The Find Out Podcast: "ICE and Iran: Make America go to War Again?" – Summary

Release Date: June 19, 2025

Hosts: Tim Fullerton, Chris, Rich, Luke, and E

1. Introduction and Setting the Stage

[00:00] Tim Fullerton:
Tim opens the episode with a lighthearted remark about the group's dynamics, acknowledging the team's tendency to fall apart but emphasizing the importance of humor as they delve into serious topics. He introduces the primary subjects: the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in detaining Democratic officials and the looming threat of a potential war with Iran.

2. ICE's Recent Actions and Democratic Politicians's Detentions

[00:00 – 01:32] Tim Fullerton:
Tim brings urgent attention to a significant incident in New York City where Brad Lander, the City Comptroller and mayoral candidate, was detained by ICE while accompanying an immigrant to a hearing. He highlights a disturbing trend of multiple elected Democrats being arrested or detained by the Trump administration's ICE, questioning whether these actions are performative or substantive moves against Democrats.

3. Debate on ICE's Role and the Case for Abolishing ICE

[01:32 – 03:44] Chris:
Chris voices strong support for abolishing ICE, framing it as essential in the context of the Trump administration's aggressive actions against various workers and officials. He criticizes ICE's role, questioning what Homeland Security is protecting Americans from if not actual threats.

[02:41 – 03:44] E:
E concurs, emphasizing that ICE should focus solely on violent criminal immigrant offenders. He challenges Tim's earlier question about ICE's purpose, asserting that without a clear, justified role, ICE's actions are misuse of power.

4. Far-Right Movements and the Danger of Covert Operations

[03:44 – 06:02] Luke:
Luke introduces a poignant perspective from his friend, Note Brigade—a doctoral student studying the far right. He recounts a distressing account of ICE's clandestine operations resembling militia actions, such as detaining officials without proper identification or warrants. Luke emphasizes the dangerous implications of such tactics, highlighting the potential for violent confrontations when ICE agents operate covertly in communities.

[06:02 – 07:59] Tim Fullerton:
Tim expands on the dangers of ICE's methods, drawing parallels to mass shooter scenarios where law enforcement cannot be easily identified. He condemns the lack of transparency, advocating that law enforcement should minimally identify themselves to prevent chaos and fear within communities.

5. The Future of MAGA: Internal Divisions and Stability

[07:59 – 14:47] Chris, Rich, Luke, E:
The conversation shifts to the internal dynamics of the MAGA movement. Chris argues that elected officials like Alex Padilla are performing their roles authentically, representing constituents under threat from ICE's actions. He dismisses accusations of performative politics, emphasizing the real dangers faced by these officials.

Luke discusses the polarization within MAGA, citing Tucker Carlson's interview with Ted Cruz as an example of internal conflict between anti-war and hawkish factions. He predicts that these divisions may lead to instability within the MAGA coalition.

Rich adds that while performative actions by Democrats are important for visibility, the broader population might not discern the authenticity, thereby limiting the impact of these actions.

6. Potential for War with Iran: Trump’s Dilemma

[26:35 – 39:01] Tim Fullerton, Rich, E, Luke:
The hosts delve into the geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran. Tim outlines the historical context of ICE’s creation post-9/11 and its role in current international conflicts, specifically Trump's considerations about joining Israel in military actions against Iran.

Rich and Luke discuss the internal MAGA split over interventionist policies, with some advocating for war and others opposing it. Luke suggests that Trump might attempt to "thread the needle" by targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure without full-scale invasion, presenting a precarious balance between appearing strong and avoiding prolonged conflict.

E emphasizes the existential threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran, arguing that despite the flawed methods, addressing Iran's nuclear ambitions is critical for global stability.

7. Influence of Technocrats and Big Tech in Politics

[41:33 – 46:10] Chris, Rich, Luke, E:
The discussion shifts to the rising influence of technocrats and big tech leaders in politics. Luke highlights how companies like Palantir are integrating deeply into government operations, raising concerns about data control and surveillance. Chris criticizes the portrayal of tech CEOs as leaders, noting their detachment from the average American's realities.

