ICE agents in trouble as under the bus goes Bovino

The David Pakman Show - January 29, 2026

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ICE and Border Patrol agents are being led to believe they are untouchable. Killings go uncharged, leadership rushes to defend them, and the message is that aggressive enforcement will be protected. But that protection is temporary. In systems like this, loyalty only flows upward. When the optics turn, leaders protect themselves and sacrifice subordinates. With civilians killed in Minnesota, video contradicting official stories, protests growing, and Tom Homan warning that “unprofessional” agents will be dealt with, the outcome is obvious. Trump will not take the hit. Low level agents will.

Tom Homan’s move to Minneapolis to replace Greg Bovino is being sold as routine, but it is clearly damage control. Bovino’s militarized presence became an optics disaster, even as the administration insists he was doing a “great job.” Rather than admit failure, they quietly sidelined him. Homan immediately pivots to talk of “targeted enforcement” and drawing down forces, which is framed as smarter strategy, not retreat.

Jerome Powell flatly rejected Donald Trump’s demands for rate cuts, announcing no change to the federal funds rate and reaffirming the Fed’s independence. Inflation remains elevated and job growth is weak outside government hiring, undermining Trump’s claims of a booming economy. Powell stays apolitical throughout, refusing to engage Trump directly.

The real “Trump derangement syndrome” is among celebrities and corporations scrambling for favor. Nicki Minaj’s appearance at a Trump event, declaring herself his “number one fan” in cult-like language, had nothing to do with policy. It looked like pure opportunism, perhaps motivating by seeking a pardon for her brother.

The exchange between Marco Rubio and Rand Paul exposes a fracture in Republican foreign policy. Paul correctly points out that unilaterally seizing a foreign leader violates constitutional limits and would be treated as an act of war if done to the US. Rubio’s defenses collapse under basic scrutiny. The policy is not grounded in law or principle, but in raw power and the assumption the US can get away with it.

A rare moment of honesty appeared on Fox News when Brit Hume admited Trump’s agenda is backfiring. Polling shows Americans feel worse about the economy and are repelled by the chaos and brutality of immigration crackdowns, even if they support enforcement in principle. The significance is the source. Fox figures are starting to see the damage, and the panic is creeping into their coverage.

The “just following orders” defense has resurfaced as the administration’s narrative collapses, particularly around Kristi Noem. As the story about Alex Pretti falls apart, Noem deflects responsibility by claiming she merely repeated information from CBP and the White House. The point is not historical comparison, but principle. Following orders does not erase responsibility.

Finally, Graham Platner, a Marine and U.S. Army veteran and oyster farmer, joins us to discuss his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Maine.

On today’s bonus show:

Democrats and the White House try avoiding another government shutdown, the Melania documentary is bombing, the FBI searches an Atlanta election office looking for 2020 voter fraud, and much more...

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