White House Presser on Minnesota Instantly Backfires

Summary

Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: White House Presser on Minnesota Instantly Backfires

Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on an explosive White House press conference following the fatal shooting of two Minnesotans, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretty, during an ICE and Border Patrol operation in Minnesota. The Meiselas brothers dissect the administration’s defensive, combative posture—in particular, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt’s efforts to blame Democratic state leaders and protesters for the violence, while deflecting blame from federal actions. The brothers call out what they view as misinformation, scapegoating, and the growing authoritarian tone from Trump’s White House.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Framing Democratic Leaders for the Violence

• Caroline Levitt aggressively blames Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Democratic policies for the deaths, painting Minnesota’s leadership as anti-law enforcement and responsible for harboring “criminal illegal aliens.”
  • Quote:
    “Yet Democrat leaders in Minnesota with sanctuary city policies have actively defied federal immigration law...And as a result...two Minnesotans have now tragically lost their lives on the streets of Tim Walz’s state.” (Caroline Levitt, 01:16)
• The Meiselas brothers note the clear attempt to shift blame away from federal agents and to demonize left-leaning leaders.
  • Ben Meiselas:
    “In other words, the White House is ratcheting things up and continuing to defame Alex Pretty, Renee Nicole Good...just sent to concentration camps.” (02:20)

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2. Defamation of Protest Victims

• Levitt (and Trump allies like Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem) readily label Alex Pretty a “domestic terrorist” and “assassin” despite an ongoing investigation, a move that the brothers argue is designed to justify his death and chill protest.
  • Reporter:
    “Will Stephen Miller be apologizing to the family of Alex Pretty for calling him an assassin who tried to murder federal agents, despite the fact that...this is still under investigation?” (07:03)
  • Levitt:
    “Look, again, this incident remains under investigation. And nobody here at the White House...wants to see Americans hurt...we mourn for the parents...but that same empathy...goes for the parents of victims of illegal alien crime.” (07:14)

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3. Doubling Down on Force Against Protesters

• Levitt signals that gun owners attending protests should “assume the risk” of being killed if confronted by law enforcement—threatening the very notions of First and Second Amendment rights.
  • Ben Meiselas:
    “If you go to a protest with your gun...you're going to raise the assumption of risk that you should be killed. Well, that's what you think of the Second Amendment.” (02:44)
  • Levitt:
    “Any gun owner knows that when you are carrying a weapon...and you are confronted by law enforcement, you are raising the assumption of risk and the risk of force being used against you.” (03:38)
• The hosts point out the hypocrisy, noting Trump and MAGA figures’ performative support for gun rights only when convenient.

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4. Conflicting Messages and Cover-Up Claims

• Trump publicly called for reducing tensions, while simultaneously alleging “cover ups” and fraud in Minnesota, creating confusion that the press corps picked up on.
  • Reporter:
    “Given these came after the shooting, what is the cover up he's alleging?” (04:35)
  • Levitt: (Refers to supposed “massive fraud,” defames Rep. Ilhan Omar by implication)
• The Meiselas brothers highlight this as characteristic misinformation—simultaneously escalating and diffusing without accountability.
• Notable moment:
  • Reporter:
    “Your tone seems to be pretty different than Donald Trump’s...What tone should we believe?” (09:32)
  • Levitt:
    “I’m painting the picture for all of you...what led to the moment...where [Trump and Walz] are having...a productive conversation.” (09:49)

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5. Jumping to Conclusions—Administration Messaging vs. Investigation

• DHS and Trump officials labeled Pretty a terrorist “before an investigation had even been conducted.”
  • Reporter:
    “Why did administration officials jump to conclusions before an investigation had even been conducted?” (11:15)
  • Levitt:
    “This has obviously been a very fluid and fast moving situation...the president...wants to let the investigation continue and let facts...lead.” (11:28)

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6. Constitutional Rights at Risk

• Despite paying lip service to First Amendment rights, Levitt draws a hard line against “impeding” ICE or CBP—characterizing documentation or protest as potentially criminal.
  • Levitt:
    “All Americans have a First Amendment constitutional right, of course, but Americans do not have a constitutional right to impede and obstruct lawful immigration enforcement operations. That is actually a crime...” (11:40)
• The brothers warn this language chills free speech and peaceful assembly.

