-year-old mother, by a federal ICE agent in Minneapolis. Host Jen Psaki explores the escalating violence of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, the administration and Republican leaders' response (including smearing the victim), and the wave of protests across the nation. The show features in-depth interviews with NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani on both his call for ICE accountability and his city’s historic implementation of universal childcare, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro on state responses to federal overreach, Oregon Congresswoman Janelle Bynum on Portland’s ICE shooting, and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan on federal obstruction of the Minneapolis investigation and community trauma. The episode weaves together urgent reporting, protest responses, and local policy solutions amidst a climate of federal impunity and public fear.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nationwide Fallout from ICE-Involved Shootings ([00:43]–[07:05])

• ICE Violence and Public Outcry:

  • Only a day after ICE agents shot Renee Goode in Minneapolis, federal law enforcement shoot two more people in Portland. Psaki summarizes a nation in protest, with demonstrations from Asheville and Cleveland to Boston, New York, and Minneapolis itself, despite ongoing ICE patrols and public fear.
  • Quote: "Despite frigid temperatures and icy streets, people have not stopped showing up in big, peaceful demonstrations, making their opposition to the cruelty and brutality of this administration crystal clear..." — Jen Psaki ([02:50])

• Administration’s Response and Victim Smearing:

  • VP J.D. Vance and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem publicly blame Goode, labeling her a “domestic terrorist” and defaming her character at a White House press conference.
  • Quote: “She was trying to ram this guy with her car. He shot back. And everybody who's been repeating the lie that this is some innocent woman... You should be ashamed of yourselves.” — J.D. Vance ([04:32])
  • Psaki calls out the “lack of moral clarity or humanity;” Trump administration maintains the narrative that law enforcement is under attack, not the other way around.

2. NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani—Accountability and Policy Progress ([06:35]–[16:23])

On ICE and Police Violence:

• Demand for Accountability:

  • Mamdani insists justice for Renee Goode must mean accountability for the ICE officer, asserting that “no one is above the law.”
  • Quote: “We've seen ICE operate as an agency with a complete sense of reckless impunity...I want to make it clear that I will stand up for each and every person who calls the city their home, no matter where they come from or where they were born.” — Zoran Mamdani ([07:48])

• Pushback Against Immunity and Federal Overreach:

  • Mamdani rejects the administration's claim that the officer has "immunity," calling attempts to evade accountability “mischaracterizations” of what happened.
  • Quote: “Accountability has to be true for everyone...they should be applicable to all of us.” — Zoran Mamdani ([08:52])

• On Smearing Victims:

  • Responds to Vance’s accusation that Goode was “brainwashed” and “radicalized.”
  • Quote: “I think it tells you that they'd like to have any and all conversations other than the fact that an ICE agent killed a woman yesterday.” — Zoran Mamdani ([10:21])

• DHS Secretary's Criticism of NYC:

  • Responds to Kristi Noem’s accusation that NYC “puts illegal people before citizens.” Mamdani counters by emphasizing the city's inclusive, sanctuary stance and underscores his own status as a New Yorker, American, and immigrant.
  • Quote: “Here in New York City, we know that it's possible to be a New Yorker, to be an American, and also to be an immigrant. I'm one of the examples of all three.” — Zoran Mamdani ([11:19])

On Universal Childcare Announcement:

• Historic Policy Launch Amid Crisis:

  • NYC and Governor Hochul announce first-in-the-nation free, universal childcare for children as young as 2, removing a major financial burden from families.
  • Quote: “Today's announcement...will provide universal childcare for every three year old and start to provide universal childcare for every two year old in New York City. That means we will be taking off what has come to be a $22,500 a year expense off the backs of working families.” — Zoran Mamdani ([12:40])

• Planning Amid Federal Retaliation:

  • Addresses how the Trump administration plans to cut federal childcare funding, but relays confidence in litigation and ongoing state-city partnership to defend and expand local programs.

• On Partnering with Governor Hochul:

  • Speaks to genuine collaboration between city and state, a departure from recent contentious mayor-governor history.

On Venezuela Crisis:

• Opposes Presidency’s Actions:
  • Mamdani discloses direct criticism of President Trump regarding the detention of Maduro, calling it a “pursuit of regime change,” and reaffirms commitment to upholding both international and federal law.
  • Quote: “This was an act in pursuit of regime change. It was something that was violating both international law, but also federal law. And it was something that I was in opposition to.” — Zoran Mamdani ([15:47])

3. Governor Josh Shapiro (PA)—Resisting Federal Overreach & Public Safety ([18:28]–[30:05])

• On ICE Shootings and Community Safety:

  • Laments the “chaos and havoc” created by uncoordinated, masked federal agents operating without state/local invitation or cooperation.
  • Quote: “Sending masked people unannounced into communities...creates chaos and wreaks havoc...it further erodes trust.” — Josh Shapiro ([21:09])

• No “Absolute Immunity” for Officers:

  • Flatly rejects Vice President Vance’s claim that ICE officers are immune from prosecution, referencing his own experience as state Attorney General.
  • Quote: “No, of course not. We take these investigations so seriously...You have to have a thorough investigation and by JD Vance...denying that investigation, literally making up nonsense...he's creating more chaos.” — Josh Shapiro ([24:07])

• PA State Response:

  • Notes that Pennsylvania is preparing through coordinated tabletop exercises and by building trust between all levels of law enforcement. Rejects plans to change cooperation with ICE unless it is to protect public safety and trust.

• Policy Ambitions:

  • On the possibility of a Democratic trifecta, outlines plans for a $15 minimum wage, stricter gun safety, more housing, and expanded protections for LGBTQ people and abuse victims.

