What A Day: "Can Minnesota Deport ICE?"

Podcast: What A Day (Crooked Media)
Host: Jane Coaston
Air Date: January 15, 2026
Main Guest: Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Minnesota's unprecedented legal challenge against aggressive immigration enforcement actions by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in the state, focusing on the fallout from “Operation Metro Surge.” Host Jane Coaston speaks with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison about a lawsuit to curb federal actions, the death of Minneapolis resident Renee Goode at the hands of ICE, federal-state tensions, and the broader political context under the Trump administration. The episode also briefly covers other national news items, such as Trump’s milk policy and foreign relations with Greenland.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Context: Why Minnesota is Suing ICE

• Operation Metro Surge: Widespread deployment of thousands of federal immigration agents across Minnesota since December, leading to civil rights concerns and notable public incidents.
• Public Backlash: Videos show ICE officers using excessive force, including banned chokeholds and violence against U.S. citizens (01:10), notably resulting in the death of a local woman, Renee Goode.
• ICE’s Popularity Drops: Recent polls cited indicate ICE’s approval plummeted from +16 to -14, now less popular than the IRS (02:17).

2. The Legal Challenge

• Constitutional Grounds: Ellison explains Minnesota’s lawsuit claims that federal overreach infringes on the state’s sovereignty and negatively impacts schools, the economy, and civil rights (03:11).
  • Quote: “We’re an equally sovereign entity as a state of the United States… this aggressive attitude is interfering with our ability to operate our state as a sovereign state.” — Keith Ellison (03:16)
• Administrative Procedure Act (APA): The state argues federal action is “arbitrary and capricious,” targeting Minnesota for political reasons rather than policy (03:45).
  • Quote: “There’s a lot of states that have far more immigrants… but they’re not there, they’re here. And the president has said that he’s mad at us because we haven’t voted for him.” — Keith Ellison (03:58)

3. Judicial Response & What’s Next

• Judge Delays Restraining Order: The federal judge gave DHS until Monday to respond instead of issuing an immediate restraining order (04:39).
  • Quote: "I was disappointed, but... the judge has just given them an opportunity so that when she does rule, no one will be able to accuse her of not listening to both sides." — Ellison (04:54)

4. The Killing of Renee Goode and Investigation Obstacles

• Case Details: Renee Goode, 37, was killed by an ICE agent. The FBI took control of the investigation, cutting state authorities off from evidence (05:48).
• State’s Response: Despite federal obstruction, Ellison says the state is collecting its own evidence and collaborating with local prosecutors (06:14).
  • Quote: “There’s gotta be a thorough independent investigation of the death of Renee Good. And that’s just a fact. If the feds won’t do it, the state must.” — Ellison (07:04)
• Federal Narrative Disputed: Ellison rejects ICE’s claims the agent was injured (said to be hit by Goode’s car), noting video evidence contradicts it and calling for transparency (08:04).
  • Quote: “If [the agent] suffered all these injuries, sure… release it, show it, open up the file, be transparent. So far it looks a little bit to me like they're trying to cover up…” — Ellison (08:14)

5. Political Power Plays & Targeting Minnesota

• Trump's Rhetoric: The President has targeted Minnesota, especially its Somali community, and linked the state with corruption and anti-Trump sentiment (09:23).
• Resilience & Values: Ellison illustrates Minnesota’s stance against Trump’s policies, highlighting the state’s progressive measures (11:00).
  • Quote: “We are a multicultural state, proud of it. We’re a pro-union state, proud of that… I think all these things together stand in stark opposition to every single thing Trump stands for, which is why he’s persecuting us.” — Ellison (11:29)
  • Memorable Personal Note: Ellison recalls his mother’s advice, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (10:28).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On ICE’s Actions:
  “You may have also seen ICE officers using banned chokeholds or threatening drivers in their cars.” — Jane Coaston (00:50)

• On Transparency:
  “If [the agent] suffered all these injuries, sure… release it, show it, open up the file, be transparent.” — Keith Ellison (08:14)

• On Political Motivation:
  “The president has said that he’s mad at us because we haven’t voted for him… he’s angry with us about that.” — Keith Ellison (03:58)

• On Fighting Despair:
  “Bad things are going to happen. Don’t allow them to overwhelm you. Do right no matter what, and overcome that bad with good.” — Ellison, quoting his mother (10:38)

Additional News Highlights

6. National Policy & Foreign Relations

• School Milk Policy (14:27): Trump signed a law allowing whole and 2% milk back in schools, rolling back Obama-era regulations.
  • Amusing Trump quote: “I open a refrigerator, I say milk with rice and milk with water and milk with everything.” — Trump (15:42)
• US-Greenland Relations (15:55): High-level U.S.-Denmark/Greenland talks rebuff Trump’s revived quest to “acquire” Greenland. Denmark’s FM: “Ideas that would not respect territorial integrity... are of course totally unacceptable.” (16:32)

7. Gaza Ceasefire and U.S. Climate Withdrawal

• Gaza Ceasefire (17:13): The U.S. outlines three objectives: disarm Hamas, rebuild Gaza ($50B+), and establish new governance.
• Climate Change (18:33): Trump administration withdraws from international climate agreements; climate scientist Gina McCarthy expresses hopefulness even as “things are undoubtedly bleak” (19:15).
  • Notable exchange:
    • “Well, I drink a lot, Matt. No, no, I’m just kidding… Optimism is what makes people move. Negativity does not.” — Gina McCarthy (19:38)

Key Timestamps

• 00:50 — Videos reveal ICE using excessive force in Minnesota
• 02:17 — Polls show plummeting public support for ICE
• 03:11 — Ellison outlines lawsuit grounds
• 05:48 — Renee Goode shooting details and FBI control of investigation
• 08:04 — Disputed claims about ICE agent injuries, state’s demand for transparency
• 10:38 — Ellison reflects on his mother’s philosophy about resisting evil with good
• 14:27 — Trump’s school milk policy and satirical commentary
• 15:55 — U.S. attempts to “acquire” Greenland rebuffed by Denmark
• 17:13 — Summary of U.S. goals in the Gaza ceasefire process
• 19:15 — Climate outlook and Gina McCarthy’s optimism

Tone & Style

• The episode maintains a brisk, sardonic tone, with host Jane Coaston’s trademark wit and directness.
• Ellison is earnest, resolute, and philosophical, with occasional humor woven into his reflections.

Summary Takeaway

“Can Minnesota Deport ICE?” uses the state’s legal campaign as a lens on federal overreach, transparency, and state rights, set against a backdrop of political retaliation from the Trump administration. Attorney General Keith Ellison articulates both the legal case and the moral conviction underlying Minnesota’s resistance, while the show brings in related national and global news with characteristic humor and clarity.

For more details, see the full transcript or listen to the episode on your preferred platform.