# ‘DISBAND ICE’: Rep. Joaquin Castro Reacts After Renee Good Killing Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF1sWuJjhuE Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/BF1sWuJjhuE Generated: 2026-01-14T20:32:24.693+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Representative Joaquin Castro argued that the Democrats' current strategy involves pressuring the Biden administration to take decisive action against ICE and to support aggressive foreign policy moves like the one against Greenland, noting that the GOP's actions on January 6th and their rhetoric show they operate as a rogue organization focused on power, which contrasts with the Democratic desire for checks and balances and a less interventionist foreign policy, although he acknowledged that Democrats have historically supported military action without full congressional approval. **Key Points:** - Rep. Joaquin Castro believes the Democratic party's current strategy involves pressuring the Biden administration to abolish ICE and to take a strong stance against perceived Republican excesses, such as those seen during the January 6th insurrection. - Castro pointed out that Donald Trump openly threatened military action against Venezuela, the Colombian President, and the kidnapping of the Venezuelan President and First Lady, actions he described as an illegal invasion. - He cited the Republican committee members' actions regarding the January 6th insurrection and the justification for the Iraq War (based on false pretenses) as evidence that the GOP acts as a rogue, imperialist organization focused solely on power. - Castro noted that many Democrats, including himself, have historically supported military force without explicit Congressional approval, citing the Syria intervention in 2013 as an example, but argued that the current context requires a different approach. - He criticized the Republican strategy of using the military to secure economic interests (like oil revenues in Venezuela or land in Greenland) while simultaneously failing to fund domestic needs or support immigration enforcement. - Castro stated that if Democrats win in 2024, they must use their control of Congress (especially the Senate) to establish checks and balances, particularly by vetting appointees and potentially revisiting the NDAA and ICE's mandate. - He concluded that the Republican's base is motivated by fear and anti-immigrant sentiment, which makes them highly resistant to pragmatic policy changes regarding immigration. ![Screenshot at 00:03: The interview segment begins with Mehdi Hasan questioning Rep. Joaquin Castro about Democrats going into the election saying they will 'do anything other than disband or abolish ICE,' setting the stage for a discussion on political strategy.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BF1sWuJjhuE/00-00-03.jpg) **Context:** The video features an interview on 'Mehdi Unfiltered' between host Mehdi Hasan and Representative Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) discussing the current political climate, particularly focusing on the actions and rhetoric of the Republican party under Donald Trump, especially concerning foreign policy interventions (like Greenland and Venezuela) and domestic issues like immigration enforcement (ICE). Castro contrasts the perceived 'rogue' nature of the GOP with the Democratic desire for institutional checks and balances. ## Detailed Analysis The interview segment opens with Mehdi Hasan challenging Rep. Joaquin Castro on the Democratic party's stance regarding ICE, specifically asking if they are committed to abolishing the agency, given that some might see that position as too extreme. Castro asserts that he has always supported abolishing ICE, viewing it as a rogue, fascist organization that mistreats US citizens and immigrants, and that he was shocked by the violence seen on January 6th, which he believes the White House is actively rewriting history to justify. He draws parallels between Trump's rhetoric and past foreign policy overreaches, such as threatening Venezuela, threatening the Colombian President, and the illegal invasion of Venezuela without Congressional approval, similar to the Iraq War justification. Castro argues that the Republican party's actions are driven by a desire for power and a cult-like behavior, contrasting this with the Democratic goal of institutional checks and balances. He mentions that even Democrats have historically supported military action without full Congressional consent (like in Syria in 2013), but believes the current situation demands a stronger stance. On the topic of Congress, Castro notes that if Democrats gain control in 2024, they will have more leverage to shape policy, including potentially revisiting the NDAA and ICE mandates. He concludes that the Republican base is motivated by fear and anti-immigrant sentiment, which is why they support the current administration's actions despite negative consequences like the January 6th events. Castro confirms that he supports eliminating ICE and believes Democrats will win the 2024 elections, giving them the power to enact change. ### Venezuela/Foreign Policy - Trump authorized an armed attack on Venezuela and kidnapped its leaders; Trump threatened Colombia; the administration's policy is described as 'imperialistic' and a 'rogue organization' seeking to control oil revenues. ### January 6th & Republican Hypocrisy - Castro notes Republicans who supported Trump's actions on Jan 6th are now hypocritical in opposing accountability for the Biden administration; he cites Republicans voting for the record-high defense budget while criticizing ICE's actions. ### The Role of Congress - If Democrats take Congress, they gain leverage over confirmations and the budget, which can be used to impose checks and balances, such as rejecting military action against Greenland or revamping ICE. ### Immigration Stance - Castro confirms his support for abolishing ICE, calling it a 'rogue law enforcement agency' that engages in illegal and abusive behavior; he notes that many Democrats are afraid to take a hardline stance against ICE. ### 2024 Election Outlook - Castro predicts Democrats will win control of the House and Senate in 2024, giving them the power to shape the legislative agenda. ![Screenshot at 00:03: Mehdi Hasan and Rep. Joaquin Castro debating the Democratic party's stance on abolishing ICE during the interview.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BF1sWuJjhuE/00-00-03.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:14: Mehdi Hasan directly questioning Rep. Castro about Donald Trump lying about being an anti-war candidate in 2024.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BF1sWuJjhuE/00-00-14.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:52: Mehdi Hasan opening the segment by detailing Donald Trump's actions regarding an armed attack on Venezuela during his presidency.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BF1sWuJjhuE/00-00-52.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:31: Rep. Castro thanking the host and beginning to discuss the hypocrisy regarding past military actions without Congressional approval.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BF1sWuJjhuE/00-01-31.jpg) ![Screenshot at 06:34: Mehdi Hasan using the Ground News interface to show how media outlets covered Trump's comments on Greenland, highlighting differing political biases.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BF1sWuJjhuE/00-06-34.jpg)