Lovett GOES OFF on ICE as Their Poll Numbers COLLAPSE

What this episode is about

This piece discusses recent controversies surrounding ICE and the implications of its declining public support, illustrated by Laura Jadeid's surprising job offer from the agency without proper vetting. It further explores the broader political landscape, likening it to a "shepherd tone," where escalating crises seem perpetual yet lead to no real resolution, reflecting ongoing tensions in U.S. governance and the judicial challenges faced by figures like Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Key takeaways

• Laura Jadeid's ICE offer shows bureaucracy can be as chaotic as a toddler unsupervised in a candy store.
• Shepherd tones in politics reveal a constant state of escalation, but growth leads to nowhere – much like marriage planning.
• Investigation into Jerome Powell highlights that when the Fed chair posts videos, democracy’s given way to TV dramatics.
• With more Americans favoring ICE abolition, let’s worry where displaced agents will hone their aim – maybe reality TV?
• ICE's training cut reflects Trump’s administration: a chaotic blend of shortcuts and laughable consequences – welcome to the circus.

Who speaks in this episode?

• Jon Lovett (Guest) · 13 min speaking
• Laura Jadeid (Guest) · 2 min speaking
• Joe Rogan (Host) · 1 min speaking
• Tim Walz (Guest) · 1 min speaking

What is discussed, and when

1. 0:00 – 3:00: Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, shepherd tone, Janine Piro
2. 3:00 – 6:00: ICE, Donald Trump, immigration enforcement, Laura Jadeid
3. 6:00 – 9:00: Built
4. 12:00 – 15:00: Ford, Donald Trump, immigration enforcement, TJ Sapala
5. 15:00 – 15:56: shepherd tone

Notable quotes from "Lovett GOES OFF on ICE as Their Poll Numbers COLLAPSE"

• Laura Jadeid, a writer for Slate managed to get offered a job at ICE despite having never signed or submitted a background check or domestic violence affidavit. Turns out if you tap the.

  about Laura Jadeid · at 0:00

• It's an auditory illusion. It seems like it's always ascending, but it never actually gets higher. It builds and it builds and it builds, but it builds to nowhere and nothing.…

  about shepherd tone · at 0:58

• The investigation is technically into whether Jerome Powell misled Congress about the renovation of the Federal Reserve's headquarters, but there's no reason to think Powell…

  about Federal Reserve · at 2:00

• But also, for the first time, according to a Yuggov poll, more Americans were in favor of abolishing ICE than opposed to it. And sure, abolishing ICE sounds good, but we have to think about where all those out of work officers would go.

  about ICE · at 3:58

• Vowed to send hundreds more ICE agents to Minneapolis as protests continued across the state. But why would an uproar over ICE require more immigration enforcement? It's like a…

  about immigration enforcement · at 5:44

• About. In response to local leaders standing up to the administration, Trump on Thursday threatened to evoke the insurrection act, which would of course only make matters worse. And that is so not like him.

  about Donald Trump · at 8:00

• And great news Ari., I, am, getting, word, from, White, House officials that Machado insisted that she give the Nobel Medal to the president.

  about Maria Karina Machado · at 12:09

• Really actually like shocking. Ford suspended the worker TJ Sapala, but as of this recording, over $800,000 has been raised for him on GoFundMe. Yeah.

