
Garrett Graff
Journalist and historian specializing in federal law enforcement and national security, called as the episode's expert to trace the post‑9/11 evolution of ICE and Border Patrol into a paramilitary force.
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Jan 30, 2026 • 50min
From 9/11 to Minneapolis: How ICE Became a Paramilitary Force
Garrett Graff, journalist and historian of federal law enforcement, outlines how post‑9/11 policy and rapid Border Patrol hiring reshaped ICE and CBP into a paramilitary presence. He traces recruitment and training changes, quota‑driven tactics, and the mismatch between border enforcement culture and urban policing. The conversation examines legal, political, and accountability implications of federal deployments in American cities.

Jan 19, 2026 • 24min
A Brief History of ICE
Garrett Graff, a historian and journalist with two decades of experience covering federal law enforcement, dives into the origins and controversies surrounding ICE. He explains how the agency was born from post-9/11 policies and its split functions with Customs and Border Protection. Graff highlights recruitment and training flaws, particularly the reliance on AI screening. He also discusses how policy shifts during the Trump administration led to more aggressive tactics. Lastly, he warns that constitutional rights offer no guaranteed protection from ICE's reach.


