UNBIASED Politics – December 4, 2025
Host: Jordan Berman
Episode: "The Truth About Somalis in Minnesota, What We Know About Hegseth's Authorization a Follow-Up Strike, Trump Voids Biden's Autopen Actions, and More."
Episode Overview
This episode of UNBIASED Politics provides a clear, fact-focused breakdown of several current high-profile U.S. political stories: an inquiry into controversial U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean, a legal analysis of President Trump’s attempt to void executive actions signed by Biden using an autopen, a detailed examination of claims about fraud and ICE operations concerning the Somali community in Minnesota, and explanations of recent policy and legislative developments. Hosted by lawyer Jordan Berman, the tone is impartial, strictly factual, and analytical.
Key Segments & Discussion Points
1. U.S. Military Boat Strike Inquiry
[02:10–16:45]
- Timeline and Coverage of the Strikes
- Since September, the U.S. military has launched 22 strikes on suspected narco-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and off Colombia, resulting in 83 deaths.
- The key controversy centers on the first strike (Sept 2), specifically whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a follow-up strike that killed survivors.
- Washington Post reported Hegseth authorized a second lethal strike. Hegseth called this “fake news” and maintained the original strike was lawful.
- Competing Statements & Investigation
- Trump told reporters he knew nothing about a second strike, saying:
“He said he didn't do it, so I don't have to make that decision.” — Trump, [05:20]
- Press Secretary Levitt confirmed Admiral Bradley (SOCOM head) carried out kinetic strikes under Hegseth’s authorization.
“Admiral Mitch Bradley is an American hero... I stand by him and the combat decisions he has made…” — Hegseth, [07:10]
- Senator Rand Paul questioned the conflicting accounts:
"Either he was lying to us or he's incompetent and didn't know it happened... are we just going to let people lie to us to our face?” — Rand Paul, [10:44]
- As of Wednesday, a military official claimed the “alleged drug boat” was struck four times, suggesting additional layers to the event.
- Senate investigation is ongoing; Admiral Bradley is briefing Congress.
- Legal Analysis
- War Powers Resolution: President can deploy military force only if Congress declares war, authorizes it, or in a national emergency from attack. There’s ambiguity as to whether drug trafficking counts as an “attack.”
- Geneva Conventions/War Crimes Act: Killing shipwrecked, non-combatant survivors may constitute a war crime unless active combat participation can be demonstrated.
“The key question is whether the two ‘shipwrecked’ individuals… were still directly participating in hostilities…” — Berman, [13:20]
2. Trump Voiding Biden's Autopen Actions
[16:45–22:00]
- Trump’s Claims & Legal Reality
- Trump announced on Truth Social:
“Any documents signed by Sleepy Joe Biden with the autopen… is hereby terminated and of no further force or effect.” — Trump, [16:53]
- The autopen use itself is legal as long as the president gives explicit approval; there’s no federal mechanism to void actions solely because of the signing method.
- To repeal executive orders, an actual new executive order is needed; claims of “broadly canceling” actions for autopen use likely wouldn’t withstand court scrutiny.
“Auto-pen signatures are legally valid. There is no mechanism in federal law to void executive actions solely based on the method used to sign them.” — Berman, [18:55]
- Trump cannot unilaterally overturn laws or pardons signed via autopen; laws need Congress, and pardons are constitutionally final.
3. Somalis in Minnesota: Fraud Claims & ICE Operations
[22:33–41:16 and continuing after break]
- Community Background
- Minnesota has ~80,000 Somalis, the largest community in the U.S., primarily due to refugee resettlement and secondary migration.
- 73% of Somali immigrants are U.S. citizens.
- TPS (Temporary Protected Status) Context
- Somalia has had TPS since 1991; it does not grant permanent residency or citizenship but protects from removal during designation.
- Trump on Truth Social declared he was ending TPS for Somalis in Minnesota and accused the state of “fraudulent money laundering”:
“Minnesota under Governor Walz is a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity... Temporary protected status for Somalis in Minnesota is terminated. Somali gangs are terrorizing the people… billions of dollars are missing.” — Trump, [24:50]
- Governor Walz rebuked Trump’s rhetoric, noting its broad targeting of a community, and Rep. Ilhan Omar noted most Somali-Americans are citizens.
- Fraud Allegations & Federal Investigations
- Treasury Secretary Scott Besant announced an investigation into allegations that state resources supported the terrorist group al-Shabaab.
“Americans' taxes are not funding acts of global terror.” — Besant, [27:48]
- A City Journal article and a new Trump White House “media bias page” connected welfare program fraud to the Somali community, citing the Feeding Our Future pandemic relief fraud case, wherein 77 out of 86 defendants are Somali ancestry (most are also citizens).