4. Breaking News: ICE and Border Patrol Violence in Portland ([32:03]–[38:37])

• Developing Portland Incident:

  • As in Minneapolis, federal agents shoot two people in Portland under contested circumstances—government alleges defense against a vehicular assault, but evidence and context are lacking/trust eroded.
  • Portland Mayor and Congresswoman demand independent investigation and a halt to ICE operations.
  • Quote: “There was a time when we could take them at their word. That time is long past.” — (Portland Mayor) Keith Wilson ([34:17])
  • Quote: “We're calling on ICE to halt all operations in Portland until a full and independent investigation can take place.” — Zoran Mamdani ([34:29])

• Congresswoman Janelle Bynum’s Constituents in Fear:

  • Reports a deluge of fearful, angry calls; Oregonians have worked hard to build police-community trust, now set back by federal intrusion.
  • Quote: “There's no accountability. There's no rules...And these people are goons, and they're coming in terrorizing citizens.” — Janelle Bynum ([35:27])
  • Describes ICE enforcement as indiscriminate, with “no verification of the truth,” leaving the community unable to trust its own government.

• On “Not Taking the Bait”:

  • Warns against community violence, interpreting heavy-handed ICE tactics as “bait” to justify further crackdowns.
  • Quote: “Don't give them a reason to come in and clamp down and do more and then act like you deserved it. Kind of like that domestic abuser thing...” — Janelle Bynum ([37:23])

5. Minnesota Reacts—State Shut Out of Investigation ([38:38]–[44:42])

• Federal Obstruction:

  • After initially planning a joint inquiry, the FBI now freezes out Minnesota’s investigative agency, taking over the case solely at DOJ direction. Hennepin County DA seeks alternative avenues to maintain state investigation and stresses possible jurisdiction.
  • Quote: “We need a full independent and transparent investigation. I don't trust the Trump administration to do that.” — Peggy Flanagan ([40:21])

• ICE Raids in Minneapolis Schools:

  • Reports that ICE stormed a local high school, arrested staff, and used chemical agents on children, prompting school closures and remote learning due to student safety fears.
  • Quote: “ICE agents descending on a high school, arresting staff members and using chemical agents in front of children. Like, let's be really clear, right? High school students are still children. I am the mom of a 12 year old, and I am horrified by that.” — Peggy Flanagan ([42:09])

• Community Safety and Peaceful Protest:

  • Flanagan encourages viewing and sharing video evidence, supporting mutual aid, participating in peaceful protest, and pressing Congress for an independent federal-state investigation.
  • Quote: “It matters that we share those images...the lies that Donald Trump and Kristi Noem are spinning...we have our own eyeballs and can see what happened in that video footage.” — Peggy Flanagan ([43:37])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments With Timestamps

• On Federal Impunity:

  • “Absolute immunity is not a thing, but the Trump administration clearly wants it to be a thing.” — Jen Psaki ([19:18])

• On Community Resilience:

  • “To those who doubt the power of the people to make their own destiny...Today is your answer...we stand here today because of a movement brave enough to make a promise and even braver to know that it could fulfill it.” — Zoran Mamdani ([06:35])

• On the Importance of Government Action:

  • “Your announcement today was really a reminder that government can do good for the people. That if you have the will...things can happen, people's lives can be made better.” — Jen Psaki ([12:01])

• On ICE’s Impact on Safety:

  • “ICE is dangerous. They are making us less safe and terrorizing and causing chaos, chaos in our communities. And it has to stop.” — Peggy Flanagan ([43:17])

• Community Fear and Disempowerment:

  • “If you can't trust your government, what do we have? We have, I guess, faith in community and faith in one another. And I think that's what's going to get us through.” — Janelle Bynum ([36:12])

• Exhortation to Action:

  • “Call your member of Congress...say we demand that the FBI partner with the Minnesota bca...for a full independent and transparent investigation to bring justice to Renee, to Minnesota and for, for all Americans.” — Peggy Flanagan ([43:37])

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [00:43–07:05] Jen Psaki reports nationwide protests, outlines sequence of ICE violence, and sets up conversation with Mayor Mamdani.
• [07:05–16:23] Interview with Zoran Mamdani: police accountability, NYC sanctuary policies, universal childcare, partnership with Governor Hochul.
• [18:28–30:05] Interview with Josh Shapiro: federal ICE overreach, Pennsylvania’s law enforcement strategy, pushback on federal “immunity,” and state policy goals.
• [32:03–38:37] Portland shooting update, interviews with local leaders (mayor, Rep. Bynum), on-the-ground reaction and Congressional perspective.
• [38:38–44:42] Minnesota's escalating struggle for an independent ICE investigation, Lt. Gov. Flanagan’s account of ICE in schools, call for peaceful activism and systemic accountability.

Summary & Takeaways

The episode is an urgent snapshot of America’s immigration flashpoint, examining not only the actuality of violence and loss but also a federal government increasingly insulated from accountability and transparency. The voices of local leaders—Mayor Mamdani, Governor Shapiro, Rep. Bynum, and Lt. Gov. Flanagan—underscore both the human toll and the imperative for state and community-based solutions, even as they wrestle with limited power before the federal juggernaut.
Simultaneously, the episode reminds listeners of the potential for positive governmental impact (NYC’s universal childcare), and urges them to resist cynicism by engaging in peaceful protest, community mutual aid, and persistent advocacy for transparency and justice.

For More:
The next segment features officials from Portland and Minneapolis, and ongoing national coverage of ICE operations, community resistance, and federal-state conflicts.

End of Summary
(Promotional sections, advertisements, show intros/outros have been omitted.)