The NPR Politics Podcast — Detailed Summary
Episode: Most Americans say ICE has ‘gone too far’ in new poll
Date: February 5, 2026
Hosts:
- Tamara Keith (B) — White House Correspondent
- Ashley Lopez (C) — Politics Reporter
- Domenico Montanaro (A) — Senior Political Editor & Correspondent
Main Theme
This episode centers on the findings of a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll indicating that a significant and growing majority of Americans believe Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has “gone too far” in its recent tactics. The hosts dissect the numbers, discuss voter reaction across key demographics (Independents, Latino voters, Republicans), and analyze how these views are shifting the broader political environment, particularly as it affects President Trump and the 2026 agenda.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Surge in Concern Over ICE Tactics
- Poll Highlight: 65% of Americans now say ICE has “gone too far,” up 11 points since last summer.
"The 65% in this poll who say that ICE has gone too far is up 11 points since last summer." — Domenico Montanaro (A), 01:07
- Recent incidents, especially two American citizens killed in Minnesota, have catalyzed this opinion shift.
- Biggest movement: Independents (now 71%) and Democrats (93%) — both up by double digits; Republicans largely unmoved.
2. Impact on Independent and Swing Voters
- Independent and swing voters typically approve “closing the border,” but recent events and increased attention on aggressive ICE tactics, not just border policy, are driving their disapproval.
"If Trump had just sort of stayed focused on the border, this would be a different conversation. But it’s all this extra stuff that's been going on..." — Ashley Lopez (C), 01:44
- Trump’s frustration stems from the narrative shifting away from border issues to ICE’s conduct.
"It irritates Trump, too, that...the narrative has gone toward ICE's tactics rather than talking about the border." — Domenico Montanaro (A), 02:14
3. Latino Voter Sentiment
- Latino support for Trump has sharply declined in tandem with ICE’s aggressive tactics.
- Only 38% of Latino voters now approve of Trump’s performance, down from a record-high 46% in 2024 exit polls.
- 70% of Latinos disapprove of ICE’s current enforcement.
"Latino voters have really soured on President Trump... only 38% in this poll approve of the job that Trump is doing." — Domenico Montanaro (A), 02:43
- Loss of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for many immigrants is compounding Latino frustration — even among those who are citizens, due to mixed-status family realities.
"A lot of, like, immigrants from different countries have lost their temporary protected status... that has really frustrated a lot of Latino voters..." — Ashley Lopez (C), 03:37
4. Republican Base Remains Solid
- Trump’s core base of Republican voters remains steadfast (“diamond slice”).
- 85% approve of Trump’s job performance;
- 80% approve of his economic leadership;
- 77% think ICE is making Americans safer, with 52% saying “much more safe.”
"Is there something stronger than titanium? Is it like diamond, maybe? I feel like it’s like a diamond slice of the pie." — Domenico Montanaro (A), 05:12
- Polarization is stark: majorities of Democrats and Independents stand in strong opposition on these questions.
"This is polarization at work." — Tamara Keith (B), 06:02 "Trump’s base is as locked in as it can be... it's not about economic anxiety. It's not about ICE's tactics. It's about culture." — Domenico Montanaro (A), 06:04
5. Tribalism and Republican “Identity”
- Among Republicans, there is an “identity” stake in supporting Trump regardless of actions.
"...you have to basically defend him because you're defending yourself... it is a really hard habit to break." — Ashley Lopez (C), 06:50
- The Trump coalition, however, is “fraying” among key groups: Independents, Latinos, and voters under 30 who once helped him over the finish line in 2024 due to economic anxiety.
6. Public Perception of Protesters
- Nearly 60% believe ICE demonstrations are “mostly legitimate”;
- 85% of Democrats and 65% of Independents hold this view;
- 75% of Republicans see protesters as “mostly acting unlawfully.”
"Almost six in ten said that the demonstrations are mostly legitimate...85% of Democrats...65% of independents...75% of Republicans say these are people mostly acting unlawfully." — Domenico Montanaro (A), 08:16
7. President Trump’s Overall Approval
- Trump’s approval is at a low: only 39%, and consistently under 40% since November.
"He’s not doing well. 39% approve of the job that Trump is doing." — Domenico Montanaro (A), 10:31
8. The Centrality of The Economy
- Top Issues (per the poll):
- 54% say “lowering prices” should be Trump’s driving priority.
- Only 22% prioritize controlling immigration.
- This split is even more dramatic among Democrats and Independents.
