Podcast Summary: The Briefing with Jen Psaki

Episode: Trump continues to trample American values with raid on reporter's home
Host: Jen Psaki (MS NOW)
Date: January 15, 2026

Overview

This episode of "The Briefing with Jen Psaki" searingly examines the Trump administration’s intensifying federal crackdown in Minneapolis, the unprecedented FBI raid on a Washington Post reporter, and a pattern of government intimidation targeting journalists, lawmakers, and communities. Through interviews with newsmakers—including Senator Alyssa Slotkin, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senator Adam Schiff—and on-the-ground reporting from Minneapolis, the episode documents the chilling erosion of American democratic norms and civil liberties.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Crackdown in Minnesota

• Governor Tim Walz’s Address ([01:28]):

  • Describes “organized brutality” deployed by federal agents.
  • Details indiscriminate stops, document checks—even on US citizens—at public locations including schools and grocery stores.
  • Accusations of brutality: breaking windows, dragging pregnant women, shoving civilians into unmarked vans—"kidnapping innocent people with no warning and no due process."
  • Argues that this has surpassed immigration enforcement and become violent political retaliation.
  • Quote:

    “It’s a campaign of organized brutality against the people of Minnesota by our own federal government.” – Gov. Walz ([01:58])

• Host Reflection ([02:36]):

  • Psaki likens daily news cycles to those from authoritarian regimes: “Every day, we wake up to some piece of news that reminds us of countries we don’t want to be like.”

2. FBI Raid on Washington Post Reporter Hannah Nadenson

• Context & Concerns ([02:36]):

  • FBI seized Nadenson’s devices, reportedly as part of a probe into a government contractor's alleged mishandling of classified info—not because Nadenson is herself a suspect.
  • Psaki highlights the dangerous precedent: potential exposure of more than 1,100 confidential federal sources Nadenson cultivated, intimidation of whistleblowers, and a threat to the critical accountability function of the press.
  • Quote:

    “This kind of intrusion is exactly what freedom of the press advocates fear from authoritarian governments… If the federal government were to access a reporter’s notes, they could identify confidential sources… and effectively break the system by which a free press holds the government accountable.” – Jen Psaki ([03:12])

• Ironies & Hypocrisy:

  • Trump’s Department of Justice requested the raid at the behest of the Department of War, led by Pete Hegseth—himself previously guilty of mishandling sensitive information ([07:06]).
  • While the administration claims the investigation is about leaks regarding an “unidentified country,” the President revealed it was Venezuela on air—highlighting selective outrage over leaks ([08:26]).

3. Targeting of Democratic Lawmakers and the Weaponization of Federal Power

• Senator Alyssa Slotkin’s Experience ([10:13]):

  • Describes being threatened with hanging by Trump on social media following a video reminding service members not to follow illegal orders.

  • DOJ, led by political appointees (e.g., Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for D.C.), is investigating Slotkin and other lawmakers for “sedition.”

  • The campaign of intimidation extends to threats, swatting of family, and bomb threats.

  • Quote:

    “Anyone who disagrees with him becomes an enemy, and he then weaponizes the federal government against them. It’s legal intimidation and physical intimidation… meant to get you to shut up. No, I’m not going to do that.” – Sen. Alyssa Slotkin ([10:13])

  • Slotkin underscores the coordination among targeted lawmakers and warns against believing compliance will protect institutions, referencing her intelligence background ([15:30]).

  • Quote:

    “If you can do it against a Senator, God knows what he can do against a private citizen, a journalist.” ([12:57])

• Slatkin on Press Freedom and Leaks ([17:52]):

  • Clear on the legal norm: “You never prosecuted the journalists.”
  • Draws a sharp contrast between necessary accountability for leakers vs. retaliation against the media:

    “As a former CIA officer, they deserve [accountability]. … But that journalist… that’s just not how we’ve handled freedom of press issues.” ([18:44])

4. Escalating ICE Activity and Law Enforcement Violence in Minneapolis

• Recent Fatality and Continuing Occupation ([21:47], [22:40]):

  • ICE officer killed Renee Nicole Goode, a US citizen; ongoing reports of brutality and overreach.
  • Republican Speaker Mike Johnson justifies ICE’s actions, stating, “ICE is doing what ICE is designed to do.”

• Governor Walz’s Rebuttal:

  “We will reclaim our communities from Donald Trump. … We will bring an end to this moment of chaos, confusion and trauma.” ([22:40])

• Interview: Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Leader ([23:56]):

  • Outlines Democratic strategy: push public pressure and demand reforms—body cameras, warrants, end to masked raids, abolish ICE special immunity, and stop abuses.