  about TJ Sapala · at 14:37

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

• Donald Trump — Person · Primary subject of political commentary · 2 mentions · first at 3:21
  The episode frames multiple news events as escalations driven by Donald Trump's administration, including DOJ actions, ICE expansion, and threats involving Greenland and sanctuary cities.
• Jerome Powell — Person · Referenced public official under scrutiny · 3 mentions · first at 1:47
  Discussed as the Federal Reserve Chair facing a criminal investigation (as described) related to HQ renovations, used to illustrate pressure on independent institutions.
  The investigation is technically into whether Jerome Powell misled Congress about the renovation of the Federal Reserve's headquarters, but there's no reason to think Powell was lying when he said the Federal Reserve's beds were too.
• Laura Jadeid — Person · Referenced journalist / example case · 2 mentions · first at 0:00
  Cited as a Slate writer who was reportedly offered an ICE job without completing key paperwork, illustrating alleged failures in ICE recruitment screening.
• Janine Piro — Person · Referenced legal/political actor · 1 mention · first at 1:41
  Named as launching a criminal investigation into Jerome Powell, serving as a vehicle for the episode's critique of politicized law enforcement.
  Investigation by the US Attorney's Office is the scariest way Janine Piro can come after you other than on the freeway after she's attended a holiday party.
• TJ Sapala — Person · Referenced worker / protest figure · 1 mention · first at 14:37
  An auto worker at a Ford plant who confronted Donald Trump; his suspension and subsequent GoFundMe fundraising illustrate public backlash and solidarity.
• Maria Karina Machado — Person · Referenced foreign political figure · 1 mention · first at 12:05
  Presented as a Venezuelan opposition leader meeting Donald Trump; the segment satirizes a claim about transferring a Nobel Peace Prize medal.
• Gene Hackman — Person · Cultural reference (analogy) · 1 mention · first at 12:34
  Used in a joke to explain that buying an Oscar doesn't transfer the award status—paralleling the Nobel Prize transfer satire.
  For all time. This is completely humiliating. It's like having to explain to Trump that if you buy Gene Hackman's Oscar from the estate sale, you do not become the best…

Companies & orgs

• ICE — Company · Core topic (immigration enforcement agency) · 2 mentions · first at 4:00
  Central to the episode's discussion of recruitment, training cuts, alleged AI misclassification, protests in Minnesota, and growing public support for abolishing the agency.
• Federal Reserve — Company · Institution under pressure · 3 mentions · first at 1:47
  The Fed is discussed as an independent institution threatened by political/legal pressure, with focus on its HQ renovation and Powell's independence statement.
• Ford — Company · Corporate setting for confrontation story · 2 mentions · first at 14:14
  Appears as the site of Donald Trump's visit and the employer that suspended TJ Sapala after he confronted Trump.
  During Trump's visit to a Ford plant in Michigan this week, an auto worker said his piece.
• Slate — Company · Referenced media outlet · 2 mentions · first at 0:00
  Identified as Laura Jadeid's publication, anchoring the ICE recruitment anecdote in a media-reporting context.
  Laura Jadeid, a writer for Slate managed to get offered a job at ICE despite having never signed or submitted a background check or domestic violence affidavit. Turns out if you tap the.
• GoFundMe — Company · Platform enabling public support · 1 mention · first at 14:42
  Cited as the fundraising platform where over $800,000 was raised for suspended Ford worker TJ Sapala.
  Really actually like shocking. Ford suspended the worker TJ Sapala, but as of this recording, over $800,000 has been raised for him on GoFundMe. Yeah.

Concepts & topics

• shepherd tone — Concept · Central metaphor / framing device · 3 mentions · first at 0:36
  The host uses the auditory illusion of a shepherd tone to describe political escalation that feels constantly rising but never resolves, structuring the episode's narrative.
• immigration enforcement — Concept · Core policy theme · 2 mentions · first at 5:49
  The episode critiques intensified immigration enforcement through ICE deployments, recruitment/training issues, and public protests.
• Artificial Intelligence — Concept · Mechanism in recruitment story · 2 mentions
  Referenced as an ICE tool used to categorize recruits; a reported glitch allegedly miscategorized inexperienced recruits, reducing training.
  ICE recruitment system that meant some officers got sent into field offices without proper training. Apparently, ICE uses this AI tool to categorize new recruits who have…
• Korean taco — Concept · Comedic aside / cultural reference · 1 mention · first at 2:45
  Used as a humorous setup for explaining central bank interference (Turkey/Erdogan) while discussing Jerome Powell and the Fed.
  Come with me, Jerome Powell, to try DC's hottest new Korean taco spot as I explain how Erdogan's interference with his country central bank caused the collapse of the Turkish lera.

Places & events

• Venezuela — Place · Geopolitical reference point · 2 mentions · first at 0:24
  Appears in jokes about a U.S. 'invasion' and in the segment about Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Karina Machado meeting Donald Trump.
  It, is, only, mid, January., Our, invasion, of Venezuela is two weeks old. Our invasion of Greenland is two weeks out and the bleakness of the news somehow feels to be constant and yet always.

