How I Fear Trump Will Unleash ICE to Rig Midterms | The Daily Beast Podcast

Sign up for Joanna's new Substack here: https://beast.pub/scream Joanna Coles sits down with Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey for a bracing conversation that moves from Trump’s State of the Union theatrics to what she calls a calculated effort to normalize chaos ahead of 2026. Gov. Healey unloads on the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files, slams RFK Jr.’s vaccine rollbacks, and details how she’s battling ICE crackdowns, slashed federal funding, and what she warns could be attempts to “federalize” elections and intimidate voters with troops and manufactured fraud claims. As Democrats wrestle with generational change, leadership, and how to win back voters battered by affordability crises, Healey argues the real fight isn’t 2028—it’s protecting the ballot and delivering tangible results right now. 00:00 - Fears of Election Intimidation & Federal Overreach 04:30 - State of the Union Reaction: Trump’s “Theatrics vs. Reality” 09:00 - Epstein Files, DOJ Corruption & Pam Bondi Criticism 13:30 - Federal vs. State Power: Governing Without a Partner in DC 18:00 - Immigration Enforcement, ICE Tactics & Public Safety Fallout 22:30 - Democratic Strategy on Immigration & the Path to Citizenship 27:00 - RFK Jr., Vaccines & Rebuilding Public Health Infrastructure 31:30 - Massachusetts as a Firewall: Healthcare, Abortion & Science Funding 36:00 - The Democratic Party’s Internal Divide Comes Into Focus 40:30 - Progressive vs. Moderate Leadership in Massachusetts Politics 45:00 - Women Governors, Political Accountability & Restoring Trust 49:30 - The 2026 Stakes: Democracy, Institutions & What Comes Next #trump #podcast #news 📖 Title: How I Fear Trump Will Unleash ICE to Rig Midterms 👂 Podcast: The Daily Beast Podcast 📺 Episode: 657 🎧 Format: Full Podcast 📅 Date: February 25, 2026 👨‍💼 Guest: Gov. Maura Healey 🎙️ Host: Joanna Coles Click here to become an official member of the Daily Beast's YouTube community: https://youtube.com/@thedailybeast/join Have a question or comment for us? Send us an email: [email protected] The Daily Beast is committed to accurate, fair, independent, fast, and accountable journalism. We seek the truth and report it honestly, without fear or favor. We ground robust and provocative opinions in fact. Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheDailyBeast?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedailybeast Share this video on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thedailybeast.bsky.social Share this video on X: https://twitter.com/thedailybeast Share this video on Facebook: https://facebook.com/thedailybeast