
The News Agents - USA Will Trump bring martial law to Minnesota?
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Jan 15, 2026 Ben Smith, co-founder of Semaphore and host of Mixed Signals, dives into the escalating chaos in Minnesota following the shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent. He discusses the political motives behind ICE’s aggressive tactics and how they might serve as a trigger for federal action. The conversation also explores the troubling comparisons between ICE and paramilitary forces, as well as the fragmented media landscape that leaves traditional outlets vulnerable to manipulation. Smith emphasizes the need for reliable reporting amid these tensions.
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ICE As Political Theatre
- ICE operations in Minneapolis have shifted from immigration enforcement to political spectacle and intimidation.
- Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel argue the raids appear designed to provoke clashes and signal federal impunity.
Renee Good's Killing And Aftermath
- Emily recounts the killing of Renee Nicole Good shot at point‑blank range by an ICE agent.
- She notes the administration focused on investigating protesters rather than the agent, conveying a message of immunity.
Rhetoric Grants Impunity
- The rhetoric from White House allies frames ICE as having near‑impunity, raising enforcement bias concerns.
- Sopel and Maitlis link that rhetoric to selective enforcement and political intimidation.

