Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Faces Instant Backlash After ICE Murders Citizen
Date: January 8, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the killing of Renee Nicole Goode, a U.S. citizen, by ICE officers in South Minneapolis amid Trump’s controversial immigration crackdown and the subsequent mass protests across the nation. The Meiselas brothers analyze the government's justification for the shooting, including inflammatory statements by Kristi Noem, reactions from eyewitnesses, local leaders, and congressional members, and the administration’s alleged aim to provoke unrest and justify further federal intervention. The tone is urgent, unapologetically critical, and laced with the MeidasTouch’s signature blend of legal insight and brotherly banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Killing of Renee Nicole Goode

• Incident Recap:

  • Renee Nicole Goode was shot and killed by ICE officers during an operation in South Minneapolis.
  • Protests have erupted nationwide, echoing “say her name, Renee Nicole Goode” ([00:42]).

• Hosts' Perspective:

  • Ben, drawing on his legal background, insists it was “a textbook wrongful death, unjustified excessive force situation" ([01:36]).
  • The hosts repeatedly refer to the ICE teams as “Gestapo”—evoking images of fascist oppression and sending a strong message of condemnation.

2. Kristi Noem’s Defense & Escalation (Multiple Segments: [03:11]–[08:56])

Statements from Noem:

• Self-defense Narrative:
  • Kristi Noem claims the ICE officer feared for his life as Goode used her vehicle as a "weapon," calling it an act of "domestic terrorism" ([03:11]–[04:22]).
• Dehumanizing Rhetoric:
  • "These are vile, despicable, evil, sick human beings. And Kristi Noem is right there at the top. What a sick, vile piece of trash she is."
    — Ben Meiselas ([04:00])
• Policy Justification:
  • Noem calls for the Department of Justice to prosecute the case as “domestic terrorism,” alleged coordinated attacks on law enforcement, and emphasizes ongoing ICE operations ([04:22], [05:39]).
• Political Framing:
  • Noem blames Minnesota’s governor and mayor for enabling crime and frames the Trump administration as restoring order ([07:19]):
    • "President Trump is not going to let that happen...bring peace and public safety..."
• Deflection to Other Topics:
  • Noem accuses state leaders of mass criminal releases and pivots to “child sex trafficking” and Epstein files, which the hosts see as a tactic to divert attention ([08:00]).

3. Eyewitness Accounts & Local Reactions

Right-Leaning Eyewitness ([10:38]–[11:51])

• “I'm pretty right leaning but seeing this, this is not what you need to do. It's not how to do it. It's not how we're supposed to do things around here in America.”
  — (Eyewitness, [11:11])
• Describes chaotic, militarized response, with “maybe 20…now there’s hundreds” of agents ([11:27]).
• Parallels drawn with 2020 unrest: “Kind of same feeling. Hoping it doesn't, but it's getting a little rowdy now.” ([11:38])

4. Congressional & Political Reactions

Rep. Johnson ([12:06])

• Calls the incident a “homicide for which there should be criminal charges.”
• “[ICE] shooting into a moving vehicle four times, traffic stop murder.” ([12:13]–[12:20])

Rep. Gomez ([12:24])

• “Yeah, it was murder. It was obvious that she was just driving away. She wasn't driving into the ICE agent...
  I think that the [Minnesota] attorney general has to take a hard look and probably file charges against them. I think it was disgusting.”
  — Rep. Gomez ([12:29])
• Warns about reckless expansion and militarization of ICE: “...this was exactly the fear that I always had...untrained individuals that shouldn't be on our streets...” ([12:50])

Rep. Goldman ([13:53])

• “Invading our cities, using excessive force lawlessly with new agents without proper training. And sadly, this was not unexpected, but it is egregious. It was an outright murder.”
  — Rep. Goldman ([14:01])
• Calls for murder charges and scrutiny of the Homeland Security budget ([14:49]–[15:00])

5. Protester Response & Police Violence

• Reports of other protesters being shot with “less lethal” weapons by ICE ([15:00]).
• The hosts highlight official attempts to provoke unrest as a pretext for martial law.

6. Governor Walz’s Call for Peace ([15:56])

• Governor Walz:
  • “Let me be clear. Trump and his administration may not care much about Minnesota...But we love this state. We won't let them tear us apart. Will not turn against each other…I say this. I feel your anger. I'm angry. They want to show we can't give it to them. We cannot. If you protest and express your First Amendment rights, please do so peacefully as you always do.”
    — Governor Walz ([15:56]–[16:27])
• Calls for peaceful protest to deny the administration an excuse to escalate with force.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Meiselas:
  • "This is a textbook wrongful death, unjustified excessive force situation." ([01:36])
  • “Trump regime and their gestapo are the terrorists. They're ISIS in America terrorizing our peaceful communities.” ([03:41])
• Kristi Noem:
  • “The ICE officer, fearing for his life...fired defensive shots.” ([03:11])
  • “This domestic act of terrorism to use your vehicle to try to kill law enforcement officers is going to stop...” ([04:22])
• Eyewitness:
  • “I'm pretty right leaning but seeing this, this is not what you need to do.” ([11:11])
• Rep. Gomez:
  • “I think that the attorney general...has to take a hard look and probably file charges against them. I think it was disgusting.” ([12:29])
• Rep. Goldman:
  • “It was an outright murder...this officer not only needs to be fired and suspended, but based on the video, he needs to be charged with murder.” ([14:01])
• Governor Walz:
  • “If you protest and express your First Amendment rights, please do so peacefully as you always do. We can't give them what they want.” ([16:19])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Incident Recap and Initial Commentary: [00:42]–[03:00]
• Kristi Noem's Statement and Administration Justification: [03:11]–[08:56]
• Eyewitness Account from Minneapolis Resident: [10:38]–[11:51]
• Congressional Reaction (Johnson, Gomez, Goldman): [12:06]–[15:00]
• Protests & Police Violence: [15:00]
• Governor Walz’s Statement: [15:56]–[16:27]

Episode Tone and Takeaways

The episode is charged, combative, and explicitly critical of the Trump administration's conduct, drawing parallels to authoritarian tactics and demanding accountability from law enforcement and government officials. The brothers use legal reasoning, on-the-ground reporting, and sharp rhetoric to break down how the administration and its supporters are framing the narrative, and they urge listeners to resist provocations toward unrest while holding onto democratic principles.

Listeners are left with an urgent call for accountability, solidarity in peaceful protest, and continued scrutiny of those in power.