Mayor imposes curfew for parts of downtown L.A.

Summary

Apple News Today: Summary of "Mayor Imposes Curfew for Parts of Downtown L.A." Episode Released on June 11, 2025

Hosted by Yasmeen Khan in place of Shumita Basu, this episode of Apple News Today delves into the recent imposition of a curfew in downtown Los Angeles, the ensuing protests, the state of ICE detention centers under the Trump administration, and cultural happenings surrounding President Trump's attendance at a Les Misérables performance. Additionally, the episode touches on other significant news stories, including the Smithsonian's content review and positive trends in public health.

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1. Los Angeles Enforces Curfew Amid Protests Against ICE Raids

A. Mayor Karen Bass Declares Emergency and Curfew

At [00:36], Mayor Karen Bass addressed the escalating tensions in Los Angeles, announcing the declaration of a local emergency and instituting a curfew for a specific segment of downtown LA from 8 PM to 6 AM. She highlighted the severity of the situation, noting a sharp increase in arrests—from 27 on Saturday to over 300 in the past two days—and the looting of more than 20 businesses.

B. President Trump's Response to the Curfew and ICE Policies

Responding to the curfew, former President Donald Trump urged individuals not residing or working in downtown LA to "avoid the area" ([01:03]). He warned that law enforcement would "arrest individuals who break the curfew and prosecute them" ([01:03]). Trump further defended his administration's immigration enforcement strategies during a speech at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, branding rioters as part of a "foreign invasion" aimed at undermining national sovereignty ([01:27]).

C. Governor Gavin Newsom Criticizes Trump's Actions

In contrast, Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Trump’s immigration policies, labeling them as a "brazen abuse of power" ([01:47]). He emphasized the detrimental impact these policies have had on families and local businesses, with many fearing going to work due to intensive ICE raids.

D. Misinformation vs. Reality in Los Angeles

The episode sheds light on the spread of misinformation portraying Los Angeles as an "all-out war zone" ([02:09]) due to the curfew and protests. However, officials clarified that LA remains a vast city of over 500 square miles, with the curfew impacting only one square mile ([02:17]). Karen Bass attributed the exaggerated narrative to political manipulation aimed at garnering support ([02:28]).

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2. Trump Administration's Immigration Enforcement Strategy and Its Consequences

A. Intensified ICE Raids and Broadened Targeting

Elizabeth Findell from the Wall Street Journal reported that in late May, Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump's immigration policies, instructed ICE supervisors to "increase deportations beyond traditional targets" ([02:33]). This directive led to agents conducting broader sweeps at locations like Home Depot and 7-Eleven, aiming to deport not only gang members and criminals but anyone suspected of being undocumented ([03:04]).

B. Backlash from Expanded Enforcement Tactics

These aggressive enforcement actions triggered widespread protests, particularly after ICE conducted raids at a Home Depot in Westlake ([03:15]). The outreach led to increased detentions of individuals previously unlikely to be targeted, resulting in significant community backlash and public outcry over the administration's harsh tactics ([03:36]).

C. Overcrowded and Inhumane Conditions in ICE Detention Centers

NPR's Jasmine Garsd highlighted dire conditions within ICE facilities, citing overcrowding and lack of medical care. At the Chrome Service Processing Center in Miami, detainees reported sleeping on floors, inadequate food, and lack of medical attention, with instances such as a detainee suffering from severe eye infections and fever without receiving care ([06:20], [07:15]). With over 100,000 immigrants arrested during Trump's second term and an estimated 134 million dollars allocated to deploy approximately 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to LA ([01:54], [02:06]), the administration's efforts have led to the deadliest year for detainee deaths since 2020 ([07:32]).

D. Policy of Self-Deportation and Its Implications

The Trump administration introduced incentives for immigrants to self-deport, including a $1,000 stipend and travel assistance ([08:32]). Funds traditionally allocated for refugee aid were repurposed to support this initiative ([08:44]). However, policy experts express skepticism about the feasibility of deporting 1 million individuals, questioning the sustainability and humaneness of such a strategy ([08:08]).

