Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes — "Veteran Gassed, Stripped, and Thrown in a Cell (w. George Retes)"
Date: October 10, 2025
Host: Tim Miller (B)
Guest: George Retes (C)

Overview

This episode dives into the harrowing firsthand account of George Retes, a U.S. Army veteran and American citizen who was wrongfully detained, gassed, and abused by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officers while on his way to work. Retes details the traumatic incident, the governmental failures, and his ongoing pursuit of justice. The conversation touches on the broader implications for civil liberties, especially regarding how easily rights can be violated by law enforcement agencies under the guise of immigration enforcement.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

George Retes’ Background (01:05–03:53)

• Grew up in Ventura, California, moved often, joined the Army at 18 to change his life.
• Served as an infantryman; deployed to Alaska, and overseas in 2019–2020.
• After his service, attended school and trained as a dental assistant and security guard.
• Returned to California to work as a contracted security officer at Glasshouse Farms, a legal cannabis facility.

The Day of the ICE Raid (03:53–12:11)

The Raid Unfolds

• On July 10th, going early to his first evening shift, Retes encountered heavy traffic and ICE agents blocking the road.
• Unaware of a raid, he calmly explained from a distance that he was a U.S. citizen working at the site.
• Agents responded immediately with hostility: “Get the fuck out of here... Work's closed today... You’re missing work today.” (06:34, C quoting agents)

Escalation & Violent Detainment

• Multiple ICE agents surrounded his vehicle; contradicting and chaotic commands ensued.
• He was trapped in his car as agents deployed tear gas to disperse nearby protesters, filling his car.
• “I’m kind of just sitting there trapped in my car, like with tear gas... I can't see behind me. I'm coughing, I can't see, it's irritating my eyes.” (08:27, C)
• After a brief reprieve, agents returned, shattered his driver’s side window, and immediately pepper-sprayed him.
• Without asking for ID or hearing Retes out, agents dragged him out, threw him to the ground, and violently restrained him: “Even though I'm complying... an agent comes and kneels on my neck and another agent kneels on my back.” (10:40, C)
• He repeatedly told them: “I can’t breathe... I was literally just trapped in my car with tear gas... I can’t fucking... I can’t breathe, and they didn’t care.” (11:06, C)

Four Days in Detention (12:11–20:35)

Initial Detention & Processing

• Taken to a Navy base; despite repeatedly telling agents and showing evidence (veteran plates, ID in car), his citizenship was ignored.
• Eventually booked into Metropolitan Detention Center LA, strip-searched, forced into a jumpsuit, denied a phone call, lawyer, or even a shower despite burns from chemical agents:
  “Covered in tear gas... my hands and my face are burning... could I shower at least?... [they said] it'll pass.” (14:40, C)

Conditions & Psychological Toll

• Spent the first night in agony, unable to soothe the burns: “That entire night I'm just there awake, just burning. My body burning. It was the worst feeling ever.” (16:14, C)
• By Friday morning, after basic medical screening, put on suicide watch by psychiatric nurse only for reporting psychological stress:
  • “Friday morning, they put me on suicide watch... naked in a hospital dress... light on 24/7... an officer is always sitting outside.” (17:47, C)
• Detained in these conditions until Sunday.

Communication Blackout

• Family was unaware of his whereabouts, unable to get answers from authorities:
  “They didn’t know where they took me... they called all these agencies... none of them gave them anything.” (19:42, C)

Release and Aftermath (20:35–26:18)

Sudden Release

• Abruptly told he was being released, without process or apology: “So I was locked up, I missed my daughter's birthday for no fucking reason... they just stayed silent. They couldn’t give me an answer.” (21:39, C)
• Reunited with family after arranging a pickup himself.

Retes’ Emotional Response

• Despite the ordeal, maintained composure thanks to military experience:
  “I know how to keep my cool, I know how to stay calm under pressure... I was just so happy, so relieved to be free... to feel the sun on my skin.” (22:13–22:56, C)

Government Denials & Retes’ Pushback

• ICE/DHS issued a statement accusing Retes of violence and non-compliance, which he flatly denies:
  “It’s a crazy hill to die on to make those types of accusations when there’s so much footage, when they released me without charges. It’s just crazy... Why lie?” (23:28–23:57, C)
• Retes is currently in the process of suing the involved authorities:
  “I made claims... hopefully if they don’t respond I can go to court.” (24:49, C)

Reflections on Service and Country

• Despite his experience, Retes reaffirms his love for the country and the military: “I still love this country... What’s happening right now just doesn’t define America, doesn’t define the flag I wore... I have no problem standing by the flag and believing in the Constitution.” (27:00, C)
• Warns that rights violations can happen to anyone and emphasizes the need for collective action: “It could happen to you. Nothing’s really stopping them, really... I think it’s really important to speak out.” (27:44, C)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On being gassed/trapped:
  “I’m kind of just sitting there trapped in my car, like with tear gas... I can't see behind me. I'm coughing, I can't see, it's irritating my eyes...” — George Retes (08:27)

• On the abuse:
  “Even though I'm complying... an agent comes and kneels on my neck and another agent kneels on my back.” — George Retes (10:40)

• On dehumanizing detention:
  “That entire night I'm just there awake, just burning... It was the worst feeling ever.” — George Retes (16:14)

• On government stonewalling:
  “They didn’t know where they took me... they called all these agencies... none of them gave them anything.” — George Retes (19:42)

• On true meaning of patriotism:
  “What’s happening right now just doesn’t define America, doesn’t define the flag I wore... I have no problem standing by the flag and believing in the Constitution.” — George Retes (27:00)

• On ICE's public statement:
  “It’s a crazy hill to die on to make those types of accusations when there’s so much footage, when they released me without charges. It’s just crazy... Why lie?” — George Retes (23:28)

• Support from host:
  “You’re a better man than me. I appreciate your courage very much for speaking out and for that positive message for everybody.” — Tim Miller (29:37)

Important Timestamps

• 01:05 – Retes' background and military service
• 03:53 – The day of the ICE raid
• 06:34 – Hostile response from ICE agents
• 08:27 – Tear gas incident and escalation
• 10:40 – Violent arrest and “I can't breathe” moment
• 14:29 – Strip search and denial of rights in detention
• 16:14 – Night-long suffering from burns
• 17:47 – Placed on suicide watch
• 19:42 – Family unable to locate him
• 21:39 – Release without apology
• 23:28 – Government public denials and lies
• 24:49 – Legal actions underway
• 27:00 – Reflection on patriotism and call to action

Tone & Message

Retes’ narrative is calm, measured, and deeply reflective. Despite recounting shocking abuse and constitutional violations, he maintains a profound belief in the ideals of America while calling for collective awareness and action. Tim Miller’s tone is empathetic, frequently expressing outrage and solidarity, emphasizing the gravity of the injustice and the need for accountability.

Final Notes

This episode is a sobering reminder of the dangers of unchecked state power, the vulnerability of even U.S. citizens to bureaucratic violence, and the importance of speaking out. Retes’s courage and even-handedness serve as a powerful call for justice and vigilance in defense of civil rights.