The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Trump Throws Noem Under the Bus in Contempt Hearing"

Date: November 26, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett & Jordy Meiselas

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dissect breaking developments around Kristi Noem, the Trump administration’s DHS Secretary, being identified by the Department of Justice as the final decision-maker defying court orders on the deportation and detention of migrants. They provide detailed commentary on the legal, moral, and political consequences, share powerful testimonies and Senate exchanges, and reinforce their critique of the Trump regime’s disregard for democracy and rule of law.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

DOJ Throws Noem "Under the Bus"

[01:57] Ben (paraphrased):

• Federal Judge Jeb Boasberg has revived criminal contempt proceedings relating to the Trump regime's unlawful transfer of migrants to a concentration camp in El Salvador, despite the court’s explicit injunction.
• The DOJ's recent filing identifies Kristi Noem, the DHS Secretary, as the official who made the fateful decision after receiving legal advice.
• The DOJ attempts to distance itself, asserting Noem acted against their legal direction and requests the court not require her live testimony, preferring a written declaration.

Notable Quote:

“The DOJ said, we told Kristi Noem about the court’s order... but ultimately she was the one who made the determination: send the people to the concentration camp.”
— Ben, [06:49]

• The brothers highlight this maneuver as a classic example of the Trump regime scapegoating subordinates while denying systemic responsibility.

Pattern of False Declarations & Legal Misrepresentations

[08:57] Ben (paraphrased):

• The DOJ has a track record of submitting declarations from officials with little or no direct knowledge, as highlighted in the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case.
• Example: ICE official Jose Cantu admitted he signed a DOJ-written declaration with zero personal knowledge, prompting Judge Zinnis to call him “the worst witness I’ve ever seen.”

Notable Quote:

“I didn’t even draft my declaration... The DOJ wrote it for me and I just signed my name to it.”
— Jose Cantu (per Ben), [10:59]

• Central Point: DOJ and Noem try to rely on written statements to avoid accountability and scrutiny under oath.

The Case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia

[07:52] Ben:

• Abrego Garcia, unlawfully deported, is now being shuffled between countries with the DOJ seemingly avoiding court-ordered returns.
• Costa Rica, contrary to DOJ claims, was open to accepting Garcia — revealed after media investigation, not through government transparency.

Systemic Takeaway:

• The Trump regime’s agencies are actively trying to disappear problematic cases by deporting key witnesses and submitting misleading affidavits.

Kristi Noem’s Propaganda & Public Grandstanding

[13:57 & 14:57] Ben:

• After the contempt scandal, Noem publicly posed in front of detained migrants to send a message of harsh consequences for illegal entry, using detainees as propaganda—a violation of international law.

Notable Quote:

“She just stood there in front of the prisoners, used them as props... What a despicable—these are such despicable, despicable people, these Trump regime.”
— Ben, [14:35]

Kristi Noem Soundbite:

“If you come to our country illegally, this is one of the consequences you could face... this facility is one of the tools in our toolkit.”
— Kristi Noem, [14:57]

ICE & Border Patrol Confrontation with Sen. Padilla

[15:20] Ben:

• Details a June incident where Senator Alex Padilla was assaulted by ICE agents at a Noem press conference, despite identifying himself as a Senator.

Memorable Moment:

“She had the ICE and Border Patrol agents brutalize a sitting United States senator and throw him to the ground. And then she played the victim...”
— Ben, [15:20]

• Audio shows Noem playing the victim, claiming ignorance of Padilla’s identity, while video confirmed he identified himself.

Fact Check:

“In the video... he says out loud, 'I’m Senator Alex Padilla. I’m allowed to be here.' So he did identify himself.”
— Host, [17:26]

Testimony from Andrea Velez

[17:56 & 18:11]

• Andrea Velez, a US citizen and daughter of Mexican immigrants, recounts being violently detained by ICE despite showing identification, denied basic rights, and traumatized—highlighting a system of indiscriminate abuse overseen by Noem.

Notable Quote (Andrea):

“I urge you to hold ICE and other agencies accountable for dehumanizing our Hispanic and immigrant communities.”
— Andrea Velez, [20:10]

Senate Cross-Examination of Noem

[20:13–23:41]

• Excerpt from Noem’s May 2025 Senate testimony, where Senator Murphy forcefully questions her about DHS’s right to deport legal residents based on political opinion and compliance with the Supreme Court's order related to Garcia.
• Noem evades, asserts compliance with the law, labels Garcia a “terrorist, a human smuggler, and a wife beater,” and refuses to acknowledge the court’s directive.

Key Exchange:

Murphy: “Do you believe the U.S. Government can detain and deport a legal permanent resident for expressing a political opinion...?”
Noem: “We have not done that at all. And the Trump administration has no plan...”
— [20:31–21:44]

Murphy: “The Supreme Court rules 9–0 that you have to facilitate his release... And you advertise to this committee that you are going to willfully ignore the ruling. And that is incredibly chilling.”
— [23:41]

Memorable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “We told Kristi Noem about the court’s order... but ultimately she was the one who made the determination send the people to the concentration camp.”
  — Ben, [06:49]
• “I didn’t even draft my declaration... The DOJ wrote it for me and I just signed my name to it.”
  — Jose Cantu (per Ben), [10:59]
• “She would fit in perfectly well in Nazi Germany, don’t you think?”
  — Ben, [16:38]
• “I urge you to hold ICE and other agencies accountable for dehumanizing our Hispanic and immigrant communities.”
  — Andrea Velez, [20:10]
• “The Supreme Court rules 9–0 that you have to facilitate his release... And you advertise to this committee that you are going to willfully ignore the ruling. And that is incredibly chilling.”
  — Sen. Murphy, [23:41]

Segment Timestamps

• [01:57] – Start of segment on Kristi Noem and DOJ’s contempt filing
• [06:49] – DOJ’s legal maneuvering and identification of Noem
• [08:57] – DOJ’s practice of false declarations (Jose Cantu example)
• [13:57] – Kristi Noem’s public remarks and staging in front of detainees
• [15:20] – ICE/Border Patrol incident with Sen. Padilla
• [17:56] – Andrea Velez’s testimony on ICE mistreatment
• [20:13–23:41] – Senate hearing cross-examination of Kristi Noem

Tone & Style

The MeidasTouch brothers maintain their signature tone: a mix of irreverent banter, indignant truth-telling, and unapologetic pro-democracy advocacy. They pull no punches calling out perceived fascism, lies, and inhumane acts, using both legal expertise and powerful storytelling.

Summary Takeaway

This episode exposes, with new detail and fierce commentary, the Trump regime’s pattern of scapegoating, legal obstruction, and human rights abuses—putting Kristi Noem squarely in the crosshairs for contempt. Through official filings, firsthand testimony, and political showdowns, the episode calls listeners to awareness and accountability, underlining the threat to democratic norms and the stakes for the vulnerable immigrant community.