What Next | Daily News and Analysis Bonus: SchadenFriday: Are You Fitter Than an ICE Applicant?
Nov 21, 2025
Rebecca Onion, a senior staff writer at Slate known for her insights on higher education and culture, dives into the intriguing dynamics of ICE recruitment. She reveals how many candidates are struggling to pass physical fitness tests amidst a surge in recruitment efforts. The conversation includes amusing debates about push-up, sit-up, and run requirements and leads to a light-hearted challenge: could they pass the test themselves? Their banter adds a dose of humor to a serious topic, highlighting the irony in the situation.
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News Fatigue Calls For Comic Relief
- The week’s headlines made Mary Harris feel the need for a light, unserious segment to cope with political news.
- Shoutin' Friday exists as a recurring Slate Plus pick-me-up to process absurd events with humor.
Trying To Gloat Over ICE Fitness Fails
- Rebecca Onion attempted a self-styled schadenfreude experiment after reading reporting about ICE recruits failing fitness tests.
- She describes the reporting and her motivation to test whether she could meet ICE standards herself.
Recruiting Scale Versus Fitness Standards
- Reporting indicated roughly a third of ICE applicants failed the physical fitness test during a recruiting surge.
- That mismatch suggests you can recruit large numbers quickly only by sacrificing physical standards or failing many applicants.