The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode Summary:

Guest: JT Cestkowski from Status Coup
Air Date: January 10, 2026
Theme:
Frontline reporting on the escalating violence and crackdown by ICE and Border Patrol in Minneapolis following the killing of Renee Nicole Good, with insights from independent journalist JT Cestkowski (Status Coup). The episode centers on civic resistance, firsthand witnessing of state violence, the responsibility of citizen journalists, and the urgent need to support independent media.

1. Overview of the Episode’s Main Theme

• The Meiselas brothers discuss the aftermath of ICE's killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, highlighting exclusive on-the-ground reporting, the militarization of federal agents, and how these tactics parallel paramilitary crackdowns in autocracies.
• JT Cestkowski, a frontline reporter from Status Coup, joins to provide in-depth, firsthand context and analysis based on weeks embedded with affected communities.

2. Key Discussion Points and Insights

A. Escalation of Violence by ICE in Minneapolis

• Following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good (a 37-year-old mother), ICE and Border Patrol intensified crackdowns against protesters.
• Status Coup provides exclusive footage of ICE agents using chemical agents and physical force ("chemical warfare") against peaceful protesters ([00:58], [03:15]).
  • Quote: “You see these ICE Gestapo using this chemical warfare against people. I mean, chemical warfare on the streets of the United States of America.”
    —Ben [04:15]

B. Community Outrage and Protest

• Protesters’ emotional pleas and confrontations captured live:
  • Quote: “You a right to put your hands on anyone. No right. Reason for this, dude... Don’t put your hands on me, bro.”
    —Protester [02:21]
  • Quote: “Motherfuckers. Evil worth the humanity. White lady too. People. Stop killing us. How about that?”
    —Protester [05:10]
  • Quote: “You should be marching with us... God help you.”
    —Minneapolis Protester [05:35], [05:51]
• Protesters articulate the human costs, referencing Renee Nicole Good’s young son, and challenging ICE agents’ morality directly ([06:02]-[06:24]).

C. Increased Militarization and Paramilitary Tactics

• Discussion on how federal agents now appear indistinguishable from military troops, causing confusion and fear in communities.
  • “The level of equipment that they are being outfitted with... they look nearly indistinguishable from soldiers.”
    —JT Cestkowski [14:20]

D. Systemic Patterns of Abuse — Not “A Few Bad Apples”

• JT recounts similar crackdowns in Chicago and Charlotte, with Minneapolis following the same script: routine use of chemical agents and lethal force, especially by Border Patrol ([10:38]).
• Emphasizes that this is a recurring, systemic problem, not isolated incidents or “bad apples.”
  • Quote: “The number one takeaway ... is just how undertrained or willfully these agents are inducing this violence... They escalate and then they deploy the force.”
    —JT Cestkowski [15:38]

E. ICE Budget and Political Context

• The increased violence and militarization linked to Republican-led budget increases and policy decisions under Trump, enabling ICE and Border Patrol to purchase more weapons and gear ([14:20]).
• The Trump administration’s immediate response was to brand Renee Nicole Good a “domestic terrorist,” signaling carte blanche for further crackdowns ([12:41]).

F. Alleged Collaboration with Far-Right Elements

• Status Coup footage shows anti-migrant agitators spewing hate, seemingly protected by ICE agents:
  • Quote: “These people are terrorists. They hate our country! ... When we come one, we go all. No one can stop what is coming.”
    —Agitator [09:01]
  • Ben notes direct overlap with QAnon rhetoric ([09:01]).

3. Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On ICE Violence:
  • “ICE agents use chemical agents on people, engaging in chemical warfare in Minneapolis.” —Ben [00:58]
• On Maintaining Integrity and Mission:
  • “We don’t like just the parachute-in type of journalism... We should continue to follow up on all of the different types of pain that are being inflicted on these communities.”
    —JT Cestkowski [17:37]
• On Reporter Hardships:
  • “You might be hospital getting your fingers looked at... You might be getting tear gassed... There’ve been days where I don’t eat until, you know, I get back to the hotel at the end of the night.”
    —JT Cestkowski [17:37]
• On Systemic Nature:
  • “It’s not just a few bad apples, this is a systemic problem.”
    —JT Cestkowski [19:39]
• On Community Responsibility:
  • “Everyone has to follow their conscience. Everyone has to do what’s right in front of them... You have to grapple with the fact that a 37 year old mother was murdered by ICE yesterday in cold blood.”
    —Minneapolis ICE Protester [06:24]
• Ben’s Endorsement:
  • “Status Coup is the real deal... This is the exact type of independent media company we should all be supporting.”
    —Ben [09:30], [20:43]
• Support Appeal:
  • “This work that we do is incredibly expensive... We don’t take any sort of sponsorships. We want to be beholden only to our audience.”
    —JT Cestkowski [21:43]

4. Timeline of Important Segments (Timestamps)

• [00:58] – Ben introduces theme; plays exclusive Status Coup footage of ICE using chemical agents on protesters.
• [02:21 - 05:51] – Protesters confront ICE; emotional, raw exchanges with agents captured on tape.
• [06:24 - 07:22] – Protesters directly challenge ICE agents’ consciences, referencing the impact on Renee Nicole Good’s son.
• [07:36] – Car runs over (or nearly hits) a protester during evening demonstrations.
• [09:01] – Footage of anti-immigrant agitator invoking QAnon language, apparently protected by ICE agents.
• [10:38] – JT Cestkowski joins; describes “depressingly similar” patterns of ICE violence in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Charlotte.
• [12:41] – Discussion of Trump admin’s escalatory rhetoric, calling victims and protesters “domestic terrorists.”
• [14:20] – Militarization: ICE/Border Patrol now visually indistinguishable from military troops.
• [17:37] – JT describes grueling endurance, real risks, and guiding principles of Status Coup’s reporting.
• [19:39] – JT underscores systemic nature of abuses and Status Coup’s commitment to long-term coverage.
• [21:43] – JT appeals for direct audience support, emphasizing independence and risk (“We want to be beholden only to our audience”).

5. Flow, Tone, and Takeaways

• Language/Tone: The episode retains the Meidas brothers’ urgent, fiery energy, with frontline audio from protests amplifying the intensity and stakes. JT Cestkowski’s remarks are measured, empathetic, and grounded in lived experience.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Systemic violence by ICE/Border Patrol is a national issue, not local, not a fluke.
  • State and federal authorities’ tactics resemble paramilitary crackdowns, intentionally sowing terror in communities of color.
  • Grassroots, independent journalism—despite grave personal risk—is vital for accountability and public awareness.
  • Listeners are called to support outlets like Status Coup that eschew traditional sponsorship or access journalism, relying solely on the community.

6. Call to Action

• Direct Appeals:
  • Subscribe and support Status Coup (YouTube, Substack, direct membership at statuscoup.com/join) to sustain on-the-ground reporting.
  • The struggle needs independent media—described both as a practical necessity (funding/journalistic integrity) and a civic imperative.

7. Final Thoughts

This episode provides an urgent, harrowing account of unfolding events in Minneapolis through Status Coup’s journalistic lens. It’s a clarion call to democracy advocates and engaged citizens to pay close attention to militarized policing at home—and to materially back the independent reporters risking everything to bring this reality to light.