The Matt Walsh Show

Episode 1718 — "Domestic Terrorists Have Officially Taken Over Minneapolis. Here's What Needs To Be Done"
Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Matt Walsh (The Daily Wire)

Overview

In this episode, Matt Walsh delivers a pointed and combative take on recent unrest in Minneapolis, which he characterizes as "domestic terrorism" by left-wing agitators against federal immigration enforcement (ICE). He offers his analysis of the political and cultural implications of these events, lambastes local leadership, and insists on a forceful federal response—even advocating for the use of the Insurrection Act. The episode then veers into cultural commentary, notably criticizing Oprah Winfrey's recent statements on obesity and mocking a congressional expert's waffling on the definition of biological sex and pregnancy. Throughout, Walsh is unapologetically inflammatory and styled with dark humor, sarcasm, and hyperbolic comparisons.

1. Minneapolis Unrest & Accusations of "Domestic Terrorism"

[00:00 – 21:00]

Main Points:

• Escalation in Minneapolis: Walsh alleges that “left wing terrorists” are attacking ICE operations, stealing firearms and classified documents after a shooting incident involving ICE and “illegal aliens.”
• Governor Tim Walz’s Address: Walsh mocks Walz’s live prime-time speech, calling it melodramatic and full of “total fabrications” without evidence, which aimed to paint ICE as a terrorizing force (00:01).
  • Quote:

    “Walz wants you to imagine that ICE will come banging on your door and shout, ‘Where are the brown people?’" (Walsh, 00:06)

• Media and Mob: Accusations that the left incites violence through lies, seeking to reverse democratic outcomes via street chaos (00:09).
  • Quote:

    “Rather than defend their sanctuary, open border policies, they're just lying relentlessly. They're trying to rile people up and encourage violence against ICE officers.” (Walsh, 00:09)

• ICE-Involved Shooting Incident:
  • Walsh describes a chase where an illegal immigrant attacked officers; his family members joined; shots fired, no life lost.
  • Mob forms, loots ICE vehicles, steals firearms and agent info, streams it online (00:14–00:19).
  • Quote:

    “It's like a scene out of Fallujah… they stole weapons from outside the back of the ICE vehicle. But they also took… documentation… the full names of agents, hotel locations, room numbers…This is unequivocally domestic terrorism.” (Walsh, 00:18)

• Response Urged:
  • Walsh calls for a severe crackdown, more federal agents, military intervention, and usage of Insurrection Act.
  • Quote:

    “Now is the time. Invoke the Insurrection Act. Send in the military. Use all of the force that's necessary…Go all the way. Now's the time and they won't get another chance.” (Walsh, 00:24)

• Themes:
  • Extremist framing of political opposition as “enemy combatants”
  • Scorn directed at progressive politicians and protesters (“pathetic sissy”, “overgrown children”, “shrieking, unpleasant fanatics”)
  • Applause for Trump’s escalation and Biden’s failures

2. Broader Political and Social Commentary

[21:00 – 30:00]

• Political Ramifications and Polls:
  • Walsh interprets polling data to argue most Americans support law and order, GOP, and Trump.
  • Quote:

    “Most Americans are not dysgenic, unemployed freaks. They want our laws enforced, including immigration laws.” (Walsh, 00:23)

• Federal Deficit:
  • Praises the Trump administration for the (claimed) reduction in the federal deficit.
  • Quote:

    “The deficit has dropped by more than $100 billion. That's a 15% year over year drop.” (Walsh, 00:25)

• Comparison to Toddlers:
  • Describes leftist protesters as tantrum-throwers who should not be appeased.
  • Applauds Trump for a dismissive public gesture

    “That's why Trump is... literally giving the middle finger to hecklers on camera, which I think is great. Personally… that's the only appropriate response to these people.” (Walsh, 00:26)

• Foreign Affairs Tangent:
  • Joking coverage of Trump mocking Denmark and negotiating over Greenland.
  • Reiterates position that “when you have leverage and power, people …have no choice but to do what you want them to do,” and that Trump is finally wielding power correctly.

3. Cultural Topics & Media Criticism

Oprah on Obesity

[31:00 – 36:30]

• Subject: Oprah Winfrey asserts that overeating is caused by obesity, not vice versa, referencing “the obesity gene” and how modern drugs "quiet the food noise."
• Walsh Reaction:
  • Scathing, sarcastic—calls it the “most impressive bit of obesity cope” ever.
  • Quote:

    “You aren't obese because you overeat. You overeat because you're obese. Overeating doesn't cause obesity. Obesity causes overeating. That is a masterclass in dodging accountability.” (Walsh, 00:32)

  • Denounces the existence of an “obesity gene,” frames obesity as a matter of gluttony and sloth, and criticizes the celebrity use of drugs as hypocrisy.

