ICE agents are hiding their faces during raids. Is that legal?

Summary

Apple News Today: Detailed Summary of Episode "ICE Agents Are Hiding Their Faces During Raids. Is That Legal?"

Release Date: July 11, 2025
Host: Shemitah Basu

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1. Texas Disaster Relief and FEMA's Response

The episode opens with a focus on the devastating floods in Texas' Hill Country, highlighting the federal disaster relief efforts underway. President Trump is slated to visit the affected areas, signaling his commitment to addressing the crisis. However, FEMA's leadership, particularly Director David Richardson, has maintained a low profile, avoiding public appearances or statements since the disaster struck (00:29).

Shemitah Basu explains that the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, has primarily spearheaded the federal response. FEMA faces mounting criticism for its lack of preparedness, especially in Kerr County—the hardest-hit region. Nearly a decade ago, Kerr County officials requested just under a million dollars from FEMA to enhance their flood warning systems, including upgraded water level sensors. Unfortunately, Texas FEMA grants were denied twice due to limited federal funding and high demand, leading to the project's abandonment (01:01).

Notable Quote:
Zach Coleman, a climate and energy reporter for Politico, emphasizes the gravity of the situation:
"There are only so many states that could really take this on themselves... I think the really short answer is they can't." (02:02)

2. Cuts to Federal Disaster Mitigation Funding

The discussion delves into the broader implications of federal funding cuts for disaster preparedness. Under President Trump's administration, the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, initially supported by Trump and later expanded by President Biden to allocate approximately $4.5 billion for local hazard mitigation projects, faced significant reductions. In April, Trump shuttered the BRIC program as part of a larger federal budget reduction strategy, threatening to dismantle FEMA altogether and transfer its responsibilities to state governments (02:08).

Zach Coleman warns of the dire consequences:
"This is not a good mix. This is not the trend you want to be heading down, where you have fewer federal resources, more disasters, and more people in the line of fire of those disasters." (03:07)

The cuts have already impacted various communities:

• Chesapeake Bay, Maryland: Lost $36 million in flood protection funding.
• Stillwater, Oklahoma: Missed out on nearly $20 million for drainage system improvements.
• Scranton, Pennsylvania: Lost millions designated for demolishing homes irreparably damaged by flash floods (03:07).

Experts caution that as climate change exacerbates natural disasters, these funding reductions leave local communities vulnerable and ill-equipped to handle future emergencies.

3. US-Russia Relations and the Ukraine War

Transitioning to international affairs, the episode examines the fluctuating dynamics between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in peace talk discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Despite exchanging "new ideas for peace talks," Rubio expressed disappointment with Russia's inflexibility, reflecting Trump's increasingly critical stance toward Putin (04:46).

Notable Quote:
Matthew Luxmore, a foreign correspondent with The Wall Street Journal, provides insight into Trump's evolving position:
"It seems that Trump, who really wanted to strike a peace deal in Ukraine, is beginning to realize... that Putin is not interested in an end to this war that doesn't include Ukraine's capitulation." (05:58)

Luxmore outlines potential actions Trump could take to demonstrate a definitive policy shift:

1. Imposing Sanctions on Russia: Targeting Russia’s energy sector to significantly impact its economy.
2. Approving New Missile Systems for Ukraine: Enhancing Ukraine's defense capabilities (07:20).

Meanwhile, Russia continues aggressive military actions, including drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, as it seeks to regain territory. The Kremlin remains cautiously responsive, observing whether Trump's policy changes are substantive or temporary.

4. ICE Masked Raids and Legal Concerns

A significant portion of the episode addresses the controversial tactics employed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, specifically their use of masks and plain clothes during raids. Recent operations in Ventura County, California, saw masked agents deploy tear gas to disperse protesters and detain numerous farm workers (08:23). This approach has ignited fear and tension within communities, particularly in Los Angeles, where nearly 2,800 arrests have been made since June (09:00).

