
Newark, New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka talks with Jen Psaki following his release from being held in a Homeland Security cell after being arrested and charged with federal trespassing in a chaotic confrontation that included members of Congress outside an ICE facility. "This is disturbing what they think they have the ability to do."
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Jen Psaki
It was one of those Fridays we have unfortunately become accustomed to in the age of Donald Trump. I mean, it was chaotic. It was bizarre at times. And at times it was very cruel. I mean, today a sitting mayor, the mayor of Newark, New Jersey, was arrested during a visit to an ICE facility. You may have seen that video. And he was just released in the last hour. If we learn more about that and how he's doing, we'll bring that to you. But Mayor Esbaraka and members of Congress from New Jersey say they were there as part of an oversight visit, something that is very much allowed for members of Congress, something that has been allowed since the first Trump administration. And after the mayor was arrested, there was an incredibly chaotic scene, you can see it there, in which members of Congress were basically in the middle of a scrum with masked ICE agents. A member of Congress who was there is going to join me live in just a few minutes. I just mentioned that, and we're going to ask more questions about where things stand. Also today, a Tufts University student was released after spending 45 days. You can see her there after her release. 45 days in a Louisiana detention center simply for writing an op ed. That's what she did. That's why she spent 45 days in this detention facility. That apparently, or maybe was one of the things that made good old Stephen Miller pretty big mad because today he suggested that the administration is considering suspending people's right to challenge the their own imprisonment. And White House Press secretary Caroline Levitt also gave a pretty bonkers briefing today. So a little later in the show, I'm going to go back to my roots, some of my roots, and field some of the same questions she was asked, but actually answer them truthfully. Not going to show you what she said. I'm going to show you what the questions were asked because everybody wants to know what's actually happening out there. But before we get to all of that, I actually want to start with a bit of a different headline today out of Newark, New Jersey. The headline is radar screens at Newark airport went black again overnight. And just before 4am this morning, air traffic control radar screens went black just totally, completely dead for about 90 seconds, leaving air traffic controllers completely in the dark again. Because remember, this is the second time in just two weeks that air traffic controllers at Newark lost their only tool for preventing plane crashes. And this of course comes on the heels of a series of aviation disasters and, and near misses during the first 100 days of the Trump administration. I mean, less than four months into the Trump's term, we're still less than four months. We also find ourselves in the middle of one of the worst measles outbreaks in this country since we eradicated measles more than 25 years ago. More than 25 years ago. But we're now in a huge outbreak. And while we're at it, take a look at some of those headlines about what we can all expect from Trump's tariff policies. A lot of those are telling us how much costs are going to go up and what that's all going to mean for all of us. So we're just 109 days into this term, there is a growing public health crisis, people are afraid to fly. Things are going up to gonna cost more. We can all expect that, all because of the policies of the guy sitting in the Oval Office. This is all self inflicted stuff. Everyone. Now no president wants to admit failure or take responsibility for the bad stuff, no matter who they are, Democratic or Republican, whether they caused it or not. But it's still an important part of the job. It's still an important part of leadership. And, and it's one that American presidents, Democratic presidents, Republican presidents have understood and accepted that ultimately the buck stops with them.
Stephen Miller
The president, whoever he is, has to decide. He can't pass the buck to anybody.
Brian Tyler Cohen
The buck stops here.
Stephen Miller
I do believe that the buck stops here. It stops with me. I am the one who is ultimately.
Jen Psaki
Accountable to The American people.
Brian Tyler Cohen
For ultimately, the buck stops with me.
Jen Psaki
The buck stops with me. Of course it does, because you're the most powerful person in the world. You're the President of the United States. Unless, of course, your name is Donald J. Trump. I mean, he made that perfectly clear back during his first term.
Stephen Miller
The buck stops with me over this subject.
Rachel Maddow
The buck stops with everybody.
Jen Psaki
For Donald Trump, the buck stops with everybody. I mean, that was back when he was trying to duck responsibility for the 2019 government shutdown. That's when he made those comments. I'm not actually sure what he means when he says the buck stops with literally everybody. Does everybody include me? Does it include you? Does it include everybody who has ever sat in the Oval Office? It's basically his opportunity or his effort to share the blame, blame it on anyone. And it turns out he has a pretty generous interpretation of who exactly is responsible for what happens on his watch.
Stephen Miller
I think the good parts are the.
Jen Psaki
Trump economy and the bad parts are the Biden economy because he's done a terrible job. The good parts of the economy. Yep, that was all me. The bad parts of the economy, the looming recession sparked by the tariffs I put in place, the negative growth, the rising costs projected because of the shortage of goods. That was the other guy, you know, the one who I inherited a booming economy from, including the lowest unemployment rate and the highest economic growth for an incoming president in 25 years. Yeah, that other guy. It's all his fault. There was also the growing number of concerns about air safety. Now, on that, as I mentioned, those have been on the rise. Trump, of course, says that it's all Joe Biden's fault, too. Also, apparently Pete Buttigieg. I mean, throw him in for good measure, I guess. The two of them have been, I don't know, secretly advising Elon Musk to massively cut the FAA, to fire the vice chair of the NTSB, and to put a 90s reality TV star in charge of the Transportation Department. I'm sure that's what Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg have been up to. And then there are the parts of his job that he has just decided to completely shrug off, like he has nothing to do with it. Are your administration sending migrants to Libya?
