The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Episode: "No, No, Noem" (January 26, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode, hosted by John Podhoretz with regulars Abe Greenwald, Seth Mandel, and Christine Rosen, dives deeply into the political crisis erupting from a controversial Minneapolis police shooting of Alex Preddy, the reaction (and mismanagement) by government officials, especially Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and the growing tensions around immigration enforcement under Trump’s second administration. The conversation critiques both Republican and Democratic responses, explores the fallout for the Trump administration amid shifting public sentiment, touches on developments in Israel and Iran, and ends with a cultural note about a new Mel Brooks documentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis Shooting & Government Mismanagement

• General Reaction: The hosts express horror at the video evidence surrounding Alex Preddy’s death, noting how quickly some federal officials, especially Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller, drew false and inflammatory conclusions before facts were known.
• Law Enforcement Review: Both John Podhoretz and Abe Greenwald stress the chaos and inscrutability of the footage, undercutting early claims that Preddy was a threat. The incident is compared to notorious cases like Breonna Taylor and Amadou Diallo (“a rolling series of errors that leads to the catastrophic death of somebody who was not, in fact, a threat” – Podhoretz, 07:58).
• Failure of Leadership: Kristi Noem is harshly criticized for failing to calm the situation and for “blatantly lying” about Preddy brandishing a weapon (Rosen, 05:04), with calls for her resignation and comparison to historical disgraced public figures.

2. Political Fallout for Trump and Republican Messaging

• Trump’s Dilemma: The hosts argue that Trump’s instinct is to avoid looking weak or backing down on immigration, especially under pressure from Stephen Miller, whose staunch position influences administration responses (Rosen at 14:44). However, there’s recognition that the harsh optics are hurting Trump among Republicans and gun rights groups (Mandel, 17:18).
• Stephen Miller’s Influence: Miller is described as the “sourest spring” of the administration’s most aggressive and defiant messaging; Trump is reluctant to fire him but may have to reconsider due to mounting right-wing blowback (Mandel, 12:58; Rosen, 14:44).
• Second Amendment Concerns: The fact that Preddy was a legal gun owner and was shot without drawing his weapon is causing “chilling” concern among gun rights advocates (Mandel, 18:51).

3. Federal vs. Local Jurisdiction & Principles of Federalism

• Jurisdictional Chaos: The federal Border Patrol’s refusal to let local Minneapolis police investigate the scene is presented as an affront to local sovereignty—violating conservative principles (Podhoretz, 28:41).
• Irresponsibility on All Sides: Both local Democratic officials and federal Trump appointees are blamed for escalating the situation rather than deescalating—“no adults in the room” trying to calm tensions (Rosen, 05:04; Rosen, 32:06).

4. Broader Immigration Politics and Policy

• Political Catastrophe: The administration’s aggressive enforcement surge in Minneapolis, initially intended to capitalize on Somali welfare fraud scandals, misfired catastrophically, giving Democrats the upper hand and risking the loss of House and Senate majorities (Podhoretz, 32:06, 35:19).
• Difference Between ‘What’ and ‘How’: The panel reiterates the distinction between public support for immigration enforcement (“the what”) and outrage at the federal government’s harsh, paramilitary methods (“the how”), which now threatens to overshadow any policy wins (Mandel referencing Kristen Soltis Anderson, 44:11).
• Stephen Miller as Ideologue: Miller’s uncompromising stance on all immigration—including legal—contrasts with Trump’s more pragmatic streak and is blamed for losing the political plot (Podhoretz and Rosen, 46:29–46:47).

5. International Segment: Israel, Gaza, and Iran

• End of Hostage Era: Israeli President Herzog removes his hostage pin after the recovery of Ron Givli’s body, ending the long period of hostilities where Israelis were held by Hamas (Podhoretz, 50:13).
• Broader Middle East Implications: The hosts note a seismic strategic shift post-October 7; Iran’s recent massacre of thousands of civilians is discussed in the context of global hypocrisy—media and diplomatic outrage over Israel, but muted reaction to Iran’s mass killings (Podhoretz, 57:09).
• Media Bias and Verification: The panel critiques The New York Times for double standards in verifying and reporting violence—struggling to source authentic images of Gaza “famine” but quickly verifying violence in Iran (Rosen, 63:12).

6. Recommendations

• Cultural Note: John Podhoretz recommends the HBO documentary "Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man" for its witty structure, historical anecdotes, and Brooks’ enduring charm (65:46).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On government defamation and lack of due process:

  • “You just can’t have the administration of a government … defaming and slandering a person who was just shot and killed unjustly by law enforcement. You just can’t.”
    — John Podhoretz (05:01)

• On Kristi Noem’s failure as a public official:

  • “She has become a liability. She has repeatedly lied to the American people … her only job is to calm things down, assure the public that a thorough investigation about the use of lethal force will commence. Instead, at every opportunity, she's preened for the cameras.”
    — Christine Rosen (05:04)

• On the Second Amendment and Republican blowback:

  • “Gun rights people are going to see that and say if he didn’t do anything wrong with that, then they’re telling me he was shot because he had a gun in a holster in his back. And that is chilling … for people who are concerned about the Second Amendment.”
    — Seth Mandel (17:18)

• On Stephen Miller’s ideological intransigence:

  • “He does not know how to take credit for something. He is like, this is a war and we’re relentless, we’re going to go on. He’s going to like, burn the south down. And it is … very bad advice.”
    — John Podhoretz (35:19)

• On hypocrisy regarding media coverage of Iran vs. Israel:

  • “This has happened in full view of the planet. Does that not indicate the degree of astounding hypocrisy and vile anti-Semitism...?”
    — John Podhoretz (61:46)

• Memorable cultural recommendation:

  • “He is the most delightful person who ever lived and it’s a fascinating life story and it’s a very sprightly documentary.”
    — John Podhoretz on Mel Brooks (65:46)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic / Quote | |-----------|--------------| | 02:15 - 05:04 | Minneapolis shooting, Preddy’s death, and administrative response | | 05:04 - 07:30 | Critique of Kristi Noem; need for adult leadership; breakdown in calming public | | 07:30 - 12:58 | Chaotic law enforcement response and slanderous narrative from government officials | | 12:58 - 14:44 | Stephen Miller’s influence on Trump and political calculation | | 14:44 - 19:33 | Internal dynamics in Trump admin; Second Amendment blowback | | 28:41 - 32:06 | Border Patrol vs. local police: federalism in crisis | | 32:06 - 34:37 | The political backfire of Minneapolis surge; Democratic resurgence | | 35:19 - 39:57 | Miller’s ideology vs. Trump’s pragmatism; impact on ‘how’ immigration is enforced | | 50:13 - 57:09 | Israel finally has no hostages in Gaza; historical and emotional import | | 57:09 - 63:12 | Iranian massacre uncovered; world’s double standard on Israeli vs. Iranian state violence | | 65:46 - End | Mel Brooks documentary recommendation |

Tone and Language

Throughout, the hosts retain their signature blend of earnest outrage, biting sarcasm, and wry historical allusion—often speaking rapidly, sometimes emotionally, but with a deep knowledge of law, history, and media. The conversation is dynamic, interactive, and at times self-deprecating, especially when discussing the failures of both right and left, or when reflecting on tragic events with somber respect.

Conclusion

For listeners, this episode offers a penetrating, multi-angled take on the dangerous interplay of law enforcement tragedy, political opportunism, and policy overreach gripping contemporary America. It’s an unflinching critique of power run amok—on both the right and the left—laced with historical analogies, procedural insights, and a closing note of cultural appreciation.