Podcast Summary: Facts Matter (The Epoch Times)

Episode: Border Crossings Down 95 Percent; LA County Declares State Of Emergency Over ICE Operations
Date: October 22, 2025
Host: Roman
Guests/Commentators: Various co-hosts, fact-checkers, LA County Supervisors Janice Hahn and Lindsay Horvath

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode dives deep into the dramatic reduction in illegal border crossings in the United States—reportedly down by at least 95% under President Trump’s current administration—and explores the ripple effects, specifically focusing on Los Angeles County’s recent declaration of a state of emergency in response to ongoing ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) operations. The episode addresses the facts, policy debates, and local governmental responses around these intersecting crises.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Campaign Promises and Actions (00:00–00:36)

• Campaign Promise Revisited: Trump had vowed to “fix the border on his very first day in office.”
  • “We will secure that border on day one... Number one, we’re closing our border, and number two, we drill, baby, drill. But I put drilling behind the border.” — Donald Trump (00:07)
• Initial media skepticism: Experts and media figures claimed it was “impossible to fix the border problem so easily.”

2. Presidential Authority over Border Enforcement (00:36–01:05)

• Discussion on whether presidents (Trump or Biden) can unilaterally close the border.
• “The president actually doesn't have the authority under law to do that.” — Republican Representative or Expert (00:53)
• Executive actions can only go so far; comprehensive authority requires Congressional involvement.

3. Historical Drop in Border Crossings (01:05–02:17)

• Despite skepticism, the current administration delivered a staggering reduction in undocumented border crossings.
  • “Border crossings are down at least 95%... During Trump's first 100 days in office, nine illegal aliens were released into the U.S.—not nine per day, nine people in the span of 100 days. That was an immediate 99.99% drop.” — Roman (01:20)
  • Gotaways (those evading Border Patrol) also down 99%, essentially shutting down cartel human smuggling.
• Now, focus shifts to deporting the criminal subset of individuals already in the country.

4. ICE Operations and Community Resistance (02:17–03:44)

• The next phase: tracking down individuals subject to deportation within U.S. communities, which is proving far more challenging.
• Sanctuary cities like Chicago, Denver, New York, and Philadelphia actively impede federal ICE operations.
• Los Angeles County escalated its response, formally declaring a state of emergency due to ICE actions.

5. LA County’s Emergency Declaration: Details and Rationale (03:44–04:44)

• The declaration includes:
  • Rent relief for tenants impacted by ICE enforcement.
  • Legal support for affected individuals and families.
  • Mobilization of resources and request for state/federal assistance.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “‘What’s happening in our communities is an emergency and Los Angeles County is treating it like one... This proclamation is about action and speed. It allows us to move faster, coordinate better, and use every tool available to protect and to stabilize our communities.’” — Lindsay Horvath, LA County Supervisor (03:50)
  • “It may not be a wildfire or an earthquake, but it is a man made emergency created by our own federal government.” — Janice Hahn, LA County Supervisor (04:29)

6. A Tale of Two Political Narratives (04:44–05:37)

• Both sides cite the crisis as “man made,” but disagree on whom to blame:
  • Conservatives point to previous (Biden) administration’s lax border enforcement.
  • Progressives blame the current (Trump) administration’s aggressive deportations.
• Memorable Analogy: “It’s basically like that famous picture... depending on how you look at it, it’s either a beautiful woman or an ugly old hack. It's the same photo just depending on how you look at it.” — Co-host/Commentator (05:17)

7. Economic Impact of Immigration Raids in LA (05:37–06:37)

• LA County’s proclamation justifies emergency measures with stark economic statistics:
  • Construction and agriculture sectors projected to shrink by 16% and 14% statewide.
  • Potential $275 billion loss to California's GDP.
  • A 3.1% drop in private sector employment occurred immediately after stepped-up raids.
• Commentary highlights how deeply California’s economy relies on the undocumented workforce.

8. Protests, Public Sentiment, and Street Realities (06:37–07:13)

• Ongoing protests near ICE facilities—mostly nonviolent, sometimes tense.
• LA County government now offering rent and legal assistance, deepening its opposition to federal raids.

9. Wider Effects & Unintended Consequences (07:13–07:56)

• Some “positive developments” reported anecdotally:
  • Less congested highways and reduced commuter times due to fewer people driving.
  • FHA-backed housing starts have decreased for noncitizens, making homebuying more competitive for U.S. citizens.
  • “...if indeed construction jobs fell by 16%, that's a lot of job openings that US citizens can take advantage of. So there's two sides to that story.” — Co-host (07:57)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “We will secure that border on day one… Number one, we’re closing our border, and number two, we drill, baby, drill.” — Donald Trump (00:07)
• “The president actually doesn't have the authority under law to do that.” — Republican Representative or Expert (00:53)
• “Border crossings are down at least 95%... During Trump's first 100 days… nine illegal aliens were released… That was an immediate 99.99% drop.” — Roman (01:20)
• “Declaring a local emergency ensures that the full weight of county government is aligned to support our immigrant communities.” — Lindsay Horvath (03:50)
• “It may not be a wildfire or an earthquake, but it is a man made emergency created by our own federal government.” — Janice Hahn (04:29)
• “It’s basically like that famous picture... it’s either a beautiful woman or an ugly old hack. It's the same photo just depending on how you look at it.” — Co-host/Commentator (05:17)

Key Segment Timestamps

• Trump’s Border Policy Review & Promises: 00:00–01:05
• Drop in Border Crossings and Data: 01:05–02:17
• LA County’s Emergency Declaration Details: 03:44–04:44
• Political and Economic Narratives: 04:44–06:37
• On-the-Ground Protests & Government Response: 06:37–07:13
• Unexpected Upsides and Housing Market Shifts: 07:13–07:56

Overall Tone and Style

• Neutral, journalistic, and fact-driven, with occasional pointed analogies and vivid statistics.
• The host and co-hosts focus on delivering unvarnished facts, but the discussions occasionally include satirical or reflective commentary, especially when comparing political perspectives or describing public sentiment.

Conclusion

This episode of Facts Matter provides a comprehensive and data-driven look at immigration enforcement’s current landscape in the U.S.—celebrating the effectiveness of federal border policy while scrutinizing the profound local economic and social consequences, especially as witnessed in Los Angeles County’s unprecedented declaration of emergency. Both sides of the debate agree a crisis exists, even if the causes and remedies are deeply contested.