Morning Joe Episode Summary – June 9, 2025

Released on June 9, 2025

Overview

In the June 9, 2025 episode of Morning Joe, hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, along with their panelists, delved into the escalating tensions in Southern California amid significant unrest triggered by recent ICE raids in Los Angeles. The discussion focused on the deployment of the National Guard without consent from Governor Gavin Newsom, the political ramifications of these actions, and the evolving feud between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Additionally, the panel touched upon the broader implications for Democratic and Republican strategies moving forward.

Los Angeles Protests and ICE Raids

Initial Escalation: The episode opened with Jacob Soboroff reporting live from Los Angeles, highlighting the chaos ensuing from ICE's mass deportation operations. Over the weekend, ICE executed multiple search warrants, leading to the arrest of 118 individuals, including 44 during the initial operation on Friday.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Response: Governor Gavin Newsom of California expressed strong opposition to the federal actions. In a heated exchange, Newsom addressed threats from ICE’s Tom Homan, asserting:

“[06:15] Gavin Newsom: ...Lay your hands off four-year-old girls that are trying to get educated. Your hands off these poor people just trying to get live their lives... The fear, the horror, the hell is this guy come after me, arrest me...”

Newsom criticized the deployment of the National Guard, emphasizing that such measures were unnecessary and inflammatory, exacerbating tensions within the community.

National Guard Deployment: Contrary to standard protocol, President Trump unilaterally deployed 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, bypassing Governor Newsom's authority. This move marked the first such deployment in decades without a gubernatorial request, intensifying the conflict between federal and state authorities.

“[03:59] Mika Brzezinski: ...the president against the wishes of Governor Newsom, bringing in the National Guard...”

Tom Homan’s Threats: Tom Homan, the Trump-appointed border czar, underscored the administration's uncompromising stance by threatening potential arrests of state officials who obstruct federal operations.

“[07:00] Gavin Newsom: ...that's immoral. You're creating the conditions that you claim you're solving...”

Political Implications and Public Opinion

Public Sentiment: New polling data presented by David Drucker revealed a complex public stance. While 54% of Americans support the Trump administration's deportation efforts, a significant 63% believe non-citizens should receive a court hearing before deportation.

“[16:21] David Drucker: ...63% believe that non-citizens should get a court hearing first before any deportation attempts.”

Impact on Political Parties: The aggressive immigration policies are seen as a double-edged sword. While solidifying Trump's base, especially among working-class Hispanic voters who favor stricter immigration enforcement, these actions pose challenges for Democrats. Governor Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass are positioning themselves against federal overreach, potentially galvanizing support among voters who view these measures as inhumane.

“[17:31] Jim Vande Hei: ...Democrats feel like one. It's just not right...”

Risk of Overreach: Joe Scarborough and Jim Vande Hei discussed the possibility of Trump's actions backfiring politically, despite strong support within his base. They highlighted the long-term implications of mass deportations on the U.S. labor force and economic contributions of undocumented immigrants.

“[14:24] Joe Scarborough: ...this is what they want. Could it backfire?...”

Trump’s Feud with Elon Musk

Conflict Overview: A significant portion of the discussion centered on the deteriorating relationship between President Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Following a public fallout, Trump warned Musk of severe repercussions should he fund Democratic candidates.

“[26:22] Jacob Soboroff: Are you prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act? [26:25] David Drucker: No, no.”

Implications for Democrats and Republicans: The panel debated whether Democrats should seek to reconcile with Musk to capitalize on his substantial financial resources and media influence, especially through his platform, X (formerly Twitter). However, concerns were raised about Musk's political alignment and his potential to disrupt traditional party dynamics.

“[38:34] Jacob Soboroff: ...Donald Trump wanted to do this in the first term...”

Future Prospects: Despite the current tensions, the hosts speculated on the possibility of reconciling interests between Trump and Musk due to their intertwined business and political ventures. However, the volatile nature of their relationship suggests continued friction.

“[38:35] Katty Kay: ...why wouldn't they embrace him with open arms and try and bring him into their fold? Are they missing something?”

Broader National Security Concerns

Military Involvement: Courtney Kuby, NBC News senior national security correspondent, explained the unprecedented deployment of federalized National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles. She emphasized the legal constraints imposed by the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits federal troops from engaging in domestic law enforcement.

“[27:25] Courtney Kuby: ...they cannot make arrests or conduct what we think of as very basic law enforcement activities...”

Task Force 51: The establishment of Task Force 51, led by a two-star general, underscores the administration's commitment to managing the unrest. Military officials expressed concerns about the potential misuse of military power in civilian contexts.

“[30:10] Courtney Kuby: ...shows the significance that they are placing on this mission.”

Conclusion

The Morning Joe episode from June 9, 2025, provided an incisive analysis of the escalating conflict in Los Angeles, highlighting the deepening rift between federal immigration policies and state leadership in California. The deployment of the National Guard without state consent marks a significant power struggle, with profound political implications for both major parties. Additionally, the unfolding feud between President Trump and Elon Musk introduces another layer of complexity, potentially reshaping political alliances and strategies ahead of future elections. As the situation continues to evolve, Morning Joe remains committed to providing comprehensive coverage and informed discussions on these critical national issues.

Notable Quotes:

• Gavin Newsom (06:15): "Lay your hands off four-year-old girls that are trying to get educated... What are they doing? These guys need to grow up."

• Joe Scarborough (14:24): "This is what they want. Could it backfire?"

• Jacob Soboroff (26:22): "Are you prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act?"

• Courtney Kuby (27:25): "They cannot make arrests or conduct what we think of as very basic law enforcement activities."

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the June 9, 2025 episode of Morning Joe, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the full episode.