Notable Quotes:
Attorney General Pam Bondi defends the masked operations:
"Due to a combination of factors... heightened time of political discord... and an increased threat on doxing of social media, the job is just much more difficult and dangerous for agents in the field." (10:04)

Critics argue that the concealed identities of ICE agents escalate intimidation and fear. A former ICE official noted:
"It sets a dangerous precedent... if somebody comes up to you with a mask and T-shirt and no badge... why would you think they're exercising a legitimate authority." (10:59)

Basu reports that while there is no federal policy banning masks for agents, state-level legislation is being proposed. California Democrats have introduced a bill to prevent law enforcement officials from concealing their identities, and similar measures are advancing in Congress with bills like "No Masks for ICE" gaining support (11:50).

5. Other Highlights

a. Mahmoud Khalil’s Lawsuit Against the Trump Administration

Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate, faces legal action against the Trump administration for over 100 days of detention and claims of false imprisonment and malicious prosecution. Khalil seeks $20 million in damages, alleging he was unjustly labeled an anti-Semite due to his activism (12:30). The Department of Homeland Security has dismissed his claims as "absurd," though courts have ordered his release pending ongoing immigration proceedings (12:49).

b. Amanda Anisimova’s Wimbledon Upset

In a heartwarming sports story, Amanda Anisimova made headlines by defeating world number one Irina Sablanka to reach the Wimbledon final—a first for an American since Serena Williams in 2019 (13:01). Anisimova, who has openly discussed her mental health challenges and personal tragedies, reflected on her surprising achievement:
"If you told me I would be in the final of Wimbledon, I would not believe you. At least not this soon." (13:49)
She now prepares to face seasoned champion Iga Swiatek in what promises to be a thrilling final (14:15).

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Conclusion

Shemitah Basu wraps up the episode by directing listeners to the Apple News app for more in-depth coverage and teasing an upcoming conversation with New Yorker staff writer Evan Osnos on the growing wealth gap in America. The episode provides a comprehensive examination of pressing national issues, from disaster preparedness and federal policy cuts to international relations and immigration enforcement tactics, all enriched with expert insights and firsthand accounts.

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For a complete experience of these stories and more, download the Apple News app and follow "Apple News Today."

Transcript

[Host]

Good morning. It's Friday, July 11th.

[Shemitah Basu]

I'm Shemitah Basu. This is Apple News today.

[Host]

On today's show, Trump goes hot and cold on Putin, why ICE agents are wearing masks, and the dramatic upset that put the young American, Amanda Anisimova, in the Wimbledon final. But first to Texas and what's happening.

[Shemitah Basu]

With the country's disaster relief efforts.

[Host]

Today, President Trump is expected to visit.

[Shemitah Basu]

The site of the deadly floods that barreled through the Hill country last week.

[Host]

But so far, the leader of fema.

[Shemitah Basu]

David Richardson, has been laying low. He's made no public appearances or statements since the disaster.

[Host]

The federal response has largely been led.

[Shemitah Basu]

By Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and and FEMA generally is facing.

[Host]

Increased scrutiny over the role it played.

[Shemitah Basu]

In the Hill Country's preparedness for a disaster of this size.

[Host]

Nearly a decade ago, officials in Kerr.

[Shemitah Basu]

County, which was hit hardest by last week's floods, started asking FEMA for money to fund a more robust flood warning system, including upgraded water level sensors.

[Host]

It would have cost just under a million dollars.

[Shemitah Basu]

But the office that manages Texas FEMA grants turned Kerr county down twice. The across the state, there was just more demand for federal funds than money available. And Kerr determined state level money wouldn't make a dent in what they needed. So the project was abandoned. What happened in Kerr county isn't unique.

[Host]

Long before this disaster struck Texas, communities.

[Shemitah Basu]

Nationwide have struggled to get federal funds to prepare for natural disasters.

[Host]

In fact, in his first term, Trump.

[Shemitah Basu]

Supported a bill that sought to fill that gap, launching a FEMA program in 2018 called Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities.

[Host]

BRIC for short, expanded under Biden. BRIC eventually set aside about $4.5 billion.

[Shemitah Basu]

For local hazard mitigation projects.

[Host]

And Zach Coleman, a climate and energy.

[Shemitah Basu]

Reporter for Politico, told us that money made a real difference.

[Zach Coleman]

There were processes that were working for some people. There were people who were getting disaster relief spending and emergency payments, and a lot of that got gummed up as the administration started to pull resources back.

