U.S. – Podcast host Joe Rogan is drawing national attention after a viral clip circulated in which he compared immigration enforcement tactics under President Donald Trump to those of the Nazi-era “Gestapo,” questioning the use of masked federal agents in public spaces.
In the segment, Rogan criticized what he described as “militarized people in the streets,” arguing that agents detaining individuals without clear identification creates the risk of wrongful arrests, including of U.S. citizens who may not be carrying documentation.
“Are we really going to be the Gestapo?” Rogan asked in the clip, according to reposted video excerpts shared widely on social media.
The remarks spread quickly across X, TikTok, and Instagram, with users highlighting Rogan’s past openness to Trump and framing the comments as a notable shift. Others paired the clip with videos and anecdotes alleging aggressive ICE encounters, though the specific incidents referenced were not independently verified in the materials reviewed.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security have previously defended the use of face coverings by agents, citing threats, harassment, and past doxxing attempts targeting officers and their families. Federal officials have said masking is intended to protect personnel, not to obscure accountability.
Civil liberties advocates have countered that the practice undermines transparency and raises due process concerns, particularly during arrests conducted in public areas, near schools, or in residential neighborhoods.
Rogan’s comments come amid heightened national debate over immigration enforcement, following lawsuits by Democratic-led states, viral videos alleging mistaken detentions of U.S. citizens, and unconfirmed reports of a major data breach involving immigration personnel.
Neither ICE nor DHS responded in the materials reviewed to Rogan’s remarks or the renewed criticism circulating online.
The episode reflects a widening cultural and political divide over federal immigration enforcement, with criticism increasingly coming from figures outside traditional activist or partisan circles.