Rich and Luke express apprehension about the concentration of power in big tech, suggesting that without democratic intervention, these entities will continue to dominate technological and political landscapes. They call for measures like nationalizing critical infrastructure and regulating big tech to prevent misuse of data and ensure democratic accountability.

8. Democratic Messaging and the Challenge of AI

[48:03 – 55:35] Chris, Rich, E, Tim Fullerton:
The hosts explore the Democratic Party's struggle to craft compelling messages around emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Chris advocates for a progressive approach that embraces technological advancements while safeguarding workers and ensuring equitable wealth distribution, such as implementing Universal Basic Income (UBI).

E and Rich emphasize the need for Democrats to lead with positive narratives about AI's benefits, rather than merely cautioning against its dangers. They argue that protecting children and education from AI's potential disruptions can serve as a unifying and relatable message for voters.

Tim suggests that Democrats should advocate for smarter capitalism with regulatory guardrails to prevent monopolistic practices and data manipulation by tech companies. The hosts agree that effective communication and clear policy proposals are essential for countering the appeal of technocratic leaders.

9. Conclusion and Future Episodes

[55:35 – 57:25] Tim Fullerton, Chris, Rich, Luke, E:
As the episode wraps up, Tim summarizes the key points: condemning ICE's overreach, opposing unrestrained military actions against Iran, and emphasizing the need for strategic Democratic messaging on AI and technology. He announces an upcoming episode featuring Brad Lander, who will discuss his experience being detained by ICE.

The hosts encourage listeners to support the podcast through merchandise and Substack memberships, highlighting their commitment to providing "real talk" without echo chambers or bullshit.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris [01:32]:
  "I'm ready to just, you know, do the abolish ICE thing. Yeah, I'm not, like, I'm not prone to, like, a boycott everything and ban everything because, like, you just create a mess usually."

• Luke [02:49]:
  "It's just like studying people who may want to cause harm to or kill the researcher. And she posted a video that I found extremely compelling where she was crying, talking about how disturbed she was over ICE arresting a mayoral candidate."

• Tim Fullerton [06:02]:
  "I don't think there should be any law enforcement in the United States that is allowed to grab you without identifying themselves and showing proof that they are law enforcement. That seems like that should be a bare minimum."

• E [10:09]:
  "Social media lets you see everything. The critical difference is what do the American people see and how does it feel to have the American government behaving around you."

• Luke [18:55]:
  "The techno fascists are going to win no matter what. It doesn't matter how much the Bible thumpers or the fiscal conservatives or anybody else is fighting."

• Chris [22:46]:
  "Regular Americans want none of this. The Republican pillars are completely obliterated now."

• Rich [37:03]:
  "He's bombing his way out of it. But to be clear, bombing that one facility does not end the Iranian nuclear."

Key Takeaways:

1. ICE Overreach: The detention of Democratic officials by ICE underlines a concerning misuse of power, raising questions about ICE's true purpose and the Democratic Party's response.

2. Internal MAGA Divisions: The MAGA movement is experiencing internal conflicts between its anti-war and hawkish factions, potentially weakening its unified stance.

3. Technocratic Influence: Big tech leaders and technocrats are increasingly influencing political landscapes, necessitating Democratic responses to maintain democratic integrity.

4. AI and Democratic Messaging: The Democratic Party needs to develop clear, positive narratives around emerging technologies like AI to resonate with voters and counterbalance technocratic influences.

5. Potential Iran Conflict: Trump's ambiguous stance on Iran poses significant risks, balancing between avoiding full-scale war and addressing nuclear threats, while reflecting broader national fatigue with military engagements.

Looking Ahead:

In the next episode, the Find Out Podcast plans to host Brad Lander, who will provide firsthand insights into his experience of being detained by ICE. Listeners can look forward to an in-depth discussion on the personal and political ramifications of such actions.

Support the Podcast:

Listeners are encouraged to purchase merchandise made in the USA and union-made where available. Additionally, subscribing to their Substack at FindoutPodcast.substack.com offers extra benefits and supports the podcast's mission to deliver honest, irreverent, and impactful discussions.