UNBIASED Politics — January 29, 2026 Episode Summary

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In this episode, host Jordan Berman delivers a detailed, fact-focused analysis of significant developments in US politics: the release of new video and investigative details on the Alex Preddy shooting in Minneapolis, the impending government shutdown, an FBI investigation into Signal group chats used by protesters, recent updates on controversial ICE operations, and several quick policy and legal updates. Berman’s trademark is a clear, impartial delivery rooted in legal expertise, avoiding personal opinion or partisan framing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Alex Preddy Shooting: Major Developments

a. DHS Preliminary Report (00:32 - 05:20)

• DHS provided Congress a preliminary report on the Preddy shooting, based on CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility’s initial investigation.
  • “Per those reports, the initial investigation found that CBP agents were conducting a targeted operation when they encountered Preddy. An officer asked Preddy and another woman in the road to, quote, ‘move out of the roadway.’ When they didn't move, the officer deployed pepper spray towards both individuals. Officers then attempted to take Preddy into custody. Preddy resisted...resulted in a subsequent struggle on the ground.” (02:00)
  • Bodycam footage reviewed: A Border Patrol agent shouted “he’s got a gun” multiple times; no mention that Preddy brandished his weapon.
  • Two agents then shot Preddy within five seconds of this warning.
  • The agent had already secured and cleared Preddy’s gun right after the shooting.
• What the Report Omits:
  • No mention of accidental discharge from Preddy’s weapon (a rumor previously circulated).
  • No details on how many shots were fired or which shots were fatal.
  • Unclear if officers who fired knew Preddy was already disarmed.
• Contextual Insight: This is only a preliminary account—the full picture may emerge much later.

b. Administrative Leave for Agents (05:21 - 06:22)

• Agents involved have been placed on paid administrative leave (standard protocol, not indicative of guilt).
• ICE officer involved in separate fatal shooting also on similar leave.

c. Calls for Impeachment of DHS Secretary Noem (06:23 - 10:48)

• Rep. Robin Kelly (D) introduced three impeachment articles against Secretary Noem: obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust, and self-dealing.
• Over 160 House Democrats support the resolution; some Republicans (e.g., Thom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski) also call for her removal.
• President Trump signals support for Noem: “No, I think she’s doing a very good job. The border is totally secure…Now we have a border where no one is coming through. They come into our country only legally.” (Trump, quoted at 09:21)
• Impeachment Process Explained: House drafts and votes on articles; Senate holds a trial only if the House votes to impeach (requires two-thirds to convict and remove).

d. Leadership Changes in Minneapolis Border Operations (10:49 - 13:33)

• Commander Greg Bovino replaced by Border Czar Tom Homan amidst controversy and criticism.
  • Homan orders CBP/ICE to plan reductions of federal agents in Minnesota, contingent on local law enforcement cooperation.
  • “What Homan is saying is we need you guys to cooperate. If we see cooperation…then we will execute on this plan to reduce the number of federal agents in Minneapolis.” (12:23)
  • Homan pledges to improve strategy: “The administration would not be backing down from its immigration mission, just that the administration is going to be doing it so smarter.” (12:45)
  • Note: Homan, despite current role under Trump, led ICE enforcement under Obama and received a top civil service award.

e. New Alex Preddy Video Footage (13:34 - 16:45)

• Video from Jan 13 surfaces: Preddy confronts ICE agents, spits at their vehicle, kicks taillight, is tackled by five officers.
  • Preddy not arrested; suffered a fractured rib.
  • Family attorney confirms video authenticity and criticizes relevance to later shooting: “Nothing that happened a full week before could possibly have justified Alex’s killing at the hands of ICE on January 24th.” (Family attorney, 15:15)
• Legal Context: Past altercations are legally irrelevant unless the officer knew of them and could reasonably believe they presented imminent threat at the time of shooting.

2. FBI Investigation into Protester Signal Chats (20:25 - 28:23)

a. Background

• FBI Director Cash Patel announces investigation into encrypted Signal group chats allegedly used by Minneapolis protesters to track ICE agents.
  • Benny Johnson’s podcast reveals “on-the-ground” reporter Cam Higby infiltrated these chats.
  • Chats allegedly help protesters “track ICE down and prevent them from enforcing the law.” (21:45)
  • Higby claims both Preddy and Renee Goode used similar tactics taught in the group.

b. FBI Legal Position

• Cash Patel: “As soon as Higby put that post out there I opened an investigation…If that leads to a break in the federal statute or a violation of some law, then we are going to arrest people…You cannot create a scenario that illegally entraps and puts law enforcement in harm’s way.” (Cash Patel, 23:35)
• Legal Analysis:
  • FBI can investigate encrypted communications if there’s reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.
  • But accessing chat contents requires probable cause and a court-issued warrant.
  • Content only protected if limited to lawful protest/organization; crosses into criminal conduct if actions like obstruction or violence are planned.
  • “Opening an investigation isn’t the same thing as searching private messages…what the government can’t do is surveil or punish people simply for expressing political views or organizing protests.” (25:40)

3. Potential Government Shutdown Looms (28:24 - 33:58)

a. Congressional Funding Deadlines

• Congress must pass 12 appropriations bills annually; stop-gap funding (continuing resolution) expires January 30, 2026 (midnight).
• Failure to pass bills leads to (partial) government shutdown.

b. Which Departments Are Affected?