[Host]

Trump shut down the BRIC program earlier.

[Shemitah Basu]

This year in April as part of his administration's broader efforts to slash federal spending.

[Host]

He's also threatened to shut FEMA down.

[Shemitah Basu]

Entirely and shift its responsibilities to the states.

[Zach Coleman]

There are only so many states that could really take this on themselves, and it's maybe the ones that are more used to dealing with disasters, but counterintuitively, it also might make those the least likely to be able to handle this because they're the ones who absorb billions of dollars in damage and then if you think about smaller states that might get hit the disaster that they're not expecting, what do those states then do? How are they budgeted to even begin this kind of cleanup process, an emergency management process? How can these states make up the difference? And I think the really short answer is they can't.

[Shemitah Basu]

When federal funding for local disaster mitigation.

[Host]

Was slashed, a city in Maryland on.

[Shemitah Basu]

The Chesapeake Bay lost $36 million in funding for flood protections. In Oklahoma, officials in Stillwater lost nearly $20 million to improve drainage systems.

[Host]

And and in Scranton, Pennsylvania, officials lost.

[Shemitah Basu]

Millions of dollars that were supposed to help demolish homes that were irreparably damaged by flash floods.

[Host]

Instead, most of the BRIC funding to.

[Shemitah Basu]

Help prevent disasters has now been allocated for FEMA to use for what comes after the recovery.

[Host]

And experts in preparedness say the cuts to hazard mitigation will put local communities in a precarious position, especially as climate.

[Shemitah Basu]

Change intensifies many of these natural disasters.

[Zach Coleman]

This is not a good mix. This is not the trend you want to be heading down, where you have fewer federal resources, more disasters, and more people in the line of fire of those disasters.

[Shemitah Basu]

If Trump does get rid of fema.

[Host]

As he's promised to do when hurricane.

[Shemitah Basu]

Season ends in November, Coleman says the effects of that decision will ripple across.

[Host]

Federal and local government alike.

[Zach Coleman]

There's any number of things that we're going to have to start to manage for in a broad, holistic way that FEMA has had a huge hand on in its decades of existence. And I wonder about the nation's ability to handle these broad systemic risks.

[Host]

Let's turn now to Russia's war with.

[Shemitah Basu]

Ukraine and the United States involvement. There's been a lot of movement in recent days.

[Host]

Yesterday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met.

[Shemitah Basu]

With Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

[Host]

Rubio said that the US And Russia.

[Shemitah Basu]

Had exchanged new ideas for peace talks in Ukraine, but didn't elaborate further.

[Host]

He did add that President Trump has.

[Shemitah Basu]

Been disappointed and frustrated by what he has seen as a lack of flexibility on the part of Russia. That's putting it mildly, based on how Trump himself spoke about Putin during a recent Cabinet meeting.

[Matthew Luxmore]

We get a lot of bull thrown at us by Putin for. You want to know the truth? He's very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.

[Host]

The posture we're seeing from Trump now.

[Shemitah Basu]

Is a long way away from his treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office back in February.

[Host]

At the time, Trump refused to blame.

[Shemitah Basu]

Putin for the war.

[Host]

But more recently, Trump suggested Putin might.

[Shemitah Basu]

Be, quote, tapping us along.

[Host]

And after what looked like a brief.

[Shemitah Basu]

Pause on US Munitions for Ukraine, Trump resumed them this week without explanation.

[Host]

Matthew Luxmore is a foreign correspondent with.

[Shemitah Basu]

The Wall Street Journal who's been reporting on the dynamic between Putin and Trump.

[Foreign Correspondent]

It seems that Trump, who really wanted to strike a peace deal in Ukraine, is beginning to realize what I think a lot of people have realized for quite a while now, definitely Ukrainians included, which is that Putin is not interested in an end to this war that doesn't include Ukraine's capitulation or essentially Ukraine handing over everything that Russia is demanding.

[Host]

In recent weeks, Russia has attempted to seize more territory and amped up aerial.

[Shemitah Basu]

Attacks in Ukraine, even as a Putin.

[Host]

Spokesperson told the BBC that they were.