"...lowering prices still continues to be the thing that people say should be the Trump administration's top priority right now." — Domenico Montanaro (A), 11:11
- Even Trump’s economic policies (notably tariffs) are unpopular—56% believe tariffs hurt the economy (59% disapprove of his economic stewardship).
- Chaotic foreign and domestic events are increasing economic anxiety among swing and independent voters.
"A lot of independent voters...wanted to see lower prices, and they’re not seeing that. Their material reality has not changed." — Ashley Lopez (C), 12:26 "When he does work on the economy, his policies are not popular." — Domenico Montanaro (A), 13:25
9. Foreign Policy (Greenland, Venezuela, NATO, Iran)
- 56% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s foreign policy.
- Greenland: 2/3 of the public oppose Trump’s efforts regarding Greenland, but nearly 70% of Republicans support it.
- NATO: 56% have a favorable view; 2/3 believe the U.S. benefits from the alliance.
- Military Action: 72% believe the president should consult Congress before using the military; Republicans again are the outlier group.
"56% of people disapprove of the job he's doing on foreign policy." — Domenico Montanaro (A), 14:27
- Independents feel “whiplash” — many supported Trump believing he’d be less interventionist, but recent actions suggest otherwise.
"I thought we would be less involved in sort of foreign affairs in Trump 2.0. And it seems right now like the opposite is happening." — Ashley Lopez (C), 15:13
10. Messaging, White House Response, and Political Strategy
- The White House is aware of these negative trends—Trump has publicly floated “toning things down” on immigration, and his border czar just withdrew 700 ICE agents from Minnesota.
"I learned that maybe we can use a little bit of a softer touch, but you still have to be tough." — Domenico Montanaro, quoting Trump (A), 17:19
- Trump intends to increase economic messaging and travel, but struggles for focus.
"He talks a lot about how he has no regard for the teleprompter...what it means is that it’s really hard to tell that he’s focusing on the economy." — Tamara Keith (B), 17:44
- The chaos that once insulated Trump now hinders clear economic messaging, especially with public violence dominating headlines.
"The chaos has also been kind of the Teflon for the president...But it is a problem when you’re trying to message...when people are being shot in an American city." — Ashley Lopez (C), 18:21
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On polarization:
"This is polarization at work." — Tamara Keith (B), 06:02
- On Republican base:
"Trump’s base is as locked in as it can be... it's not about economic anxiety. It's not about ICE's tactics. It's about culture." — Domenico Montanaro (A), 06:04
- On the “diamond slice” of Trump’s base:
“Is there something stronger than titanium?...Maybe we'll call it that. It's not a gold leaf slice of pie, because that can chip off. But diamond doesn't, right?" — Domenico Montanaro (A), 05:12
- On Latino family complexity and shifting support:
"These are families that have mixed status... someone has temporary protected status and they're a voter because they were born here." — Ashley Lopez (C), 03:37
- On chaos undermining messaging:
"When people are being shot in an American city, it is harder to talk about kitchen table issues." — Ashley Lopez (C), 18:21
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 01:07 — Poll overview and the surge in concerns over ICE
- 02:14 — Narrative shift from border control to ICE tactics
- 03:37 — How loss of TPS and ICE’s tactics are alienating Latinos
- 04:57 — Unshakable support among Republicans
- 08:16 — Public perception of ICE protesters
- 10:31 — Trump’s sagging approval numbers
- 11:11 — Voters’ top priorities: economy vs. immigration
- 12:26 — Focus group feedback on economic anxiety
- 13:25 — Tariff policies are unpopular
- 14:27 — Foreign policy, NATO, Greenland, Venezuela
- 17:19 — White House response: softening ICE tactics
- 17:44 — Challenges with economic messaging amid chaos
- 18:21 — How chaos now works against, not for, Trump
Conclusion
The episode reveals an inflection point in public opinion regarding ICE and, by extension, President Trump’s policies; the administration faces eroding support among Independents and Latinos, while his Republican base remains largely unmoved. Economic discontent overshadows immigration as the public’s top concern, but Trump’s messaging and political strategy are hampered by negative headlines and chaotic events. The poll signals not only polarization, but also the potential for shifting coalitions — and underscores the limits of “culture war” and law-and-order messages when anxiety over pocketbook issues grows.
(This summary is designed as a comprehensive resource for those who haven’t listened to the episode. All timestamps refer to the actual content; non-content and promotional sections are omitted.)