Podcaster Joe Rogan has voiced his profound surprise at former President Barack Obama's firm stance on deporting illegal immigrants during his time in office. The 58-year-old host revisited a viral 2010 video clip during a recent episode, sparking a discussion about political perspectives with conservative guest Andrew Wilson.
Obama's 2010 Immigration Speech Revisited
Rogan prompted his producer to play a one-and-a-half minute excerpt from Obama's July 2010 address at American University. In the speech, the then-president acknowledged that the immigration system was "fundamentally broken" but argued that completely halting deportations would be "both unwise and unfair."
"It would suggest to those thinking about coming here illegally that there will be no repercussions for such a decision, and this could lead to a surge in more illegal immigration," Obama warned during the speech.
Rogan's Reaction to Historical Context
"That sounds so Republican. In 2010, that was a Democrat saying that, and everybody was like, 'Well, OK,'" Rogan remarked after hearing the clip. The podcast host then connected Obama's policies to current immigration enforcement figures, specifically mentioning Tom Homan.
Rogan pointed out that Homan served as a senior official with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the Obama administration and received the Presidential Rank Award in 2015 for his effectiveness in handling deportations. "And he gave him a f**king medal," Rogan noted about Obama's recognition of Homan.
From Obama Appointee to Trump's Immigration Enforcer
More than a decade later, Homan now oversees Donald Trump's Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, drawing criticism from progressive Americans who view his approach as hardline conservative. In April, Homan vowed to deport every undocumented immigrant in the United States, warning that those who fail to register with the Department of Homeland Security would face criminal prosecution.
"Get your affairs in order. If you're in the country illegally, work with ICE, go to CBP One Home app, and leave on your own," Homan stated earlier this year. This contrasts with Obama's position that rounding up all 11 million undocumented immigrants would be unrealistic and would "tear at the fabric of this nation."
Rogan's Evolving Immigration Views
Rogan, who describes himself as a centrist, has become increasingly critical of Trump's immigration approach in recent months. In March, he expressed outrage about reports of innocent people being mistakenly detained and sent to maximum security prisons in El Salvador.
"You got to get scared that people who are not criminals are getting, like, lassoed up and deported and sent to, like, El Salvador prisons," Rogan fumed at the time, calling the concept "horrific" and "kind of crazy."
Current ICE Operations and Public Backlash
This month, as Operation Metro Surge intensified in Minnesota, Rogan compared Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics to "the Gestapo." He questioned whether the United States had reached a point where authorities would demand "Where's your papers?" from citizens.
"I can also see the point of view of the people that say, 'Yeah, but you don't want militarized people in the streets just roaming around snatching people up, many of which turn out to actually be US citizens that just don't have their papers on them,'" Rogan commented on his popular podcast.
Fatal Shootings Inflame Tensions
The ongoing operation has faced significant backlash following two fatal shootings involving federal agents in Minneapolis. Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents during an immigration enforcement operation last Saturday. This followed the January 7 killing of 37-year-old Renee Good.
These incidents have heightened tensions between Minnesota residents and the approximately 3,000 federal agents deployed to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. Administration officials initially described both protesters as "domestic terrorists," though Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was subsequently demoted for her early characterization of Pretti's shooting.
Political Response and Ongoing Operations
Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith took to the Senate floor on Wednesday to demand an end to Operation Metro Surge, which continues as of this reporting. Homan's promotion to oversee the operation came days after Customs and Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino was reassigned following Pretti's death.
Homan confirmed this week that he has spoken with local leaders including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, with Ellison agreeing to notify ICE when migrants with immigration detainers are released from local jails. When questioned whether agents would still arrest migrants whose only alleged offense is being in the country illegally, Homan did not provide a definitive answer.
The contrasting approaches between Obama's administration and current enforcement policies, highlighted by Rogan's commentary, continue to fuel national debate about immigration strategy and civil liberties in the United States.
