UNBIASED Politics with Jordan Berman

Episode Summary: August 29, 2025

Title: What We Know About the Minneapolis School Shooting, Trump Attempts to Fire Fed Governor and Wants the Death Penalty for All D.C. Murders, "Neighborhood Checks" are Back for Naturalization, and More

Overview

This episode covers several major U.S. news stories with a focus on legal and political developments:

• A detailed account of the tragic Annunciation Catholic School shooting in Minneapolis.
• President Trump’s controversial attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
• Trump's comments about instituting the death penalty for all D.C. murder cases.
• The reinstatement of "neighborhood checks" for naturalization applicants.
• Updates on a high-profile immigration case.
• Each topic is broken down with legal background, historical context, and key implications, aiming for “just the facts” without opinion or spin.

1. Minneapolis School Shooting: What We Know

Segment Start: 01:23

Key Points

• Incident Overview: On Wednesday, a shooter opened fire at Annunciation Catholic School, a Pre K–8 school in Minneapolis, during an all-school morning Mass.
• Timeline: Shooter arrived shortly before 8:30am, barricaded two church doors from the outside using wooden planks, and began firing through a window at children in the pews.
• Casualties: Two children (ages 8 and 10) were killed; 17 others injured (14 children, 3 adult parishioners). All injured are expected to survive.
• Shooter Identity:
  • Robin Westman, age 23, a former student and child of a former staff member.
  • No prior criminal record but a connection to the school.
  • Westman died by self-inflicted gunshot.
• Manifesto & Video:
  • Posted an 11-minute YouTube video before the attack, displaying weapons, ammunition, written notes, and expressing hate/violence obsessions.
  • Example from note:

    "I've wanted this for a long time. I'm not well. I'm a sad person, haunted by these thoughts that don't go away. I know this is wrong but I can't seem to stop myself. I am severely depressed and have been suicidal for years. Only recently have I lost all hope and decided to perform my final action and against this world." (02:58)

  • The shooter addressed the family:

    "I'm sorry to my family, but that's it. That's who I'm sorry to. Fuck those kids." (04:26)

  • Weapons and magazines were inscribed with disturbing phrases (e.g., "where is your God?", "kick a spic", "kill Donald Trump").
  • FBI has removed the video from YouTube, but it remains available elsewhere.
• Investigation: Declared a domestic terrorism and hate crime event against Catholics.
  • Multiple search warrants and recovery of additional firearms.
  • Westman left hundreds of pages of hate-filled writings.

Memorable Moment

• Host’s direct warning:

  “I would just recommend maybe skipping past this first story for now. I just think that’s for the best. There are some expletives and obviously just the nature of the story is not great.” (01:30)

• On the attack’s context:

  “FBI Director Cash Patel said the FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics.” (09:07)

2. Trump Attempts to Fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook

Segment Start: 10:12

Key Points

• Action Taken:
  • Trump sent a letter to Fed Governor Lisa Cook removing her for alleged mortgage fraud.
  • Cook is suing to challenge her removal.
  • Trump cites criminal referral about allegedly making false statements on two mortgage documents.
• Legal Context:
  • Board of Governors: The seven-member body, including the Chair (Jerome Powell) and Vice Chair, runs the Federal Reserve. Lisa Cook is (was) one of these seven.
  • Removal for 'Cause':
    • Fed Governors can only be removed by the President “for cause,” undefined but generally interpreted as inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.
    • It is unclear whether alleged (not proven) private misconduct—like mortgage fraud—counts.
  • Due Process Concerns:
    • Are allegations enough, or must misconduct be proven?
    • Should Cook have had a chance to defend herself before removal?
    • Cook’s lawsuit: Trump violated her constitutional and statutory due process rights.
  • Potential Impact:
    • If both current and upcoming vacancies are filled by Republicans, Fed Board shifts 5:2 in favor of Republicans, potentially affecting monetary policy, interest rates, and Fed independence.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Trump’s letter:

    “It is inconceivable that you are not aware of your first commitment when making this statement. ... The American people must be able to have full confidence in the honesty of the members entrusted with setting policy and overseeing the Federal Reserve.” (11:42)

  • Cook’s legal team:

    “President Trump does not have the power to unilaterally redefine cause, completely unmoored to case law, history and tradition, and conclude without evidence that he has found it.” (14:39)

Important Segment

• Legal explanation about the Fed’s structure and removal process for governors.
• Implications for Fed’s political balance and independence.