“Dozens of individuals, largely of East African descent, looted taxpayers out of over $1bn that was intended for child food assistance…” — Trump White House website, [29:59]
- The proven losses from the Feeding Our Future case are ~$240–250 million, not $1 billion+ as some have claimed.
- Immigration Enforcement & Planned ICE Operations
- The New York Times reported ICE is preparing a targeted operation against undocumented Somalis in Minneapolis-St. Paul, focusing on those with final deportation orders. About 100 agents are involved.
“We welcome support in investigating and prosecuting crime, but pulling a PR stunt and indiscriminately targeting immigrants is not a real solution…” — Gov. Walz, [32:56]
- Trump doubled down in a Cabinet meeting:
“Somalians ripped off that state for billions of dollars... I don't want them in our country. Ilhan Omar is garbage. She’s garbage. Her friends are garbage. Those aren't people that work... Let them go back to where they came from and fix it.” — Trump, [34:48]
- Legal Analysis: Can Trump End TPS for Somalis?
- Only the Homeland Security Secretary has legal authority to end TPS designations, not the President.
- TPS termination requires federal notice and justification, with opportunity for judicial review.
- TPS covers nationals from a country, not residents of a particular state.
“There is no lawful mechanism to end TPS only for Somalis living in Minnesota…” — Berman, [36:19]
- TPS currently scheduled to expire March 2026 unless extended.
- Can ICE Target Somalis?
- ICE can detain non-citizens with deportation orders but cannot lawfully target people based purely on national origin; constitutional and civil rights protections apply.
“ICE cannot arrest and detain Somalis who have TPS or are otherwise lawful residents or citizens.” — Berman, [40:23]
4. Additional Noteworthy Stories
[41:16–End]
- Trump Accounts & The Dell Family Gift
- Michael and Susan Dell to donate $6.25bn to Trump’s “investment accounts for children” initiative (Trump accounts).
- Accounts provide $1,000 at birth between 2025–2028, with income and age-based expansion thanks to Dell’s funding.
- Inspector General Report: Hegseth Classified Info
- Defense Secretary Hegseth shared information marked “secret” via personal phone; he has authority to declassify but unclear if proper protocols were followed.
- Presidential Pardon of Rep. Henry Cuellar
- Trump pardoned Texas Democratic Rep. Cuellar who faced federal bribery charges, claiming political motivation in the indictment.
5. Fact Checking & “Rumor Has It” Segment
[49:40–55:55]
- DOJ Redacting Epstein Files: Confirmed, ~ $850k spent on overtime; no evidence overtime was for removing Trump’s name.
- Voting Age to 16 Claim: True, Kamala Harris said she supports lowering the voting age to 16 on an October podcast.
“I think we should reduce the voting age to 16. I’ll tell you why... Gen Z—” — Kamala Harris, [53:09]
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Sen. Rand Paul on Hegseth’s Strike Denial/Admission:
“Either he was lying to us or he’s incompetent and didn’t know it happened… are we just going to let people lie to us to our face?” — [10:44]
- Trump’s Cabinet Room Comments on Somali Americans:
“Ilhan Omar is garbage. She’s garbage. Her friends are garbage. Those aren’t people that work… Let them go back to where they came from and fix it.” — [34:48]
- Berman on Law and Executive Authority:
“Auto-pen signatures are legally valid. There is no mechanism in federal law to void executive actions solely based on the method used to sign them.” — [18:55] “ICE cannot arrest and detain Somalis who have TPS or are otherwise lawful residents or citizens.” — [40:23]
- Kamala Harris on Voting Age:
“I think we should reduce the voting age to 16…They’re rightly impatient with a lot of what is the tradition of leadership right now.” — [53:09]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:10] – Boat strikes: background & controversy
- [07:10] – Administration and military statements
- [13:03] – Legal review: War Powers, War Crimes Act
- [16:53] – Trump’s autopen claims and executive order legality
- [22:33] – Somali community: history & TPS explained
- [24:50] – Trump’s TPS/fraud accusations
- [27:48] – Treasury fraud investigations
- [32:56] – Reaction to reported ICE operation
- [34:48] – Trump’s Cabinet remarks on Somalis
- [36:19] – Legal authority for TPS termination
- [40:23] – ICE operations and legal limitations
- [41:16] – Dell family donation to “Trump accounts”
- [49:40] – “Rumor Has It” fact checks: DOJ/epstein and voting age
Critical Thinking Segment
- Berman concludes by prompting listeners to consider how law enforcement can distinguish between targeting individuals based on credible evidence versus risking wider profiling, and what fair responses look like on both sides of immigrant enforcement debates.
Summary prepared for UNBIASED Politics listeners; all notable quotes are attributed and time-stamped for clarity.