Today, Explained — "Abolish ICE"

Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: Noel King, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Jay Patrick Coolikin
Podcast: Today, Explained by Vox

Episode Overview

This episode of Today, Explained confronts the fallout from a series of fatal encounters between immigration enforcement agents and protesters/observers in Minneapolis. The hosts and guests dissect local, federal, and political reactions, examine the deepening crisis of confidence in law enforcement, and illuminate how these events are reverberating through Congress and the upcoming debate over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). With emotions running high and the political landscape shifting, the episode helps unpack the call to "abolish ICE" and the blurred boundaries of state and federal authority.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Shootings in Minneapolis: What Happened and Why It Matters

• Opening: The episode begins by recounting the recent deaths of Renee Goode and Alex Preddy at the hands of federal agents. Initial federal statements painted the two Minnesota protesters as dangerous radicals, but emerging evidence and video footage complicated that narrative.
• Jay Patrick Coolikin (Minnesota Reformer):
  • Expresses the intensity and unpredictability of covering these events:
    "It's been exhausting and exhilarating and at times depressing and debilitating. I've never quite encountered a story like this with so many moving pieces..." (01:59)
  • Notes the community's response ranges from anger and heartbreak to bravery and solidarity. Parents are organizing to protect children, neighborhoods collaborate to warn each other about ICE presence.
  • Cautions, however, that the wave of activism is tempered by trauma and fear from the recent violence.
    "I talked to a volunteer yesterday who used the word demoralized...It takes considerable physical courage to actually go out..." (03:51)

Notable Quotes

• Noel King: "You see people being really brave and I wonder which of those emotions...is surfacing the most right now?" (02:56)
• Jay Patrick Coolikin: "I think it's bravery. You see people doing things that I don't think they expected of themselves." (03:08)

2. Breaking Down the Alex Preddy Incident

• Incident Recap: Alex Preddy, described as law-abiding and a concealed carry permit holder, was recording federal agents and attempted to intervene when a woman was pushed. He was shot after being disarmed, contradicting official claims he posed a lethal threat.
• Narrative Conflict: Federal spokespeople, including Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, swiftly labeled Preddy's actions as an attack and claimed he incited a riot.
  • "During this operation, an individual approached U.S. Border Patrol agents with a 9 millimeter semiautomatic handgun...he violently resisted." (06:06)
  • Coolikin counters: "There's no evidence of that...These people prefer to be called observers...they were recording and observing, which they're allowed to do." (06:23)
• Loss of Credibility: The administration's early, aggressive public statements are now backfiring, eroding trust—not only among progressives but also some Republicans and independents.

Notable Quotes

• Jay Patrick Coolikin: "The video is pretty clear that none of those things are true. And I think that's absolutely destroying the administration's credibility..." (07:38)

3. Federal vs. Local Authority: The Breakdown

• There’s deep conflict between federal and state authorities. Local police tried to intervene in the federal probe but were rebuffed despite a judicial warrant.
• Local Law Enforcement's Stance: Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara publicly criticized federal tactics.
• Legal Front: A federal judge is considering if current federal deployments violate Minnesota’s sovereignty under the 10th Amendment. Coolikin suggests such challenges are long shots but symbolically notable.

Notable Quotes

• Jay Patrick Coolikin: "It's a conflict between law enforcement agencies I think we have not seen in quite a long time, especially publicly..." (08:23)

4. Economic Powerhouses Weigh In

• After initial silence, state business leaders released a carefully neutral statement calling for calm. This was perceived by some Democrats as a betrayal—there’s “no neutrality in this situation.”
• Indicated business community discomfort and possible cracks in the administration’s support base.

5. Congressional Fallout: DHS Funding and the "Abolish ICE" Movement

• Leigh Ann Caldwell (Puck News):

  • The Senate vote on DHS funding was expected to pass until outrage over the shootings shifted numerous Democrats to oppose further funding for ICE, echoing calls to 'abolish ICE.'
    "Democrats are not going to fund that. We cannot fund a Department of Homeland Security that is murdering American citizens." (18:13)
  • Some Dems have proposed the "Melt ICE Act" to defund the agency; others are calling to impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem instead.

• Democratic Fractures: While most Dems stop short of calling for ICE’s abolition, the crisis has forced even moderates to support greater accountability or significant changes.

• Republican Divisions: Fraying unity among Republicans, especially those in swing districts. Some now suggest ICE should step back from Minnesota.

