Limits of Democratic leverage now

Sam Stein talks with Lauren Egan about her scoop on a new Democratic memo warning lawmakers to steer clear of “Abolish ICE.” They give their takes on the latest polling on ICE, political fear from voters, and why Democrats seem unwilling to use funding leverage even as public opinion shifts.

Dems Are Begging Their Own to Drop ‘Abolish ICE’
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/democrats-abolish-ice-reform-searchlight-memo

Half of Americans think ICE is making American cities less safe, CNN poll finds
https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/14/politics/ice-minnesota-cnn-poll

More Americans view the ICE shooting in Minnesota as unjustified than say it is justified
https://today.yougov.com/politics/articles/53878-more-americans-view-ice-shooting-minnesota-unjustified-than-justified-january-9-12-2026-economist-yougov-poll

‘Disgusting’: Minnesota Senate Race Gets Hostile After ICE Shooting
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/minnesota-ice-senate-race_n_6967c68ee4b0141cc9b1e8ac