NEW TAPE: Pretti’s Not-So-Nonviolent ICE Protest Past

In this podcast episode, Ben Shapiro discusses several pressing current events and cultural topics, centering primarily on new evidence related to Alex Prey, the man fatally shot by Border Patrol agents. The episode also touches on the rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement, the political theater in the Senate involving Marco Rubio, and the introduction of Trump accounts aimed at encouraging youth investment. Additionally, Ben fields listener questions in a mailbag segment and critiques contemporary cultural figures and narratives.

Alex Prey's Prior Confrontations with ICE

Newly surfaced footage from January 13th, about 11 days before Alex Prey was shot by Border Patrol, shows Prey aggressively engaging with federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. Contrary to portrayals of Prey as a peaceful protester or innocent victim, the video depicts him damaging ICE property, resisting arrest, and reportedly carrying a firearm. The encounter involved him kicking an ICE vehicle's tail light and assaulting officers, leading to pepper ball and tear gas use. The video's existence challenges prominent narratives, such as those espoused by Anna Navarro and others on the left, who have painted Prey as a saintly figure. This tape raises serious questions about local and federal law enforcement failures, as Prey was reportedly known to ICE and yet remained free to engage in these confrontations until the fatal shooting on January 24th. Ben emphasizes the complexity of the reality, insisting that Prey could be both a habitual agitator and wrongly killed, underscoring the difficulty many have with cognitive dissonance in such cases.

The Polarized Narratives Surrounding ICE and Prey

Ben critiques how the left simplifies the narrative to cast all ICE detainees as innocent victims and ICE agents as oppressive Nazis, despite evidence complicating this picture. This binary framing ignores the messy reality that some who oppose ICE, including Prey, have engaged in unlawful obstruction and resistance. Such polarization leads to inflammatory rhetoric, exemplified by figures like Steven Colbear who compared ICE agents unfavorably to Nazis, a comparison Ben terms "insane" and dangerous. This demonization not only distorts historical reality but also risks inciting further violence against law enforcement. Democratic politicians and media personalities frequently escalate tensions by using terms like "Gestapo" or likening ICE enforcement to historical atrocities. Ben argues that this rhetoric exacerbates public unrest and undermines honest discourse about immigration enforcement and law and order.

Bruce Springsteen's Controversial New Song

The episode takes a sharp turn into cultural commentary with a critique of Bruce Springsteen's new song about ICE and Minneapolis titled "Streets of Minneapolis." Ben dismisses the lyrics as poor and heavily biased, portraying federal agents as an armed occupying force amid a snowy, bloodied urban backdrop. The imagery and messaging reinforce a hostile narrative towards ICE, which dovetails with the broader political attacks on immigration enforcement. Ben ridicules the melodramatic and factually questionable elements of the song, sarcastically emphasizing Springsteen's decline in artistic quality over decades.

Rising Calls for Revolution from Hollywood Figures

Ben also highlights commentary from actor Gian Carlo Esposito, who hints at revolutionary fervor stirred by perceived governmental oppression and ICE actions. Esposito's theatrical appearance and rhetoric calling for revolution, without any visible personal courage or leadership, are mocked. Ben points to the irony that many who foment such rhetoric do not engage with practical activism or leadership, often residing comfortably in wealthy, artistically insular circles. He notes that the racial and ethnic makeup of ICE agents contradicts narratives that paint the agency as a monolithic white oppressor group.

Minneapolis and Sanctuary Politics

Tom Homan from DHS was dispatched to Minneapolis to negotiate with the city government amid tensions over immigration enforcement. The discussions reportedly resulted in an agreement for county-level law enforcement to collaborate with ICE on transferring individuals arrested for state crimes, marking a possible softening in sanctuary city policies. Ben praises Homan's professional and pragmatic approach and contrasts it with the behavior of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who publicly refuses cooperation with ICE and prioritizes local policing over federal immigration enforcement. Frey's position, Jeffries style rhetoric, and other sanctuary city leaders' stances in places like New York and Chicago contribute to escalating confrontations with federal agents.

Political Theater in the Senate with Marco Rubio

Ben covers a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing where Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified on Venezuela and related subjects. He describes many senators, such as Tammy Duckworth and Chris Van Hollen, as uninformed or asking unproductive questions, revealing a lack of sophistication in policymaking. Protesters disrupted the hearing, calling for leniency or opposing U.S. involvement in Venezuela, which Ben points out amounts to supporting oppressive regimes. Rubio's competence and clarity are contrasted with the Senate's often muddled discourse. Notably, Senator Rand Paul's isolationist critique of operations in Venezuela is rebutted with strong affirmations of U.S. national security interests and constitutional war powers.

Immigration Enforcement Funding Battles

There is ongoing contention in the Senate over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), particularly ICE. Senate Democrats demand various reforms, including mandating body cameras for agents, ending "roving patrols," and increasing coordination with local law enforcement. Some Democrats threaten a government shutdown if these reforms are not enacted. Elizabeth Warren and Raphael Warnock vocalize strong opposition to ICE funding, accusing agents of brutality. However, moderate Democrats like Senator John Fetterman caution against inflammatory rhetoric, urging cooler heads. Ben underscores how this political posturing exacerbates tensions and complicates immigration enforcement.

Introduction of Trump Accounts for Youth Investment

Shifting to economic policy, Ben highlights the Trump administration's launch of new tax-advantaged investment accounts—dubbed "Trump accounts"—for children up to age 18. Each newborn during this period receives a $1,000 seed deposit from the Treasury, with parents, employers, and philanthropists able to contribute up to $5,000 annually. The accounts are designed to foster long-term wealth accumulation and encourage broad-based participation in the stock market, serving as an antidote to socialism and government dependency. Celebrity involvement, including rapper Nicki Minaj's public support and partnership, signals a cultural shift welcoming open expressions of support for President Trump. The initiative aims to create "a generation of capitalists" by connecting youth to private investment from birth.

Mailbag Segment: Bible Story and Advice for Working Mothers

In the first-ever audio mailbag sponsored by Pure Talk, Ben answers listener questions. For one, he recommends a somewhat overlooked biblical passage from Exodus, covering Moses' broken tablets and his encounter with God's "back," emphasizing the themes of human limitation and understanding God's action over time. To a mother asking for advice on balancing work and parenting, Ben counsels realistic expectations and prioritization, noting that time is finite and trade-offs are necessary. He shares how his wife navigates phases of full-time work and full-time parenting depending on family needs, emphasizing that career ambitions may need adjustment according to life circumstances.

Tease of "The Pen Dragon Cycle"

Briefly, Ben plugs "The Pen Dragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin," a new series available on Daily Wire Plus, noting audience excitement despite hostility from some critics. He encourages listeners to subscribe and watch to support the project.