The MeidasTouch Podcast — “All Hell Breaks Loose as Trump Turns City into War Zone!!”
Date: January 14, 2026
Host: MeidasTouch Network (Jordan Chariton filling in)
Special Focus: On-the-ground reporting—Minneapolis & St. Paul under Trump-era ICE/Border Patrol crackdown
Overview
In this explosive episode, MeidasTouch features Status Coup journalist Jordan Chariton, reporting firsthand from Minneapolis and St. Paul as the cities endure a military-style ICE and Border Patrol crackdown ordered by the Trump regime. The episode paints a harrowing picture: peaceful protests and residential neighborhoods are besieged by federal agents wielding chemical weapons, flashbang grenades, and brute force. Chariton and local voices document alleged war crimes and human rights violations, highlighting the chilling normalization of authoritarian tactics in America’s heartland. The hosts urge viewers to support independent media and keep eyes on the ground.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Manifold Escalation: From Protests to War Zone (00:00–05:22)
- Visuals of Violence: Chariton describes Minneapolis and St. Paul resembling “Fallujah during the height of the Iraq War.”
- “It looks like you’re in Fallujah during the height of the Iraq War… war crimes being committed against the people of Minneapolis and against the people of St. Paul.” — Jordan Chariton [00:08]
- Chemical Weapons & Disappearances: Agents deploy “chemical weapons of unknown origin,” pepper balls, and flashbangs. Protesters are reportedly “disappeared” to detention centers, raising torture and accountability concerns.
- Exclusive Footage: Status Coup’s presence provides unfiltered scenes: ICE launches flashbangs into crowds, protestors are peaceful and confused by the sudden escalation.
- “Whoa…That really just came out of the blue. No one was really doing anything here.” — Protester 1 [02:35]
- US Navy veteran Zoe, among the protesters, expresses disbelief:
- “We were just standing here…Is that America? I served for 20 years in the US Navy.” — Zoe [03:28 – 04:19]
Militarized Policing in Residential Areas (05:22–08:00)
- ICE Tactics: ICE and Border Patrol agents ram cars, toss gas canisters into neighborhoods, and kidnap at least one teenage boy.
- “Why?” — Protester voices challenged the agents’ violence and randomness [07:41]
- Community Panic: Residents assist each other amid chaos, agents escalate with more gas and physical force.
Pattern of Abuse, Dehumanizing Language (09:59–12:38)
- Documenting War Crimes: Chariton calls the acts “crimes against humanity.”
- “There are war crime crimes against humanity as Trump is using this…paramilitary, to attack blue states and blue cities.” — Jordan Chariton [10:40]
- Dehumanizing Statements: ICE/Border Patrol verbal aggression reaches a disturbing point:
- “That’s why that lesbian bitch is dead.” — ICE/Border Patrol as recounted by Zoe [11:24]
- Over Intercom Threats: Anyone with a flashlight is threatened with arrest.
-“You have been identified and we will come get you and arrest you.”* — Border Patrol agent via loudspeaker [12:04]
Everyday Activities Treated as Crime (14:38–18:58)
- Bystander Assault: People on sidewalks are body-slammed; children and teachers at special ed schools are detained; families in cars are stopped, interrogated, and threatened.
- “We’re just driving around. This is our neighborhood.” — Protester 3, after ICE blocks and interrogates them in their own car [16:43]
- Physical Violence & Humiliation: Female citizen shoved, groped, and thrown into a vehicle as ICE flees the scene.
- “Help me…Check my ID…” — Detained woman, struggling [17:31]
National Trend—Not Isolated (18:58–21:14)
- Spread of Tactics Nationwide: The crackdown isn’t limited to Minnesota. An incident in Santa Ana, CA leaves a 21-year-old blinded by supposedly “non-lethal” rounds; in West Virginia, ICE collaborates with the local fire department to detain Latino roofers.
- Graphic Injuries & Testimonies:
- “Modeling my leg a little bit for them…Final words is they are cowards. Cowards use weapons when they are hurt by words. There’s power in the people.” — Zoe [20:38–20:52]
- “I fought for this country, for these people here, for Minnesota…they hide behind their masks…get them out of here.” — US veteran [21:22]
Escalating Street-Level Authoritarianism (22:50–29:07)
- Papers, Please: ICE agents demand IDs in random spot checks, escalating to violence over refusal:
- “Don’t move or you will be fucking tased. …You’re a fucking bitch and you’re going to learn the hard way.” — ICE agent, detaining a compliant US citizen [25:13]
- “Fully registered firearm, because I’m a US Citizen.” — Detained man [25:49]
- Institutional Overreach: Special education teachers arrested at school drop-off amid tear gas and distressed children.
- “There are children at school—arresting a teacher at a school.” — Onlookers [27:11]
Calls to Action & Independent Journalism (Throughout)
- Media Suppression & the Need for Documentation: Urgent encouragement of Status Coup and independent media for “receipts” to counter official narratives.
- Appeal for Solidarity: Direct requests to follow, subscribe, and support Status Coup and MeidasTouch to amplify on-the-ground reporting (especially in light of media blackouts).
- “Let me know what you think…support independent media…” — Jordan Chariton [29:07]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Shock at New Reality:
- “This isn’t the America I served for 20 years.” — US Navy vet, Zoe [04:19]
ICE/Border Patrol Brutal Language:
- “That’s why that lesbian bitch is dead. …You don’t learn your lessons.” — Reported ICE/Border Patrol statement [11:24]
Militarized Threats Over Loudspeaker:
- “You have been identified and we will come get you and arrest you.” — ICE via intercom [12:04]
On Human Rights & Resistance:
- “Cowards use weapons when they are hurt by words. There’s power in the people.” — Zoe [20:52]
Veteran Outcry:
- “I’ve bled for this country. …Get them out of here. Our state representatives need to step up and fight for their people…” — Protester 2 (veteran) [22:10]
ICE Escalation Over ID Refusal:
- “You’re a fucking bitch and you’re going to learn the hard way. I just asked you for an ID…” — ICE agent [25:13]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00–05:22: Introduction, war zone description, protest footage
- 05:22–09:59: Neighborhood raids, car rammings, kidnappings
- 10:40–12:38: ICE rhetoric, threats, “war crime” framing
- 14:38–18:58: Public sidewalk/traffic stops, assaults on citizens
- 18:58–21:14: National pattern of violence, wounded protesters, veteran testimony
- 22:50–26:54: ID demands, threats of tasing, “papers, please” incidents
- 27:11–29:07: Teacher arrested at school, West Virginia roofing detentions
Tone & Language Notes
- The episode is raw, urgent, and deeply emotional—voices tremble, cry out, and swear in moments of shock, anger, and grief.
- There’s a continuous refrain of disbelief, indignation, and calls for resistance.
- The language is unvarnished and at times explicit, reflecting the high stakes and volatility.
Summary Takeaway
This episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast, as guest-hosted by Jordan Chariton, is a clarion call against burgeoning authoritarianism in America. Through Status Coup’s visceral reporting, the show documents war zone conditions in Minnesota and a national pattern of ICE/Border Patrol excesses—from physical violence and chemical attacks to open bigotry and constitutional violations. The message: Believe your eyes, document everything, resist normalization, and support independent journalism.