Bulwark Takes: Detailed Summary of “SHOCKING: ICE Used Drunk Ex-Cop to Label Gay Man a ‘Gang Member’”

Release Date: April 11, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Bulwark Takes, host Tim Miller and an Unnamed Journalist delve into a harrowing case involving the wrongful labeling and detention of Andre, a gay Venezuelan stylist. The episode exposes significant flaws within ICE’s processes and raises urgent questions about due process and the credibility of those entrusted with such critical decisions.

1. The Case of Andre: Wrongful Detention Without Due Process

The episode opens with Tim Miller announcing breaking news pertaining to Andre, a Venezuelan stylist who has been unjustly sent to a torture prison in El Salvador by the United States under the Trump administration. The justification for his detention is the false claim that he is a member of the Trenda Aragua gang.

• Tim Miller ([00:33]): “We have breaking news from Milwaukee… Andre, the gay Venezuelan stylist that the United States and the Donald Trump administration has sent to the torture prison in El Salvador without any due process, claiming that he's a member of the Trend Aragua gang.”

2. Flawed Evidence: The Misinterpretation of Tattoos

The primary evidence used to label Andre as a gang member revolves around his tattoos. Specifically, his forearm tattoos featuring two crowns were misinterpreted as signs of Trenda Aragua affiliation.

• Unnamed Journalist ([00:33]): “In the filings, we had already discussed the tattoos on his forearms with the two crowns. Supposedly crown tattoos are associated with Trenda Aragua. Experts say that's not true, but that was one of the pieces of evidence provided.”

This misinterpretation highlights a significant lapse in the investigative process, as experts have debunked the association between these tattoos and the gang in question.

3. Questionable Testimony: Charles Cross Jr.’s Involvement

A critical revelation in the episode is the involvement of Charles Cross Jr., a disgraced former Milwaukee police officer, whose credibility is severely undermined.

• Unnamed Journalist ([01:55]): “His name is Charles Cross Jr. His reputation was, according to the Milwaukee General.”

• Tim Miller ([01:55]): “…who had been accused of lying, breaking the law, or acting in a way that erodes their credibility to testify in Milwaukee County.”

Charles Cross Jr.’s misconduct includes driving his car into a family home while intoxicated and falsifying claims about overtime, leading to his dismissal from the Milwaukee Police Corps. Despite these serious issues, he was entrusted with identifying Andre as a gang member.

• Tim Miller ([02:08]): “He was also being investigated at that same time for claiming overtime he hadn't earned.”

The episode underscores the irony and danger of employing someone with such a tainted background in a role that directly impacts individuals' freedoms and lives.

4. The Role of CoreCivic and ICE’s Decision-Making Process

Post his policing career, Charles Cross Jr. secured a position with CoreCivic, a private organization contracted by ICE to manage immigrant detention centers. In this capacity, he is responsible for identifying Venezuelan migrants as members of the Trenda Aragua gang.

• Unnamed Journalist ([02:38]): “…his job actually is identifying Venezuelan migrants as a member of Trenda Aragua.”

Tim Miller highlights the stark incongruity between Cross Jr.’s dubious past and his authoritative role in making life-altering decisions based on questionable evidence.

• Tim Miller ([03:51]): “The contractor who's been hired by ICE from Milwaukee. Why, who is this guy? Like why is this guy going to be the one man, judge and jury to determine whether somebody is trend Aragua?”

This section emphasizes the lack of appropriate checks and balances within ICE’s framework, allowing individuals with compromised integrity to hold significant power over vulnerable populations.

5. The Call for Due Process and Systemic Reform

Throughout the episode, Tim Miller passionately advocates for due process and systemic changes to prevent such injustices from occurring in the future.

• Tim Miller ([03:30]): “So that is bad, I would say. I'd say that calls into question his credibility and it speaks to why we should have fucking due process in this country.”

He draws attention to the severity of the consequences faced by individuals like Andre, who are sent to inhumane conditions without proper legal safeguards.

• Tim Miller ([04:04]): “This is despicable what our government has done. Like the fact that this is, you know, the lead investigator here is this man, Charles Cross, age 62, who has huge credibility issues.”

The host urges listeners to take action by contacting their senators and congress members to demand the return of detainees and the implementation of fair processes.

• Tim Miller ([06:25]): “Once again, I'm asking you, contact your senators, contact your members of Congress, tell them. We must bring these men home. We must give them due process.”

He underscores the moral and constitutional imperatives that necessitate immediate reforms to uphold the United States' foundational principles of justice and freedom.

6. Conclusion: A Call to Action Against Systemic Injustice

In the closing moments, Tim Miller draws a parallel between the current situation and historical injustices, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and systemic change.

• Tim Miller ([05:57]): “If we allow these men to rot in an El Salvador gulag, we are no different from the Communists, from the Stalinists, from the fascists.”

He concludes by reiterating the necessity of adhering to constitutional values and ensuring that due process is not just a formality but a fundamental right upheld in every case.

• Tim Miller ([06:42]): “This is horrific… It is morally wrong. It goes against the constitution. It's also executed like the fucking Keystone Cops.”

The episode closes with a reminder to listeners to stay informed and engaged, providing resources to read the full story for further details.

Key Takeaways

• Andre’s Wrongful Detention: Highlighting the injustice of detaining a vulnerable individual based on misinterpreted evidence.

• Credibility Issues: Exposing the flawed process due to the involvement of an untrustworthy former officer.

• Systemic Flaws in ICE Procedures: Critiquing the lack of proper oversight and checks within ICE’s identification processes.

• Urgent Call for Reform: Emphasizing the need for due process and immediate action to prevent further injustices.

Notable Quotes

• "This is despicable what our government has done." — Tim Miller ([04:04])

• "We must give them due process." — Tim Miller ([03:51])

• "If we allow these men to rot in an El Salvador gulag, we are no different from the Communists, from the Stalinists, from the fascists." — Tim Miller ([05:57])

Final Remarks

For those seeking to understand the depth of the injustices within ICE’s processes and the urgent need for systemic reform, this episode of Bulwark Takes offers a poignant and detailed exploration. Listeners are encouraged to engage actively in advocacy, ensuring that principles of justice and due process are upheld.

Additional Resources

• Full Story Reading: Links to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and USA Today reports are available in the show notes for an in-depth understanding of the case.

• Subscribe: Stay informed by subscribing to Bulwark’s feed for more insightful analyses and discussions.