• If no deal: DHS, Defense, State, Treasury, Labor, HHS, Transportation, Education, HUD would shut down.
• Departments like VA, Agriculture, Justice, Energy, Congress, and Interior already funded.

c. Political Standoff & DHS/ICE Debate

• Democrats block funding package containing DHS budget, demanding reforms for ICE operations.
  • Sen. Patty Murray: “We cannot and will not move the DHS bill without real progress on accountability.” (32:40)
• Key Point: ICE/Border Patrol are “essential.” They keep operating during shutdowns—agents may not get paid, but enforcement continues.
• ICE particularly well-funded from “the one big beautiful bill act” with $75B in reserve, sustained even if DHS funding lapses.

4. Updates from Minneapolis & Capitol Incidents (33:59 - 39:07)

a. Ilhan Omar Town Hall Attack

• While addressing constituents about ICE and calling for DHS Sec. Noem’s resignation, Rep. Omar was approached and sprayed (apple cider vinegar) by Anthony James Kazmerzak.
• Omar’s response: “I'm okay. I'm a survivor. So this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win.” (Ilhan Omar, 35:09)
• Background on Suspect:
  • Brother labels him a “right wing extremist” with animosity toward Somali community (Omar is Somali-American).
  • No official motive confirmed, but attack followed Trump’s disparaging remarks and conspiracy claims about Omar.

b. Trump-Omar Tension

• Trump has repeatedly attacked Omar in public and on social media, including recent allegations about illicit wealth.
• Omar’s replies: “His obsession with me is creepy. I hope he gets the help he desperately needs.” (Omar, 37:05)
• Ongoing investigation; potential connection between Trump rhetoric and attack suggested, but not confirmed.

5. Detention/Deportation Update – Liam Ramos Case (41:04 - 45:57)

a. Court Action

• Temporary restraining order issued blocking deportation of 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father.
• Family seeking asylum; both have pending cases.
• Legal principle: “Due process applies to everyone, not just citizens… Both Liam and his father lawfully requested asylum and have pending cases. That means they cannot legally be deported until cases have been fully adjudicated.” (43:57)

b. Conflicting Accounts

• DHS claims father fled, mother refused custody, officers only followed wishes to keep father/son together.
• Local superintendent and pastor allege ICE denied child’s care to willing local adult and used Liam to lure mother out.
• Viral rumors on health: Rep. Joaquin Castro visits, describes Liam as tired and withdrawn but not in immediate physical danger.

6. Quick Hitters & "Rumor Has It" (45:58 - 51:27)

a. Quick Policy Updates

• FBI Searches Fulton County Elections Office (46:00): Search for 2020 election materials continues amidst DOJ litigation.
• Senator Marco Rubio Testifies on Venezuela (46:45): No further military action planned; country remains “untenable,” democratic transition to be gradual.
• Trump Accounts Program Launch (47:35): New savings-for-children initiative, with matching bank and celebrity contributions, launching July 4th.

b. Rumor Has It

• ICE at the Olympics (48:30): True—Homeland Security Investigations unit will play a security and transnational crime role, not immigration enforcement.
  • “This is different than the Enforcement and Removal Operations, or ERO. HSI specifically focuses on transnational crime investigations…”
• Obama Awarded Tom Homan for ICE Enforcement (49:30): True—received 2015 Presidential Rank Award for “Distinguished Service,” the highest civil service honor.
  • “…Homan did receive the Distinguished rank.” (50:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What did the officer reasonably believe was happening at the exact moment that the trigger was pulled?” (Berman, 16:38, on legal justification for deadly force)
• “Holding out on passing funding measures for all remaining departments because DHS is included is only going to end up hurting other government agencies and employees. ICE is going to continue operating as normal.” (Berman, 33:38)
• “You cannot create a scenario that illegally entraps and puts law enforcement in harm’s way. Now, we will balance the First and Second Amendments constantly, but we…will not tolerate acts of violence and escalation.” (FBI Director Patel, 23:50)
• “Can we judge government officials separately from the president that they work under, or do you feel that separation is unrealistic and why? …Does media coverage play a bigger role in shaping perception than the actual facts of someone’s job history?” (Berman, 51:40–52:18, Critical Thinking questions)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------|------------| | DHS Preliminary Report on Preddy Shooting | 00:32 | | Agents Placed on Administrative Leave | 05:21 | | Impeachment Calls Against DHS Secretary Noem | 06:23 | | Tom Homan Replaces Bovino in Minneapolis | 10:49 | | New Alex Preddy Video Footage | 13:34 | | FBI Investigation into Signal Chats | 20:25 | | Government Shutdown/Appropriations Update | 28:24 | | Ilhan Omar Town Hall Attack | 33:59 | | Trump vs. Omar Narrative/Conspiracy Allegations | 37:05 | | Restraining Order in Detention/Deportation Case | 41:04 | | Quick Hitters & Policy Updates | 45:58 | | “Rumor Has It” Corrections and Confirmations | 48:30 | | Critical Thinking Qs on Governance & Media | 51:40 |

Tone & Closing

Jordan Berman maintains a steady, analytic, and impartial tone throughout—delivering facts, legal explanations, and context without sensationalizing. The episode closes with “Critical Thinking” prompts, encouraging listeners to consider personal biases and the influence of media framing versus actionable facts.

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