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7. Claimed Popular Support for Crackdowns

• Levitt claims “huge support” (over 80%) for deporting violent criminal immigrants as a justification for ICE and CBP actions.
  • Levitt:
    “Polling shows huge support...More than 80% of Americans favor deporting illegal aliens convicted of violent crimes. A country unable to deport criminals...is no country at all.” (13:43)
• The brothers rebut this, insisting ICE is targeting peaceful citizens/protesters, not just criminals.

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8. Minnesota Officials Seek Impartial Investigation

• Governor Tim Walz communicates that both he and Trump agreed to “look into reducing the number of federal agents” and to allow an impartial investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
  • Ben Meiselas:
    “Governor Walz said...we need an impartial investigation...Trump posted...it was a good call...we seemed to be on a similar wavelength.” (14:27)
• The brothers are skeptical, saying Trump’s words are “meaningless” given his authoritarian track record.

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Notable Quotes & Attributions

• Caroline Levitt (01:16):
  “Yet Democrat leaders in Minnesota with sanctuary city policies have actively defied federal immigration law…two Minnesotans have now tragically lost their lives…”
• Ben Meiselas (02:44):
  “Frankly, I've never heard any politicians talk about how much they hate the Second Amendment the way we've heard from Donald Trump and these phony MAGA Republicans...”
• Caroline Levitt (03:38):
  “Any gun owner knows that when you are carrying a weapon...you are raising the assumption of risk...”
• Reporter (04:35):
  “What is the cover up he's alleging?”
• Caroline Levitt (07:14):
  “Nobody here at the White House...wants to see Americans hurt...that same empathy...goes for the parents of victims of illegal alien crime...”
• Reporter (09:32):
  “Your tone seems to be pretty different than Donald Trump’s...”
• Caroline Levitt (09:49):
  “I’m painting the picture for all of you...what led to the moment...”
• Caroline Levitt (11:40):
  “All Americans have a First Amendment constitutional right...but Americans do not have a constitutional right to impede and obstruct lawful immigration enforcement...”
• Caroline Levitt (13:43):
  “Polling shows huge support for this exact thing President Trump is calling for.”

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Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• White House doubling down on blaming Democratic leaders and protesters: 01:16–02:20
• Attempt to justify use of force against armed (and non-armed) protesters: 03:38
• Reporters pressing on “cover up” claims and administration’s aggressive language: 04:35, 07:03, 09:32, 11:15
• Caroline Levitt’s deflections and reliance on polling to justify mass enforcement: 13:43
• Governor Walz and Trump “productive call” contrasted with White House rhetoric: 14:27

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Tone and Language

The episode maintains the signature MeidasTouch style: sharp critique, heavy with sarcasm, outrage at perceived injustice, and a defense of constitutional rights and democratic institutions. The brothers call out what they consider to be the authoritarian drift and hypocrisy of Trump’s administration—all delivered with their trademark mix of analysis and brotherly banter.

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Conclusion

The brothers conclude that the White House press conference further exposed the administration’s willingness to blame, misinform, and escalate, rather than address the core issues or take responsibility. They warn that constitutional freedoms and checks on governmental power are at real risk, framing the events in Minnesota as the latest evidence of rising authoritarianism.

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Transcript

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[A]

Terms the White House just held a disastrous press conference following Donald Trump making social media posts seeming to say that he was trying to reach some agreement with Governor Walz in Minnesota. And then Governor Walz posted on his social media that he had productive calls with Donald Trump about removing some of the ICE and Border Patrol Gestapo from Minnesota. But then Caroline Levitt held this disastrous press conference and I'll just show you what went down. Caroline Levitt started attacking the Democratic leader. She goes the Democrat leaders of Minnesota like Governor Walz and Mayor Fry, they are the reason that Renee Nicole Goode and Alex Pretty were murdered here. Just listen here, play this clip.