Stephen Miller
I don't know.
Rachel Maddow
You'll have to ask Homeland Security.
Jen Psaki
Is anyone in your administration right now in contact with El Salvador about returning Abrego Garcia to? I don't know. You'd have to ask the attorney general that question.
Brian Tyler Cohen
What's your expectation for your meeting with the Canadian Prime Minister tomorrow?
Jen Psaki
I don't know.
Stephen Miller
He's coming to see me.
Rachel Maddow
I'm not sure what he wants to see me about.
Jen Psaki
You just announced a new nominee for the US Surgeon General who never finished her residency and is not a practicing physician. So can you explain why you picked her to be America's top doctor?
Rachel Maddow
Because Bobby really thought she was great.
Jen Psaki
I don't know her.
Brian Tyler Cohen
Have you been briefed about the soldiers.
Stephen Miller
In Lithuania who are missing?
Jen Psaki
No, I haven't. A tariff exemption for certain baby items like car seats is under consideration. Will you exempt some products that families rely on?
Stephen Miller
I don't know.
Jen Psaki
I'll think about it.
Rachel Maddow
I don't know. I really don't.
Jen Psaki
Don't you need to uphold the Constitution of the United States as President? I don't know. I mean, he doesn't know a lot. Deportations, that's up to dhs. When we deport someone by mistake, that's the Attorney General's jam. Not my problem. The Surgeon General, Bobby Kennedy seems to like him. Tariffs, due process, the Constitution. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. And the President's basically saying it's up to anyone else but him to set policy or solve problems in the country that he was elected to lead. Just today he suggested that with tariffs his defining policy that has upended the economy, he's going to go hands off on that one. From now on, he says it's up to Scott B. As he calls him, which I guess is his pet name for the Treasury Secretary. Not really sure. Good luck. Cleanup on aisle seven for poor Scott B. He said the same today about potential tax increases, admitting he wants nothing to do with it. He's leaving it up to Republicans in the House to solve that political headache on his behalf. This may sound like an incredibly obvious point. It kind of is. But it's not a good thing for the country to have a president who seems entirely uninterested in actually being the President. He's not the only one, though, who appears to be phoning it in. Just take a look at what members of his Cabinet, the people he has selected to advise him and surround him, have been up to. There's one particular report, NBC's Kendallanean reported today, about how Trump's handpicked FBI Director Kash Patel is, is also taking his hands off the wheel when it comes to actually being the FBI director. I mean, before Patel took over the FBI, the Bureau used to hold briefings for the head of the agency every morning at 8:30am I mean, for good reason. The FBI director oversees all of the law enforcement in the country. There's never a shortage of things to be briefed on. They could probably be briefed all day long about everything happening. Dozens, if not hundreds, of FBI intel officials compile these briefings overnight on often in order to ensure that the FBI director and other members of the national security team are fully up to speed on every single development. But Kash Patel has decided to basically take a pass on these daily briefings. It seems instead, he's decided that he really only needs that briefing two days a week. Again, this is compiled by many people in the administration, intelligence officials and others to make sure the person overseeing law enforcement knows what's happening. And when he does show up, Patel seems kind of bored. According to Delaney and speech. Here's what it says. The two current FBI officials telling NBC News that Patel sometimes seemed uninterested in the material, and his intelligence briefers are struggling to craft a briefing that captures his attention. So sorry you're bored, FBI director. I guess. I mean, the FBI director's daily brief contains some of the most sensitive information in the world about the country and threats it's facing. But maybe Patel would prefer pictures or Cliff Notes or something else. I'm not sure. PowerPoint. Other officials told NBC News that the reason for the scheduling change is because Patel kept showing up late. Maybe he's tired from all the trips he's taking. I mean, since becoming FBI director. And this is in part in Delaney's reporting as well, Patel has been to Nashville three times to visit his girlfriend, twice to Las Vegas, where he has a house, and also to New York so he could watch a hot hockey game, one of many sporting events, by the way. He's attended all of those flights taken on the taxpayer's dime. One longtime associate of Kash Patel tried defending him, saying, quote, I've known cash for a long time. The only thing he's doing late into the night is going to the gym. I mean, that's the best defender you can get? I'm not sure. I'm not sure that's as reassuring as that friend thinks it is. Now, all of this may explain why the FBI director was apparently too busy to turn in his budget request on time before testifying yesterday.
Stephen Miller
When will we get it?
Jen Psaki
I'll get you an answer, ma' am.
