The NPR Politics Podcast — January 28, 2026

Episode Title: Internal review contradicts Trump administration on Alex Pretti shooting
Hosts: Tamara Keith, Ximena Bustillo, Domenico Montanaro

Episode Overview

In this episode, NPR’s political team discusses the fallout from the recent fatal shooting of Alex Preddy by immigration agents in Minneapolis. The conversation focuses on an internal review from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that contradicts the Trump administration’s public statements about the incident. The episode also examines the broader political and policy implications, including reactions within the administration, congressional oversight efforts, and the evolving landscape of both illegal and legal immigration under the Trump administration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Contradictions Between Internal Review and Administration Narrative

Timestamps: 00:32–05:36

• Immediately following Alex Preddy’s shooting, senior government officials, including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, labeled Preddy a domestic terrorist intending to kill law enforcement.
• CBP’s internal review, required because Preddy was categorized as a "death in custody," tells a different story that aligns with social media video and court testimony.
  • Agents first encountered two women using warning whistles—commonly used by neighborhood observers—forcing them to move from the street.
  • Only afterward did agents notice Alex Preddy, which led to a rapidly escalating struggle.
  • During the struggle, agents shouted about a possible gun, and mere seconds later shots were fired. Preddy did have a gun permit.
• The review makes no mention of Preddy "brandishing" a weapon or having malicious intent from the outset, undermining administration claims.

Notable Quote:

“There is no brandishing mentioned in that review.”
— Tamara Keith (03:35)

2. DHS Response vs. Review Findings

Timestamps: 02:29–04:52

• DHS Secretary Kristi Noem doubled down on the initial terrorism narrative at a FEMA press conference.
  • Noem insisted Preddy attacked officers with a gun and "dozens of rounds of ammunition."
  • When pressed, she repeated that Preddy "impeded law enforcement officers and attacked them."
  • The CBP review contradicts these assertions.
• The hosts note that the review’s findings, based on agent body camera footage, suggest much less premeditation and intent by Preddy than the administration claimed.

Notable Quote:

“When you perpetuate violence against a government because of ideological reasons that is the definition of domestic terrorism… That’s the facts.”
— Kristi Noem (04:31)
Host Response:
"Domestic terrorism. That is not the facts as ultimately described by her own department."
— Tamara Keith (04:52)

3. Political Fallout and Oversight Pressure

Timestamps: 05:36–09:54

• The disconnect between the DHS narrative and internal review is damaging the administration’s credibility—moderate Republicans and Democrats alike are critical of DHS Secretary Noem.
  • Calls for Noem’s resignation from GOP Senator Thom Tillis and loss of support from Senator Lisa Murkowski.
• Congressional oversight—absent much of the previous year—is ramping up with both Republican-led and Democratic requests for hearings with immigration officials and Noem.
  • Republican chairs now leading the charge give these hearings new weight.

Notable Quote:

“It has a lot of consequences for the administration’s credibility… [some moderate Republicans] said she should be out of a job.”
— Domenico Montanaro (05:46)

4. Messaging vs. Policy Shift in the Trump Administration

Timestamps: 08:05–11:10

• Domenico highlights Trump’s media appearances in Iowa, noting Trump distanced himself from embattled officials like Greg Bovino but did not address Minnesota events or enforcement details.
• Tom Homan, Trump’s chosen border czar, is being repositioned in Minneapolis to shift perceptions.
• Despite these moves, Ximena underscores there has been no actual policy shift—mass deportation efforts, increased enforcement in Minneapolis, and rollbacks for legal protections continue nationwide.

Notable Quote:

“There is no reason to believe that this is a policy shift... There is still going to be a mass deportation agenda that has not changed on the ground.”
— Ximena Bustillo (09:54)

5. Tighter Restrictions on Legal Immigration

Timestamps: 12:29–15:59

• The Trump administration is not just targeting illegal immigration but is also curtailing legal immigration routes.
• Ximena attended several naturalization ceremonies; new citizens cite relief and a desire for civic participation, but also anxiety about growing barriers and the possibility of "denaturalization."
  • Increased scrutiny, delayed approvals, tougher tests, and cancelled ceremonies are becoming more common.

