Defending Democracy with Marc Elias

Author: Democracy Docket

Every week, election lawyer Marc Elias interviews lawmakers, policy leaders and changemakers about the problems facing our democracy and how we fix them.
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The Real Difference Between FBI and ICE Agents (It’s Bad) | Asha Rangappa
Thursday, 22 January, 2026

Former FBI Agent and Yale Professor Asha Rangappa joins Marc Elias to examine how Trump-era policies reshaped federal law enforcement, national security, and democratic norms, from ICE and the FBI to the Insurrection Act and military authority. They explain how contempt for legal constraints makes America less safe, why individuals now bear the burden of resistance, and what this moment means for the future of the rule of law. Chart: The Insurrection Act Explained https://bsky.app/profile/asharangappa.bsky.social/post/3mchv6f6wf22q The Freedom Academy with Asha Rangappa https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Support independent journalism: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube Stay informed with the latest news and political analysis: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/youtube Follow Democracy Docket: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/democracydocket.com Instagram⁠: https://instagram.com/democracydocket Facebook⁠: https://facebook.com/democracydocket X/Twitter⁠: https://twitter.com/DemocracyDocket TikTok⁠: https://tiktok.com/@democracydocket Threads: https://www.threads.net/@democracydocket Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:45 Is ICE Really Law Enforcement? 03:11 The FBI, the DOJ, and Independence 04:14 Who Controls the Minneapolis Investigation? 06:20 ICE Culture and Public Confrontation 12:49 How Trump Is Making America Less Safe 15:51 An Administration Contemptuous of Law 20:03 All Opposition Is Disloyal 24:10 The Insurrection Act Explained 29:20 Can Troops Enforce Civil Law? 32:29 Teaching Law in Democratic Decline 36:29 Why Postwar Law No Longer Constrains Power 39:17 When Individuals Stand Up to Power 43:53 The Risk of Speaking Out Against Trump