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3. Cultural Spotlight: Trump’s Attendance at Les Misérables Sparks Controversy

A. President Trump to Attend Les Misérables Opening Night

In a notable cultural event, President Trump is set to attend the opening night of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. ([08:59]). This marks his first appearance as the new board chair after replacing the previous chair and 18 board members. The musical, based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel, is a symbol of uprising and social justice.

B. Backlash and Cast Members’ Protests

Jamie Gangel from CNN reported that 10 to 12 cast members have opted out of the performance in protest of Trump's association with the production ([11:00]). This decision reflects ongoing tensions between the administration and the arts community, especially given Les Misérables' thematic emphasis on fighting oppression.

C. Symbolism of Les Misérables Amid Political Climate

Graham Robb, a critic for The Atlantic, discusses the contrast between the story's focus on redemption and societal pressures versus the Trump administration's stringent immigration policies ([10:04]–[10:53]). The use of songs like "Do You Hear the People Sing?" as rallying cries by Trump and his supporters further complicates the narrative, aligning the musical’s themes with the administration’s rhetoric on law and order ([09:36], [10:22]).

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4. Other Significant News Highlights

A. Smithsonian Institute’s Content Review

The Smithsonian is undertaking a comprehensive review of content across its 21 museums to eliminate perceived political bias ([12:39]). This initiative follows President Trump's attempt to dismiss the national portrait director, Kim Sayet, via social media ([12:57]). The Smithsonian maintains its independence, with no decisions yet made regarding Sayet’s future ([13:19]).

B. Positive Trends in Public Health: Decline in Gen Z Overdoses

Recent CDC data reveals a significant decrease in fatal drug overdoses among Gen Z. Deaths among individuals under 35 dropped by nearly half since 2021 ([13:26]–[13:35]). Contributing factors include increased awareness of fentanyl's dangers, greater distribution of Narcan, enhanced addiction healthcare services, and the sale of less potent forms of fentanyl ([13:38]–[14:01]).

C. Health Benefits of Singing

The Washington Post highlights research indicating that singing offers substantial health benefits. Engaging in singing can reduce stress, enhance overall well-being, and amplify positive emotions. Group singing, in particular, fosters social bonding by synchronizing participants' rhythms and releasing hormones conducive to stress reduction ([14:13]–[14:41]).

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5. Conclusion

This episode of Apple News Today provides an in-depth look at the current socio-political climate in Los Angeles amidst stringent immigration enforcement, the humanitarian crisis within ICE detention centers, and the intersection of politics and culture through President Trump's engagement with the arts. Additionally, it underscores positive public health developments and the therapeutic benefits of singing, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of pressing national and cultural issues.

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For more detailed stories and updates, listeners are encouraged to access the Apple News app and follow the narrated articles and podcasts provided.

Transcript

[Yasmeen Khan]

Good morning. It's Wednesday, June 11th. I'm Yasmeen Khan in for Shamita Basu. This is Apple News today. On today's show, dangerous conditions reported at ICE detention centers after a Trump takeover. It's opening night for Les Mis at the Kennedy center. And why singing, even if you're bad at it, is good for your health. But first to the Los Angeles protests.

[Karen Bass]

And the federal government's continued military presence in the city. Last night, Mayor Karen Bass declared a local emergency and a curfew for a small segment of downtown LA between 8pm.

[Yasmeen Khan]

And 6am Bass said there had been.

[Karen Bass]

Significant damages in parts of downtown. Arrests have risen from 27 on Saturday to to well over 300 across the previous two days. And more than 20 businesses have been looted.

[Donald Trump]

So my message to you is if you do not live or work in downtown la, avoid the area. Law enforcement will arrest individuals who break the curfew and you will be prosecuted.

[Karen Bass]

But she reiterated her criticism of Trump, saying there were families afraid to go to work because of the ICE raids. Donald Trump defended his actions, speaking to soldiers at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

[Tom Homan]

What you're witnessing in California is a full blown assault on peace, on public order and a national sovereignty carried out by rioters bearing foreign flags with the aim of continuing a foreign invasion of our country. We're not going to let that happen.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Governor Newsom, meanwhile, released his own video.

