The Daily Scoop Podcast

Episode: ICE director denies existence of database tracking US citizens
Date: February 11, 2026
Host: Billy Mitchell

Episode Overview

This episode of The Daily Scoop Podcast, hosted by Billy Mitchell, covers two major government news headlines:

• The acting ICE director's denial of claims surrounding a database tracking U.S. citizens, specifically protesters.
• CISA’s new cybersecurity warning following a cyberattack on Poland’s energy grid, spotlighting threats to U.S. critical infrastructure.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. ICE Denies Domestic Database Claims

(00:20 - 02:45)

• Context: Allegations have surfaced—via lawmakers, think tanks, and media—that ICE is maintaining a database to track U.S. protesters or citizens, generating national concern.
• Congressional Testimony:
  • During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) cited a viral video from Portland, Maine, where an ICE agent told a protester being filmed:

    “...she would be added to a ‘nice little database.’”
    (00:40)

• ICE Response:
  • Acting Director of ICE, Todd Lyons, responded:

    "I can't speak for that individual, but I can assure you that there is no database that's tracking United States citizens."
    (01:00)

  • Lyons rejected the existence of a database for tracking citizens or specific protesters, appearing to distance the agency from the alleged comment and practice.
• DHS Statement:
  • Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, reiterated in an email to FedScoop:

    “...there is no database of domestic terrorists run by DHS.”
    (01:40)

  • She clarified DHS’s stance on monitoring and referring threats:

    “We do of course monitor and investigate and refer all threats, assaults, and obstruction of our officers to the appropriate law enforcement. Obstructing and assaulting law enforcement is a felony and a federal crime.”
    (01:48)

• Continued Skepticism:
  • Despite these denials, skepticism persists among stakeholders, including lawmakers and advocacy groups, due to previous reporting and publicized incidents.
  • No new evidence was supplied by critics during the hearing, and the matter remains subject to ongoing public debate.

2. CISA Warns U.S. Infrastructure Following Poland Cyberattack

(02:45 - 03:20)

• Incident Overview:
  • A destructive cyberattack targeting Poland’s power grid in December 2025 has raised alarms. A January 30 Polish government report connected the attack to Russian-linked hacker infrastructure and noted 30 wind and photovoltaic farms as main targets.
• CISA Response & Alert:
  • The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a warning to American critical infrastructure owners and operators, referencing the Polish report.
  • CISA emphasized heightened threats to operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICS), which are vital to energy and manufacturing in the U.S.
  • The alert aligns with a recent push by CISA for agencies to eliminate vulnerable “edge devices” and unsupported products:

    “The malicious cyber activity highlights the need for critical infrastructure entities with vulnerable edge devices to act now to strengthen their cybersecurity posture against cyber threat activities targeting OT and ICS.”
    (02:55)

• Recommended Actions:
  • CISA urged stakeholders to:
    • Review the Polish incident report.
    • Heed all relevant U.S. agency security guidance.
    • Take immediate steps to strengthen defenses, especially concerning routers, firewalls, and similar devices.

Notable Quotes

• ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons (on database claims):

  "I can’t speak for that individual, but I can assure you that there is no database that's tracking United States citizens."
  (01:00)

• DHS Asst. Secretary Tricia McLaughlin (DHS policy):

  "We do of course monitor and investigate and refer all threats, assaults, and obstruction of our officers to the appropriate law enforcement."
  (01:48)

• CISA Alert (on Polish attack’s lesson):

  "The malicious cyber activity highlights the need for critical infrastructure entities with vulnerable edge devices to act now to strengthen their cybersecurity posture against cyber threat activities targeting OT and ICS."
  (02:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:20] – ICE database allegations context
• [00:40] – Quote from viral Portland, Maine ICE agent incident
• [01:00] – Todd Lyons’ denial before Congress
• [01:40 - 01:50] – DHS statement reaffirming policy
• [02:45] – Polish cyberattack and U.S. CISA warning overview
• [02:55] – CISA’s guidance for U.S. infrastructure operators

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a factual, government-focused tone, relaying official statements and direct quotes from relevant authorities. The host prioritizes clear information delivery, ensuring federal leaders and stakeholders are aware of critical updates in technology, management, and security.

Conclusion

This episode scrutinizes federal agency transparency amid civil rights concerns, and underlines the persistent threat of Russian-linked cyberattacks to Western critical infrastructure. It serves as a succinct update for government leaders navigating the intersection of technology policy and security.

For more government tech news, listeners are directed to fedscoop.com.