Podcast Summary: The Daily — "Trump Changes Course in Minneapolis"

Date: January 28, 2026
Hosts/Reporters: Michael Barbaro, Zolan Kano-Youngs, Tyler Pager (The New York Times)

Overview

This episode delves into the political crisis that erupted after the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy by federal agents in Minneapolis, the ensuing outrage, and how President Trump shifted tone and took visible actions to signal a change in his administration’s approach. The discussion interrogates whether these changes are substantive or merely rhetorical, as well as the complex interplay between policy, public outcry, and political pressure.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Backdrop: The Killing of Alex Preddy and Political Fallout (01:09–05:28)

• Incident Overview:
  • Alex Preddy, an American citizen, was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis.
  • Video evidence contradicted official government statements; Preddy was holding a cellphone, not a weapon.
  • Public outrage erupted nationwide, with harsh criticism from across the political spectrum.
• Media Coverage:
  • Trump monitored cable news all weekend, noting both Fox News and other networks' critical coverage.
  • Notable bipartisan rebuke, with even Republican senators (e.g., Bill Cassidy, Thom Tillis) calling for investigation.
• Public and Political Reaction:
  • "Americans don't like what they're seeing right now. Nobody likes feds coming into their state." — Tyler Pager (03:10)
  • Sympathetic media figures and even Fox News hosts joined in criticism.

2. Trump’s Motivations and Initial Response (05:28–07:21)

• Primary Concern:
  • Trump's worry was political: the incident overshadowed his perceived progress on immigration enforcement and border security.
  • He vented to aides about how the narrative was undercutting his accomplishments, not the killing itself.
  • "He was disturbed that a man had been killed. But Michael, what he was really worried about was that this chaos, this narrative was overshadowing all of the progress he felt he has made...." — Zolan Kano Youngs (05:28)
• Early Public Pivot:
  • Trump gave a measured statement to the Wall Street Journal expressing willingness for an investigation, a significant tone shift after initially blaming local leaders and the victim.

3. Visible Changes and Personnel Shifts (07:21–11:17)

• Personnel Changes:
  • Trump announced he was sending Tom Homan, border czar, to Minneapolis to lead federal operations.
  • Greg Bevino, a key Border Patrol official who had vigorously defended the operation, was pulled from Minneapolis.
• Distancing from Rhetoric:
  • Trump stopped echoing the "domestic terrorist" and "assassin" rhetoric put forth by senior staff such as Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller.
  • “Suddenly, it felt like there were consequences for that conduct.” — Michael Barbaro (08:06)
• Improved Local Relations:
  • Trump reached out to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
  • Notably diplomatic calls after days of blaming those same officials.
  • Walz pressed for a "fair and independent investigation" and fewer federal agents, to which Trump reportedly agreed to consider.
  • "He pledged, look, I'm going to send Tom Holman in. We'll do things differently." — Gov. Tim Walz (11:12)

4. Is There Actual Change, or Just Rhetoric? (14:34–18:35)

• On-the-Ground Reality:
  • Despite conciliatory messaging, the federal operation remained robust: over 100 arrests in a single day, with no shrinking in federal presence.
  • "Even if we've seen a rhetorical shift here, we really don't have all that much evidence that we're seeing a substantial change on the ground." — Tyler Pager (15:06)
• Criteria for Real Change:
  • Reduction or withdrawal of federal agents from cities like Minneapolis.
  • Actual accountability for federal agents involved in shootings—no sign yet of such investigations or disciplinary actions.
  • Potential firing or removal of senior officials who propagated falsehoods (e.g., Kristi Noem), though Trump reaffirmed her job security.

5. Pattern of Trump’s Crisis Management (18:35–20:08)

• Bystander in Chief:
  • The hosts note how Trump often projects himself as a bystander, distancing himself rhetorically from the direct consequences of his policies when politically expedient.
  • "This is another example of that, of the President trying to be a bystander to his own policies." — Tyler Pager (19:22)
• Political Guardrails:
  • Trump's pivot appears driven primarily by political peril rather than genuine policy reconsideration or moral outrage.
  • "He was moved on this when he heard that it was hurting him politically. That's the guardrail, it seems..." — Tyler Pager (24:16)

6. Potential Policy and Political Consequences (20:08–24:16)

• Congressional & Party Response:
  • Both Democrats and Republicans (e.g., Susan Collins) are demanding pauses or rollbacks in ICE enforcement, using government funding bills as leverage.
  • Possible risk of a government shutdown exists as lawmakers tie this controversy to broader budget negotiations.
• Remark on Trump’s Immigration Achievements:
  • The episode closes highlighting that Trump achieved much of his immigration agenda, but this crisis threatens to turn those achievements into liabilities.
  • "He turned what many see as a kind of achievement into this exceptionally dark chapter of his presidency." — Michael Barbaro (22:29)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Political Backlash:
  • “One of the gravest political threats to Trump since his inauguration in this second term.”—Michael Barbaro (12:24)
• On The Nature of Trump’s Shift:
  • "Are these just words? Is this just lip service? ...or are we in the midst here of a real moment where we could see concrete change on the ground?" — Tyler Pager (12:07)
• On Holding Officials Accountable:
  • “They could name the Border Patrol agent who shot [Preddy]. They could open an investigation into that agent. They could arrest that agent.” — Michael Barbaro (16:23)
• On the Real Reason for the Pivot:
  • “President Trump wasn’t moved to scale back this operation upon learning that Renee Goode was shot and killed or upon learning that Mr. Pretty was shot and killed. In fact, he initially laid the blame on both of them. He was moved on this when he heard that it was hurting him politically.” — Tyler Pager (24:16)
• On Trump as Bystander:
  • “The President conducting himself like a bystander to his own presidency and its policies and its actions.” — Michael Barbaro (19:08)

Key Timestamps

• 01:09–05:28 — The immediate fallout, media coverage and bipartisan outrage
• 05:28–07:21 — Trump’s political calculus and first rhetorical shifts
• 07:21–11:17 — Personnel changes, distancing from false narratives, and outreach to local officials
• 14:34–18:35 — Assessment of real progress on the ground vs. rhetorical change
• 18:35–20:08 — Patterns in Trump crisis management; the "bystander in chief" approach
• 20:08–24:16 — Congress’s growing leverage, risk of government shutdown
• 22:29–24:16 — Reflection on the longer-term implications for Trump’s legacy

Concluding Thoughts

This episode scrutinizes the interplay between political damage control and genuine policy change, using the Minneapolis crisis as a prime example. At the time of recording, despite a notable change in tone and some symbolic personnel moves, investigation and accountability measures remain conspicuously absent, leading to skepticism about the depth and reality of the shift. The hosts and reporters warn that public and Congressional patience is running thin, and that Trump’s handling of this crisis—with rhetoric outpacing reality—may have lasting consequences for both his administration and the nation's immigration debates.