Summary of "Democratic Governors Confer as Trump Looks to Spread Militarized Deportation Frenzy"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Briefing with Jen Psaki
• Host/Author: MSNBC
• Description: Jen Psaki tackles the biggest issues of the week and features one-on-one interviews with newsmakers.
• Episode: Democratic governors confer as Trump looks to spread militarized deportation frenzy
• Release Date: June 12, 2025

Overview

In this episode of "The Briefing with Jen Psaki," host Jen Psaki explores the escalating tensions surrounding President Donald Trump's efforts to militarize immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. The discussion encompasses the deployment of federal troops, reactions from Democratic governors, impacts on local communities, and the broader national implications of these actions.

Militarization of Immigration Enforcement in Los Angeles

At [01:00], the host highlights the unprecedented military presence in Los Angeles:

"There are more troops deployed to Los Angeles than there are deployed in Syria and Iraq combined."

Trump has deployed 4,700 federalized National Guard troops and 700 active duty Marines to Los Angeles, aiming to manage protests that have remained largely peaceful and confined to a small area. This militarization includes 12 Black Hawk helicopters and Predator drones surveilling protests, intensifying fears of an overreach in federal immigration enforcement.

Impact on Local Communities and Protests

The heavy military presence has sparked widespread concern among local authorities and communities. Governor Gavin Newsom of California warned that this is only the beginning, with the potential for similar deployments in other states. Major cities like Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, D.C., and New York City are on high alert, anticipating similar federal actions.

Key Incidents:

• Boise Heights, LA: Federal agents forcibly detained an American citizen with two infants in a car.
• Downey Churches: ICE agents targeted churches, detaining an elderly man while he was taking his granddaughter to school.
• Culver City Car Wash: A seven-year-old child was traumatized during an ICE raid.

Interview with Congressman Jimmy Gomez

[10:32]

Congressman Jimmy Gomez, representing downtown Los Angeles, discusses the severe impact of Trump's policies on his constituents:

"34% of the people in LA county are foreign born. Then you add in the people, their kids, it's even greater."

Gomez emphasizes the illegitimacy and detrimental effects of deploying military forces to assist ICE:

"They're there to facilitate what the federal agencies are doing on the immigration front."

He also shares personal anecdotes, such as his son attending a prayer vigil despite the unrest, highlighting the resilience and peaceful nature of the majority of protesters.

Reactions to Military Deployment:

• [14:57] Gomez asserts that the deployment is not for public safety but to support ICE:

"This is just one step and this could continue for at least 60 days or longer and it's going to spread to every American city in the United States. Just. Just wait."

Access to ICE Facilities:

Gomez expresses frustration over being denied access to ICE detention centers, despite his congressional authority:

"They straight up lie and they don't want to show what we are going to report."

Deployment of Marines and National Guard: Analysis with Congressman Jake Auchincloss and Kara Swisher

[20:25]

Congressman Jake Auchincloss, a Marine Corps veteran, alongside journalist Kara Swisher, analyze the implications of deploying active duty Marines for domestic law enforcement.

Swisher critiques the mismatch between military training and civilian policing:

"This is something that you would do when you are fighting the enemy, not when you are treating people who have the Bill of Rights protecting them."

Auchincloss underscores the legal and ethical concerns:

"To have military troops just standing on the streets as ICE agents are performing their duties, armed ICE agents who should be able to perform their duties and protect themselves. This starts to just have, you know, the sense of troops on the streets in a really dangerous way."

Legal and Constitutional Concerns

The podcast scrutinizes the legal authority behind Trump's orders, highlighting inconsistencies and potential violations of the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in domestic law enforcement. The Department of Defense and Justice have struggled to provide clear legal justification for the deployments, raising questions about the constitutionality of using military forces for immigration enforcement.

Key Points:

• Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth failed to provide a convincing legal basis during press conferences.
• DOJ Response: Initial lack of substantive legal references in official documents.

Nationwide Protests and Responses from Other States

As tensions escalate in Los Angeles, protests have spread to other major cities across the country. Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has announced the deployment of the National Guard in response to anti-ICE demonstrations in San Antonio, aiming to prevent similar militarized actions.

[36:37]

Texas Congressman Greg Kazar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, voices strong opposition to Governor Abbott's approach:

"We need to make it very clear that it's people like Greg Abbott and Donald Trump that should own any chaos by their escalating of tensions, not Democrats or not people trying to defend the civil rights of people in their community."

Kazar emphasizes the importance of peaceful protests and condemns the state's efforts to escalate tensions through military deployments.

Interviews with Congressman Greg Kazar

[35:13] - [41:48]

Kazar discusses the broader implications of Trump's immigration policies and the nationwide backlash. He highlights how these actions threaten the rights of all Americans, not just immigrants, and calls for comprehensive reforms to protect civil liberties.

[40:13] Greg Kazar: "This is an issue about protecting the rights of all Americans."

He also touches upon the decline in Trump's approval ratings, attributing it to the unpopular and militarized approach to immigration enforcement.

Polling and Public Opinion

Recent polls indicate a significant decline in President Trump's approval ratings, particularly concerning his immigration and deportation policies. According to Quinnipiak, Trump's overall job approval is down by 16 points, and his stance on immigration is down by 11 points. These figures reflect the public's disapproval of the administration's militarized approach to immigration enforcement.

Conclusion

The episode underscores the growing resistance against President Trump's militarized immigration policies. Democratic governors and local leaders are uniting to oppose what they perceive as federal overreach, advocating for the protection of civil rights and the maintenance of peaceful protests. The widespread public outcry and declining approval ratings signal a potential shift in the political landscape, with significant implications for future immigration policies and federal-state relations.

Jen Psaki concludes by emphasizing the importance of staying informed as the situation continues to develop, with ongoing updates expected from both the ground in Los Angeles and other affected cities nationwide.

This comprehensive summary captures the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the podcast episode, providing a detailed overview for those who have not listened to the full content.