"Domestic Terrorists" | 02.14.26.
Middle Theory
This week, as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announces the end of its immigration enforcement crackdown in Minnesota, we examine the stories of American citizens who have been injured or negatively affected by the operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, and later mischaracterized as "domestic terrorists." As "Operation Metro Surge" comes to an end in Minnesota, questions linger about the effectiveness of DHS operations amid recent testimony provided to members of Congress by U.S. citizens whose lives were impacted by ICE activities. These include Marimar...
info_outline
Jeffrey Epstein: An American Haunting | 02.08.26.
Middle Theory
This week, following the release of a massive trove of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice related to Jeffrey Epstein, we examine the main takeaways and look at why the file release is raising new questions about the disgraced financier and sex offender's death. The sordid story of Jeffrey Epstein, as well as the intrigue surrounding his fortune, his alleged associations with the U.S. Intelligence Community, and connections to American politicians and other high-profile individuals, has become a story that won't go away. In recent months, the late sex offender's past associations...
info_outline
The Killing of Alex Pretti | 02.01.26.
Middle Theory
This week, within days of the tragic shooting death of Minneapolis resident Renee Good, America has reached a tipping point in the aftermath of a second shooting incident involving the killing of Alex Pretti by agents with the Department of Homeland Security. As outrage over Pretti's death ensues, we examine what videos of the tragic incident reveal, as well as the context provided by additional videos that have revealed earlier encounters between Pretti and ICE agents in Minneapolis. We also examine the contradictory statements provided by federal officials in the aftermath of the...
info_outline
Fire and ICE | 01.19.26.
Middle Theory
It's time to get back to work. Chaos has erupted in the streets of Minneapolis, Minnesota, following a deadly confrontation between federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and a 37-year-old mother of three, Renee Good, who was shot and killed by Jonathan Ross, a 10-year ICE veteran. In our analysis of the tragic events that led to Good's killing, we examine what is currently known about the circumstances leading up to the incident, as well as responses from state, local, and federal officials, and what multiple independent analyses of videos captured as the events...
info_outline
This is Middle Theory | 05.12.22.
Middle Theory
This week, we ask how we became so polarized, and look at the underlying reasons for division in our culture in a discussion about the meaning behind the "Middle Theory." Can't we all just get along? What are the roots of the conflicts we see in the world around us... from the geopolitical stage, to our neighborhoods and communities? Although polls over the years offer mixed results, a recurring theme is that voters often tend to be more moderate than the politicians they vote for. Why, then, does there appear to be so much polarization in society, both in politics, and in other...
info_outline
Nuclear Options | 05.03.22.
Middle Theory
This week, growing concerns over Russia's nuclear rhetoric in recent days have experts looking at how far Vladimir Putin might go in his quest to conquer Ukraine. This week, as recent polls (finally) show Biden's approval ratings are on the rise, we take a look at what it could mean heading into the mid-terms in November. Meanwhile, Elon Musk has provided reporters with a few vague ideas of what he plans to do with Twitter... putting him into a unique position in terms of political perception and leanings. Then, shifting our attention to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, world leaders...
info_outline
Elon Musk and the Battle for Twitter | 04.27.22.
Middle Theory
With Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, controversy ensues over issues of transparency and freedom of speech, and whether the platform can improve under Musk's leadership. This week, the White House announced that Vice President Kamala Harris has tested positive for COVID-19, which may be the least of her problems based on a new book that reportedly reveals tensions between she and other members of the Biden Administration, including the President. We also look at the current situation involving statements this week by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley and Secretary of...
info_outline
Holy War | 04.18.22.
Middle Theory
As Ukrainian officials say the "Battle of Donbas" has begun, we look at how one controversial Russian cleric has urged for "holy war" as the conflict in Ukraine wears on. This week, news that record numbers of retirees are fleeing to countries like Portugal is making headlines amidst reports about economic woes around the world, and news about the latest strain of the coronavirus sweeping the United States. That, in addition to the unsurprising news that Alex Jones' INFOWARS company has filed for bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have now said that their fears about battle in...
info_outline
Twitter: Battle of the Bots | 04.11.22.