[B]

Yet Democrat leaders in Minnesota with sanctuary city policies have actively defied federal immigration law and the will of the people. And as a result of that defiant and defiance, two Minnesotans have now tragically lost their lives on the streets of Tim Waltz's state.

[A]

Then Caroline Levitt said at the end of the day, while nobody at the White House wants to see people getting murdered, this tragedy occurred because of the hostile resistance of Democratic leaders. She said here, play this clip out.

[B]

But let's be clear about the circumstances which led to that moment on Saturday. This tragedy occurred as a result of a deliberate and hostile resistance by Democrat leaders in Minnesota. For weeks, Governor Waltz and the Mayor, Jacob Fry and other elected Democrats were spreading lies about federal law enforcement officers who are risking their lives daily to remove the worst criminal illegal aliens from our streets, murderers, rapists, pedophiles, human traffickers and gang members.

[A]

In other words, the White House is ratcheting things up and continuing to defame Alex Pretti, Renee Nicole Good, the others who they've murdered and sent to concentration camps. More from Caroline Levitt right here, saying that she has confidence in Kristi Noem.

[B]

Let's play this clip to your first question. The answer is yes, he still has confidence and trust in Secretary Noem. To the second question. I would point.

[A]

Then Caroline Levitt says that if you're a gun owner, you know that if you go to a protest with your gun and you're confronted by law enforcement, you're going to raise the assumption of risk that you should be killed. Well, that's what you think of the Second Amendment. Let's be very clear, Alex. Jeffrey Pretty had a legal permit to conceal Kerry. Frankly, I've never heard any politicians talk about how much they hate the Second Amendment the way we've heard from Donald Trump and these phony MAGA Republicans who have pretend that they care about the Second Amendment all of these years. Just another MAGA farce just to prop up an authoritarian. Here, play this clip.

[B]

Thank you, Caroline.

[A]

FBI Director Cash Patel said in a Sunday interview, quote, you cannot bring a firearm loaded with multiple magazines to any sort of protest.

[B]

Does the president believe the Second Amendment.

[A]

Rights remain in effect even when protesting?

[B]

The president supports the Second Amendment rights of law abiding American citizens? Absolutely. There has been no greater supporter or defender of the right to bear arms than President Donald J. Trump. So while Americans have a constitutional right to bear arms, Americans do not have a constitutional right to impede lawful immigration enforcement operations. And any gun owner knows that when you are carrying a weapon, when you are bearing arms and you are confronted by law enforcement, you are raising the assumption of risk and the risk of force being used against you. And again, that's unfortunately what took place on Saturday.

[A]

Then a reporter asked Caroline Levitt, you know, Donald Trump posted that this was a cover up and a fraud taking place in Minneapolis. What's the COVID up? What's, what does that mean, Caroline? And here's what she says. Play this clip.

[B]

I'll take a couple more. Go ahead. Hey, so this weekend the president posted that this is a cover up of the fraud in the state of Minnesota. He also posted Minnesota is a cover up. These both happened after the shooting. So given these came after the shooting, what is the, this here? What is the COVID up he's alleging. Yes, it's a good question. I spoke with the president about this at length. What the president is referring to is the fact that you have Governor Wallace and again the mayor have been encouraging these left wing agitators to come out and to harass and to dox and to threaten ICE and to make this conversation about and smear lies about federal law enforcement who again are just trying to do their jobs in an attempt to distract from the widespread massive fraud that has taken place in their state. Billions and billions of dollars has been stolen from law abiding taxpayers in Minnesota. And the administration continues to be very focused on getting to the bottom of it, especially in president raised a good question over the weekend with respect to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who now has a net worth within the millions. And one must ask themselves why and how is that possible? Is she connected to the fraud rings that we have seen taking place within her state and her own district? It's a question the American people are raising and the president believes it's one worth answering.

