Podcast Summary: The Tony Kinnett Cast – Ep. 478

Title: Tim Walz Threatens Insurrection as DOJ Prepares Indictment, Iran in Revolution
Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Tony Kinnett
Guest: Kurt Schlichter (Townhall.com columnist)
Production: The Daily Signal

Episode Overview

In this high-energy episode of The Tony Kinnett Cast, host Tony Kinnett dives into two escalating situations: 1) the fallout after a controversial police shooting in Minneapolis and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's incendiary response, and 2) the ongoing revolution in Iran. The episode explores state-federal legal conflicts, left-wing protest tactics, federal law enforcement controversies, media narratives, political hypocrisy, and the wider implications for U.S. politics and foreign policy.

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1️⃣ The Minneapolis Shooting & Tim Walz’s Insurrection Rhetoric

• Background: An ICE agent shot and killed a protester (Renee Good) in Minneapolis during an immigration operation.
• Governor Tim Walz’s Response: Walz has called for the Minnesota National Guard to potentially be deployed against “rogue ICE agents”, raising concerns of sedition or insurrection against federal law (00:06–01:49).
  • “Now, a genuine actual case of sedition and insurrection requires two specific things...to call for others to rebel against the United States or to subvert the legal processes carried out in this country.” — Tony Kinnett (00:06)
  • “We have never been at war with our federal government.” — Gov. Tim Walz (01:36)
• Intention to Use the National Guard in Schools: Walz floated deploying the Guard to protect schools and teachers from ICE, referencing historic civil rights interventions but in the context of resisting federal law (02:17–02:44).
• Legal Analysis: Kinnett argues Walz’s rhetoric constitutes insurrection and sedition as it directly opposes federal authority.
  • “You cannot violate federal law. And it is insurrection to order the police or the National Guard to rebel against federal law.” — Tony Kinnett (02:44)

2️⃣ Chaos, Protests & Media Narratives in Minneapolis

• School Closures & Protests: Many Minneapolis schools and childcare centers were closed amidst unrest and rumors, attributed to “risk” from ICE operations (03:35+).
• Rioting and Law Breaking: Kinnett critiques the protest tactics, mockingly referring to some protestors’ behavior as attention-seeking and lawless (07:06–09:20).
  • “Jumping in front of vehicles—not the smartest thing to do, apparently.” — Tony Kinnett (07:40)
• Media Roles & Legal Observer Claims: Skepticism at claims that participants—like Renee Good—were merely “legal observers” (10:02–10:44).
• Propaganda and “Cheap Fakes”: Media figures (e.g., Brian Stelter) called video evidence “cheap fakes.” Kinnett calls out perceived hypocrisy, contrasting media stories against available video footage (20:06–21:35).
  • “Now the old adage, ‘what you see is what you believe,’ feels outdated. In this era, what you believe is what you’ll see.” — Tony Kinnett paraphrasing Brian Stelter (20:12)

3️⃣ Right to Self-Defense & Eyewitness Contradictions

• Breakdown of the Shooting: Details are rehashed, with Kinnett and guest Michael Knowles insisting that police were justified in their use of force and that Good was breaking the law by actively blocking officers and later allegedly driving her vehicle at law enforcement (23:52–24:13).
  • “You cannot impede law enforcement at the local level, at the state level or the federal level.”— Tony Kinnett (24:13)
• Media vs. Video Footage: Kinnett disputes media/witness claims that ICE only told her to “move”, insisting actual video shows officers acting lawfully and with patience (24:27–25:31).

4️⃣ State vs. Federal Authority, Legal Consequences for Walz

• Kurt Schlichter Analysis: “To threaten to deploy the Minnesota National Guard against federal law enforcement violates the laws on sedition and insurrection.” — Kurt Schlichter (32:05)
  • Discussion of legal precedent and federal control over the National Guard in such cases (e.g., Eisenhower in the South).
• Political Theater and Rhetoric: Both mock Walz as “General Leotard” and lampoon the Civil War analogies; discuss Democrats’ historical resistance to federal authority in civil rights cases (31:11–32:43).

5️⃣ Media and Politician Reactions: Polarization and Incitement

• Democratic Officials: Minneapolis officials, including Attorney General Keith Ellison, are accused of prejudging the incident and stoking public anger (09:19–11:32).
• Republican Outliers: Discussion of the 3% of “MAGA Republicans” opposed to ICE operations and unexpected voices (like Tucker Carlson) criticizing the enforcement (42:06–44:46).
• Media Personalities: Critique of Jimmy Kimmel, Whoopi Goldberg, and others for inflammatory or conspiratorial rhetoric (78:39+).
  • “They’re trying out a new slogan: Donald J. Trump is gonna kill you—pretty good, right?” — Jimmy Kimmel (78:53)

6️⃣ Fraud Allegations & DOJ Indictment Threats in Minnesota

• Widespread Fraud: Accusations of billions in daycare and social program fraud in Minnesota, notably around Somali communities and “home-based providers” (65:44–70:29).
  • “We have to prosecute it. And of course, we have been prosecuting it.” — Keith Ellison (65:34)
• Calls for DOJ Intervention: Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna has referred Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for criminal investigation to the DOJ (66:09–66:48).
• Broader National Context: Similar fraud and lack of local prosecution alleged in other blue states (Washington, New York), with politicians like Kathy Hochul promoting universal childcare programs without adequate oversight (68:39–70:17).