Media & podcasts

• The Atlantic — Media · Referenced reporting outlet · 1 mention · first at 5:15
  Cited for reporting that ICE training time was cut to 47 days, supporting the episode's critique of inadequate preparation.
  The Atlantic also reported back in August that the training time for ICE recruits had been cut in half to just 47 days. And the officials chose 47 as the number because Trump is the 47th.
• Unforgiven — Media · Film reference used for analogy · 1 mention · first at 12:41
  Referenced to illustrate that awards/status cannot be transferred, paralleling the Nobel Prize joke.
  Oscar from the estate sale, you do not become the best supporting actor in 1992's Unforgiven. How is this real? How is this the actual news? And that's not the only example of…

Sponsors

• Built — Company · Episode sponsor (advertised product) · 1 mention · first at 8:45
  Advertised as a loyalty program rewarding rent (and soon mortgage) payments; included in the mid-episode ad read.
  Love it or leave it is brought to you by Built. It's 2026 and if you're still paying rent without Built, it's time for a change. Built is the loyalty program for renters that rewards you for your.

Full transcript with timestamps

0:00 Laura Jadeid, a writer for Slate managed to get offered a job at ICE despite having never signed or submitted a background check or domestic violence affidavit. Turns out if you tap the action button on the new iPhone, it will toggle focus mode. But if you hold that button down, you do join ICE.

0:19 But, first,, let's, get, into, it., What, a week. It, is, only, mid, January., Our, invasion, of Venezuela is two weeks old. Our invasion of Greenland is two weeks out and the bleakness of the news somehow feels to be constant and yet always getting worse. It's why politics feels like a shepherd tone. Do you know what a shepherd tone is? Anybody know what a shepherd tone is? This is a shepherd tone.

0:53 That's, right., Sheep, find, that, sound utterly irresistible. It's an auditory illusion. It seems like it's always ascending, but it never actually gets higher. It builds and it builds and it builds, but it builds to nowhere and nothing. Like Los Angeles doing road construction or the film one battle after another. The illusion of a shepherd tone is created by many overlapping scales fading in and out of perception. We carine from escalation to escalation as the novelty fades, as push back calms nerves, as the administration turns to its next enemy. Can we hear it again?

1:33 It's also what planning a wedding feels like. On Sunday, we learned that US Attorney and Judge Judy's warriio Janine Piro launched a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. This is serious. A criminal investigation by the US Attorney's Office is the scariest way Janine Piro can come after you other than on the freeway after she's attended a holiday party. The investigation is technically into whether Jerome Powell misled Congress about the renovation of the Federal Reserve's headquarters, but there's no reason to think Powell was lying when he said the Federal Reserve's beds were too weak and he needed ones that could quote strip bubble gum off a shag carpet.

2:18 In a rare video statement released by the Fed, Powell defended his independence.

2:23 No, one,, certainly, not, the, chair, of, the Federal Reserve, is above the law. But this unprecedented action should be seen in the broader context of the administration's threats and ongoing pressure. Public service sometimes requires standing firm in the face of threats. It's a dark day in America when even the Federal Reserve chair has to pivot to video. Come with me, Jerome Powell, to try DC's hottest new Korean taco spot as I explain how Erdogan's interference with his country central bank caused the collapse of the Turkish lera.

2:58 [snorts] And then it backfired according to Axio's Treasury Secretary and bottom who pretends to be a top Scott Bessant reportedly told Trump that this was a mess and it could hurt the markets. And there was an outcry by business leaders former Fed chairs, and even a few Republican senators, if you can believe it. Democrats also spoke out, but that doesn't matter. And so this is how this particular news cycle wraps up. Trump's Department of Justice crosses a new line and risks economic catastrophe. There's genuine push back. The markets trust that Trump will back down even as he doubles down publicly. And this escalation doesn't end. It just fades into the background.

3:35 Meanwhile, in Minnesota, the escalation there continues. Six federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned on Tuesday rather than comply with the Justice Department's push to investigate not Renee Good's killer, but Renee Good's widow., Good, lord,, at least, give, her, time to bury her wife on a golf course for the tax breaks like a decent human being. That one was hard. I know. It's okay. But also, for the first time, according to a Yuggov poll, more Americans were in favor of abolishing ICE than opposed to it. And sure, abolishing ICE sounds good, but we have to think about where all those out of work officers would go.

