The Next Level Podcast – Ep. 1056: "Trump’s DHS Is Eating Itself Alive"

Hosts: Jonathan V. Last (JVL), Sarah Longwell
Date: February 14, 2026

Overview

This episode of The Next Level captures Sarah Longwell and JVL’s signature blend of political analysis and candid banter, taking listeners through the inner chaos at Trump’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the recent ICE developments in Minneapolis, and broader reflections on protest movements and the future of political opposition. The conversation is peppered with personal anecdotes, discussion of media narratives, and critiques of both Republican and Democratic strategies in the current political climate.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reflections on Media Perception and Audience Growth

[01:37–09:05]

• The hosts begin with self-referential banter about the Sam Harris podcast episode in which Sarah and Tim participated. JVL jokes about his own media exposure versus Sarah and Tim’s.
• Discussion about misconceptions from newer listeners/readers about their stance toward the Republican Party.
  • Quote:
    "My favorite thing that drives me crazy about you is when I see people say, 'Sarah can't wait to go running back to voting for Republicans again.'"
    — JVL [05:24]
• Sarah stresses the tangible work she’s done fighting Trumpism, countering listener claims: "I have spent over $100 million, okay, trying to defeat Republicans in actual elections for the last 10 years. Like, what are you talking about?" [05:35]
• Both hosts agree the growth in audience means many may not know their background or long-standing opposition to the GOP’s turn under Trump.

2. The Sam Harris Episode & Personal Dynamics

[03:41–09:09]

• Sarah describes the experience of being interviewed by Sam Harris and delving into the origins of her partnership with Tim Miller and the formation of the podcast.
• Lighthearted conversation about the "best friends" running joke, AI’s characterization of their relationships, and the challenges of working closely for years.

3. ICE, Minneapolis, and Protest Movements

[09:28–14:55]

• The hosts gear up for their upcoming live events in Minneapolis, expressing solidarity and admiration for the community’s resistance against harsh ICE tactics.
• JVL voices concern over media neglect: "I have felt that the media has been doing that since Homan was put in charge and Buffino was demoted." [10:58]
• Sarah contrasts typical Democratic organizing energy with the intensity required in crisis, recounting her outburst:
  • Quote:
    "Republicans are over here being straight up mercenaries. Democrats give everybody Fridays off and talk about work life balance...Democrats are not built for when the fascists come."
    — Sarah Longwell [12:11]
• Both hosts agree that while activists in Minneapolis set a high standard, the broader party and supporting organizations need to match this commitment.

4. Implications for Trump’s Political Ambitions

[14:17–15:55]

• Sarah suggests that backlash to ICE’s visible overreach in Minneapolis could harm Trump’s plans to use federal agents as a tool to intimidate voters in 2026.
  • "To me is a big knock on Trump's ambitions to use his private army to chill the elections in 2026." — Sarah [14:55]
• They debate whether the apparent pullback is a strategic retreat by Trump's team to reduce public anger, or simply a pause before renewed escalation closer to the election.

5. Wall Street Journal Exposé and the Chaos Within DHS

[15:55–22:17]

• JVL introduces the Wall Street Journal’s “huge takeout on Kristi Noem,” reading it as an internal attack sourced from Team Homan:
  • Quote:
    "It is. I mean, this is an absolute dump of everything that everybody inside DHS is seeing."
    — JVL [16:34]
• Details emerge about Corey Lewandowski’s rule-dodging (manipulating entry badges to skirt work limits) and the internal battles within DHS.
• Sarah and JVL dissect the difference between overt, “clownish” authoritarianism (Lewandowski, Noem) and more professional but equally dangerous tactics (Homan).
  • Quote:
    "Having people who are obviously clowns that the American people can see the overreach and experience it...is better than having it done out of sight."
    — Sarah Longwell [20:07]
  • They caution that "under the radar" repression, as preferred by Homan, may be even more dangerous as it evades public scrutiny.