7️⃣ Iran: Revolution and U.S. Policy

• State of Iran: Tony Kinnett reports on mass unrest, collapsing economy, internet/phone blackouts, and calls for international intervention (73:31–75:36).
  • “There are protests and riots erupting across all 31 provinces of Iran.” — Tony Kinnett (73:57)
• Role of Trump & the Exiled Prince: President Trump, in a Hugh Hewitt interview, weighs the merits of supporting the exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi as a symbolic ruler but hesitates to intervene directly (75:22–75:54).

8️⃣ Critique of Left-Wing Rhetoric and Protest Tactics

• Reactions to ICE Operation: Criticism of protestors conflating ICE with authoritarian crackdowns, and hyperbole about “30 numbers dying in Venezuela” due to ICE (85:20–87:17).
• Calls for Calm: Multiple clips (including Senator John Fetterman and others) encouraging people on both sides to refrain from escalating rhetoric and violence (59:36–62:14).
  • “I think it’s always more helpful to turn the temperature down… let’s everybody, you know, turn the temperature down.” — Senator John Fetterman (61:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Walz’s Rhetoric:
  “Tim Walz is out here, otherwise known as General Leotard…He’s like Gettysburging it up.”
  — Tony Kinnett (30:46)

• On Legal Precedent:
  “Eisenhower wasn’t having anything to do with that…But, you know, Donald Trump would be perfectly happy to… call up the Insurrection Act.”
  — Kurt Schlichter (32:43)

• On Media Narratives:
  “Now the old adage, ‘what you see is what you believe,’ feels outdated. In this era, what you believe is what you’ll see.”
  — Tony Kinnett (20:12)

• On Legal Observers:
  “What in the world is legal observing? …No, that’s not a thing.”
  — Tony Kinnett (10:44)

• On Protest Tactics:
  “Jumping in front of vehicles—not the smartest thing to do, apparently.”
  — Tony Kinnett (07:40)

• On Fraud:
  “There could be $9 billion or more…and Noem is just suggesting they took hundreds of people off the street who were involved in fraud.”
  — Tony Kinnett (65:44–66:09)

• On Iran:
  “There are protests and riots erupting across all 31 provinces of Iran. The regime’s hold is deteriorating.”
  — Tony Kinnett (73:57)

• On Fomenting Violence:
  “Jimmy Kimmel has announced Donald Trump will kill you.”
  — Tony Kinnett (78:41)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Key Moment | |---------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:06–01:49 | Introduction to Walz’s comments and legal definition of insurrection | | 02:17–02:44 | Walz references National Guard protecting schools | | 09:19–11:32 | Critique of AG Keith Ellison’s statements, “legal observer” label | | 20:06–21:35 | Cheap fakes and media manipulation | | 23:52–24:13 | Eyewitness account versus video evidence: blockading police | | 30:31–32:43 | Schlichter on historical precedents and Walz’s deniability | | 42:06–44:46 | Discussion of Republican outliers, Tucker Carlson’s recent views | | 65:34–66:09 | Keith Ellison presses on fraud allegations | | 66:09–66:48 | Announcement of DOJ referral for Walz | | 73:31–75:54 | Iran: current revolution, Trump’s view of exiled prince | | 78:39–84:31 | Media “meltdowns”: Kimmel and Goldberg’s hyperbolic statements | | 85:20–87:17 | Protester confusion: “ICE killed 30 plus numbers in Venezuela” |

Tone & Style

• Tone: Sharp, satirical, bitingly humorous
• Language: Direct, colloquial, often sarcastic and mocking
• Atmosphere: High-energy, irreverent, skeptical of mainstream narratives

Final Thoughts

The episode offers a no-holds-barred conservative analysis of political and law enforcement conflicts in Minnesota, critiques mainstream and left-leaning media and politicians, and comments on fraud within Democratic states’ welfare programs. The host and guests use humor, metaphor, and biting sarcasm to illustrate how partisan rhetoric, media spin, and government overreach fuel chaos and distrust. The episode closes with a glance at foreign crises (notably Iran) and the host’s encouragement for listeners to “touch grass” and stay grounded amid constant media-driven outrage.

For listeners seeking a comprehensive conservative take — equal parts legal analysis, media critique, and cultural commentary — this episode delivers a punchy and provocative breakdown of America’s political flashpoints and public discourse.