[Karen Bass]

Saying the president was engaged in a.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Quote, brazen abuse of power. The Pentagon said on Tuesday that it.

[Karen Bass]

Will cost an estimated $134 million to deploy ROUG, roughly 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles. This all comes as there is a.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Wave of misinformation online, with many incorrectly.

[Karen Bass]

Painting a picture of Los Angeles as.

[Yasmeen Khan]

An all out war zone. But as the Los Angeles Times explains, LA is a sprawling city of more.

[Karen Bass]

Than 500 square miles and the curfew applies to just one square mile.

[Yasmeen Khan]

There has been some vandalism and isolated events of violence, but local officials say.

[Karen Bass]

The narrative is being manipulated for political gain.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Today we want to take a few.

[Karen Bass]

Minutes to talk about the strategy underpinning these raids on businesses which led to the protests. Elizabeth Findell with the Wall Street Journal told us about it.

[Elizabeth Findell]

In late May, Stephen Miller, who is of course the architect of President Trump's immigration agenda, went down to ICE headquarters to address supervisors from around the country and he told them that not enough people were being deported.

[Karen Bass]

Miller told agents that they could break with the long standing practice of developing.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Target lists of immigrants suspected of being.

[Karen Bass]

In the US without documentation.

[Elizabeth Findell]

He said the focus should not only be on gang members and criminals, but on anyone. He told them that agents should be going to places like Home Depot and 7 11.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Just days later, ICE agents carried out immigration sweeps at a Home Depot in Westlake.

[Karen Bass]

The move set off a weekend of.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Protests in LA county, including near a.

[Karen Bass]

Federal detention center downtown.

[Elizabeth Findell]

More people have been taken into custody who aren't people who would have been targeted in the past. That has really led to tremendous backlash.

[Karen Bass]

The Trump administration's approach to immigration enforcement.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Marks a sharp departure from previous government practices. You have federal agents making warrantless arrests.

[Karen Bass]

Masked agents taking people into custody without.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Identifying themselves, and plainclothes agents at least.

[Karen Bass]

A dozen cities arresting migrants at their court hearings.

[Elizabeth Findell]

We had people who we talked to in the story who were talking about the Trump administration's emphasis on optics, and they really want to make it look like their deportations are happening on an extreme level.

[Karen Bass]

Certain cities may also be getting increased ICE attention because the White House deems them as obstructive.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Some states, including California, have brought in so called sanctuary policies, which restricts the extent to which local law enforcement can work with federal immigration enforcement. A couple of weeks ago, the White House published a list of more than 500 sanctuary jurisdictions. These were basically areas it was putting.

[Karen Bass]

On formal notice for being uncooperative. As this strategy continues to play out.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, has made.

[Karen Bass]

Clear that the administration will focus on.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Areas they believe to be opposing this federal crackdown, raising the prospect of further.

[Karen Bass]

Protests and resistance elsewhere.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Let's stick with immigration as protests in LA and now many other cities have been drawing attention to ICE raids and arrests. NPR has been looking at the conditions.

[Karen Bass]

People detained by the administration are living in. More than 100,000 immigrants have been arrested by ICE during Trump's second term so far, and roughly half are still in detention today. That's about a 20% increase in detentions since January, according to NPR.

[Yasmeen Khan]

But the rate of deportations is not.

[Karen Bass]

Keeping pace with detentions.

[Yasmeen Khan]

And NPR immigration reporter Jasmine Garsd found.

[Karen Bass]

ICE facilities nationwide are getting so overcrowded that in some cases conditions are dire for people detained. She told us about one facility in Miami.

[Jasmine Garsd]

It's so crowded that people are sleeping on the floor. There's not beds, people sleeping in buses outside of the detention facilities. When you have that amount of people in a small space, obviously it's a health concern.

[Karen Bass]

NPR received several messages about this particular.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Facility, the Chrome Service Processing Center. One came from a woman named Maria.

[Karen Bass]

Who told GARSD about her brother who's been detained there for more than two months.