Middle Theory
This week, we analyze Elon Musk's new influence on social media giant Twitter, and the company's issue with bots posing as users. Former President Donald Trump is back in the news for his recent controversial endorsement of television doctor Mehmet Oz in his Senate bid in Pennsylvania, which has evoked ire from conservatives. Meanwhile, as the situation in Ukraine remains at a standstill for now, what do things look like within Russia, where Vladimir Putin appears to still be suffering from delusions of grandeur and victory? Then we turn our attention to the controversy surrounding Elon Musk's...
info_outline
Cancel Culture and the Subscription Society | 04.04.22.
Middle Theory
In this episode, we are joined by YouTube documentarian and essayist Peter Coffin for a philosophical and economically-minded discussion about cancel culture. Earlier this week, much of the world awakened to horrifying images out of Ukraine which appear to show the bodies of civilians who were killed by Russian forces, who are now steadily retreating from the embattled country. The images prompted U.S. President Joe Biden to double down on his war crime accusations against Vladimir Putin, and now many are asking whether the Russian leader will be made to stand trial for the atrocities. Then,...
info_outlineThis week, as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announces the end of its immigration enforcement crackdown in Minnesota, we examine the stories of American citizens who have been injured or negatively affected by the operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, and later mischaracterized as "domestic terrorists."
As "Operation Metro Surge" comes to an end in Minnesota, questions linger about the effectiveness of DHS operations amid recent testimony provided to members of Congress by U.S. citizens whose lives were impacted by ICE activities. These include Marimar Martinez, a Chicago teacher's assistant who was shot five times by an ICE agent in the days after she became a target of DHS surveillance based on her online activities, and Aliyah Rahman, a disabled woman who was dragged from her vehicle during recent ICE activities in Minneapolis.
Like many Americans in recent days, both of these U.S. citizens were labeled "domestic terrorists" by the DHS; we examine the mixed messaging, lies, and potential cover-up of evidence exposing wrongful actions taken against Americans like Martinez and Rahman, as well as questions over the legality of similar activities that apparently targeted several U.S. citizens during recent DHS operations. Finally, we also look at a recent bombshell report in the Wall Street Journal that exposes chaos in DHS leadership, and finally, the creeping authoritarianism evidenced by recent events that unfolded in the skies over El Paso, Texas.
This episode of Middle Theory is dedicated to the American citizens who have lost their lives, have been injured, or whose rights and property have been infringed upon during recent immigration enforcement activities undertaken in the United States.
Image Credit: Chad Davis/Wikimedia/CC 4.0
If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:
DOLLARS FOR DONUTS
- Jonathan Walsh
- Jon Haskins
- Connie Fletcher
- Tania Biswas
SHOW NOTES
- HOMAN: Trump border czar Tom Homan announces Minnesota immigration surge is ending
- MARTINEZ: Lawyers of Chicago woman shot by feds say documents show DHS lies about investigations
- TESTIMONY: Text of Written Statement from Marimar Martinez
- AUDIO: Marimar Martinez describes being shot 5 times by CBP agent
- DHS Panics Over New Bodycam Footage of Marimar Martinez Shooting | The New Republic
- PEPPER BALLS: Judge orders restrictions on federal tactics against ICE protesters after Chicago-area pastor shot with pepper balls
- RAHMAN: Minneapolis police chief says video of ICE arrest "pisses me off" - CBS News
- TESTIMONY: Text of Written Statement from Aliya Rahman
- AUDIO: Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen Aliya Rahman describes being detained by ICE
- ACTIVIST: Woman dragged from car by ICE agents in Minnesota ID’d as LGBT and racial justice activist
- Much of DHS set to shut down as Democrats demand new restraints on ICE
- A Pilot Fired Over Kristi Noem’s Missing Blanket and the Constant Chaos Inside DHS - WSJ
- NOTAM EXCUSES: The Mystery at the El Paso Airport JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY
To send us feedback, you can email us here.
Follow Middle Theory on X.com here.
Donate to the program here.