Congressional Hearing on "Can Men Get Pregnant?"

[36:30 – 41:45]

• Clip: Senator Josh Hawley repeatedly asks Dr. Nisha Verma if men can get pregnant. The witness resists a yes/no answer.
• Walsh Commentary:
  • Mocks the witness's evasiveness, compares it to asking “is the sun made of gumdrops?”
  • Stresses the “logical impossibility” of male pregnancy:
    • Quote:

      “Would be more rational for someone to believe that the sun is made of gumdrops than to believe that a man can get pregnant.” (Walsh, 00:41)

  • Frames such questions as revealing the perils of gender ideology.

4. Dog Ownership and Cultural Values

[46:00 – 55:30]

• Catalyst: Jennifer Lawrence rehomes her dog after it bites her son, draws internet backlash.
• Walsh’s Take:
  • “Pet worship” is mocked as “a sickness.”
  • Strong stance: prioritize children over pets, recognizes pets are not morally equivalent to humans.
  • Quote:

    “I've never understood the people who treat this like there's any kind of question. If my dog attacked my kid, she's gone. Easy decision.” (Walsh, 00:50)

  • Mocks people who claim “dogs are better than people,” calls it sentimental nonsense.
  • Humor: Admits to owning four cats due to his daughters’ manipulations, joking it's a “sign of mental illness.”

5. Other Segments

Briefs and Humor

• Frequent asides on his own family, cats, and self-deprecating barbs about supposed “mental illness” due to his number of pets.
• Uses pithy summations (“If you have four cats, you’re mentally ill”), irony, and offbeat analogies.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On Minnesota Unrest:

  “This is unequivocally domestic terrorism. We need to see prosecutions and crackdowns as soon as possible for everybody involved in this. They're all on camera. The residents of Minnesota are waging a campaign of terrorism against federal law enforcement, which is carrying out lawful orders.” (Walsh, 00:18)

• On Political Strategy:

  “You simply cannot allow violent mobs to suspend the results of a democratic election, which is exactly what the self-described party of democracy is attempting to do here.” (Walsh, 00:11)

• On Accountability and Obesity:

  “That's a masterclass in dodging accountability.” (Walsh, 00:32)

• On Men Getting Pregnant:

  “Would be more rational for someone to believe that the sun is made of gumdrops than to believe that a man can get pregnant.” (Walsh, 00:41)

• On Pets vs. Kids:

  “If my dog attacked one of my kids, she’s gone. Easy decision.” (Walsh, 00:50) “Dogs don't make moral choices... That's why dogs are elevated above people for that reason. It's a very self centered, selfish reason.” (Walsh, 00:54)

Key Timestamps

• 00:00–00:21: Minnesota ICE unrest, Governor Walz’s speech, accusations of “domestic terrorism”, ICE operation details, calls for Insurrection Act.
• 00:22–00:28: National political implications, polling, deficit commentary, Trump praised for aggressive response.
• 00:31–00:36: Oprah on obesity, critique of “obesity gene” rhetoric, condemnation of excuses for fatness.
• 00:36–00:42: Congressional hearing, Dr. Verma grilled by Sen. Hawley re: male pregnancy, Walsh likens it to “gumdrop sun” analogy.
• 00:46–00:55: Jennifer Lawrence’s dog, modern pet worship, humor and mockery of “mental illness” for owning too many cats.

Tone & Style

• Acerbic, mock-serious, humorous: He uses ridicule, absurd comparisons, and blunt statements to underscore points.
• Confrontational: Addresses political and cultural opponents in pejorative, sometimes cruel language; deliberate “no-holds-barred” tone.
• Sarcastic and hyperbolic: Frequent exaggerations, especially when describing political opponents, protesters, and celebrities.

Conclusion

This episode is an unflinching polemic directed at what Matt Walsh sees as a collapse of public order in Minneapolis caused by left-wing activism, weak state leadership, and irrational liberal dogma on topics ranging from immigration to gender identity and obesity. He argues for overwhelming federal authority, both legally and rhetorically. Typical of the Matt Walsh Show, the rhetoric is uncompromising, satirical, and frequently inflammatory, offering a perspective designed to appeal to listeners frustrated with centrist or liberal coverage of cultural flashpoints.