3. DC’s Union Station Control Reclaimed by Department of Transportation

Segment Start: 20:00

Key Points

• Background:
  • Union Station: Major transit and historic landmark in D.C., managed by a patchwork of federal, nonprofit, Amtrak, and private entities.
  • Timeline: Recent legal dispute (Amtrak vs. Union Station Investco). Amtrak paid $500m to assume full operations, including commercial aspects.
  • Change: DOT stepped in, reclaiming commercial management to address crime and deferred maintenance under President Trump’s “beautification” campaign.
• Operational Shifts:
  • Amtrak remains in charge of tracks/rail operations.
  • DOT, via its nonprofit (USRC), now controls commercial operations to reinvest revenue in upgrades and security.

Notable Quote:

• DOT’s press release:

  “Under President Trump and Secretary Duffy’s leadership, USDOT will now leverage the valuable commercial aspects of Union Station, under the direct management of USRC to reinvest in Union Station... USDOT anticipates that reinvestment and improved security will dramatically improve the income from the station, which should unlock opportunities for private investment...” (21:38)

4. Trump’s Push for the Death Penalty in All D.C. Murder Cases

Segment Start: 23:46

Key Points

• Announcement: In a Cabinet meeting, Trump stated an intent to seek the death penalty for every D.C. murder case:

  • “Anybody murders something in the Capitol, Capitol punishment, capital capital punishment... we are going to be seeking the death penalty, and that’s a very strong preventative. I don't know if we're ready for it, but we have no choice.” (23:55)

• Legal and Historical Context:
  • The death penalty was abolished in D.C. in 1981.
  • Exception: Can be sought for federal crimes involving murder (terrorism, killing a federal official), not local D.C. law murders.
  • Congress (not the President) could override D.C.’s law, but mandatory death sentences are unconstitutional (1972 Supreme Court ruling).
• Key Insight: Even with congressional intervention, juries must decide on the death penalty—cannot be automatic.

5. "Neighborhood Checks" Revived for Citizenship Applicants

Segment Start: 26:25

Key Points

• Policy Shift:
  • USCIS has ended the 1991 general waiver that suspended “neighborhood checks” in naturalization process.
  • Officers may now conduct field investigations, including interviews with neighbors, coworkers, or employers, as well as reviewing personal testimonial letters.
• Historical Background:
  • Required for centuries; made optional after 1981; effectively suspended (except for unusual cases) in 1991 because they were labor intensive and rarely useful.
• Arguments:
  • Supporters: View these checks as boosting process integrity and screening against fraud.
  • Critics: See it as largely symbolic, burdensome, and ineffective, echoing reasons for original suspension.
• Scope: The checks are discretionary, not mandatory, resuming for the first time in three decades.

6. Immigration Update: Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Deportation Case

Segment Start: 29:53

Key Points

• Case Update:
  • Kilmar Abrego Garcia, accused of human smuggling, faces deportation to Uganda.
  • His attorneys filed suit to prevent expedited deportation and are seeking asylum anew, claiming a new “last entry” date.
  • Judge extended restraining order blocking deportation until at least October, citing risk of harm in Uganda.
• Legal Nuance:
  • Garcia’s prior asylum claim (2019) was denied for late filing, but he was granted withholding of removal to El Salvador due to gang threats.
  • Now argues that the most recent arrival (June) resets the one-year deadline for asylum application.
  • Must still prove credible fear of persecution based on protected grounds (race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group).
• Next Steps: Evidentiary hearing set for October 6.

7. Critical Thinking Questions

Segment Start: 34:45

Jordan prompts listeners to consider key legal and ethical questions around the Fed Governor’s removal:

• Should “for cause” removal be limited to conduct on the job, or can private life actions like alleged mortgage fraud count?
  • Where should the line be drawn—does dishonesty of any kind count, or only when it’s legally relevant?
• For both supporters and opponents of Cook’s firing:
  • What remedy should exist if allegations are weak?
  • If credible evidence of financial dishonesty emerges, what threshold justifies removal without a criminal conviction?

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On reviewing the school shooting:

  “Just an absolutely awful story. Let’s switch gears a bit.” (09:45)

• Trump on D.C. death penalty plan:

  “If somebody kills somebody in The Capitol, Washington, D.C., we are going to be seeking the death penalty, and that’s a very strong preventive.” (23:56)

• On policy reversals:

  “Bringing back neighborhood checks strengthens the integrity of the naturalization process...” (27:59)

Timestamps Reference Table

| Topic | Start | Key Segment | |-------------------------------------------------|----------|-----------------------------| | Minneapolis School Shooting Recap | 01:23 | Disturbing context/video | | Fed Governor Lisa Cook Firing | 10:12 | Legal framework/explanation | | Union Station Control Change | 20:00 | Policy/ownership shift | | Trump: Death Penalty Push in D.C. | 23:46 | Feasibility/legal barriers | | "Neighborhood Checks" for Citizenship | 26:25 | New-old policy debate | | Kilmar Abrego Garcia Case Update | 29:53 | Legal arguments/asylum | | Critical Thinking Questions | 34:45 | Audience engagement |

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