The Josh Marshall Podcast ICE Meltdown
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Feb 18, 2026 They unpack Tricia McLaughlin’s exit from DHS and the ICE controversy swirling around the department. They trace chaos at DHS, ties to Noem and Lewandowski, and what this means for future political ambitions. They also dive into Texas Senate primary TV drama involving Stephen Colbert and how the stunt boosted a candidate’s profile and fundraising.
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Popularity Drives Trump’s Policy Posture
- Trump clings to power and public affection, so falling approval matters for his behavior and strategy.
- His team keeps running full-steam policies despite declining popularity, showing limited course-correction.
Spokesperson Exit Signals DHS Trouble
- Tricia McLaughlin left DHS after high-profile tenure defending ICE amid PR disasters.
- Her departure signals trouble for DHS messaging and elevates internal power struggles.
Personal Ties Worsen DHS Dysfunction
- Reports say Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski openly run DHS as a duo, fueling internal chaos.
- That informality and favoritism worsens operational dysfunction and turf battles.