The News Agents

Latest Episodes:

Did Trump's immigration police murder a woman in cold blood? Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

The killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota has exposed just how fragmented American society is in 2026. The mother of three was shot repeatedly in her car by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning, reportedly there as an observer of a protest against the immigration raids in the city.

The shooting - and the administration's response - have been condemned by Kamala Harris, Governor Tim Walz, the Mayor of Minneapolis, and many other politicians. Mayor Frey urged ICE to "get the f*** out" of the city and said they were endangering residents.

Footage appears to show Good attempting to drive away from the ICE agents when the shots were fired. But Kristi Noem, head of the US department of homeland security, has accused her of attempting to run the officer over and labelled it an act of "domestic terrorism". Donald Trump described Good as a "professional agitator". Tom Homan, the border czar, initially called for people to avoid speculating before the investigation was complete - before falling into line with Trump and labelling ICE agents "heroes".

Another brutal death in the city where George Floyd was killed five years ago. Could the reaction to the killing be just as explosive and significant this time? And is Donald Trump deliberately whipping up the tensions for his own political ends?

Later, the protests in Iran have got bigger and they have got bolder. Is this the moment the regime in Tehran falls? We speak to British-Iranian comic, actor and writer Omid Djalili.

Why has President Trump seized a Russian oil tanker? Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

In dramatic scenes in the Atlantic this afternoon, American forces seized an oil tanker, 'the Marinera', flying the Russian flag. The British military was involved - supporting the US operation with air surveillance and a navy ship.

The Kremlin has only said that it has been "following the abnormal situation with alarm" - but the maritime confrontation draws Russia and the US closer to direct conflict.

It comes the day after the US, the UK, France, Germany and other allies reiterated their supported for security guarantees in Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. But is the British army in any fit state to police a 2,000km frontline?

Later, why hasn't the government come off Elon Musk's X when his AI software Grok is being used to virtually undress women and children?

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Trump tightens the screws on Greenland Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Less than 3 days after kidnapping the Venezuelan leader, Trump has doubled down on his ambitions to make Greenland the 51st state - despite warnings that coming for the Danish territory would be the end of NATO.

With one of Trump's top aides, Stephen Miller, declaring "nobody is going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland" is there anything that world leaders can do to stop Trump now?

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Which country will Trump strike next? Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Not content with the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Air Force One and appeared to spell out the countries now in his line of sight.

Colombia is "very sick", according to President Trump. Iran will get "hit very hard" if it kills anti-government protestors. Cuba is "ready to fall", he declared. And, in words that have sparked concern across Europe, he repeatedly declared that America "needs Greenland" from a national security perspective, and that Denmark is incapable of defending it properly.

It seems something of a damascene conversion from Trump, who was elected on the promise of no more foreign wars. And, given the intervention in Caracas went smoothly, what's to think he will stop there?

Does this mark a profound shift in the international order? Could America seriously annexe territory from a fellow NATO member? And how should Keir Starmer and other European allies react to such a remarkable change in approach?

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Special Episode: Is Trump now President...of Venezuela? Jan 03, 2026

Show notes

In the dead of night, President Trump sent US forces into the Venezuelan capital Caracas and - after bombs and explosions - emerged with its kidnapped head of state, Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Trump claims they are extradited narco traffickers.

In a press conference to mark the operation, Trump revealed that America is "going to run" the Latin American petro state, and oil does appear to be at the centre of his motivations for striking. US oil companies, he announced, will be sent into Venezuela to fix its broken infrastructure and start making the county money - and presumably make America money too. He cited the Monroe Doctrine - now the 'Donroe Doctrine' - that sees America seizing assets of states it chooses and intervening where it pleases in the western hemisphere.

What will the world do now? Will Russia and China feel newly emboldened? Will the UK and the EU tell Trump what they really think? What about that promise of America First - "no more foreign wars" - is that now dead as a dodo? And how will that impact Trump's political fortunes at home?

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

2026 Q&A: Unlikely comebacks, the future of democracy, and Jon's acting debut Jan 01, 2026

Show notes

Who is the most unlikely comeback of 2026? Will the Far Right continue to rise this year? And are things really starting to crumble in MAGA-land?

In this special Q&A we look ahead to the year of 2026 and all that it could bring.

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

2025 Awards: Rising stars, resignations, and the moments that defined the year Dec 25, 2025

Show notes

It was a year of White House stand-offs, viral kiss cams, shock resignations, and the rise of the far right.

From rising stars to jaw dropping moments, we look back at the defining stories of 2025 and hand out awards to the moments that shaped the year.

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Q&A: The case for Keir, 2026 elections, and is Britain ungovernable? Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

It's the final Q&A edition of 2025 and Jon and Lewis answer your questions - including the elections to look out for next year, whether algorithms are making the UK impossible to lead, plus - is there actually a decent case to be made in the defence of Keir Starmer?

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

What the Hell just happened at MAGA-con? Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

The Turning Point USA conference in Phoenix was supposed to be a tribute to the work and legacy of Charlie Kirk, the influential conservative influencer who was assassinated in September. But it turned into something very different.

Over the course of the weekend, it emerged that a struggle for very the heart and soul of the MAGA movement was playing out. Ben Shapiro took to the stage to warn of the "danger from charlatans who "traffic in conspiracism and dishonesty", slamming Candace Owens, Nick Fuentes, and Tucker Carlson. Carlson hit back, claiming it was "hilarious" that there were attempts to deplatform speakers at an event in Kirk's name. Others followed suit. Vivek Ramaswamy, Trump's one-time presidential rival, felt obliged to remind the audience that fans of Hitler or Stalin should not have a place in their movement.

Enter JD Vance. Proudly declaring that "You don't have to apologise for being white anymore" in the USA, the vice president derided "endless, self-defeating purity tests" and suggesting the movement was, in fact, open to all. And he was given a boost by Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, who endorsed him for the 2028 race.

So can JD Vance hold this movement together? Why won't he move to condemn the racism and conspiracy within his party? And what does it mean for MAGA ahead of a big election year?

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Jess Phillips on the battle of her political life Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

As parliament wound down to a close, Jess Phillips ended 2025 with one of the government's boldest announcements to date. In the Commons, she declared a "national emergency: over the prevalence of violence against women and girls, and unveiled the government's strategy to halve it.

It bookended a dramatic year for the Home Office minister, who in January found herself in the crosshairs of Elon Musk, labelling her a "rape genocide apologist" and called for her imprisonment. She's also faced calls to resign over the government's handling of the grooming gangs inquiry. And after she spoke in parliament, Kemi Badenoch denounced her plans - saying that teaching boys about misogyny should not be a priority because migrant men pose a more serious threat to women in the UK.

She came into the News Agents studio to discuss all of that with Lewis.

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/