Opening Arguments Let's see how the arguments against #AbolishICE have aged...
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Jan 14, 2026 The hosts tackle the murky aftermath of Renee Nicole Good's tragic murder, dissecting the bad takes surrounding it. They scrutinize J.D. Vance's controversial comments and explore the troubling portrayal of ICE in recent articles. Amidst discussions on the agency's culture and problematic recruitment tactics, they argue the merits of abolishing versus reforming ICE. With a focus on accountability, they emphasize the need for prosecution alongside calls for abolition. The conversation is lively, insightful, and packed with critical viewpoints on immigration issues.
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Absolute Immunity Is Not Total Protection
- Federal officers do not have blanket absolute immunity for on-duty killings; claims of absolute immunity are legally incorrect.
- Matt Cameron and Thomas Smith point out Ruby Ridge and established law showing state prosecution can proceed against federal actors in some cases.
Recruitment And Rhetoric Mirror Fascist Themes
- DHS messaging after the murder used fascistic collective-punishment language that alarmed the hosts.
- Thomas Smith and Matt Cameron argue that phrasing like "One of ours, all of yours" signals collective punishment and escalation.
ICE Recruitment Uses Militarized, Dog-Whistle Imagery
- ICE recruitment materials used wartime imagery and coded nationalist language that the hosts found explicitly white-power-adjacent.
- Lydia Smith and Matt Cameron point out geofencing, military imagery, and dog-whistle phrases in ICE ads.