Podcast host Joe Rogan on Tuesday sharply criticized federal immigration enforcement, comparing the tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the “Gestapo” and signaling a growing break with President Donald Trump’s deportation agenda.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Speaking on his show, Rogan said he supports arresting violent offenders but warned that current methods risk undermining civil liberties, questioning whether the country is moving toward a system in which armed agents detain people in public and demand proof of status.
The remarks are significant because Rogan is one of the most influential media figures in the country, reaching tens of millions of listeners each week. He endorsed Trump in the 2024 election and hosted the president on his podcast, helping boost Trump’s appeal among younger and politically independent voters — making his public criticism a notable shift from ally to skeptic.
Rogan has increasingly distanced himself from the administration in recent months as deportations have expanded. He pointed to widely shared videos of aggressive arrests — including cases involving U.S. citizens and legal residents — as fueling public fear and backlash.
He also criticized the recent fatal shooting of a woman during an ICE operation in Minneapolis, saying the incident raised serious concerns about the use of force.
Political analysts say Rogan’s break matters because his audience extends far beyond traditional partisan lines, and his commentary often resonates with voters who helped propel Trump to victory. His criticism adds to growing unease among some conservative-leaning media figures who once supported the president but are now questioning his immigration strategy.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Joe Rogan: You don't want militarized people in the streets snatching up people…Many are U.S. citizens without papers on them. Are we really gonna be the Gestapo? 'Where's your papers?’ Is that what we've come to?”
pic.twitter.com/CIjzSCYwF4— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) January 13, 2026
No surprise here, he sees how successful Tucker Carlson is, and he’s just following the same model. Once again, I say follow the money.
It’s only when these illegals enter your house to rob and kill , it’s then you’ll cry… Where is Ice?
Rogan is a nobody, a podcaster, you & I can podcast too. Bottom line : Come into my country LEGALLY. Otherwise, you’re entitled to nothing. Our institutions are overburdened and the heavy money goes there instead of to American citizens.
This guy is a first class putz, no principles, one day this one day that, people forget that this fool was a big bernie sanders supporter
A couple of observations:
1. Undocumented entry into the U.S. is not a crime. It’s a violation of U.S. immigration law but to a crime per se. Think of, say, running a red light. That’s a violation of the traffic code but it’s not a “crime”.
2. It also strikes me as odd that people who are children, grandchildren and descendants of immigrants themselves are so vehemently opposed to current immigrants. The claim that, “My grandparents came here legally” is sort of specious because that, prior to 1924, there was no such thing as an “illegal immigrant” (except for Chinese). It was Come one. Come all. Also, the borders, north and south, were far more porous than they are today and folks drifted back and forth over them as their fortunes shifted. A Canadian from Alberta might just move to Montana and because they found work there. Likewise, the Mexican border had migration and settlement in both directions.
Are they Illegal Aliens or not? Do borders or the law matter or not? Trump didn’t create this mess. He’s mopping up the mess of previous administratios and that’s after generously offering illegals who self deport $3000 + airfare + placeholder in any asylum hearings. They’re going mostly (85%) after illegal felons who you would want off the streets.
Will wonders never cease! I can’t believe I’m agreeing with Joe Rogan.
There are two things in play here .it’s all about the dollars and it’s all about the followers.
The commenters here are revealing their lack of the basic ability to understand that issues are nuanced not binary. I seem to be able to have the nuance and comprehension that so many of my American friends seem to lack. The following 5 points about ICE are all true, do not contradict each other and one is able to believe in all of them.
1) ICE is a necessary agency due to the untenable illegal immigrant situation (which is at least partially due to the negligence of prior Democrat governments)
2) ICE needs to use necessary force, particularly with the illegal immigrants, in order to achieve their goals.
3) ICE has pathetic PR and awful optics and have done little to change or improve this.
4) ICE has hired officers that come across as arrogant, brutish, thuggish and unprofessional, particularly when interacting with innocent US citizens.
5) It is therefore very understandable why those on the left, particularly those that disagree with points 1 and 2, believe their country is being somewhat overrun by a fascist agency.
Every commenter on this site agrees with points 1 & 2, it is also ok to believe in points 3 & 4 and that wont in any way impact or lessen your belief in points 1 & 2.
On this one I have to turn away from president Trump & STRONGLY agree with Joe Rogan:- Even before that totally unacceptable shooting in Minnesota, and now even more so.
soros bought him off
We all need to speak out. I love trump but this is too much. He is over the top. Its frightening and not the american way
FACT: Trump vetoed the BI-PARTISAN IMMIGRATIION BILL, remember? He did so to have a WEDGE ISSUE, to drive Americsns against refugees & immigrants and to drive the HATE of Americans vs Americans. This ICE MURDER and other brutality is the result. PROJECT 1933 in Aktion.