  • Quote:

    “ICE is using taxpayer dollars to brutalize American citizens… this is out of control and the American people aren’t going to stand for it.” ([26:31])

  • Pressed on calls to abolish ICE vs. seek incremental reforms given Democratic minority status.

  • Shifts to legislative priorities: Protecting ACA subsidies against Senate Republican obstruction ([28:13]-[29:58]).

5. On-the-Ground Reporting: Unrest in Minneapolis

• Live Report from Gillian Frankel ([32:04]-[35:44]):

  • Chaotic, violent clashes between ICE/federal agents and protesters.
  • Flashbangs, pepper balls, aggressive crowd control; marked ICE presence.
  • Lack of transparency from local law enforcement; civil unrest fueled by continuing federal occupation.

• Expert commentary by Michael Feinberg, Former FBI Official ([36:42])

  • Characterizes the federal presence as “paramilitary occupation,” not law enforcement.

  • Asserts that chaos, crime, and terror are being caused—not contained—by ICE.

    “If we saw this [scene] happening in a foreign country, a majority of Americans would be up in arms… This is not what American law enforcement is supposed to be.” ([36:42])

  • Suggests political and racial targeting (governor’s Dem ties, Somali-American population).

  • Outlines appropriate crowd control norms vs. offensive, intimidating tactics seen now.

6. War Powers, Congressional Abdication & Trump’s Authoritarian Drift

• Sen. Adam Schiff Interview ([44:20]):

  • GOP Senators reverse support for a War Powers resolution on Venezuela after White House pressure and Marco Rubio’s vague assurances.

  • Emphasizes historical and constitutional basis for Congress’s war powers and the dangers of unchecked executive military adventurism, particularly under Trump.

  • Quote:

    “Like a lot of other powers, if you don’t use it, you lose it. … We have allowed that power to atrophy.” ([44:54])

  • Schiff warns of the president’s pattern: using the military to suit his whims, lack of internal restraint, and the collapse of traditional checks and balances—e.g., Trump’s renewed obsession with Greenland ([48:15]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Governor Tim Walz:

  “News reports simply don’t do justice to the level of chaos and disruption and trauma the federal government is raining down upon our communities… This long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement.” ([01:28])

• Jen Psaki:

  “Every day, we wake up to some piece of news that reminds us of countries we don’t want to be like.”
  ([02:36])

• Alyssa Slotkin:

  “Anyone who disagrees with [Trump] becomes an enemy, and he then weaponizes the federal government against them. It’s legal intimidation and physical intimidation…” ([10:13])

• Hakeem Jeffries:

  “ICE just killed in cold blood… a 37-year-old American citizen who’s left behind three children. This is unreal stuff. It’s unconscionable. It’s unacceptable and it’s un-American.”
  ([24:12])

• Michael Feinberg:

  “This is not law enforcement. This is essentially a paramilitary occupation.” ([38:56])

• Adam Schiff:

  “Like a lot of other powers, if you don’t use it, you lose it. … We have allowed that power to atrophy.” ([44:54])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:00] – Introduction of Minnesota ICE crackdown and Gov. Walz’s address
• [01:28 – 02:36] – Gov. Walz describes brutality and trauma
• [02:36 – 08:26] – Psaki on the Nadenson raid, threats to press freedom, government leak hypocrisy
• [10:13 – 19:23] – Sen. Alyssa Slotkin: On intimidation, DOJ investigation, press freedom ethos
• [21:47 – 23:56] – ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Goode, Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic response
• [23:56 – 29:58] – Hakeem Jeffries: ICE abuses, reform strategies, ACA subsidy fight
• [32:04 – 36:22] – Live chaos in Minneapolis: Frankel reporting, pepper balls, and flashbangs
• [36:42 – 43:00] – Feinberg: Paramilitary occupation, norms vs. abuses, targeting political/racial minorities
• [44:20 – 48:57] – Sen. Schiff: War Powers Resolution blocked, Congress’s abdication, Trump’s expansionism

Conclusion

This episode delivers a compelling, distressing portrait of the Trump administration’s escalating use of federal force—from ICE operations terrorizing Minneapolis communities to direct attacks on press freedom and the weaponization of legal and prosecutorial power against dissenters. Through vivid guest testimony, field reporting, and expert analysis, Jen Psaki highlights an American crisis: the trampling of core values, the danger of unchecked executive power, and the urgent need for resistance and accountability.