The NPR Politics Podcast

Episode: Minnesota shooting blurs political lines around guns
Date: January 29, 2026
Host(s): Tamara Keith, Mara Liasson
Guest: Odette Youssef, Domestic Extremism Correspondent

Overview

This episode delves into the fallout from the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis and how it has upended traditional political divisions around gun rights. The discussion explores shifting patterns of gun ownership—particularly among left-leaning and marginalized communities—presidential and advocacy group responses, and the broader implications for public safety, law enforcement policy, and U.S. political dynamics as a tense government funding fight unfolds in Congress.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gun Ownership Patterns in Minneapolis

• Changing Demographics:

  • In Minneapolis, gun ownership has expanded dramatically since the killing of George Floyd in 2020. Marginalized and left-leaning populations, including LGBTQ and communities of color, have increasingly sought firearms for self-protection.
  • Odette Youssef highlights her reporting with “Security,” an organization offering firearm training to nontraditional clients uncomfortable in conventional gun culture settings.

    “There are specific circumstances in Minneapolis...a mix in terms of who's got permits to carry, who owns firearms...non-traditional clients...were dealing with a surge of interest.” – Odette Youssef [01:23]

• Catalysts for Change:

  • The aftermath of the George Floyd protests saw neighborhoods abandoned by police, motivating residents to take security into their own hands.

    “The killing and unrest that followed fundamentally changed how many residents in Minneapolis look at law enforcement...” – Odette Youssef [02:42]

• Reluctant Gun Owners:

  • Many new firearm owners are “reluctant,” training with mixed feelings as they balance safety concerns and discomfort with guns.

2. Broader Trends and Motivations

• While data on nationwide trends are unclear, the perception of increased personal risk—especially amid polarizing politics—has led more left-leaning Americans, particularly those fearing targeted violence, to acquire firearms.

  “Because of the rhetoric that surrounded trans identity...they felt that it was actually imprudent to not have a firearm and know how to use it.” – Odette Youssef [05:17]

3. Political Response to the Shooting

• President Trump’s Statement:

  • Trump criticized Preddy for carrying a loaded weapon, despite Preddy having a legal permit.

    “I don't like the fact that he was carrying a gun that was fully loaded and he had two magazines with him...the bottom line, it was terrible.” – President Trump [06:54]

• Break with NRA & Traditional Allies:

  • This stance drew sharp pushback from gun rights groups (NRA, Gun Owners of America, National Association for Gun Rights), who emphasized the constitutional right to bear arms regardless of political context or identity.

    “If you are lawfully carrying a gun where you have a legal right to be, that's your constitutional right.” – Paraphrased by Odette Youssef [08:09]
    “...the characterization that some administration officials have had around the apparent two loaded magazines...they call it standard.” – Odette Youssef [08:09]

• Right-Wing Double Standards:

  • The panel notes the inconsistent political standard, contrasting the outcry over Preddy’s firearm with the right’s defense of other armed individuals like Kyle Rittenhouse.

    “There's no pretense to consistency here...if your side is carrying a gun that's justified and if the other side's guy is carrying a gun, that's unjustified.” – Mara Liasson [07:25]

4. Law Enforcement Use-of-Force Standards

• DHS vs. DOJ Policies:
  • DHS currently adheres to the constitutional “reasonableness” standard for deadly force. Under President Biden, DHS briefly introduced internal standards prioritizing sanctity of human life, now seemingly abandoned under Trump.
  • DOJ agencies, by contrast, maintain stricter standards—officers must have “no safe alternative” before using deadly force, a policy instituted after the 1992 Ruby Ridge incident.

    “DOJ...required that officers need to have had no safe alternative to deadly force...but...the Department of Homeland Security...different standard.” – Odette Youssef [12:56]

5. Broader Political Implications

• Chaos and Political Strategy:

  • Mara Liasson links the current situation to broader trends in political strategy, suggesting that provoking fear and chaos may serve political ends, especially in immigration enforcement.

    “Causing chaos is part of the program that Donald Trump wants to encourage people to self deport. They want them scared. This is what you hear from his critics.” – Mara Liasson [15:07]

• Congress and Funding Standoff:

  • Democrats are holding up DHS funding, demanding changes in ICE operations and use-of-force policies. There’s speculation about possible standards reforms if public sentiment and political calculus shift.

    “That would depend on if the administration feels it's in their political interest to change them...chaos is the enemy of the party in power in a midterm election.” – Mara Liasson [16:32]

6. Social Consequences and Further Polarization

• Increasingly heavy-handed enforcement is seen as exacerbating polarization and radicalization, failing to bring Americans together and potentially increasing risk of violence.

  “This approach...there's bipartisan agreement that it is heavy handed...is further pushing people apart and further radicalizing people. And I'm very worried...” – Odette Youssef [17:37]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Odette Youssef on reluctant gun ownership:

  “They do not want to have to take their safety to that degree upon themselves. But because they have lost faith in institutions of law enforcement...they have felt pushed to do this.” [05:17]

• Mara Liasson on political double standards:

  “Everything is domestic terrorist versus patriot...it really doesn't matter if your side is carrying a gun that's justified and if the other side's guy is carrying a gun, that's unjustified.” [07:25]

• Odette Youssef on national gun owner pushback:

  “We've seen statements from the NRA and Gun Owners of America...if you are lawfully carrying a gun...that's your constitutional right.” [08:09]

• Mara Liasson on chaos and political calculus:

  “Causing chaos is part of the program...They want them scared. This is what you hear from his critics.” [15:07]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:46–02:33: Introduction to shifting gun ownership patterns in Minneapolis
• 02:42–03:55: Impact of George Floyd protests on community views of law enforcement
• 05:07–06:34: Personal stories of reluctant, marginalized gun owners
• 06:54–08:09: Trump’s response and NRA backlash
• 11:29–14:53: Overview of DHS vs. DOJ use-of-force policies and historical context (Ruby Ridge)
• 15:07–16:32: Political strategy, chaos, and public opinion on ICE operations
• 17:37–18:34: Expert reflection on risks of increased polarization due to enforcement tactics

Conclusion

This episode provides a nuanced look at how the boundaries around gun rights are shifting—both politically and culturally—after the Minneapolis shooting. It highlights how fear, distrust in law enforcement, and evolving social dynamics are prompting new populations to arm themselves, and how political rhetoric and policy (or lack thereof) further complicate an already fraught national conversation about guns, safety, and accountability.