Notable Quotes:

“I’ve always felt like I belonged here, but there was something missing. And I feel like this was the key that was missing and it’s finally here.”
— Ashley Lazama Moreno (13:40, paraphrased)
“For a lot of people, it’s a huge relief because they feel like all that work and effort and sacrifice... has paid off. And I don’t think a lot of people ever really thought about citizenship potentially being stripped from people.”
— Domenico Montanaro (15:18)

6. Rise of Denaturalization and Rhetoric on Citizenship

Timestamps: 16:03–17:49

• "Denaturalization"—stripping naturalized citizens of their citizenship—is being discussed at higher administrative levels, though it’s still rare and legally difficult.
• Policies include pausing asylum processing, cancelling temporary protected status, and additional screening for legal immigrants.
• Domenico argues Trump intends to "redefine who is American," moving away from the "melting pot" ideal.

Notable Quote:

“Trump is really trying to set out and say, no, no, no, this is what America is. And if you’re not willing to assimilate ... then he doesn’t want you here.”
— Domenico Montanaro (17:05)

7. Threats and Violence—The Political Climate

Timestamps: 17:49–20:08

• Trump’s harsh immigration rhetoric continues, with increased attacks on public figures such as Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
• Omar was recently assaulted at a town hall event in Minneapolis.
• The team discusses how toxic political language might incite or embolden fringe actors.

Notable Quote:

“Experts warn [this rhetoric] could push people who are at the fringes to do kind of extreme things, like we saw yesterday.”
— Domenico Montanaro (18:37)

8. Newly Naturalized Citizens React

Timestamps: 19:40–20:08

• New citizens express both relief at achieving citizenship and eagerness to participate in U.S. democracy, especially by voting.

Notable Quote:

“I think the words, safety and civic engagement came out a lot... excited to finally be able to cast that ballot ahead of the midterms.”
— Ximena Bustillo (19:40)

Memorable Quotes & Moments (Chronological Order)

• “There is no brandishing mentioned in that review.”
  — Tamara Keith (03:35)
• “Domestic terrorism. That is not the facts as ultimately described by her own department.”
  — Tamara Keith (04:52)
• “It has a lot of consequences for the administration’s credibility…”
  — Domenico Montanaro (05:46)
• “There is no reason to believe that this is a policy shift... There is still going to be a mass deportation agenda that has not changed on the ground.”
  — Ximena Bustillo (09:54)
• “For a lot of people, it’s a huge relief… [but] I don’t think a lot of people ever really thought about citizenship potentially being stripped from people.”
  — Domenico Montanaro (15:18)
• “Trump is really trying to set out and say, no, no, no, this is what America is.”
  — Domenico Montanaro (17:05)
• “Experts warn [this rhetoric] could push people who are at the fringes to do kind of extreme things, like we saw yesterday.”
  — Domenico Montanaro (18:37)

Structure — Important Segments with Approximate Timestamps

• Introduction, setting the stage: 00:19–01:11
• CBP’s internal review vs. DHS narrative: 01:11–05:36
• Political blowback & need for oversight: 05:36–08:05
• Messaging vs. policy realities: 08:05–11:10
• Broader move against legal immigration: 12:29–15:59
• Denaturalization & redefinition of who’s American: 16:03–17:49
• Political violence and civic engagement: 17:49–20:08

Takeaways for Listeners

• The administration’s quick labeling of the Minneapolis shooting as "domestic terrorism" is contradicted by its own internal review, raising serious credibility issues.
• The Trump administration’s rhetoric on immigration, from enforcement tactics to naturalization, is under sharper scrutiny by Congress and is prompting both internal and external political backlash.
• New efforts to restrict legal immigration and threats of "denaturalization" illustrate a narrowing definition of who is welcome as American.
• Rhetoric has real-world consequences, adding tension to an already volatile political climate and potentially making the U.S. feel less secure—even to newly naturalized citizens.

Hosts:

• Tamara Keith (White House reporter)
• Ximena Bustillo (Immigration policy reporter)
• Domenico Montanaro (Senior political editor and correspondent)

For more insights and the latest developments, listen to The NPR Politics Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.