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Radley Balko

Journalist who has written about policing and criminal justice for decades. Author of Rise of the Warrior Cop, The Militarization of America's Police Forces and writes the substack, The Watch.

Top 10 podcasts with Radley Balko

Ranked by the Snipd community
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187 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 1h 32min

The ICE Age of Surveillance and Enforcement

Radley Balko, investigative journalist focused on policing and civil liberties, and Joseph Cox, tech reporter tracking government-surveillance ties, unpack how immigration enforcement is using surveillance tech. They discuss militarized federal forces, ICE’s use of tracking and facial recognition, corporate-state partnerships like Palantir, and how communities push back against opaque, powerful tools.
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17 snips
Jan 31, 2026 • 51min

Videos of ICE Violence Are Plentiful. Accountability.… Not So Much.

Eliot Higgins, founder of Bellingcat and open-source investigator, outlines a VDA framework for verification, deliberation, and accountability. Radley Balko, author and policing critic, draws parallels between modern federal operations and the Boston Massacre. Brandy Zadrozny, reporter on extremism, describes far-right creators shaping narratives at Minneapolis protests and how bystander video changed the story.
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16 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 38min

How ICE Became Trump’s Very Own Paramilitary Force

Investigative journalist Radley Balko delves into the alarming militarization of ICE under the Trump administration. He discusses how aggressive tactics have strayed from traditional policing norms, surprising even seasoned observers. Balko outlines ICE's transformation into a paramilitary force and the legal gray areas that shield officers from accountability. He also connects this shift to a legacy of militarization rooted in the War on Drugs and argues that immigration has replaced drugs as a justification for civil liberties infringements.
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14 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 23min

Can Body Cams Restrain ICE?

Radley Balko, investigative journalist known for exposing police misconduct, discusses federal immigration enforcement and DHS body-cam plans. He compares federal tactics to local policing. He explores masking, window‑breaking, illegal stops, rhetoric that enables violence, and why these practices feel authoritarian.
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10 snips
Aug 31, 2025 • 50min

How Should We Respond to the MAGA Right's Embrace of the Cult of Cruelty? A Conversation With Radley Balko and Charlie Sykes

In a thought-provoking discussion, Radley Balko, an expert on police militarization, and Charlie Sykes, a political analyst, tackle the MAGA right's embrace of cruelty. They dissect how fear is weaponized in politics, creating a climate that undermines civil liberties. The duo highlights the contradictions in the law-and-order narrative while emphasizing the need for accountability. They also delve into systemic racism and the resistance to civil rights movements, underscoring the urgency for a renewed commitment to democratic values and shared humanity.
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9 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 26min

How Immigration Enforcement Became So Violent

Radley Balko, journalist and author who studies policing and criminal justice, offers a concise look at how immigration enforcement adopted a 'warrior cop' mindset. He traces militarization roots, recounts intimidation tactics like masking and surveillance, and discusses how federal forces have been used for political ends. He also covers local accountability strategies and the challenges of investigating misconduct.
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8 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 27min

The Government Treats Armed Militias Better Than Protesters (w/ Radley Balko)

Radley Balko, journalist and civil liberties expert on policing and justice, explains how federal responses in Minneapolis reflect institutional breakdowns. He discusses misleading post-shooting narratives, an administration that rewards escalation, why armed right-wing protesters face restraint, and whether DHS law enforcement can be meaningfully reformed.
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Jan 27, 2026 • 26min

What Next - How Immigration Enforcement Became So Violent

Radley Balko, journalist and author who tracks policing and militarization, breaks down how federal immigration enforcement grew more aggressive. He discusses citizen videos exposing abuses. He traces the warrior-cop roots and Border Patrol’s unique culture. He examines tactical intimidation, masking, and political uses of force. He closes with how communities and local measures push back.
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May 8, 2025 • 44min

A Trumped Up Police State Is Coming

Radley Balko, a journalist and author known for his work on police militarization and civil liberties, offers insights into Donald Trump’s controversial executive order on policing. He highlights the alarming shift towards federal control over local law enforcement and the potential for increased militarization. Balko warns about the threats to accountability and civil rights, emphasizing how these moves may be used against critics of the administration. The conversation delves into broader implications for the criminal justice system and the risks of an emerging police state.
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Sep 20, 2024 • 1h 3min

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Needs to ‘Grow a Pair’ and Stand Up to Trump

Radley Balko, an investigative journalist renowned for his insights into criminal justice, joins alongside David Rothkopf, CEO of the DSR Network. They dissect Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's lackluster response to Trump’s conspiracy theories and the alarming prospect of mass deportations. The discussion reveals the ethical and logistical nightmares behind such promises while amplifying the urgent need for brave political leadership. They also address the dangerous rise of authoritarian rhetoric in today’s political landscape, emphasizing the role of media accountability.

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