The Megyn Kelly Show – Episode 1238

Title: Truth About Shooting in Minneapolis, and Shock Anti-ICE Network Details
Date: January 26, 2026
Host: Megyn Kelly
Guests: James O’Keefe, Dave Aronberg, Andrew Branca

Main Theme & Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the recent fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Preddy by Border Patrol agents during an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis. Megyn Kelly and her guests dissect the incident in depth: discussing the facts, scrutinizing activist tactics, analyzing law enforcement response, and debating the legalities around the use of force. The show also dives into the startling level of organization among anti-ICE protest groups and considers potential political and legal ramifications, both local and national.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The Minneapolis Shooting

• Incident Summary: Alex Preddy, armed with a loaded gun, was involved in a confrontation with federal agents during an operation to apprehend a violent illegal immigrant. Amid chaotic protest activity—including whistling, physical interference, and resistance—Preddy was fatally shot.
• Host's Perspective: Megyn Kelly expresses frustration with agitators she deems organized and intent on provoking or harming law enforcement, calling them “terrorists” (06:40).
• Rhetorical Framing: Kelly posits that local and state leadership—and progressive media—are creating conditions for “insurrection” by encouraging interference and undermining federal immigration enforcement.

2. Analyzing the Shooting: Evidence, Video, and Eyewitness

• Timeline & Evidence Review:
  • Preddy is seen recording with his cell phone (21:45).
  • Chaos erupts, with agents shouting “Gun!” before weapons are drawn; a melee follows, ending in gunfire (25:38).
  • It remains unclear if Preddy brandished his weapon—he had a gun, but cameras do not show him pointing it.
  • Agents recover a 9mm handgun with loaded magazines from Preddy (28:50).
  • Debate surfaces on whether the weapon fired accidentally during the struggle, possibly due to a known defect (92:37).
• Important Moment:
  • [27:30] Megyn Kelly: “We count two to three seconds between ‘gun’ being screamed and the sound of gunfire... The warning that the man they were trying to arrest... had a gun came before anybody pulled their gun, much less fired it.”

3. Protest Organization: The Anti-ICE Network

• James O’Keefe’s Firsthand Reporting:
  • Describes infiltrating protest areas and encountering immediate hostilities—even being “patted down” and chased away by protestors who acted as self-appointed authorities (41:47–42:31).
  • Quote: “I've ambushed the cartel. They run away from me. They don't like the cameras. These people will kill you.” —James O’Keefe [42:24]
  • Reveals use of encrypted messaging (Signal) for coordinated action—including “spotters” at hotels, vehicle tracking, and mass mobilization within minutes (54:24).
• Threat Level:
  • O’Keefe details receiving death threats, being followed between hotels, and the presence of an “autonomous zone” where police had “left completely” (45:44–46:12).
  • “Anyone who's not them is their enemy… If you are a journalist, you're a fed.” —James O’Keefe [44:45]

4. Law Enforcement & Leadership Response

• Political Fallout:
  • Criticism levied at Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for equating ICE with Nazis and invoking Anne Frank analogies (34:05).
  • Host highlights partisan exploitation of the incident, arguing Democratic politicians use such crises to undermine Trump’s immigration policy and energize their base.
• Polling Impact:
  • Alarm raised over internal GOP polls showing declining independent and swing voter support for Trump’s immigration stance (33:12).
  • “Polls keep showing rapidly eroding support for President Trump's immigration efforts, which are completely noble and well intended, and the right policy but losing support because of the media...” —Megyn Kelly [20:09]