[Shemitah Basu]

Hopeful to get diplomatic talks back on track with the Trump administration. For a long time, the relationship between Putin and Trump has been of mutual admiration, with both men publicly praising the other. So Trump's open contempt for Putin's behavior lately is quite a turn.

[Matthew Luxmore]

But.

[Host]

But Luxmore told us that the reason.

[Shemitah Basu]

The Kremlin isn't responding publicly to Trump in the same aggressive tone is because Trump has been known to change his mind.

[Mahmoud Khalil]

Often.

[Foreign Correspondent]

They've seen the way that Trump's align on Russia has changed, and I think they're waiting to see whether this is a kind of new, hardened US Policy that is critical of Russia and more supportive of Ukraine, or whether in the space of the next two weeks, Trump may once again come around to seeing Russia as the side that wants to strike some kind of peace deal, and Ukraine as a side that is not doing things conducive to peace.

[Host]

Luxmore said there are at least two material things that Trump could do that would signal that this is a change.

[Shemitah Basu]

That goes beyond just words. One is signing legislation imposing sanctions on Russia, something that Trump said he is considering.

[Foreign Correspondent]

We don't exactly know the details of what those will include, but it could be things targeting Russia's energy sector, which could be quite debilitating and quite damaging for Russia's economy, which is very reliant on oil revenues and gas revenues.

[Host]

The other would be the approval of.

[Shemitah Basu]

A new missile system for Ukraine that the White House is also reportedly considering at the moment.

[Host]

The war, meanwhile, goes on.

[Shemitah Basu]

Russia has in recent days targeted Ukrainian cities with a barrage of drone strikes.

[Host]

Among the worst, Ukraine's foreign minister said.

[Shemitah Basu]

Since the invasion first began more than three years ago. To immigration and the ongoing tensions from immigration raids.

[Host]

Clashes broke out between ICE officials and.

[Shemitah Basu]

Protesters in California yesterday When masked agents arrived at farms in Ventura county, not far from la, agents reportedly deployed tear gas to deter the crowds and detained dozens of farm workers, According to local news outlet ktla.

[Host]

The station posted one video, later shared.

[Shemitah Basu]

By California governor Gavin Newsom, of people fleeing tear gas do not panic.

[Jenny Jarvi]

Do not run. Do not run. Stay calm. They took your mom.

[Shemitah Basu]

In the video, you can see the boy nodding to the reporter's question, clearly distressed. In recent weeks, immigration enforcement efforts like these have left cities on edge as armed federal agents sweep, detaining people they suspect of violating immigration laws.

[Host]

Much of that effort has focused on Los Angeles, where federal officials say they.

[Shemitah Basu]

Have arrested close to 2,800 people since raids started in June. And the tactics they've used have sparked widespread fear among residents, armed federal agents.

[Attorney General Pam Bondi]

Jumping out of unmarked vans and snatching people off the streets.

[Host]

That's Los Angeles Times reporter Jenny Jarvi.

[Attorney General Pam Bondi]

What is disturbing to many people is that they're wearing neck gaiters, they're wearing balaclavas. In some cases they're wearing full military gear and helmets in a way that is sort of sowing fear and panic across communities. Many people think it's a public safety threat.

[Host]

There is no federal policy that prohibits.

[Shemitah Basu]

Federal agents from wearing masks that cover most of their face.

[Host]

Attorney General Pam Bondi suggested at a.

[Shemitah Basu]

Senate subcommittee hearing last week that she was unaware plain clothed agents have been wearing masks during arrests.

[Host]

But she and other officials, including the.

[Shemitah Basu]

Acting director of ice, have defended the tactic, saying it can help keep officers safe in the field.

[Attorney General Pam Bondi]

They say that due to a combination of factors, a sort of very heightened time of political discord due to new facial recognition technology and an increased threat on doxing of social media, the job is just much more difficult and dangerous for agents in the field.

[Host]

And the Department of Homeland Security says agents on enforcement operations have seen an.

[Shemitah Basu]

Exponential increase in assaults so far in 2025 compared with the same time frame last year.

[Host]

Critics, meanwhile, say that federal officers wearing.

[Shemitah Basu]

Masks and plain clothes escalates tensions and creates an environment of intimidation.