4:09 There are only so many gun ranges that will let you tape a picture of your ex-wife on the target. The Trump administration is bragging about doubling the number of ICE officers through its recruitment campaign. But there are also reports of plummeting morale and growing ranks of recruits hitting the streets without enough screening or training. Exclusive reporting about an apparent error in the ICE recruitment system that meant some officers got sent into field offices without proper training. Apparently, ICE uses this AI tool to categorize new recruits who have worked in law enforcement before. But there was some kind of a glitch, according to our reporting with it, that led to ICE temporarily putting recruits with a little to no experience into a more experienced category, meaning they got less training.

4:51 Welcome, to, ICE., Oops., All, Paul, Blarts edition. Laura Jadeid, a writer for Slate managed to get offered a job at ICE despite having never signed or submitted a background check or a domestic violence affidavit. Turns out if you tap the action button on the new iPhone, it will toggle focus mode. But if you hold that button down, you do join ICE. The Atlantic also reported back in August that the training time for ICE recruits had been cut in half to just 47 days. And the officials chose 47 as the number because Trump is the 47th president. Though if Trump had his way it would be even Fior days.

5:35 Homeland Security Secretary and person who would absolutely wear a showstoppping white dress to her own sister's wedding. Christy Gnome vowed to send hundreds more ICE agents to Minneapolis as protests continued across the state. But why would an uproar over ICE require more immigration enforcement? It's like a parent who catches their kids smoking, so forces them to smoke a whole pack of cigarettes. Or when Gnome catches her dog begging for table scraps, so she makes him eat a bullet. Meanwhile, images of jumpy, poorly trained masked agents terrorizing an American city are turning more and more people away from Trump's crackdown.

6:10 Here's Joe Rogan. You don't want militarized people in the streets just roaming around snatching people up, many of which turn out to actually be US citizens that just don't have their papers on them. Are we really going to be the the Gestapo? Where's your papers? Is that what we've come to? And sure the person Joe was asking this question to is a cryptozoolologist exposing the truth about Atlantis. But still, it's good stuff. On Wednesday, thousands of children across Minnesota staged a school walk out in protest of ICE's presence. That's right.

6:42 For justice, said the class president. Yes, for justice, said a procrastinator baffled by what the subjunctive is in English, let alone Spanish. As the clock tick ever closer to fifth period and the withering stare of Professor Gunderson. [snorts] Got to get out of here for for justice. The It's a mood. Grammar has a mood. Harrowing reports of ICE running a muck led Minnesota Governor Tim Walls to urge citizens to film ICE agents.

7:18 Help, us, create, a, database, of, the atrocities against motans, not just to establish a record for posterity, but to bank evidence for future prosecution.

7:28 Wow., Not, even, Tim, Wall, willing, to, pay for journalism. Uh I feel like we're in the sort of bargaining phase of grief about the future because there was a time where we imagined all kinds of things in the future. Teleportation, flying cars, a replicator that can make any kind of chicken parmesan you want, you know, and now it's just a future where there are consequences. That is like the B highspeed rail. I don't think we're going to, get, it., A, future, with consequences, where there remains cause and effect. That's all we really want.

7:58 Cause and effect. something to dream about. In response to local leaders standing up to the administration, Trump on Thursday threatened to evoke the insurrection act, which would of course only make matters worse. And that is so not like him. Uh, but we should have grace. Have any of you tried working from home during a big renovation? It's a poor guy. I'm going to I'm going to call him. Anyway, if Trump's Goon squad thought Minneapolis was a cold reception, wait till they get to Greenland. On Tuesday, Greenland's prime minister officially told Trump to go [ __ ] himself.

8:31 Greenland,, big, eyes., I, would, say Greenland, does, not, want, to, be, owned, by the USA. Greenland does not want to be governed by the USA. Greenland will not be part of the USA.