[A]

So more defamation by Caroline Levitt during this disastrous press conference. And then Caroline Levitt is asked if Donald Trump remains confident in Kristi Noem again. Here's what she says. Play this clip. Caroline, a couple quick questions. First, does the president remain fully confident in Chris ability to leave the dhs? And then just secondly, just on that Wall Street Journal reporting that we saw yesterday, and a reporter asked Caroline Levitt if Stephen Miller will be issuing an apology to the family of Alex Pretty for calling him an assassin and a domestic terrorist. And she goes, now you know, the incident remains fluid. It's under investigation. We all saw what happened. Caroline Levitt on video. We all saw what took place. You defaming Alex Pretty and calling him a domestic terrorist and saying he was showing up to massacre people is the height of just the most despicable and horrific way to defame someone who you just murdered, who the ICE and Border Patrol Gestapo murdered here. Play this clip.

[B]

Officials referring to him in that way, rushing to that judgment. Danny, go ahead. Thanks, Caroline. On stage, Stephen Miller's comments.

[A]

Will Stephen Miller be apologizing to the.

[B]

Family of Alex Pretty for calling him.

[A]

Quote, an assassin who tried to murder.

[B]

Federal agents, despite the fact that, as.

[A]

You say, this is still under investigation?

[B]

Look, again, this incident remains under investigation. And nobody here at the White House, including the president of the United States, wants to see Americans hurt or killed and losing their lives in American streets. And we mourn for the parents. As a mother myself, of course, I cannot imagine the loss of life, especially losing one's child. And that same empathy from the president goes for the parents of angel families and parents of victims of illegal alien crime across our country as well. And that's exactly why the president continues to be wholeheartedly committed to deporting the worst of the worst criminals from our country.

[A]

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[B]

Play this clip with Governor Walz this morning. The president described it as respectful. He said, we seem to be on a similar wavelength. But you had strong criticism for the governor and the Minneapolis mayor, Jacob Frey just now. So could you explain the difference in tone between what the president had said in the in his True Social post and I think some of the criticisms that you, you just let me through the podium, Fran. I think the criticisms that I laid out, I'm painting the picture for all of you in this room, are what led to the moment that we are in today where Governor Wallace and President Trump are having a conversation, a constructive and productive conversation to end the chaos and the lawlessness that has taken place in Governor Walsh's state.

[A]

And again, the tone is that this is an authoritarian regime that will continue to attack Americans, that will continue to use ICE and Border Patrol Gestapo to terrorize and kill. And then when they kill someone for their First Amendment rights, their Second Amendment rights, they will then defame you and call you a domestic terrorist. Next, a reporter says to Caroline Levitt, the Department of Homeland Security posted that it looks like they wanted to do maximum damage and called them a terrorism. Why did the administration jump to conclusions without actually knowing the facts? Watch what Caroline Levitt says here. Play this clip. Thank you, Caroline. Regarding Minnesota, on Saturday, the department, Department of Homeland Security posted that preddy looks like he wanted to do maximum damage to massacre law enforcement. Stephen Miller on Saturday posted that called Pretty a would be assassin. Why did administration officials jump to conclusions before an investigation had even been conducted?

[B]

Well, look, this has obviously been a very fluid and fast moving situation throughout the weekend. As for President Trump, whom I speak for, he has said that he wants to let the investigation continue and let facts the the lead in this case.

[A]

Next, a reporter says so is the White House's position that Americans have the right to show up to these operations to film and document, or do you get killed if you show up to a protest? Play this clip.

[B]

Caroline, Is it the White House's position that Americans have the right to show up to these ICE operations and film, document or protest the law enforcement actions? All Americans have a First Amendment constitutional right, of course, but Americans do not have a constitutional right to impede and obstruct lawful immigration enforcement operations. That is actually a crime and it's something that we've seen taking place in the streets of Minneapolis, which again is leading to these dangerous circumstances that these federal law enforcement officers have been forced to work within.

