The Bunker – News without the nonsense Will Trump's ICE terror spark a civil war? – Weekly Wrap-Up with Alex von Tunzelmann and Jacob Jarvis
Jan 30, 2026
Alex von Tunzelmann, historian and author who adds historical perspective to current politics. They discuss ICE crackdowns in Minnesota and recent killings sparking protests. Historical comparisons to past federal-state conflicts and Civil War-era tensions. Risks of federal vs state confrontation and whether nationwide strike or escalation is possible.
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TSA's Weirdest Seizures Include Turtles
- The TSA published a list of bizarre items seized in 2025, including a fake pipe bomb and people trying to smuggle turtles.
- Alex recounts people stuffing turtles into clothing and absurd attempts to bypass airport security.
ICE's Structure Enables Aggression
- ICE is structured and funded to carry out aggressive immigration enforcement.
- Alex suggests reform may be insufficient and questions whether the agency should exist in its current form.
Federalism Shapes US Crisis Dynamics
- The US federation has long-standing state-federal tensions that were central to the Civil War.
- Alex stresses secession historically centred on slavery, warning modern parallels must be read cautiously.