In a provocative episode of his popular podcast this Tuesday, host Joe Rogan stated he comprehends the perspective of left-wing protesters who draw parallels between US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and the tactics of Hitler's Gestapo. The discussion unfolded during a conversation with Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, centred on the recent fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis by an ICE agent.
Rogan's Controversial Gestapo Comparison
Reflecting on the widespread demonstrations against ICE, Rogan articulated his understanding of the anti-ICE viewpoint. He questioned the image of "militarised people in the streets just roaming around, snatching up people," noting that some detained individuals are later found to be US citizens without documentation. "Are we really gonna be the Gestapo? 'Where's your papers?' Is that what we've come to?" Rogan asked rhetorically, referencing the Nazi secret police.
He further argued that the conduct of ICE raids casts agents in a villainous light for many Americans. "People are now looking at them like murderous military people that are on the streets of our city," Rogan claimed. He also highlighted the issue of anonymity, pointing out that ICE officers often wear masks during operations, which he labelled a "problem."
The Complex Debate on Immigration Enforcement
Despite his criticism, Rogan presented a nuanced take, acknowledging the conservative stance on immigration. He referenced arguments about an "illegal programme" to influence votes and congressional seats, stating, "We've got to take those people who got in and send them back to where they came from or do something." He concluded that the issue is deeply complex, stating, "I think there's a balance to be achieved, I just don't know how it gets done. It's more complicated than I think people want to admit."
Rogan also contrasted the accountability of local police, who must provide their name and badge number, with that of ICE agents. "If you get arrested by an ICE agent, you get no such right. They don't have to tell you anything," he asserted, while conceding agents may fear being doxxed if identified.
Dissecting the Minneapolis Shooting
A significant portion of the conversation focused on the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good last week. Rogan described the incident as a "terrible tragedy" and "horrific," even while noting that the involved agent, Jonathan Ross, had been dragged by a car in a previous incident. Footage shows Good blocking a road with her SUV for approximately four minutes before the confrontation.
An officer approached her stationary Honda Pilot, grabbed the door handle, and demanded she open it. As the vehicle began to move forward, Agent Ross fired three shots. The SUV then crashed into parked cars. Rogan analysed the viral video, suggesting "it seemed like she was kind of turning the car away," but also remarked, "It seemed like she was out of her mind to begin with. That lady seemed crazy."
He ultimately posed the critical question: "But does that mean she should get shot in the head? Is there no other way to handle this?" Senator Paul declined to delve deeply into the specifics, avoiding a "jury" judgment, but agreed with Rogan that ICE agents have a "very difficult job."