[Jasmine Garsd]

Her message was about how he had a very severe eye infection in both eyes and a fever for two weeks and he was getting no medical attention. And she was very desperate.

[Karen Bass]

NPR spoke with more than a dozen.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Detainees at their family members and lawyers.

[Karen Bass]

Who described similar conditions.

[Jasmine Garsd]

I heard from one attorney who told me his client was fed a cup of rice a day and sometimes as rotting food as well, or undercooked meat or food that was just rotten and people would get sick from it.

[Yasmeen Khan]

In May, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat, visited the facility. She told NPR she saw two to.

[Karen Bass]

Three dozen men crammed into a small area for 48 hours.

[Yasmeen Khan]

She says they, quote, defecate in front of each other.

[Karen Bass]

They eat, they sleep on stone floors.

[Yasmeen Khan]

She called the conditions, quote, unquote, really inhumane.

[Karen Bass]

CROME has faced allegations of inhumane conditions for years.

[Yasmeen Khan]

It was investigated by the Department of.

[Karen Bass]

Justice in 2000 over accusations of sexual abuse.

[Yasmeen Khan]

And this year alone, there have been two deaths there. At ICE detention facilities nationwide, there have been nine deaths this year, which puts.

[Karen Bass]

2025 on track to be the deadliest since 2020.

[Yasmeen Khan]

And the advocacy director of the Detention Watch Network told GARSD they are increasingly.

[Karen Bass]

Hearing reports from people at detention facilities.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Who say they're starving. In response to NPR's reporting, ICE conceded.

[Karen Bass]

That some of its facilities are overcrowded as detentions climb, which it described as temporary.

[Yasmeen Khan]

But policy experts told GARSD they're concerned the situation won't improve because deportations at the level the administration has promised 1 million people simply aren't realistic.

[Jasmine Garsd]

And this is where the issue of self deportation comes into play. This is a really important part to understand about the Trump administration's policy, which is to make the lives of immigrants miserable enough that they will self deport, or in the case of these detention centers, I heard over and over again of people asking for deportation.

[Karen Bass]

The administration is offering a $1,000 stipend and travel assistance to incentivize people to self dep.

[Yasmeen Khan]

To make those funds available, the State.

[Karen Bass]

Department repurposed hundreds of millions of dollars.

[Yasmeen Khan]

That historically has been used to aid refugees who have been uprooted by war and natural disasters.

[Karen Bass]

Tonight, President Trump plans to attend a.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Fundraiser performance at the Kennedy center in Washington, D.C. his first appearance there as.

[Karen Bass]

The new board chair after ousting the.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Sitting president, the chair and 18 board members. Tonight's performance is Les Miserables, the hit.

[Karen Bass]

1986 musical based on the 1862 novel.

[Yasmeen Khan]

By French writer and activist Victor Hugo. President Trump is said to love Les Miserables. The Wall Street Journal reports that staff.

[Karen Bass]

From the 80s Broadway production remember him attending a performance. And one of the musical's most famous.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Songs, do youo Hear the People Sing?

[Karen Bass]

Has become something of a rallying cry.

[Yasmeen Khan]

For his bass, with the song played at rallies and even by the U.S.

[Karen Bass]

Army chorus at a White House event earlier this.

[Yasmeen Khan]

In a recent piece for the Atlantic, Graham Robb, a critic specializing.

[Karen Bass]

In French literature, writes about the contrast.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Between the story of Les Mis and.

[Karen Bass]

The appeal it seems to have to Trump and his supporters.

[Yasmeen Khan]

The heart of the story centers on an uprising in 1848 against the French monarchy by starving unemployed citizens living in the Paris slums.

[Karen Bass]

It's a fierce defense of the poor and the powerless.

[Yasmeen Khan]

The protagonist, Jean Valjean, is imprisoned in.

[Karen Bass]

Brutal conditions for 19 years after stealing a loaf of bread to feed his.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Sister'S starving children and making several escape attempts. It's a story that emphasizes redemption and the societal pressures that can cause crime, in contrast to ideas that favor zero.

[Karen Bass]

Tolerance and stricter punishments.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Rob argues these themes put the story's.

