Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode: Trump Weighs Insurrection Act In MN
Date: January 17, 2026
Hosts: Emily Compagno, Kennedy, Greg Gutfeld, Jesse Watters, Harold Ford Jr.

Overview

This episode centers on President Trump's consideration of invoking the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, following violent clashes involving ICE agents and local protesters in Minneapolis. The panel dives into the politics of ICE, the state of left-versus-right rhetoric in America, leadership in moments of chaos, and the role of leaders like Trump and Gavin Newsom. Additional topics include Newsom’s podcast appearance, Trump’s receipt of a Nobel Peace Prize, and lighter fare like dog DNA testing.

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. Trump & The Insurrection Act in Minnesota

Timestamps: 01:19–09:16

• Situation in Minneapolis: Violent protests targeting federal ICE agents and facilities, described as involving "snowballs, chunks of ice and fireworks" (Emily, 01:29).
• Democratic Lawmakers’ Reactions: Ilhan Omar and Pramila Jayapal hosted an anti-ICE Congressional hearing, which Emily calls "a full-blown identity politics whack-a-mole" (01:29).
• Harsh Language Toward ICE: Hosts recount Democratic figures referring to ICE as "white supremacists," "slave patrols," and accuse them of unlawful conduct.
  • Kennedy: “As a gay woman, I have not cried yet over Renee Goode because I know if I do, I'm not gonna stop. This is pure racism.” (02:09)
• Media’s Role: Panel claims outlets accuse ICE of white supremacy, drawing a parallel to a trend of labeling conservatives and law enforcement as Nazis.
• Greg's Critique of Left’s Rhetoric: “How did the left… hijack the label of compassionate? Whenever you talk, it's the right who are heartless. But the progressive costume of empathy is pure BS.” (Greg, 03:43)
• Provocation and Escalation: Emily and Kennedy suggest the language used by Democrats is provoking further radicalization and chaos in the streets (06:15–06:57).
• Should Trump Use the Insurrection Act? Kennedy is hesitant: “I don't think sending in the National Guard is the best thing to do right now.” (07:58)
• Historical Context: References to previous uses of the Insurrection Act—George H.W. Bush in 1992, and Ulysses S. Grant against the Klan (08:25).

2. The Politics of Policing, ICE, and Local vs. Federal Law

Timestamps: 09:16–12:31

• Obama and Border Enforcement: Emily points out hypocrisy in how Democrats once praised federal law enforcement under Obama (09:16).
• Federal Jurisdiction: Jesse emphasizes the federal government’s authority over immigration, likening the ICE situation to if the TSA or IRS were violently attacked by locals (09:44–12:08).
  • “They're harassing them, impeding them, assaulting them, looting. They're throwing firebombs... It's not the United States. They're acting like Somalia in Minneapolis and trying to hold this country hostage with violence. And we're not gonna play this game.” (Jesse, 11:27)
• Leadership and Hysteria: Harold, the only Democrat on the panel, expresses embarrassment at the extreme language and partisanship, emphasizing the need for leadership over “histrionics” (12:31).
• Need for Leadership: Harold: “Someone has to be a leader. And unless we are just content and are going to accept seeing these kind of images, I'm not here to say either side is more wrong than not. But I do know this.… If you're in a leadership position, you've got to be a leader.” (13:53)

3. Partisan Blame & Rhetoric

Timestamps: 14:52–16:13

• Greg’s Take: Argues there's no “both sides” to the activist-driven chaos; believes Democrats are controlled by activists and need someone to “parent and shut them down” (15:15).
• Harold’s Response: “We need leaders on Both sides to do that.” (15:38)
• Panel reflects on leadership vacuums and America’s struggle to confront violent protests constructively.

4. Gavin Newsom’s Podcast & Progressive Politics

Timestamps: 16:54–25:36

• Newsom vs. Shapiro: Gavin Newsom, attempting to court podcast listeners, hosts Ben Shapiro but is criticized for dodging direct answers, especially on contentious issues like gender.
  • Jesse: “Liberal Joe Rogan just hit a speed bump in his podcast president pipe dream. Gavin Newsom hosting Ben Shapiro… and got dog walked by Big Ben.” (16:54)
• Transgender Issues: Newsom’s ambiguous answers frustrate the panel; Greg ridicules Newsom’s “weasel words” and uses this to riff on the "trans lobby" wielding outsized influence (18:49).
  • Greg: “We don't care. You have compelled us to care by telling us that we have to think a certain way… Boys can't be girls, girls can't be boys. We care about that and you force it on us.” (18:52)
• Emily’s Bay Area Context: Points out Newsom’s long reliance on charisma and progressive reputation, but says he’s out of step with his party's current rhetoric (20:40).
• Kennedy, on Newsom & California Issues: Suggests inviting Newsom to “Kennedy Saves the World” podcast to grill him on insurance and wildfire policies, implying Newsom dodges real accountability (22:49).
• Harold's Democratic Perspective: Urges Democrats to focus on “women have children, not men,” healthcare, insurance, and housing costs—issues that matter more to voters than trans debates (24:21).

