Overview of New Details About PAST Pretti Encounter with ICE, and Michelle Obama's New Barack Complaints, with Ruthless | Ep. 1239
This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show (SiriusXM) focuses on two headline topics: new reporting around the death of Alex Preddy (shown variously in media as Peretti/Pretty) during an ICE operation in Minneapolis, and Michelle Obama’s recent interview comments about women and the presidency (plus personal remarks about marriage). Megyn Kelly and guests (the Ruthless crew: Josh Holmes, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook and “Smug”) break down the CNN reporting, criticize celebrity and media reactions, debate the political fallout for federal immigration enforcement, and mock Michelle Obama’s podcast remarks.
Main stories covered
- CNN report: federal agents had previously documented a confrontation with Alex Preddy a week before he was shot — allegedly tackled by officers and left with a broken rib after interfering with an ICE detention.
- The Minneapolis ICE operation and the aftermath: large protests, celebrity outrage (Natalie Portman, Jimmy Kimmel, Glenn Close, Whoopi Goldberg, Stephen Colbert), and local political responses (Gov. Tim Walz, mayoral statements).
- Federal response: Tom Homan (former ICE acting director) deployed to Minnesota; discussion of Kristi Noem, Border Patrol leadership, and turf/funding/political disputes within enforcement ranks.
- Media manipulation claims: MSNBC reportedly used an edited image of Preddy on-air; broader accusations of biased or performative coverage.
- Extremist/violent rhetoric: viral videos showing activists advocating harm to ICE officers (a VCU health system employee’s videos were cited), and signal-group coordination allegations.
- DOJ/legal developments: federal magistrate refused to sign a warrant for arrests of Don Lemon and others tied to church disruptions; DOJ withdrew the arrest-warrant request and may pursue grand-jury indictments under federal statutes (e.g., FACE Act).
- Michelle Obama interview: her comments on why the U.S. “isn’t ready” to elect a woman, and remarks about her marriage and therapy — discussed and criticized by the panel.
Key arguments & positions from the show
- Preddy characterization: hosts argue Preddy was an active agitator who previously interfered with ICE operations (assumed the risk) and that the new CNN details confirm prior confrontations — not evidence that ICE acted unlawfully.
- Celebrities and the left: strong skepticism and derision of celebrity statements and tearful videos (Portman, Kimmel, Close), framed as performative and partisan.
- Media skepticism: charges that outlets are shaping narratives (manipulated photos, selective coverage) to protect a left-wing story or to push anti-enforcement sentiment.
- Political accountability and narrative control: the panel asserts that a permissive local political environment (sanctuary policies, prosecution/jailing practices) enabled the confrontation and protester behavior in Minneapolis.
- Enforcement strategy debate: support for aggressive federal enforcement (scale up, “flood the zone,” remove criminal illegal aliens) versus concerns about messaging and political blowback among independents; Tom Homan’s arrival seen as positive by the hosts.
- Foreign funding/coordination: claims that wealthy foreign donors and organized leftist groups (e.g., mentions of Neville Roy Singham/People’s Forum) are enabling the protests and messaging infrastructure.
- Legal process: frustration at DOJ procedural setbacks (magistrate refusal) but expectation DOJ will pursue grand jury indictments to secure felony charges for protesters who disrupted a church service.
Notable quotes / soundbites from the episode
- “He was out there looking for a fight.” — characterization of Alex Preddy after CNN’s reporting on the prior altercation.
- “No one gives a shit about Natalie Portman’s political opinion.” — harsh reaction to celebrity statements at film festivals.
- “This is a left-wing funded insurgency.” — claim used to explain organized protest activity and foreign money influence.
- Megyn quoting Trump on the investigation: “I want a very honorable and honest investigation.”
- Michelle Obama (clip): “There are men out there that were not going to vote for a woman.” — her rationale for why women haven’t yet been elected president, used by the hosts to critique her framing.
- “They will cut a bitch.” — panel commentary about the political ruthlessness attributed to the left.
Evidence / reporting the show referenced
- CNN piece by Jeff Winter & Priscilla Alvarez about Preddy’s earlier broken rib and intel collection forms used by federal agents.
- Video clips/statements from celebrities at film festivals and late-night hosts.
- Reports and social media posts alleging foreign funding ties to Minneapolis activist groups (e.g., reporting cited on Neville Roy Singham and linked nonprofits).
- VCU statement that an employee who posted videos advocating harm or sabotage was placed on administrative leave pending investigation.
- DOJ procedural actions: magistrate judge refusal to sign arrest warrant; DOJ withdrawing the warrant request and potential grand jury pathway.
Political implications & takeaways
- Public opinion: hosts cited polling suggesting falling approval for ICE/DHS and political vulnerability for officials tied to the operations (e.g., Kristi Noem); concern that media-driven visual narratives (children in custody, viral videos) sway independent voters.
- Enforcement vs. optics: the episode emphasizes tension between fulfilling campaign promises on illegal migration and managing national optics — the panel urges scaling enforcement rather than retreat.
- Legal strategy: DOJ’s initial procedural setback likely to shift toward grand jury indictments if federal prosecutors want indictment-ready felony charges for protesters who allegedly obstructed or assaulted.
- Broader national risk: panelists warn that Minneapolis-style confrontations could be replicated in other sanctuary/blue areas unless federal enforcement is scaled and sustained.
Media/ethics issues highlighted
- Photo manipulation: claim that MSNBC used an edited/“juiced” image of Alex Preddy to make him look more sympathetic — used to argue media spin.
- Celebrities’ role: critique of celebrities using a platform to push a partisan narrative without engaging with the full facts.
- Social-media coordination: assertion that organized funding (domestic and foreign) and pre-printed protest materials indicate the protests are not purely organic.
Action items / recommended follow-ups (as suggested or implied by the show)
- Follow the official investigation into Alex Preddy’s death (watch for DOJ/FBI releases, body-cam footage, indictment decisions).
- Monitor the DOJ’s grand jury activity in the St. Paul church disruption case (potential FACE Act indictments).
- Track Tom Homan’s operational plan and results in Minneapolis: arrests made, numbers of criminal removals, changes in local cooperation.
- Watch for media fact-checking on alleged photo edits and for VCU’s personnel/investigation updates related to the nurse’s videos.
- For listeners seeking primary sources: review the cited CNN piece and official DHS/ICE statements for the contemporaneous factual record.
Final summary / bottom line
This episode frames the Minneapolis ICE operation and Alex Preddy’s death as a clash between federal enforcement and a politically enabled, organized leftist protest movement. The hosts emphasize prior altercations involving Preddy, criticize celebrity and media narratives as performative or manipulated, and press for decisive, scaled federal enforcement rather than concessions that could embolden similar actions nationwide. The show also treats Michelle Obama’s podcast remarks as fodder for cultural critique. Listeners are encouraged to follow legal developments (investigations, potential indictments) and to scrutinize both media framing and the political incentives driving local responses.