Joe Rogan, one of the most influential voices in American media and a onetime supporter of President Donald Trump, is publicly distancing himself from the administration’s immigration crackdown, sharply criticizing the tactics used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In the latest episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, released Tuesday, Rogan compared ICE’s enforcement methods to those of the Gestapo, signaling a clear break with Trump’s mass deportation strategy. The comments came during a wide-ranging conversation with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
“Most people want criminals arrested,” Rogan said, “but they don’t want militarized agents roaming the streets, stopping people at random and demanding papers.” He added, “Are we really going to be the Gestapo? Is that what we’ve come to?”
Rogan’s remarks are notable given his role in helping amplify Trump’s appeal during the 2024 presidential campaign. He formally endorsed Trump just days after hosting the then-candidate for a lengthy, widely viewed interview. Rogan’s podcast remains the top-ranked show on Spotify and reaches tens of millions of listeners across platforms.
Growing unease over ICE actions
Rogan’s criticism reflects broader public anxiety over ICE operations, which have drawn increased scrutiny in recent months. Viral videos showing agents making aggressive arrests in public spaces — including streets and immigration courts — have circulated widely on social media, sparking protests and fear in several cities.
There have also been reports of U.S. citizens and legal residents being mistakenly detained, as well as allegations of abuse inside detention facilities. Rogan said such incidents undermine public trust and blur the line between enforcing immigration law and violating civil liberties.
“You don’t want people being grabbed off the street who turn out to be citizens just because they don’t have documents on them,” he said.
Reaction to fatal shooting
Rogan also condemned the recent fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a Minnesota woman killed by an ICE agent during a confrontation in Minneapolis. Administration officials, including President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have claimed Good attempted to run over the agent, describing the incident as an act of domestic terrorism.
However, video footage and eyewitness accounts have raised questions about that version of events. Rogan said the shooting was deeply disturbing.
“It was very ugly to watch,” he said. “To see a U.S. citizen — especially a woman — shot in the face like that, it just looked horrific.”
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Rogan’s statements.
Podcasters turn critical
Rogan is not alone among prominent podcasters who supported Trump in 2024 and are now expressing regret or concern. Several figures within the comedian-podcast circle that helped Trump reach younger, media-skeptical voters have grown increasingly vocal in their criticism.
Andrew Schulz, host of the Flagrant podcast, has said he feels misled by the administration, arguing that Trump has reversed key campaign promises. Theo Von, another popular podcast host, publicly objected after the Department of Homeland Security used his likeness in a now-deleted promotional video about deportations without his consent.
During the campaign, focus groups of young Trump voters observed by NBC News found that podcasters like Rogan played a meaningful role in shaping their political views. The recent backlash from those same voices underscores potential fractures within Trump’s media-aligned base.
As immigration enforcement continues to intensify, Rogan’s comments highlight a growing tension between the administration’s hardline policies and the expectations of some of its most influential cultural allies.