[A]

Next, a reporter asks if Greg Bevina will remain in Minnesota. Let's play this clip right here.

[B]

Elena, thank you. I had a question with Homan now going to Minnesota. Is Gregory Bovino also going to remain in Minnesota overseeing these ice operations? Mr. Bovino is a wonderful man and he's a great professional. He is going to very much continue to lead customs and Border patrol throughout and across the country. Mr. Homan will be the main point of contact on the ground in Minneapolis.

[A]

Caroline Levitt then says that Donald Trump just wants the resistance to end in Minnesota. Play this clip.

[B]

It is President Trump's hope and wish and demand for the resistance and chaos to end today.

[A]

That's another reporter asks Caroline Levitt. So Kristi Noem said that Pretty committed an act of domestic terrorism. Stephen Miller called him an assassin. Does the president agree with this? Here, play this clip.

[B]

Tracing Mary. Thanks, Caroline. To follow on Gabe's question, Secretary Noem said Alex Preddy committed an act of domestic terrorism. Stephen Miller labeled Preddy a domestic terrorist. Does the president agree with that? Look, as I've said, I have not heard the President characterize Mr. Freddy in that way. However, I have heard the president say he wants to let the facts in the investigation lead itself. Was he alarmed to hear his top officials referring to him in that way? Rushing to that judge? Danny, go ahead. Thanks, Caroline.

[A]

And then Caroline Levitt lies and says that there's huge Approval ratings for ICE and Border Patrol invading cities. Let's play this clue.

[B]

Aliens of which there are still hundreds of thousands to deport from the interior of our country. The most peaceful way to carry out this vital public safety mission is for Republicans and Democrats to do it together and for state and local law enforcement to work together with federal law enforcement. We want to let cops be cops. You wouldn't know. This continues to be a very popular policy position from the biased media coverage over the course of the last few days, but polling shows huge support for this exact thing President Trump is calling for. More than 80% of Americans favor deporting illegal aliens convicted of violent crimes. A country unable to deport criminals who enter it illegally is no country at all.

[A]

You know, and she tried to be like, there's huge approval for ICE going after criminals and rapists. That's not what ICE and Border Patrol are doing. You have the worst people in this country killing the best people in this country. The Renee Nicole Goods, the Alex Prettys, the peaceful protesters. What ICE and Border Patrol Gestapo are doing is they are attacking people with no criminal records. They are rounding people up for existing. Whether you're an American citizen, whether you have black or brown skin, whether you're out there peacefully protesting people who have been living in this country for many, many years, they went after 5 year olds and 2 year olds and they use them bait for their parents. That's what they're doing. And that's why Donald Trump's net approval on immigration is like negative 35. His immigration approval is so underwater right now and Americans are livid at this. And what Caroline Levins do it there is just adding more fuel to the fire. So, yes, a little bit ago, Governor Wall said, I had a productive call with Trump earlier today. I told him we need an impartial investigation of the Minneapolis of shootings involving federal agents and that we need to reduce the number of federal agents in Minnesota. The President agreed to look into reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota and to talk to DHS about ensuring the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is able to conduct an independent investigation, as would ordinarily be the case. And then Trump posted. Governor Tim Walls called me with the request to work together. It was a good call. And we actually seemed to be on similar wavelengths. I told him that I would have Tom Holman call. I mean, here's the thing. Donald Trump's words are meaningless. Meaningless. When Donald Trump says he's going to do something, he's someone who violated contracts his whole life. His words mean nothing. His conduct is that of an authoritarian, a wannabe Putin, and I think we just need to call it out for what it is. There you have it. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe let's get to 6 million subscribers and thanks for watching. Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our substack at Midas. Plus you'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski, ad free episodes of our podcast and more exclusive content only [e-mail].