[Host]

One former ICE official told the Times.

[Shemitah Basu]

It sets a dangerous precedent.

[Attorney General Pam Bondi]

The concern for him is just that ordinary members of the public have no way to know if someone is a law enforce officer or an imposter. If somebody comes up to you with a mask and T shirt and no badge, he said, why would you think they're exercising a legitimate authority, you know, as opposed to being a violent criminal trying to do you harm?

[Host]

Critics also argue federal agents aren't operating.

[Shemitah Basu]

Under any greater threats than local police officers who are typically required to wear uniforms and often don't wear masks.

[Host]

Mask policies vary by jurisdiction.

[Attorney General Pam Bondi]

California state law doesn't mention masks, but it is more specific on sort of identification. You know, it requires uniformed officers to wear a badge, nameplate or other device which bears clearly on its face the identification number or name of the officer.

[Host]

Lawmakers are now discussing adding more requirements at the state level.

[Shemitah Basu]

California Democrats have introduced a bill that.

[Host]

Would block any law enforcement officials working.

[Shemitah Basu]

In the state from wearing masks, and.

[Host]

There are similar efforts underway in Congress.

[Shemitah Basu]

Democratic senators this week introduced a bill that would prevent immigration officers at all levels of government from wearing masks or concealing their identities. Democrats in the House are supporting a similar policy called no masks for ice.

[Host]

Before we let you go, some other stories we're following.

[Shemitah Basu]

Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University graduate detained by US immigration authorities for over 100 days, is suing the Trump administration for what he says is false imprisonment.

[Host]

Khalil is seeking $20 million in damages.

[Shemitah Basu]

And says he was maliciously prosecuted and falsely labeled an anti Semite.

[Mahmoud Khalil]

This is something I will never forgive. It failed, but still, the harm is already there. So unless they feel that there's some sort of accountability for that, they would continue to go unchecked.

[Host]

Khalil was arrested in March and spent.

[Shemitah Basu]

Months detained while the administration attempted to.

[Host]

Deport him, arguing that his activism was.

[Shemitah Basu]

Against foreign policy interests. Courts eventually ordered his release as immigration proceedings continue. The Department of Homeland Security described his claim as absurd.

[Host]

There was a major upset at Wimbledon.

[Shemitah Basu]

Yesterday when Amanda Anisimova beat world number one and the heavy favorite Irina Sablanka to advance to the final on Saturday.

[Host]

She is the first American to advance.

[Shemitah Basu]

To a Wimbledon final since Serena Williams in 2019.

[Host]

Anna Samova has been open about her.

[Shemitah Basu]

Struggles with mental health in the past, the tragedy of losing her father at the age of 17, and her break from playing professionally.

[Host]

She reflected on the moment on the.

[Shemitah Basu]

Court after her win.

[Amanda Anisimova]

To be honest, if you told me I would be in the final of Wimbledon, I would not believe you. At least not this soon. Because, I mean, it's been a year turnaround since, you know, coming back and to be in this spot, I mean.

[Host]

It'S not easy to win the tournament.

[Shemitah Basu]

She'll have to get through igaontech, who.

[Host]

Herself was a previous number one player.

[Shemitah Basu]

And has won five Grand Slams.

[Host]

You can find all these stories and.

[Shemitah Basu]

More in the Apple News app.

[Host]

And if you're already listening in the news app right now, stick around for the latest episode of Apple News In Conversation this week, I talked to New.

[Shemitah Basu]

Yorker staff writer Evan Osnos on the heels of Jeff Bezos extravagant Venice wedding, about the ultra wealthy in America and how the wealth gap is bigger than ever.

[Evan Osnos]

Take the example of Elon Musk, the richest man in the world. He had about $10 billion 10 years ago. Today he has more than 400 billion. And in fact, this isn't just an extraordinary growth by modern standards. I spoke to archaeologists about it who study inequality all the way back to the Neolithic age, and as one of them said to me recently, the people who built the pyramids were living in a less unequal society.

[Host]

If you're listening in the Podcasts app.

[Shemitah Basu]

You can find that episode by searching for Apple News in conversation. Enjoy your weekend, and I'll be back with the news on Monday.