The Michael Knowles Show

Episode 1911 – "ICE Just Saved Thousands Of Missing Kids"
Air Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Michael Knowles analyzes the latest major developments in U.S. politics and culture, focusing especially on breaking news that ICE has located over 3,000 unaccompanied alien children in Minnesota as part of recent enforcement actions. The show explores political controversies involving Rep. Ilhan Omar’s comments about Trump, public outcry over the removal of Pride flags at a national monument, and broader issues relating to lawlessness, public decorum, and narrative strategy within both the Republican and Democratic parties.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. ICE Recovers Thousands of Missing Migrant Children

(00:01–18:20, 41:25–47:10)

• Headline News: ICE, led by Tom Homan, has located 3,364 missing unaccompanied alien children in Minnesota. Knowles strongly frames this as a success for Trump-era enforcement efforts and credits the change in public messaging.

• Political Messaging: Knowles notes the Democrats had dominated the narrative by portraying ICE raids as excessively harsh. The recent shift, emphasizing child rescue, reframes ICE as protectors:

  “ICE just recovered over 3,000 children who were brought in and lost under the last administration, who were probably victimized in lots of different ways… We just saved a bunch of kids while you guys were out assaulting law enforcement.”
  — Michael Knowles (41:10)

• Polling Paradox: He points to contradictory poll results — most Americans reportedly want ICE out of Minnesota, but also want mass deportations — and argues the new messaging aligns both desires by focusing on tangible child protection outcomes.

• Strategic Communication: Tom Homan’s role is highlighted as “border czar” specifically brought in for his messaging ability, not just operational acumen.

• Political Victory: Knowles hails the operation's outcome as “brilliant, brilliant shift from the White House here” (43:35), positioning Democrats as resistant to child welfare.

2. Ilhan Omar’s Controversial Comments

(04:20–15:00)

• Omar’s Charge: Knowles discusses Rep. Ilhan Omar’s accusation that Trump is linked to pedophilia via Epstein associations, and her statement, “At least in Somalia, they execute pedophiles, not elect them.”

• Knowles’ Response: He condemns her remarks as “particularly offensive” and “based on absolutely nothing,” and frames it as an insidious escalation, especially after the Trump assassination attempt:

  “This isn’t even a particularly idle threat because President Trump was nearly assassinated… Now Ilhan Omer is calling for him to be executed.”
  — Michael Knowles (10:45)

• Immigration Fraud Accusations: Knowles repeatedly alleges, as he has in the past, that Omar committed immigration fraud, and insists she “should be denaturalized and deported” due to a lack of loyalty to America:

  “She has no right to be in the United States… She’s very bad for our country. She has no serious right to be here.”
  — Michael Knowles (13:15)

3. The Squatters’ Rights Lawyer Fiasco

(18:20–31:00)

• Viral Lawyer Interview: A Maryland lawyer stumbles through a televised defense of “squatters rights” after his client occupies a $2.3 million foreclosed property; Knowles mocks the exchange as a real-life echo of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and lambasts legal rationalizations for lawlessness.

• Mockery & Broader Analogy: He draws a comparison between the lawyer’s confused defense and left-wing politicians' approach to illegal immigration:

  “When it comes to brass tacks, he’s really not arguing for anything all that different than the top Democrats in this country are.”
  — Michael Knowles (27:15)

• Lawlessness Theme: He argues that both squatters and pro-illegal immigration activists undermine societal order, contributing to national decline.

4. ICE’s Communication & Political Impact

(41:25–47:10)

• Homan’s Second Statement: Tom Homan reports the ICE operation also led to numerous arrests of “murders, sex offenders, national security threats, gang members and other violent criminals.”

• Political Contrast: Knowles contrasts the highly publicized ICE operation in Minneapolis with public discomfort, noting that Homan’s reframing is a masterstroke for the Trump campaign.

• Leadership & Messaging: Homan’s talents in both enforcement and communications are praised:

  “If I were running for office, I’d want to hire that guy to be my communications director.”
  — Michael Knowles (46:30)

5. Immigration Rhetoric: Then and Now

(47:10–54:00)

• Old Joe Biden Clip: Knowles plays and comments on a segment from an earlier Biden TV appearance where Biden supported strict immigration enforcement and English proficiency requirements.

