Anti-ICE Protests Grow & Storm Response Scrutiny | 2.3.26

Summary of Anti-ICE Protests Grow & Storm Response Scrutiny | 2.3.26

by The Daily Wire

16m•February 3, 2026
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Overview of Anti-ICE Protests Grow & Storm Response Scrutiny | 2.3.26

This episode of Morning Wire (The Daily Wire) — hosted by Georgia Howe with executive editor John Bickley — covers three main storylines from February 3, 2026: expanding anti-ICE activist pressure on businesses (especially Target) and related political fallout; congressional efforts to reopen the government and negotiations around Homeland Security funding; and public frustration over power-outage response after Winter Storm Fern, focusing on Nashville. The show features reporting from Tim Pierce, Cameron Arkan, and Lyndon Blake, plus clips from the Grammys and statements from officials.

Key topics discussed

  • Anti-ICE protests and corporate pressure

    • Left-wing activists are pressuring companies (notably Target) to publicly denounce ICE and ban ICE operations on private property.
    • Protest tactics include store demonstrations and targeting Target’s Minneapolis HQ and its new CEO (Brian/“Michael Fiddlekey” in transcript — likely Michael Fiddelke or similar; name may be mis-transcribed).
    • Activists want explicit corporate stances even when companies have no direct ties to ICE.

  • ICE enforcement and local cooperation

    • Tom Homan (ICE official) is operating mostly out of public view in Minneapolis, emphasizing behind-the-scenes work and partnerships with local law enforcement.
    • Homan’s message: if local authorities don’t help enforce immigration laws, ICE may need to conduct operations in private businesses — a rationale protesters oppose.
    • Some local law enforcement in Minneapolis may start wearing body cameras while assisting in related operations (noted as a development).

  • Cultural/political signaling at the Grammys

    • Multiple artists made anti-ICE statements and showed visible support for activism; Billie Eilish’s “No one is illegal on stolen land” line featured and generated online backlash.

  • Government shutdown and Homeland Security funding

    • The House planned a vote to reopen the government; the president urged no changes to the Senate-agreed spending bills to avoid sending them back to the Senate.
    • A short-term continuing resolution (CR) would fund operations through about February 13, 2026 — seen by some lawmakers as a tight window.
    • Negotiations around immigration enforcement reforms continue; possible points include limits on administrative warrants and other procedure changes.
    • The SAVE Act (documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration) was discussed: House proponents want it advanced in the Senate separately rather than attached to the CR.

  • Winter Storm Fern outages and Nashville response

    • Many Nashville residents went without power for days; more than 20 still without power at the time of reporting.
    • Reporters and citizens criticized Nashville Electric Service (NES) for inadequate tree trimming and insufficient vegetation crews and linemen, tying preparedness decisions to the slow recovery.
    • Mayor Freddie O’Connell was criticized for a slower public response compared with his quick action after local ICE enforcement events last year.
    • Contrast made with utilities in other regions (e.g., Duke Energy staging thousands of linemen) to highlight differing levels of readiness.

Guests & reporting highlights

  • Tim Pierce (Daily Wire reporter): Covered anti-ICE activism vs. businesses, Target protests, Tom Homan’s approach, and Grammys’ political statements.
  • Cameron Arkan (Daily Wire political reporter): Updated on the shutdown, the president’s stance, CR timeline, SAVE Act background, and likely next steps.
  • Lyndon Blake (Daily Wire reporter): Reported from Nashville on outage aftermath, NES preparedness issues, and local leadership response.

Notable quotes and soundbites

  • Protest chant clip: “People united will never be defeated.” (from Target protests)
  • Billie Eilish at the Grammys: “No one is illegal on stolen land.” (used to illustrate celebrity activism)
  • President (social post paraphrase): “There can be no changes at this time” — urging House to pass bill without additions to reopen government quickly.

Main takeaways

  • Anti-ICE activism is expanding tactical pressure beyond direct policy arenas to private companies, seeking public corporate condemnation and operational bans.
  • ICE officials and activists are in conflict over whether enforcement actions in private businesses are justified; ICE argues such actions stem from gaps in local cooperation.
  • Short-term funding deals to reopen government are politically fraught: leadership wants quick passage without amendments, but substantive immigration enforcement reforms remain a live negotiation.
  • Winter Storm Fern exposed uneven utility preparedness; Nashville’s slower response and staffing shortfalls (vegetation crews and linemen) drew sharp criticism of local utility leadership and municipal officials.

What to watch next

  • Whether the House vote succeeds without amendments and whether the government reopens the same day; follow-up negotiations on Homeland Security funding and immigration enforcement.
  • Any corporate responses from Target or other retailers to activist demands, and whether additional protests spread nationally.
  • Developments in Minneapolis around ICE operations and local law-enforcement cooperation (including body-camera protocols).
  • Nashville cleanup progress, utility after-action reports, and any policy or leadership changes at NES or city level.

Quick context / caveats

  • Some proper names in the transcript may be mis-transcribed (e.g., Target CEO name). For exact names and full quotes, consult original video or network posts.
  • The episode includes sponsor messages and ads (1-800-Flowers, Prime Bar / Equip Foods, Good Ranchers, Hilton, Toyota).