5. Legal & Self-Defense Analysis (Branca v. Aronberg)

• Legal Standards Discussed:
  • The “objectively reasonable” standard (Graham v. Connor case)—officers’ perception of deadly threat must be reasonable, not necessarily correct (81:36).
  • Dispute over severity of Preddy’s conduct: Did he commit felony assault, or was his interference merely misdemeanor resisting arrest? (98:14–100:25)
• Self-defense Claims:
  • Andrew Branca: “The only person responsible for the death of Alex Preddy is Alex Preddy.” [81:29]
  • Dave Aronberg: “It looks like to me the victim here, Mr. Preddy, was not a threat. The gun was not brandished... I would take this to a grand jury.” [82:07]
• Ballistics & Liability Nuance:
  • Possible accidental discharge of Preddy’s gun (Sig Sauer P329) could have triggered return fire—implications for reasonableness of agents' actions (92:37).
  • On criminal liability for officers, Megyn and Branca agree: “In a criminal prosecution, no, [negligence of another officer can't be used]… in a civil suit, maybe.” [97:08]
  • Preddy had a legal permit for the firearm; presence of gun alone isn't probable cause for use of deadly force (97:20–98:14).
  • Branca: “He got shot because he fought the police; he fought the law, and the law won.” [98:44]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Megyn Kelly on Parental Advice & Lawful Compliance:
  “Every normal parent tells their children, if you get pulled over by a cop or find yourself interacting with a cop, you submit… If they're wrong... we will deal with it later.” [10:59]
• O’Keefe on Activist Organization & Threats:
  “Every vehicle downtown, they're able to track, run the plates, confirm who they are… I've never seen a group more organized.” [54:24]
• Protester Escalation—Kyle Wagner Video:
  “We're not talking about peaceful protest anymore… Get your fucking guns and stop these fucking people.” [56:33–57:24]
• On Political Manipulation:
  “They see an opportunity to finally make Democrats popular again, which they haven't been for over two years… no good crisis is wasted.” —Megyn Kelly [31:10]
• Legal Panel Clash:
  • “It all happened so quickly… You're not going to hold that negligence against Officer B in determining what's a reasonable suspicion…” —Megyn Kelly [97:02]
  • “You can't interfere with a lawful arrest and say you're doing it as a Good Samaritan.” —Andrew Branca [100:04]
  • “...even if he is, it doesn’t give you the license to kill there…” —Dave Aronberg [101:43]

Important Timestamps

• Shooting Breakdown & Evidence:
  • 21:45 – Start of video sequence analysis
  • 27:30 – Officers yell “Gun!” before firing
  • 28:50 – Gun retrieved; agent runs with it shortly before shots fired
• O'Keefe's Protest Coverage:
  • 41:19 – O’Keefe describes confrontation and threats
  • 45:44 – Details of being followed between hotels, receiving death threats
  • 54:24 – Insights on protest group coordination through Signal chats
• Political and Media Framing:
  • 30:00 – Megyn Kelly editorializes Minnesota’s political response
  • 33:12 – Discussion of internal GOP polls and media narrative
• Legal Analysis:
  • 79:49 – Legal panel begins debate
  • 81:29 – Branca asserts legal justification for shooting
  • 82:07 – Aronberg disagrees: calls for indictment
  • 92:37 – Discussion on possible weapon malfunction and implications
  • 98:14 – Analysis of Preddy’s conduct and legal standards
  • 100:04–101:03 – Whether interfering protestor’s actions amount to felony assault

Final Thoughts & Tone

The episode is highly charged, unsparing in its criticism of Minneapolis officials and left-leaning media, and intensely skeptical of protester motives and tactics. Megyn Kelly pushes the view that federal law enforcement is facing organized and lethal opposition, and is unsupported by local powers or media. She also voices concern for political consequences for Trump and Republicans, urging strategic changes. The expert legal panel provides a more measured but still pointed breakdown of the potential for criminal charges against officers, the complexities of use-of-force law, and systemic challenges to accountability.

Episode Structure & Flow

1. Main incident (Minneapolis shooting) introduced and editorialized
2. Step-by-step video and audio evidence breakdown
3. James O’Keefe details protest environment and threats to press and law enforcement
4. Broader cultural and political analysis: impact on national politics, media role, poll numbers
5. Firsthand reporting and deep-dive into protestor organization
6. Legal panel debate: granular legal standards, practicality of prosecution, possible outcomes
7. Closing reflections; looking ahead to legal proceedings and political fallout

The episode captures the tension, complexity, and deep partisanship driving contemporary American debates over immigration, protest, and law enforcement. Listeners learn not only what happened, but how interpretations of events are shaped by ideology, legal nuance, and the raw emotions of a country in conflict.