Overview of The Rest is Politics US
This episode (152) of The Rest is Politics US, hosted by Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci, focuses on the fallout from a deadly Minnesota shooting in which U.S. Border Patrol/ICE agents killed a man identified in the episode as Alex Pretti — an ICU nurse and U.S. citizen. The hosts review conflicting accounts, political reactions across the right and left, implications for the Trump administration (and Stephen Miller’s influence), and wider political and economic consequences.
Key facts and what happened
- Incident: U.S. Border Patrol agents fatally shot Alex Pretti (described as a 37‑year‑old ICU nurse and VA hospital worker) during an ICE operation in Minneapolis.
- Video: Multiple videos (including close frame‑by‑frame analysis mentioned) show Pretti approaching holding his phone, not actively using a gun; during a scuffle an officer finds/grasps a gun and yells “gun,” and multiple shots (reported ~10) were fired while Pretti was subdued on the ground.
- Legal context: Minneapolis allows open carry; local police chief said carrying a gun to a protest was not illegal in that context.
- Conflicting official messaging: DHS/White House narratives emphasized Pretti had a gun and framed the operation as targeting dangerous actors; right‑wing voices (e.g., Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller) used inflammatory language (calling him a “terrorist” or “assassin”).
- Investigations and accountability: Agents have not been publicly identified, prompting concerns about transparency; major news outlets (WSJ cited) have urged pulling back such ICE operations.
Republican / MAGA reactions and internal tensions
- Hard‑right reaction: Some MAGA figures and influencers praised the operation and used it to amplify anti‑immigrant and law‑and‑order messaging.
- Pushback from conservative allies: Several Republicans (James Comer, Pete Ricketts, Gov. Kevin Stitt) and influential gun‑rights voices criticized the operation or called for federal agents to leave Minneapolis. Some MAGA influencers compared Pretti’s death to Ashli Babbitt (Jan. 6) — signaling internal friction.
- Trump’s posture: Trump posted praise for DHS/ICE but, according to the hosts, appears to be “pulling back” or trying to manage optics by sending former ICE official Tom Homan to Minneapolis and distancing himself from some operatives (e.g., Kristi Noem). Scaramucci and Kay argue Trump is balancing base‑appeal with broader public and corporate backlash.
Stephen Miller, policy direction, and who’s running what
- Hosts’ view: Anthony Scaramucci argues Stephen Miller is effectively running immigration enforcement policy (“Stephen Miller’s administration”), having pushed hardline operations and rhetoric. Katty Kay echoes concern that Miller’s influence remains strong.
- Political risk: The hosts say aggressive, militarized ICE tactics are politically toxic for broader public opinion and could cost Republicans in suburban/independent districts in midterms if more deaths or abuses occur.
Democratic response and strategy (what’s happening / what the hosts recommend)
- Immediate Dem responses: Some Democrats called to block further DHS funding; former presidents (Barack Obama, Bill Clinton) condemned the shooting and demanded lawful accountability and due process.
- Incoherence risk: Hosts argue Democrats currently lack a cohesive, disciplined response — splitting between symbolic actions (defund/abolish DHS/ICE) and practical accountability demands.
- Recommended Democratic approach (Scaramucci’s prescription):
- Coordinate around a clear platform and spokesperson (a “contract” or focused manifesto for governing/oversight).
- Demand investigations: DHS inspector general, congressional hearings, transparency about identities/actions of agents.
- Avoid tactical moves that would materially harm the U.S. economy (e.g., shutting down government or immediately defunding DHS in a way that escalates economic instability).
- Emphasize principled law‑and‑order plus civil liberties: hold officers accountable while offering a message of national healing and sensible immigration reform to win independents.
Broader consequences (economy, corporate, and international)
- Corporate pressure: CEOs of major Minnesota‑based companies reportedly urged calm and cooperation; hosts note corporate leaders can influence presidential decisions (cited as factor in other recent episodes like Greenland).
- Economic fallout concerns: Scaramucci stresses market sensitivity — political chaos and perceived erosion of rule of law can weaken the dollar, prompt capital flight, and scare investors. He warns Democrats against moves that might exacerbate market reactions.
- Soft power and global reputation: Hosts argue such events damage the U.S. image as a rule‑of‑law leader and could affect alliances, investment, and innovation.
Notable quotes / framing points
- “This is Stephen Miller’s administration at the moment, not Donald Trump’s administration when it comes to this issue.” — Anthony Scaramucci
- “Americans don’t like what they’re seeing now.” — paraphrase of GOP governor Kevin Stitt’s criticism (used by hosts to argue even some conservatives disapprove).
- Emphasis on transparency: Hosts compared failure to name agents unfavorably with naming officers in other incidents (e.g., George Floyd case).
Main takeaways
- The Minnesota shooting produced starkly conflicting narratives; video evidence complicates official claims that the deceased posed an immediate lethal threat.
- The incident exposes fissures within the Republican/MAGA ecosystem: hardline operatives pushed the operation; some GOP leaders and influencers are now criticizing the fallout.
- Stephen Miller is portrayed as driving aggressive immigration enforcement; this strategy risks political blowback and electoral damage for Republicans.
- Democrats have an opening but need a coordinated message that demands accountability without unintentionally undermining broader economic stability.
- The episode ties the Minneapolis events to larger risks: erosion of U.S. norms, corporate and investor response, and damage to international standing.
Action items / what to watch next
- Watch for official investigations: DHS Inspector General, DOJ/civil rights probes, and whether agents are publicly identified and charged.
- Monitor Trump administration decisions: whether Homan’s mission leads to policy changes, personnel firings, or public retrenchment.
- Track Republican party cohesion: whether more GOP lawmakers publicly distance themselves or defend ICE tactics.
- Observe Democratic strategy: will they unify around an accountability + reform message or fragment into less effective tactics?
- Economic indicators: dollar strength, capital flows, and corporate statements as early signs of market reaction to political instability.
For listeners who want more context, the hosts point to in‑depth video analysis (e.g., NYT frame‑by‑frame coverage) and to reporting by outlets such as the Wall Street Journal for evolving developments and calls to curb these ICE operations.