VINCE Podcast: “Mayhem in Minneapolis” | Episode 199

Host: Vince Coglianese
Guest: Julie Kelly (Declassified with Julie Kelly, American Greatness contributor)
Date: January 8, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of VINCE centers on the high-profile ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis, dissecting the incident, its aftermath, political reactions, and broader issues of law enforcement, political insurrection rhetoric, and immigration policy. Vince brings his signature rapid-fire analysis and no-nonsense tone to the unfolding narrative, joined by political commentator Julie Kelly, for a critical unpacking of the event, its media framing, and its implications amid America’s ongoing political polarization.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dan Bongino Returns to the Airwaves

• [03:37 - 04:45] Announcement: Dan Bongino is resuming his eponymous show in early February (two hours daily, 10am-noon ET, syndicated by Westwood One & Rumble).
• Bongino says:

  “We will put out a press release with Westwood One and Rumble… It’s gonna be early February and we’re gonna be ready to roll that first show… I’ve got so much content bottled up in my head.” (Dan Bongino, 03:37)

• Vince assures listeners his own show and national radio slot continue unchanged.

2. ICE-Involved Shooting in Minneapolis: What Happened?

• [07:22 - 17:33]
• Vince details the events:
  • A woman, described as a “left-wing lunatic,” led groups to block ICE operations, parked her Honda Pilot SUV to obstruct ICE, refused repeated commands to exit the vehicle, then accelerated, striking an officer.
  • Officer responds by firing through the windshield, killing her.
  • Vince frames it as a matter of “tragic but clear cause and effect” – the consequences of directly threatening an officer.
  • Emphasizes abundance of video evidence validating the officer’s actions.
• Video Review & Analysis: Vince narrates through various cellphone footage, highlighting the sequence of officer restraint until imminent danger justified shooting.
• DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s statement ([16:26 - 17:33]):

  “She then proceeded to weaponize her vehicle and attempted to run a law enforcement officer over. This appears as an attempt to kill or to cause bodily harm to agents, an act of domestic terrorism… The ICE officer, fearing for his life… fired defensive shots.” (Kristi Noem, 16:26)

3. Political & Media Reaction

• Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey ([11:54AM Tweet] & [21:32]): Immediate condemnation of ICE, demands federal agents leave Minneapolis.

  “ICE… get the fuck out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here.” (Jacob Frey, 21:32)

• Vince’s Critique: Attacks Frey for stoking tensions, demonizing law enforcement, and using inflammatory rhetoric.

  • Calls Frey’s statements “insurrectionist,” stating:

    “You’re the one who needs to get out of that city. You’re the one who should be behind bars.” (Vince, 21:50)

• Minnesota Governor Tim Walz ([25:48 - 31:03]):

  • Blames the Trump administration for heightened chaos, arguing ICE enforcement “governing by reality TV” caused the violence.

  “We’ve been warning for weeks… that the Trump administration’s dangerous, sensationalized operations are a threat… And today that recklessness cost someone their life.” (Tim Walz, 25:48)

  • Urges protesters to avoid violence but pointedly blames federal policies and rhetoric.

• Police Union Response: Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association condemns political leaders’ “irresponsible, reckless rhetoric,” warning it “fuels hostility, emboldens bad actors and puts lives at risk.” (Statement paraphrased, 23:00)

4. Framing the Narrative: “Unarmed Woman” vs. “Deadly Force”

• [34:34 - 37:58]: Julie Kelly Interview Begins
• Kelly draws comparisons to the Ashley Babbitt shooting, highlighting perceived double standards:

  “Now the Democrats call that a murder. Of course, since that didn’t apply to Ashley Babbitt… And now, yes… stoking more potential violence, endangering the lives of ICE officers…” (Julie Kelly, 34:54)

• On media framing:

  “They’re claiming that an unarmed woman was just killed by a federal immigration officer. That’s designed to both, I think, lie to the audience and to prejudice their judgments towards what just took place.” (Vince, 37:04)

  • Kelly: “Of course, an SUV… is a potential deadly weapon. So how can you call her unarmed?” (Julie Kelly, 37:27)

5. Accusations of Political Insurrection & Double Standards

• [39:25 - 43:36]: Accountability for Political Rhetoric
• Kelly and Vince argue that Governor Walz and Mayor Frey’s statements could be construed as incitement under the same “seditious conspiracy” standards invoked against January 6th defendants.
  • Kelly: “Tim Walz said that basically his state was at war with the federal government. I mean these sort of comments cannot go without consequence…” (Julie Kelly, 39:25)
  • Criticize disparity in holding conservatives/liberals accountable for stoking unrest.