• Hypocrisy & Gaslighting: Knowles uses the clip to highlight what he sees as Democrat duplicity:

  “Don’t let them gaslight you into thinking that the right is extreme in any way on immigration.”
  — Michael Knowles (52:35)

• Redefining Extremism: He argues that upholding the law is now portrayed as extreme, while Democrats have “shifted the Overton Window.”

6. Decorum & “Degradation” in Congress

(54:00–01:03:30)

• Rep. Becca Balint’s Outburst: Knowles recaps the heated congressional exchange between Rep. Becca Balint and AG Pam Bondi, mocking Balint’s emotional response as “hysteria” and unfit for governance.

• Virtue, Decorum, and Leadership: He contends that lack of education, patience, and composure among lawmakers reflects a more pervasive social decline:

  “You cannot have a good country if your leaders lack intelligence, knowledge, virtue and decorum. And decorum, too.”
  — Michael Knowles (01:02:15)

7. Pride Flag and Stonewall National Monument Controversy

(01:03:30–01:09:40)

• Zoran Mamdani’s Outrage: New York State Rep. Mamdani protests the removal of a pride flag from Stonewall National Monument; Knowles dismisses both the flag and the monument, calling Stonewall “a filthy, truly degenerate, disease-ridden mafia-run bar.”

• Critique of Monument Culture: Knowles argues liberals are selective, defending only leftist monuments while tearing down “all the men who built this country.”

• Conservative Standard: He advocates for “pruning” national commemorations to venerate only genuinely worthy figures:

  “The real question is, who’s worthy of a statue? Who’s worthy of a monument? Who’s worthy of venerating as a political matter?”
  — Michael Knowles (01:08:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On ICE’s success and narrative framing:

  • “This is the culmination of President Trump's phone call to Tim Walz... This is a masterful shift in communication.” (44:05)

• On Ilhan Omar:

  • “How much more are we going to put up with from this woman? Plausibly, you could denaturalize and deport her... And she's not gonna stop.” (13:15)

• On “Squatters Rights” logic:

  • “There's not a particular squatters right, but there's an idea of it, you know…” (Squatters lawyer, paraphrased at 27:50)
  • “He's really not arguing for anything all that different than the top Democrats in this country are.” (27:15)

• On Congress’s lack of decorum:

  • “You cannot have a good country if your leaders lack intelligence, knowledge, virtue and decorum.” (01:02:15)

• On monument politics:

  • “The real debate is not between do we tear down the statues or do we keep up all the statues. The real question is who's worthy of a statue?” (01:08:05)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:01: Opening remarks, ICE operation news headline
• 04:20: Ilhan Omar’s accusations and Knowles’ response
• 10:45: Trump assassination attempt context & deportation argument
• 18:20: Maryland squatters lawyer debacle & viral interview
• 27:15: Connection to illegal immigration debate
• 41:10: Tom Homan's press conference: ICE’s child rescue operation
• 46:30: Homan’s success as enforcement chief & communicator
• 47:10: Biden’s legacy views on immigration; media gaslighting
• 54:00: Congressional decorum, Becca Balint vs. Pam Bondi
• 01:03:30: Stonewall Pride flag removal & monument politics
• 01:08:05: Concluding remarks on standards, monuments, and future episode tease

Tone and Style

The language throughout is sharply partisan, often sardonic, and merges pop culture references (e.g., “Always Sunny” and “Charlie Kelly, Esquire”) with political commentary. Knowles frequently uses rhetorical questions and direct address, intending to provoke and support his largely conservative audience.

Conclusion

This episode is a fast-paced, combative review of the day’s top political stories from a firmly right-wing perspective. Whether discussing ICE’s high-profile child recoveries, the excesses of political opponents, or the symbolism of national monuments, Knowles consistently frames contemporary disputes as existential struggles over narrative, legitimacy, and American identity.