6. The Importance and Dangers of Documentation

[22:17–24:56]

• Citing Will Stancil's recent appearance, JVL underscores the vital role of citizen documentation of ICE actions:
  • Quote:
    "If you can't get that person's name, then they're just gone. This is like being in...a European country in the 1930s. Right. And the secret police show up and grab somebody. There is no paper trail."
    — JVL [22:55]
• Sarah adds the historical analogy:
  • "We are not making a comparison to [the Holocaust]; we are making a comparison to how it started...the part that everyone tolerated, the part that everyone let happen because they were being slow walked into it and the people that it was happening to didn't concern them at first." [24:09]

7. Internal Chaos and Survival of Trump Loyalists

[24:56–27:55]

• Sarah analyzes whether Kristi Noem (and others embroiled in scandal) can survive within Trump’s administration, arguing Trump values loyalty above all, and public humiliation does not necessarily spell political demise.
  • "I think that the answer tends to come down to whether or not they themselves can absorb the humiliation and not whether or not Trump will do something about it." [25:15]
• They reference other officials, including Pam Bondi and Lutnick, to emphasize that as long as unwavering loyalty remains, Trump likely won’t dismiss even the most embarrassing figures.

8. Closing Thoughts: Optimism, Organizing & Community

[27:55–29:07]

• JVL raises some positive polling on the public missing Joe Biden’s economy. The hosts share optimism that public opinion may pivot in the coming election cycle.
• Encouragement for listeners to join the Bulwark Plus community, with Sarah highlighting their nonprofit initiatives:
  • "We're doing two sold out shows. We're giving all the proceeds away to a charity. And you know why we can do that? Because you guys pay to subscribe to this." — Sarah [28:45]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• JVL on audience misconceptions:
  "Have you listened to her? Do you understand the contempt she has for this entire party and its voters?" [05:25]

• Sarah on activism:
  "For every 26 year old who works at a lefty nonprofit, you owe it to [the protesters], actually. Like, that's, that's the energy everybody has to bring. That's what you do when the fascists come." [13:40]

• On the state of DHS:
  "We have these, these rules and laws which are in place for reasons and they're just disregarded and once they're disregarded, like they're just gone." — JVL [17:14]

• On documentation and “quiet” repression:
  "If Homan is able to do that more under the radar, that's bad. And it will require actually more citizen action in order to document this stuff, because the Democratic Party does not yet have the power to exercise oversight and may not..." — JVL [23:13]

• On what people tolerated in the 1930s:
  "We're not making a comparison to [where the 1930s ended]. We are making a comparison to how it started, which is like, the part that everyone tolerated, the part that everyone let happen because they were being slow walked into it and the people that it was happening to didn't concern them at first." — Sarah Longwell [24:09]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:37] – Show Start; banter about Sam Harris podcast and media exposure
• [04:52] – Listener misconceptions about their political allegiances
• [09:28] – Minneapolis protests, ICE, and media attention
• [12:05] – "Democrats are not built for when the fascists come" (Sarah’s rant)
• [15:55] – Wall Street Journal exposé on Kristi Noem and DHS infighting
• [20:07] – Dangers of clownishness vs. quiet authoritarianism
• [22:17] – Citizen documentation and the legacy of secret police
• [24:56] – Will loyalty or scandal take down Trump appointees?
• [27:55] – Positive polling trends, Bulwark community support

Tone

The conversation is lively, impassioned, and at times darkly humorous. Sarah and JVL weave personal stories and political analysis, maintaining a candid and often self-deprecating tone even as they dissect sobering developments.

Summary Takeaway

This episode provides an unvarnished look at the current U.S. political crisis, focusing on the brutal realities and unintended consequences of Trump’s DHS. Through smart banter and incisive critique, Sarah and JVL highlight the stakes for Americans under rising authoritarianism, challenge both listeners and political actors to rise to the moment, and emphasize the importance of vigilance, documentation, and grassroots action when democratic norms are eroding.