6. Broader Narrative: Democrat Strategy, Elections, and Social Unrest

• [43:36 - 46:02]:
• Vince and Kelly predict that similar incidents and unrest may be leveraged politically in the 2026 election cycle, drawing comparisons to how the 2020 George Floyd riots coincided with efforts to destabilize the Trump administration.

7. ICE, Immigration Policy, and Welfare Fraud in Minnesota

• [51:27 - 53:55]: Congressional Hearing Soundbite
• Rep. Brandon Gill (TX) grills an expert on whether Somali immigration has strengthened Minnesota, presenting statistics showing high rates of public assistance among Somali-headed households.

  “What percentage of Somali headed households in Minnesota are on food stamps?”
  “54%...” (Rep. Brandon Gill, 51:41) “What percentage… on Medicaid? It’s 73%... on welfare in general? 81%.”

• Vince asserts that “diversity is our strength” is an untrue bumper-sticker and stresses assimilation and shared purpose.
  • Also rails against the “Feed Our Future” fraud scandal involving Somali immigrants and alleged political shielding by state officials, referencing Keith Ellison and Tim Walz.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan Bongino on Show Prep:

  “It's on my phone, folks, weeks ahead of time. I took so many notes. I mean, obviously, I can't talk about classified stuff… but there's a lot of stuff we can talk about and provide context and color and, you know, crush a lot of the black pill bullshit out there.” — Dan Bongino [04:07]

• Mayor Jacob Frey:

  “ICE, get the fuck out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here.” — Jacob Frey [21:32] “You demonize ICE right away. When anybody with two brain cells to rub together knows that if there's an ICE involved shooting, it is very likely because ICE was in the right.” — Vince [11:00]

• Julie Kelly on Double Standards:

  “Ashley Babbitt… climbing or attempting to go through a window because a mob was behind her. Executed at near point blank range by Michael Byrd… And then remember, Vince, as the doxing of this ICE agent continues… Michael Byrd was allowed to hide out for months at the expense of taxpayers.” — Julie Kelly [37:58]

• Governor Tim Walz Warning:

  “Do not allow them to invoke the Insurrection Act… To Minnesotans, I say this, I feel your anger. I’m angry. They want a show, we can’t give it to them.” — Tim Walz [30:33]

• Rep. Brandon Gill’s Beatdown:

  “54%. There’s a big difference between 54% and 7%, is there not? ... 81% [on welfare].” — Brandon Gill [51:41 - 52:26]

• Vince’s Take:

  “Assimilation into the mission, pride in country. Those are the things that make us stronger. Focusing on caring for the people who live here… importing new populations… makes us weaker, actually.” — Vince [53:55]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Dan Bongino returns: 03:37 – 04:45
• ICE shooting breakdown: 07:22 – 17:33
• Video and officer analysis: 12:11 – 17:33
• DHS Secretary Kristi Noem statement: 16:26 – 17:33
• Mayor Frey’s inflammatory statement: 21:19 – 21:45
• Police union response: 23:00
• Governor Walz blames Trump: 25:48 – 26:35
• Calls for Insurrection Act: 26:35 – 31:03, revisited at 46:02
• Julie Kelly interview: 34:34 – 50:04
• Congressman Brandon Gill exposes Somali welfare stats: 51:27 – 52:26

Structure & Tone

Vince leads with unfiltered commentary, rapid-fire analysis, and a combative tone—challenging left-wing narratives, railing against “insurrectionist” Democrats, and emphasizing law & order. Julie Kelly brings corroborative insight on DOJ double standards, January 6th, and the weaponization of political language. The episode is rich in concrete incident analysis, historical context, and a crusading, high-energy talk-radio style.

For Further Listening/Watching

• Nightly Scroll interview with Dan Bongino: [03:00]
• Congressional hearing on Somali immigration/welfare (featuring Rep. Brandon Gill): [51:27]

NOTE:
This summary excludes sponsor ads, intros, and non-content chatter. For more, visit Vince’s platforms or check out live coverage of ensuing Minneapolis events.