ICE and the National Guard Are Acting with Impunity

ICE and the National Guard Are Acting with Impunity

From Autocracy in America by The Atlantic

January 9, 2026 · 29 min · Season 3 · Episode 1

About this episode

The episode discusses the transformation of ICE into a national police force and its implications for democracy and upcoming elections.

The transformation of ICE into a type of national police force, backed, in some cases, by soldiers from the National Guard, has been covered as immigration story—but these forces are reshaping democracy for all of us. This shift was evident even before the shootings in Minneapolis and Portland this week. In this episode, George Retes, a U.S. citizen and an Army veteran, recounts how he was detained by ICE and held for three days without explanation. The Atlantic staff writer Anne Applebaum returns as host of Autocracy in America and talks with Margy O’Herron and Liza Goitein from the Liberty & National Security Program at NYU’s Brennan Center for Justice about the potential impact of these forces on elections in November. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/Listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Anne Applebaum

Guests: George Retes, Margy O’Herron, Liza Goitein

Topics covered

  • immigration
  • national security
  • democracy
  • law enforcement
  • elections

Keywords

  • ICE
  • National Guard
  • detention
  • democracy
  • elections
  • immigration policy
  • law enforcement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Liberty & National Security Program, NYU’s Brennan Center for Justice, The Atlantic

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