[Karen Bass]

Messaging at odds with the Trump administration's agenda.

[Yasmeen Khan]

After President Trump announced he would be.

[Karen Bass]

Taking over as chair of the board.

[Yasmeen Khan]

At the Kennedy Center, CNN cultural correspondent.

[Karen Bass]

Jamie Gangel reported that several cast members pulled out of tonight's Les Mis performance in protest.

[Jamie Gangel]

So what we've been told is that the production company gave the actors the option of whether or not to perform that night, and at least 10 to 12 have opted out. They include some major roles, some ensemble. We don't know yet.

[Karen Bass]

And back when Trump used the music.

[Yasmeen Khan]

In his campaign, Les Mis producer Sir Cameron McIntosh and lyricist Elaine Bublil publicly.

[Karen Bass]

Protested Trump's use of the music, but they both appear in a new promotional video for the Kennedy center to promote the current production.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Bublil is pictured sitting in red plush.

[Karen Bass]

Theater seats with sounds from the music he wrote playing underneath him.

[Tom Homan]

The nature of any creation, it's to find an audience. When you don't have an audience, it's nothing.

[Yasmeen Khan]

And tonight that audience includes President Trump, the First lady, the Vice President and the Second Lady.

[Karen Bass]

This evening's performance is the start of a month long run of the musical.

[Yasmeen Khan]

At the Kennedy Center. The Wall Street Journal reports that the.

[Karen Bass]

Center depends on ticket sales for about.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Half of its budget and that the.

[Karen Bass]

First two weeks of theater sales for.

[Yasmeen Khan]

The upcoming season are down 82% compared to last year. But tonight's performance is sold out.

[Karen Bass]

Before we let you go, a few.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Other stories we're following. First, staying with cultural institutions the Wall.

[Karen Bass]

Street Journal exclusively reports that the Smithsonian is conducting a review of all of its content in its 21 museums to eliminate apparent political influence and bias. The board, of which J.D. vance and Florida Republican Carlos Jimenez are.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Advisory members, voted in favor of the.

[Karen Bass]

Review in a closed door session on Monday.

[Yasmeen Khan]

It comes days after the president attempted to fire the national portrait director Kim Sayet, in a social media post, though.

[Karen Bass]

He lacks the authority to do so. The Smithsonian said it retained the power over personnel and reaffirmed its status as an independent entity, and in a briefing to the Journal said no decision had.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Been made about Syed's future. Next to some promising health news, recent.

[Karen Bass]

CDC data shows fatal drug overdoses among.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Gen Z are slowing Overdoses killed more.

[Karen Bass]

Than 30,000 people under the age of.

[Yasmeen Khan]

35 in 2021, but that number was.

[Karen Bass]

Nearly half as much in 2024. A huge contributor to drug related deaths.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Is fentanyl, often disguised as counterfeit prescription pills like OxyContin or Percocet.

[Karen Bass]

But NPR found that awareness of the drug's toxic effects has risen, which may be creating a deterrence.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Other reasons for the drop are complex and still somewhat unknown, but there is.

[Karen Bass]

Greater knowledge and distribution of Narcan, a medicine that can reverse the effects of drug overdose. There's also more accessible addiction, health care and less deadly fentanyl being sold.

[Yasmeen Khan]

And finally, for everyone out there who.

[Karen Bass]

Loves to sing in their car or shower, the Washington Post has good news.

[Yasmeen Khan]

That singing also comes with some real health benefits.

[Karen Bass]

Studies show that just listening to music.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Can reduce stress, improve your overall well being, and make positive emotions feel even better. But actually singing along and making music yourself adds another layer of benefit.

[Karen Bass]

And if you're jamming out with a.

[Yasmeen Khan]

Group, the beat will help you sync up with the people around you, decreasing stress hormones and releasing ones important for social bonding. You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app. And if you're already listening in the News app right now, stick around for a narrated article. As intimacy coordinators become a more regular feature on Hollywood sets, a writer at the New Yorker decided to take a crash course and learn firsthand what they really do. If you're listening in the Podcasts app, follow Apple News narrated to find that story and we'll be back with the news tomorrow.