5. Trump’s "Nobel Peace Prize" Moment

Timestamps: 26:15–33:41

• Maria Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader, gives Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal in a symbolic gesture (26:15).
• Panel’s Reactions:
  • Jesse: “I have never seen him smile like that. And he loves awards… 80% of [my awards] I didn't deserve.” (27:41)
  • Greg: “This is just an adopted child, this Nobel Prize... This is the only way right wingers will ever get an award.” (29:12)
  • Greg and Emily criticize liberals for self-congratulatory award culture, while conservatives get little recognition.
• Emily criticizes Norwegian outrage while noting past Nobel missteps (30:55): “All of these people were dead quiet when Obama got it aspirationally… Those awards were meaningless…”
• Harold disagrees: “The president should give her her Nobel peace prize back and win his on his own.” (32:20)
• Emily defends Trump’s actions as supporting “angel families” and standing up for Americans even if the mainstream ignores it (33:31).

6. Lighter Segments: Dog DNA, Historical Mysteries, & Cultural Bits

Dog DNA Testing for Poop Incidents (34:33–36:39)

• NJ condo uses DNA to track non-scooping dog owners.
• Panelists joke about creative (and gross) ways to avoid fines; Kennedy confesses to confronting offenders, Emily is supportive of DNA testing.

"Fan Mail Friday": Historical Mysteries (37:33–39:26)

• Harold’s pick: Wants clarity on Biggie/Tupac, and praises Ken Burns for historical documentaries.
• Jesse & Greg: Would like to solve the mystery of the 2020 election, especially regarding mail-in ballots.
• Emily: Unsure about the Roanoke Colony disappearance.
• Kennedy: Malaysian Airlines mystery.

"One More Thing" (40:26–41:56)

• Jesse: Describes “jalikattoo,” an Indian bull-taming event.
• Greg & Emily: Marvel at the harpy eagle.
• Harold: Praises the new Muhammad Ali commemorative stamp.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Greg Gutfeld [on activist rhetoric, 03:43]:
  “The progressive costume of empathy is pure BS. They actually love to fight. They actually love to be vicious in public and incite angry confrontations.”
• Emily Campagno [on Democratic ICE rhetoric, 06:15]:
  “Right as you think they’re talking about the recidivist sodomists... No, no, no. They’re talking about protecting them from lawfully enforced federal agents. It is so backwards there.”
• Jesse Watters [on Minneapolis protests, 11:27]:
  “They're acting like Somalia in Minneapolis and trying to hold this country hostage with violence. And we're not gonna play this game.”
• Kennedy [on polarization, 07:58]:
  “I don't think sending in the National Guard is the best thing to do right now.”
• Greg Gutfeld [on Newsom and the trans lobby, 18:49]:
  “Rhetorically, he runs under a rock and pees down his skinny thighs. What does it tell you about him? Right? He's not stupid. He knows that we're nice... but he knows that the trans activists are batshit crazy.”
• Harold Ford Jr. [on leadership, 13:53]:
  “If you're in a leadership position, you've got to be a leader. And you've got to ask people not to be violent.”
• Greg Gutfeld [on right-wing awards, 29:12]:
  “This is the only way right wingers will ever get an award.”

Notable Segment Timestamps

• 01:19–09:16: Minnesota unrest, Insurrection Act debate, ICE accusations.
• 09:16–12:31: Local vs. federal law, calls for leadership.
• 16:54–25:36: Gavin Newsom on podcasts, wedge issues for Democrats, party messaging.
• 26:15–33:41: Trump’s Nobel Prize, symbolism, and awards culture.
• 34:33–36:39: DNA dog poop tracking segment.
• 37:33–39:26: Fan mail—panelists discuss historical mysteries.
• 40:26–41:56: "One More Thing": global events, harpy eagle, Muhammad Ali stamp.

Tone & Language

The episode is confrontational, sarcastic, humorous, and at times exasperated with “the other side.” The hosts frequently use exaggeration, irony, and pop culture references. Political frustrations, calls for serious leadership, and vivid anecdotes pepper the discussion.

Conclusion

This episode of The Five tackled hot-button issues of law enforcement, partisanship, ‘cancel culture,’ and the optics of modern protest. President Trump’s rumored consideration of the Insurrection Act in Minnesota set the stage for deeper debates over rhetoric, leadership, and what counts as real progress or achievement in 2026 America. The show is a mix of political posturing, impassioned opinions, cultural commentary, and comedic asides, reflecting the unique chemistry and worldview of its five hosts.