Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode: MN Sues DHS To Block Surge Of ICE To State
Date: January 12, 2026
Podcast: FOX News Podcasts
Panel: Dana Perino, Emily Compagno, Jessica Tarlov, Jesse Waters, Greg Gutfeld (with Megan Alexander)

Main Theme & Purpose

The episode centers on Minnesota's unprecedented lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Secretary Kristi Noem, aiming to halt increased ICE enforcement in the state. The panel debates the legality, politics, and ethics surrounding federal immigration raids, the recent ICE shooting of activist Renee Goode, escalating street protests, and the polarization of immigration policy. The conversation then branches into President Trump’s foreign policy moves, Elizabeth Warren’s economic populism, and Hollywood’s activism at the Golden Globes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minnesota Sues DHS: The Spark and Fallout

• Minnesota Attorney General and Mayor's Lawsuit: The state aims to block a surge of ICE activity, alleging federal overreach and retaliatory motives. (00:19)
• Protests & ICE Shooting: Ongoing protests in Minneapolis intensified after ICE agents shot activist Renee Goode, leading to public outcry and scrutiny of ICE tactics. (01:27)
• Panel Disputes Federal Motives & Public Safety:
  • Jesse Waters: “This is in essence a federal invasion...motivated by a desire to retaliate against Trump's perceived political opponents.” (00:53)
  • Asserts ICE is pursuing dangerous criminals because local authorities failed to hold them, leading to more dangerous and confrontational enforcement actions. (03:34)
  • Dana Perino and Megan Alexander: Decry ICE’s actions as “unlawful,” “cruel,” “rogue,” and “racist.” (02:26, 02:31)
  • Emily Compagno: Defends law enforcement and questions protesters’ tactics, underlining the legal standards for use of force and consequences of obstructing federal action. (13:48)

2. The Renee Goode Case

• Incident Recap: Goode was killed by ICE during a traffic obstruction protest—footage shows her car stopped, ICE surrounds, then opens fire. (01:27)
• Debate Over Use of Force: Panel splits on whether law enforcement’s response was justified.
  • Jessica Tarlov: “There is no line between her actions and the fact that she is dead that anyone should be able to justify.” (06:35)
    • Highlights Officer Ross’s filmed language/anger after the shooting as grounds for scrutiny. (08:45)
  • Emily Compagno: Justifies use of force legally, says repeated warnings were ignored, and accuses media/activists of not caring about the real victims (i.e., victims of crimes by those ICE is targeting). (13:48)
  • Greg Gutfeld (paraphrased by Emily): Criticizes activist culture for exposing people to unnecessary harm and calls liberal support “fake empathy.” (11:55)

3. Wider Immigration and Crime Context

• ICE Target List: Jesse reads out the criminal records of several individuals detained in Minneapolis, underscoring the narrative that enforcement is targeting dangerous immigrants. (03:34)
• Media and Political Response: Debate over whether Democrats are encouraging law-breaking or simply criticizing excessive enforcement, with pointed questions about the real motives behind sanctuary city policy and opposition to ICE operations.

4. Comparisons and Political Analogies

• Rhetoric of “Federal Invasion” vs. “Community Safety”**: Both sides accuse the other of using the issue for political gain.
• January 6th Analogy: Jessica points out hypocrisy in standards of police use of force, comparing ICE tactics to reactions during the Capitol riot. (09:09)
• Family/Social Analogy: Gutfeld offers a scenario—would any family actually endorse a loved one putting themselves in harm’s way to obstruct law enforcement? (11:55)

5. Minnesota’s Legal Strategy

• Summary of Lawsuit: Minnesota seeks both an immediate injunction and a long-term ruling against increased ICE enforcement, arguing targeted and unconstitutional actions based on political speech (First Amendment grounds). (13:48)
• Emily Compagno: "It will not fly." Explains the standards for escalation from protest to felony, and the Supreme Court’s take on use of force in federal enforcement. (13:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Jesse Waters: “No US Citizen should be afraid of their own government. And that is what ICE has created.” (02:20)
• Megan Alexander: “Unlawful, they are cruel, they are rogue, they are racist.” (02:31)
• Jessica Tarlov: “If you want to have a conversation about letting ICE do their job, especially when they are targeting those bad hombres, I'm here for it... But … leading by saying she obstructed traffic ignores the most important part of the story, which is that there is a woman who is dead.” (06:35–07:59)
• Emily Compagno: “If she was trained, why didn't she know she stopped being a civil protester many steps before … the use of her vehicle as an imminent use of force?” (13:48)
• Greg Gutfeld (paraphrased): “If you would not want your own sister to do this, your public virtue is a lie.” (11:55)
• Emily Compagno on Law Enforcement: “Once deadly force is justified...you can use as many shots as possible to eliminate the threat...” (13:48)

