The David Pakman Show
Episode: "They're defending Insurrection Act as chaos hits the streets"
Date: January 16, 2026
Host: David Pakman
Episode Overview
This episode of The David Pakman Show dives into the escalating chaos brought about by ICE raids and heavy-handed law enforcement tactics in Minneapolis following the killing of Renee Goode. David Pakman scrutinizes conservative justifications for potentially invoking the Insurrection Act in response to civil unrest. The episode then pivots to significant international reactions: Europe’s increasing contemplation of distancing itself from the US under Trump, Germany’s sharp criticism of current US leadership, and the exodus of a prominent American fascism scholar. The host also exposes the GOP’s relentless messaging shifting all blame to President Biden, before closing with listener feedback and reflections on political polarization and the prospects of leaving the US.
Key Discussion Points & Segments
1. ICE Chaos in Minneapolis: On-the-Ground Coverage
[00:55–07:00]
- David presents footage from Jesse Dallimore and Brittany Page's coverage of the Minneapolis protests, showing violent law enforcement actions, including ICE spraying and arresting protesters.
- Jesse Dallimore’s confrontational commentary and taunting of ICE agents is highlighted, with David noting the “dystopian” scene:
- Law enforcement sprays a woman in a wheelchair with gas, protestors taken into custody, and some officials appear indifferent and even emboldened.
- Quote: “Cowards… too ashamed of what you do to show your face.” – Jesse Dallimore [03:50]
- Quote: “Your smog, unearned arrogance will be rewarded with prosecutions. Cowards. Keep staring, little guy.” – Jesse Dallimore [05:26]
- David stresses that ICE seems less cautious following Renee Goode’s killing, appearing more emboldened rather than restrained.
- “It seems that they are even more emboldened… they actually seem condescendingly looking down at those who are saying, ‘this has to stop.’” – [06:04]
2. GOP Flirts with Invoking the Insurrection Act
[07:02–10:12]
- Maria Bartiromo presses Congressman Garbarino on Fox News about whether Trump should invoke the Insurrection Act to restore order.
- Garbarino gives a non-committal answer, calling the Insurrection Act a “last resort,” but does not explicitly say it should not be used.
- Quote: “It might be the last thing to do, but I would like to see everything else tried first.” – Rep. Garbarino [08:59]
- David dissects the circular logic: chaos instigated by ICE justifies a heavy-handed response, and Trump sets the conditions that might “require” military intervention.
- Criticism of Garbarino’s assertion that citizens should always obey law enforcement, even if the order is unlawful.
- “If you just do what law enforcement says, then you’re going to be good. The problem is, what about when law enforcement tells you things that are not lawful orders?” – David Pakman [10:12]
3. Europe Debates a Post-America World
[14:00–19:00]
- A European columnist pushes for distancing from the US because of Trump’s authoritarianism and unpredictability.
- David outlines growing European fears: US unreliability, Trump’s admiration of strongmen, and skepticism over NATO and defense commitments.
- “Europe is watching Trump flirt with authoritarianism... asking: is the United States still a reliable democratic partner at all?” – [15:00]
- Russia is framed as the winner in this fracturing of Western alliances, having achieved chaos and division through disinformation and Trump’s return to power.
- Americans’ insufficient reaction to Trump’s excesses is contrasted with South Korea’s swift response to a presidential coup attempt, illustrating how democracy requires consequences.
- “We both sides it… We wait for institutions to save us and half the country is just like shrugging and the other half is understandably exhausted.” – [17:55]
4. GOP Messaging: Blame Biden for Everything
[22:30–24:31]
- Pakman critiques Speaker Mike Johnson’s Fox News appearance blaming all present-day crises—including ICE’s behavior and affordability issues—on President Biden.
- Quote: “ICE has to go and do its job… because Joe Biden kept the border wide open.” – Mike Johnson [22:59]
- David points out the hypocrisy of crediting Trump for positive economic indicators but blaming Biden for every negative one.
- “Anything that appears to be bad… is Joe Biden’s fault. Anything that seems ok is only thanks to Donald Trump.” – [24:22]
5. Germany’s President: U.S. “Destroying the World Order”
[37:10–41:30]
- Germany’s president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warns that under Trump, the United States is “destroying the world order” and likens the global situation to a “den of robbers.”
- Quote: “The world is sliding into... a world where the most powerful countries just take what they want and borders don’t matter.” – David Pakman paraphrasing Steinmeier [37:25]
- Public trust in the US among Germans plummets to historic lows, with only 15% considering the US reliable.
- Trump’s foreign ventures, particularly the military action in Venezuela, are given as examples of the US acting out of bounds.
6. Exodus of Fascism Expert Jason Stanley
[42:15–47:00]
- Leading scholar Jason Stanley (author of How Fascism Works) leaves Yale for Canada, calling Trump’s seizure of power a coup and warning of classic fascist tactics.
- Quote: “The Trump regime believes it has enough control over the levers of power that it doesn’t need public support anymore. That is a chilling sentence.” – David Pakman [43:10]
- Stanley argues universities will self-censor to avoid Trump’s wrath, and labels this crisis as one of authoritarianism—not mere polarization.
- David discusses the wave of Americans considering or actually emigrating, echoing anxieties about the future and the difficulty of advising others to stay and resist.
7. Listener Feedback and Community Notes
[52:30–54:56]
- David clarifies that the show is opinion-based, not neutral news, and that he is honest about his perspective.
- Listeners express disbelief at Trump supporters who remain loyal despite personal/farming economic harm, and reflect on the arms race dynamic of gun ownership among progressives.
- Pakman attributes social media growth to a desire for sane community in tumultuous times and encourages audience connectivity.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Jesse Dallimore in Minneapolis:
- “Cowards... Too ashamed of what you do to show your face.” [03:50]
- Rep. Garbarino on the Insurrection Act:
- “It might be the last thing to do, but I would like to see everything else tried first.” [08:59]
- David Pakman on American complacency:
- “We have normalized the unthinkable and half the country excuses it.” [17:55]
- President Steinmeier on U.S. under Trump:
- “[He] is destroying the world order.” [37:11]
- Jason Stanley (via Pakman):
- “The Trump regime believes it has enough control over the levers of power that it doesn’t need public support anymore.” [43:10]
Important Timestamps
- [00:55] — Introduction to Minneapolis footage, Jesse Dallimore on the ground
- [03:47–05:51] — Jesse’s direct confrontation with ICE agents
- [08:18–10:12] — Garbarino’s Fox News interview on the Insurrection Act
- [14:00] — David discusses Europe moving away from US alliance
- [22:30–24:31] — Republicans give Biden blanket blame, even for ICE actions
- [37:10] — President of Germany’s extraordinary public condemnation of the US
- [42:15–47:00] — Fascism expert Jason Stanley leaves US, warning of authoritarianism
Tone & Style
David Pakman maintains his sharp, analytical, and sometimes wry tone throughout, balancing outrage at unchecked power with factual breakdowns and scathing critique. The episode mixes moments of gallows humor (“1/20/29” shirts marking Trump’s final day) with deeply serious warnings about democracy, human rights, and the international order.
This summary captures the pivotal content for listeners who missed the episode, shining a light on the urgency, the international stakes, and the personal consequences of America’s political present as explored by Pakman and his guests.