Welcome back to The Insider.
I'm Zanni Minton-Beadows, the Economist's Editor-in-Chief.
The shocking events in Minneapolis over the past few weeks,
especially of course the killing of two citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti,
by federal immigration agents,
has raised pretty grave questions about the way America's federal government uses force on its streets.
Is ICE just a particularly aggressive federal agency or a proto-paraminatory force?
And what does that mean for the president's immigration policy?
and indeed for the health of America's democracy itself.
These are pretty important questions.
And this week, to help me answer them as always, Ed Carr, my deputy, Ed, very nice to see you.
And flown over especially just for this program is Charlotte Howard,
our New York bureau chief and of course, checks and balance host.
Charlotte, thank you for coming over.
You look remarkably fresh for someone who's just got off a plane.
So thank you.
And joining us too for, I think the first time, or at least the first time with me is...
Robert Guest, another deputy editor,
and a man who writes frequently about illiberal regimes and indeed autocrats.
So I'm keen to hear your insights on this.