Other Topics

6. Trump’s Foreign Policy Escalation (Iran, Cuba, etc.)

• Developments: President Trump mulls military action as Iranian protests rage; trolls Havana with Rubio meme; international crises (Greenland, Venezuela) multiply.
• Panel’s Take:
  • Emily Compagno: Contrasts Iranian regime’s brutality with activists' complaints about US government; calls for more vocal support for Iranian women. (18:50)
  • Dana Perino: Highlights Iran’s currency collapse and isolation, potential cyber strategies, and the hard line Trump is taking. (20:28)
  • Jesse Waters: “You just got to kind of trust the process”—suggests confidence in Trump’s surgical use of force, not overreach. (24:45)
  • Jessica Tarlov: Challenges idea Trump supporters are unanimous, raising questions about US global activism and consistency. (22:20)
• Memorable Quote: “If you look around the globe, no one’s really saying wtf… I trust that this president is not going to screw up and get us into some kind of crazy forever war…” (Jesse Waters, 24:45)

7. Elizabeth Warren’s Economic Populism

• Warren’s Speech: Urges Democrats to move further left, embrace taxing the rich and reject donor influence. (25:32)
• Panel Reaction:
  • Emily Compagno: Dismisses the practicality of Warren’s populism; accuses the left of shifting targets and strategic ignorance. (26:49)
  • Dana Perino: “Melt on contact with economic reality”—criticizes the economics of Warren’s agenda. (29:04)
  • Jesse Waters: “She’s about punishing CEOs. It’s like revenge porn...that does appeal to a lot of people who hate their bosses.” (30:34)
  • Jessica Tarlov: Pushes back, citing Democratic gains with working-class voters; points to Democrats’ historical support of workers. (31:46)
• Quote: “A Democratic Party that worries more about offending big donors than delivering for working people is a party doomed to fail...” (Elizabeth Warren clip, 25:32)

8. Hollywood Activism at the Golden Globes

• Anti-ICE Pins and Virtue Signaling: Actors wore “ICE OUT” and “BE GOOD” pins, an echo of the 2020s. (33:18)
  • Emily Compagno: “Nothing says I'm terrified of the government quite like saying it from a $50,000 seat in a room full of private security.” (34:31)
  • Jessica Tarlov: “It’s a way to be quiet and in solidarity.” (34:42)
  • Dana Perino: “Low information Hollywood activist. It's only for one night.” (35:08)
• Panel dismisses Hollywood’s contribution as symbolic and out-of-touch with real risks and consequences.

9. Relatable Interlude: “Jessica” as the New “Karen”

• Gen Z claims “Jessica” is the new “Karen”; panel ribbing around the ubiquity and reputation of the name. (36:47–38:56)
• Light-hearted banter and pop culture references.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Minnesota Lawsuit & ICE Enforcement: 00:19 – 16:49
• Renee Goode & Protester Shooting: 01:27 – 13:48
• Broader Immigration/Crime Issues: 03:34 – 13:48
• Trump’s Global Moves (Iran, Cuba): 16:59 – 24:45
• Elizabeth Warren & Economic Populism: 25:09 – 32:43
• Hollywood at Golden Globes: 33:18 – 36:19
• “Jessica” as “Karen” Banter: 36:47 – 38:56
• Light Stories/One More Thing: 39:08 – End

Conclusion

This episode of The Five captures fiery debate on immigration enforcement, the legal and moral ramifications of federal-local conflict, and the polarization underlying America’s approach to law, order, and protest. The discussion is interspersed with the panelists' signature banter and cultural commentary, spanning domestic and international politics, class, and pop culture.