The Ben Shapiro Show: Democrats DEFEND Illegal Immigrant Child Labor On Pot Farm?! (Ep. 2236)
Release Date: July 11, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro | Publisher: The Daily Wire

Introduction

In Episode 2236 of The Ben Shapiro Show, Ben Shapiro tackles a contentious issue surrounding a recent ICE raid on a Southern California pot farm accused of employing illegal immigrant children. Shapiro critically examines the Democratic Party’s stance on such matters, highlighting what he perceives as performative outrage from the left. The episode also delves into the dynamics of the New York mayoral race and critiques the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) handling of radical elements within the party.

ICE Raid on Southern California Pot Farm

Shapiro opens the discussion by detailing a significant ICE operation targeting a large cannabis farm in Camarillo, California. According to DHS spokeswoman Trisha McLaughlin, federal agents executed criminal search warrants, resulting in the arrest of multiple individuals, including 10 juveniles, eight of whom were unaccompanied and in the country illegally (02:30).

Ben Shapiro [04:00]: "Rodney Scott, the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, said on social media 10 juveniles, eight of them unaccompanied, were found at one of the facilities raided on Thursday."

Shapiro underscores the severity of the raid, emphasizing that illegal underage labor in the cannabis industry is a clear violation of both federal and state laws. He criticizes the media’s portrayal of the event, arguing that it downplays the illegality and moral reprehensibility of using child labor in drug production.

Media Representation and Public Reaction

The host scrutinizes the media's narrative, suggesting that outlets like the New York Times have misrepresented the nature of the raid by focusing on protesters rather than the criminal activities being thwarted. Shapiro presents footage showing ICE agents employing tear gas and crowd control munitions to disperse demonstrators attempting to obstruct the operation.

Trisha McLaughlin [04:35]: "This is happening at Wood and Laguna. And you now see the military vehicles advancing despite those protesters trying to make a stance and trying to stop the military vehicle from continuing on."

Shapiro ridicules the protesters’ actions, highlighting instances such as a woman with a Mexican flag attempting to poke at ICE vehicle tires. He further intensifies his critique by referencing an incident where a protester allegedly fired a gun at federal agents (05:34).

Ben Shapiro [05:56]: "You are no longer a protester, you are now an attempted murderer."

Performative Outrage and Political Implications

Shapiro argues that the left engages in performative outrage instead of addressing legitimate concerns. He cites California Governor Gavin Newsom’s tweet about children running from tear gas during the raid as an example of this behavior.

Ben Shapiro [06:30]: "With that sort of performative outrage, that dude might win half a primary in the presidential race for the Democratic nomination in 28."

He questions the presence of children at such raids, implying that parents should face severe consequences for involving minors in illegal activities. Shapiro contends that the media and Democratic leaders like Newsom are exaggerating the impact of ICE operations to fuel anti-immigrant sentiments.

New York Mayoral Race and Zoran Mamdani

Transitioning to the New York mayoral race, Shapiro focuses on Zoran Mamdani, labeling him as a "socialist jihad-friendly candidate". He criticizes Mamdani’s rhetoric, which Shapiro associates with extremist and violent ideologies.

Ben Shapiro [26:39]: "How much are you willing to do it... it's all jihad, it's all ibadah, and so the conversation of doxing... it's the left has been incentivizing jihadi violence for quite a long time."

Shapiro warns that Mamdani’s ascendancy threatens the Democratic Party by shifting it towards radicalism, potentially endangering its mainstream appeal. He discusses polling data showing Mamdani leading with 35% support, yet acknowledges possible voter consolidation around other candidates like Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams.

Ben Shapiro [34:39]: "As far as Curtis, Curtis should look for a position within the administration of somebody else."

Democratic National Committee’s Big Tent Strategy

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to critiquing the DNC’s big tent approach, which Shapiro argues allows extremist elements to dominate the party’s agenda. He references Ken Martin, the DNC Chair, and his defense of Mamdani’s position, accusing the DNC of compromising its core values to include controversial figures.

Ken Martin [31:10]: "We win by bringing people into that coalition."

Shapiro contends that the DNC’s strategy dilutes its effectiveness by embracing a wide array of ideologies, including those he deems harmful, thereby undermining the party’s integrity and public image.

Republican Party’s Internal Challenges

Shapiro shifts focus to the Republican Party, highlighting struggles with candidate selection and internal dissent. He discusses the tumultuous Texas Senate race, particularly the candidacy of Ken Paxton, who faces corruption allegations and personal scandals, including his wife’s recent divorce filing citing adultery.

Ben Shapiro [36:00]: "Ken Paxton is significantly less likely to win a general election than John Cornyn is in the state of Texas."

He laments the Republican Party’s pattern of nominating flawed candidates, which has led to the loss of several Senate seats in traditionally Republican-leaning states like Georgia and Arizona.

Interview with Joe Piper

In a later segment, Shapiro interviews Joe Piper, the subject of the upcoming Daily Wire documentary Journey to the UFC. Piper shares his inspiring journey from an abusive home and homelessness to achieving a successful career in the UFC.

Joe Piper [54:08]: "I think the testimony as to how big MMA is getting is simply because you are as hard as you work... you can always turn your life around."

Shapiro commends Piper’s story as a testament to meritocracy and personal resilience, contrasting it with what he views as the left’s narrative of victimhood.

Closing Remarks and Future Topics

As the episode concludes, Shapiro touches on various other topics, including EPA policies under Lee Zeldin and ongoing UFC’s role in American culture. He reiterates his promotion of the Journey to the UFC documentary, emphasizing its release date and relevance.

Ben Shapiro [60:15]: "You’re not going to want to miss it."

Key Takeaways

• ICE Raid Critique: Shapiro condemns the use of illegal immigrant child labor in the cannabis industry and criticizes media and Democratic responses as mere performative outrage.

• Media and Narrative Control: He argues that the media misrepresents ICE operations, obscuring the criminal aspects to garner sympathy for protesters.

• Democratic Radicalism: The rise of Zoran Mamdani is portrayed as a shift towards extremist positions within the Democratic Party, threatening its mainstream viability.

• Republican Struggles: Internal issues within the Republican Party, particularly candidate selection, are highlighted as reasons for recent electoral setbacks.

• Meritocracy vs. Victimhood: Through his interview with Joe Piper, Shapiro juxtaposes the values of hard work and personal achievement against what he perceives as a culture of victimhood promoted by the left.

Notable Quotes

• Ben Shapiro [05:56]: "You are no longer a protester, you are now an attempted murderer."

• Ken Martin [31:10]: "We win by bringing people into that coalition."

• Joe Piper [54:08]: "You can always turn your life around."

• Ben Shapiro [34:39]: "As far as Curtis, Curtis should look for a position within the administration of somebody else."

Note: This summary focuses solely on the content-heavy segments of the podcast, omitting advertisements, intros, outros, and non-substantive sections to provide a clear and comprehensive overview of the episode’s key discussions and insights.