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11:21 So,, go, to, quint.com/loit, for, free shipping on your order and 365day returns. Now available in Canada, too. That's quinc.com/loit. Free shipping and 365day returns. quint.com/loit. On Wednesday, Trump's marry and [ __ ] JD Vance and Marco Rubio met with the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland. And after the meeting, Denmark's foreign minister was asked by Fox News if Greenlanders would ever vote to join America. Here's what he said.

11:48 No,, not, at, all., Because, I, think, there's no way that US will pay for Scandinavian welfare system in Greenland, honestly speaking.

11:57 Cut, to, Maduro, asking, this, guy., So,, what are you in for? Speaking of Maduro, Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Karina Machado met with Trump at the White House on Thursday. And great news

12:10 Ari., I, am, getting, word, from, White, House officials that Machado insisted that she give the Nobel Medal to the president. Uh, and he did accept it.

12:20 This, is, of, course, not, how, Nobel, Peace Prizes work. Or, as, the, Nobel, committee, put, it,, once, a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others. The decision is final and stands for all time. This is completely humiliating. It's like having to explain to Trump that if you buy Gene Hackman's Oscar from the estate sale, you do not become the best supporting actor in 1992's Unforgiven. How is this real? How is this the actual news? And that's not the only example of escalation this week. The State Department suspending immigrant visa processing for 75 countries. DOJ raiding the homes of a Washington Post reporter.

12:55 Trump threatening to cut off federal funding to any state that contains a sanctuary city. And Trump saying this about whole milk.

13:02 It's, actually, a, legal, definition., Whole milk. And it's whole with a W for those of you that have a problem. I mean, now I have a problem. What? What the [ __ ] is he talking about? But at the same time, a new AP poll found that more than half of Americans believe the country and the economy are worse off since Donald Trump took office. And majorities believe he has gone too far in imposing tariffs and targeting illegal immigration. People are angry that Trump is focused on ballrooms and Danish territories. His disapproval rating is now over 60%. And those signs are all around us, too.

13:42 Those sounds are rising, too. No, more, ice., [screaming] Open, the, door. That's, terrible., It's, terrible., What, are they pulling around? Look at that. Look at Let everybody see this.

13:53 This, is, nuts. This, is, [ __ ], Yeah., And, you're, right in the middle of this [ __ ] I got to work in the goddamn morning just like everybody else. I'm just here trying to stand up for community, dude. We're all human beings here. I don't give a [ __ ] who you are, where you came from, what color you are. It doesn't [ __ ] matter. This is wrong.

14:11 Like, that, guy. During Trump's visit to a Ford plant in Michigan this week, an auto worker said his piece.

14:29 It, can, be, hard, to, hear,, but, the, guy calls Trump a pedophile protector and then Trump says, "Fuck you." and flips him the bird. It's a tiny little bird. Really actually like shocking. Uh Ford suspended the worker TJ Sapala, but as of this recording, over $800,000 has been raised for him on GoFundMe. Yeah. You know, the Trump administration on its various right-wing social media accounts likes to uh say America is for Americans. And I know how they mean it but I'm starting to hear it differently. America is for Americans. And that ought to terrify these freaks because Americans aren't for this. And that will always mean however they escalate, we will rise to meet them. America is for Americans like these fine souls in Minneapolis.

15:24 Why? Our, voices, are, rising,, too., And, that's the shepherd tone I'm really loving right now.

15:44 So, good.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Lovett GOES OFF on ICE as Their Poll Numbers COLLAPSE"?

Jon Lovett (Guest), Laura Jadeid (Guest), Joe Rogan (Host), Tim Walz (Guest).

What is "Lovett GOES OFF on ICE as Their Poll Numbers COLLAPSE" about?

This piece discusses recent controversies surrounding ICE and the implications of its declining public support, illustrated by Laura Jadeid's surprising job offer from the agency without proper vetting. It further explores the broader political landscape, likening it to a "shepherd tone," where escalating crises seem perpetual yet lead to no real resolution, reflecting ongoing tensions in U.S.…

What is mentioned in this Lovett or Leave It episode?

20 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Donald Trump, ICE, shepherd tone, Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, immigration enforcement. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Lovett GOES OFF on ICE as Their Poll Numbers COLLAPSE"?

The episode runs 16 min; the transcript is about 2,750 words in 39 timestamped sections.

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