Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confronted podcaster Joe Rogan over his recent criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a candid exchange on Friday’s episode of The Joe Rogan Experience.
Kennedy, appearing as a guest on the widely followed podcast, steered the conversation toward immigration enforcement when asked what topics he wanted to address. He pointed directly to Rogan’s recent comments about ICE operations under President Donald Trump.
“I know that’s something that’s disturbed you,” Kennedy told Rogan, referencing the podcaster’s concerns about the agency’s tactics.
Rogan has been vocal in arguing that ICE and federal immigration agents should focus exclusively on illegal immigrants who are violent criminals. He previously reacted strongly to the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident and American citizen Renee Good by an ICE agent, saying on his show that the incident “looked horrific.”
Expressing broader unease, Rogan said he does not want to see “militarized people in the streets just roaming around, snatching up people — many of which turn out to be U.S. citizens that just don’t have their papers on them.”
“Are we really gonna be the Gestapo? ‘Where’s your papers?’ Is that what we’ve come to?” Rogan asked during a prior episode.
Kennedy pushed back on the idea that agents are conducting indiscriminate sweeps. He argued that ICE is “not just randomly searching restaurants,” but instead targeting “particular people who they’ve gotten their names from local law enforcement and others.”
According to Kennedy, most individuals apprehended by federal agents have criminal records. He added that many have avoided convictions by skipping bail and are wanted on outstanding warrants.
Rogan acknowledged the scale of the challenge facing immigration authorities, noting that agents are dealing with what he described as an unprecedented situation following an “open” border that allowed millions to enter the country.
While he said violent encounters caught on video are understandably unsettling, Rogan also criticized anti-ICE demonstrations, claiming many of the protests are not organic.
“I think what disturbs people is, again, obviously these violent interactions,” Rogan said. “What should disturb them is that these are not organic protests, so these protests are organized and paid for.”
He suggested that some demonstrators are compensated and provided with signs and messaging, describing it as “kind of insane” that organized groups can pay individuals to protest.
Rogan also addressed concerns about masked officers during enforcement actions, saying the sight of law enforcement wearing face coverings makes people uneasy. However, he noted that agents have been doxed and their families threatened, arguing that the masks are a response to that danger in an era where every interaction is filmed.
At the same time, Rogan challenged Kennedy’s assertion that only specific criminals are being targeted. He claimed agents have shown up at places like Home Depot and detained individuals to determine their status.
“There’s probably a lot of people that are just people that got duped into coming to this country thinking they’re going to be welcomed,” Rogan said, adding that while they may have broken the law, some were encouraged to come.
The exchange highlighted the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement, balancing concerns about public safety, border security and civil liberties as the Trump administration continues its crackdown.