  • "ICE should leave Minnesota and it should be up to local officials to deal with how it wants to address immigration." (20:58)

Notable Quotes

• Noel King: "Are any Republican lawmakers changing the way that they talk about ICE in light of what happened this weekend?" (20:06)
• Leigh Ann Caldwell: "It's been really interesting because Republicans have mostly...been in lockstep with this administration for the most part. But after this weekend, we're starting to see some signs...very uncomfortable with this." (20:15)

6. Trump Administration & Power Struggles

• President Trump announces sending border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis, signaling a potential rift within DHS and further uncertainty for Kristi Noem.

Notable Quotes

• Leigh Ann Caldwell: "Could there could mean potential trouble for Kristi Noem, that she is being sidelined." (23:05)

7. Looming Government Shutdown and Political Calculus

• Symbolic Stakes: Although most ICE funding won't be cut off even in a shutdown (because of previous appropriations), Democrats are using the threat of shutdown as leverage for accountability and protest.
• The public outcry and visible suffering in Minneapolis have emboldened Democrats to take harder stances than in past shutdown showdowns.

Notable Quotes

• Leigh Ann Caldwell: "This time, though, Democrats are so outraged and so furious that even the people who don't like government shutdowns...want to push this issue, even if it leads perhaps to a government shutdown." (23:58)
• Noel King: "If Democrats do shut the government down...does that fix the situation? Does that mean the masked men leave the streets?" (25:38)
• Leigh Ann Caldwell: "Actually, no, it does not...in large part, this is symbolic when it comes to ICE..." (25:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Context | |-------------|-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:59 | Jay Patrick Coolikin | “It's been exhausting and exhilarating and at times depressing and debilitating...so many moving pieces...” | | 03:08 | Jay Patrick Coolikin | “I think it's bravery. You see people doing things that I don't think they expected of themselves.” | | 06:23 | Jay Patrick Coolikin | “There's no evidence of that...the idea that there was some sort of riot going on is not true.” | | 07:38 | Jay Patrick Coolikin | “The video is pretty clear that none of those things are true...destroying the administration's credibility...” | | 08:23 | Jay Patrick Coolikin | “It's a conflict between law enforcement agencies...we have not seen in quite a long time, especially publicly.” | | 18:13 | Jay Patrick Coolikin | “We cannot fund a Department of Homeland Security that is murdering American citizens.” | | 20:58 | Leigh Ann Caldwell | “ICE should leave Minnesota and it should be up to local officials to deal with how it wants to address immigration.” | | 23:05 | Leigh Ann Caldwell | “Could there could mean potential trouble for Kristi Noem, that she is being sidelined.” | | 23:58 | Leigh Ann Caldwell | “Democrats are so outraged and so furious...they want to push this issue, even if it leads perhaps to a government shutdown.” | | 25:53 | Leigh Ann Caldwell | “Actually, no, it does not...in large part, this is symbolic when it comes to ICE...” |

Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:43 Introduction of Jay Patrick Coolikin, Minnesota Reformer
• 02:56 Community responses & emotions after the shootings
• 04:45 Breakdown of Alex Preddy's shooting
• 06:00 Disputing federal law enforcement’s narrative
• 08:03 Tension and conflict: federal law enforcement vs. local police
• 09:37 Legal challenges over federal deployments and 10th Amendment
• 10:35 Economic leaders’ statement and business community response
• 16:55 Senate debates DHS funding — initial bipartisan outlook
• 18:06 Democrats’ response to ICE — toughening stance post-shooting
• 19:21 Calls to impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem
• 20:06 Republican reactions & cracks in party unity
• 22:52 Trump sends Tom Homan to Minneapolis: significance of move
• 23:41 Looming government shutdown: lessons & stakes
• 25:38 Symbolism vs. substance in government shutdown threat

Conclusion

This episode captures a moment of historic crisis, revealing how violence involving federal agents has upended both local communities and national politics. The dedication of Minneapolis residents, the unraveling of official narratives, fractures in both political parties, and the high-stakes fight over DHS/ICE funding add up to a potent, rapidly evolving story. The “Abolish ICE” debate, often considered too radical by many establishment Democrats, is newly energized by events on the ground and a broad-based sense of outrage—signaling a new chapter in immigration and federal-state relations.

For listeners seeking a comprehensive, on-the-ground and inside-the-Beltway view of America’s escalating immigration enforcement crisis, this episode is essential.