Brian Tyler Cohen
I don't have a timeline on that.
Stephen Miller
It was due last week by law. I understand. And your answer is you just understand you're not going to follow the law?
Jen Psaki
My answer is that I am following the law, and I'm working with my.
Stephen Miller
Interagency partners to do this and get.
Jen Psaki
You the budget that you are required to have.
Stephen Miller
And you have no timeline?
Jen Psaki
No. Not going to.
Stephen Miller
Well, how do we, as Congress, do our budget and our work without that request and without the spend plan? Well, ma' am, I'm here.
Jen Psaki
I'm doing the best I can. I mean, he's doing the best he can. It's a budget. It's a budget document she's asking for. It's due at the same time every year pretty much. Is he really doing the best he can? We're gonna have Ken Delaney here live to talk about his big scoop coming up. So you will want to stick around for that. He's got more details. We'll talk about more of it. But Kash Patel is also not the only Cabinet official who seems to be distracted from their job responsibilities. There's also the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, who seems more worried about his public profile than doing his actual job. I mean, according to a former Pentagon official, he spends a full 50% of his time trying to flesh out leakers from his own department. This is the guy who was supposed to be overseeing the largest military in the world. 50% of his time fleshing out leakers. And then there's the Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, who seems more interested in dressing up in costumes, I guess, than in actually doing her job. There are some of the examples there. I mean, why is she dressed up like a firefighter? I don't know the answer to that question. But here's the point. Governing is not a photo op. It's a complicated and hard and often quite literally life or death situation for the people who live in this country. And I don't know why members of this Cabinet seem uninterested in doing their jobs or uninterested in leading the agencies that they were nominated and confirmed to lead. I don't know if the President is just pretending to not know how the Constitution works or if he really has no idea, but I do know that all. Both are bad. That's important to keep reminding ourselves that neither is normal. Neither is this chaotic leadership causes chaotic events, like the sitting mayor of a major city being arrested at an ICE facility. Our first guest tonight was right in the middle of it all, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson. Coleman was a member of the delegation visiting that facility. Facility. She joins me live in just 90 seconds.
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I'm Jerry.
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Hmm.
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Guess it's time to ask about Repatha.
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Jen Psaki
I'm June Dianreyfield. And I'm Jason Mantzoukas.
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We've been following a shocking series of events that took place outside of a privately run immigration immigration detention facility earlier today. And at least four elected officials had attempted to gain access inside the building known as Delaney hall, which is located in Newark, New Jersey. And one of those officials, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, was handcuffed and arrested. And just within the last hour or so after massive public outcry Newark Mayor Baraka was released. Three other members of Congress were also present. Democratic Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez and Lamonica McIver, all from New Jersey. While the members of Congress were not arrested, video of the scuffle earlier today shows ICE officers pretty aggressively manhandling while masked. I would note some of the lawmakers, including Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. Joining me now by phone is Congressman Bonnie Watson Coleman, thank you so much for being here with me. I know you've had quite a day to describe it one way. Well, let me first ask you, I know that the mayor has been released in the last hour. Have you had an opportunity to talk to him or heard any updates on how he's doing?
Stephen Miller
Yeah, I was there when he was released. He was got in his car and with his wife and his mother was there and they were heading home. He was fine. He was. He said that he had been treated nicely by the ICE agents inside of the holding facility. And so he had no complaints about that. He's healthy, he's strong and safe.
Jen Psaki
We're happy to hear that. And I'm happy to hear that he's with his family. I watched an interview with you earlier and you mentioned, which of course makes sense that you had reached out, I believe, through the senators of your state to some members of the administration to kind of find out exactly why they arrested the mayor, who had every right to be there with the protesters. Is there anything you've heard back or anything you've learned?
Stephen Miller
Not a thing. I was asking even the ICE agents who were handcuffing him and taking him, I asked the ICE officials, high level officials who had come down from Newark supposedly to meet with me and two of my colleagues, Lamonica MacGyver and Bob Menendez, so we could do our oversight tour. No one gave us any reason why the mayor, who was not on the property, he was out there on the public property where the protesters were when they decided to go and arrest him. And we were there when that was taking place. And I think one of the things that really has us concerned is that all of the high level ICE officials had made us wait over an hour and a half to do the tour that we were trying to do so that they could finally get to the facility. They came in from Newark. I think all of those, they were there, they were calling someone, talking to someone, and then the ICE officer said, okay, we're going to go arrest the mayor. And my colleagues and I were saying, well, why he's not on the property. He's out there with the protesters. And so they open the gate, pushed through and tried to get to the mayor. And of course, lamonica and I, being mothers, we went to shield the mayor and Rob Menendez. We all tried to protect the mayor because we knew that this was an illegal arrest.
Jen Psaki
It sounds like that's such an important note. Now we're showing some of the footage here. People can see on the screen who are watching that the mayor was with protesters, not on the property, in any place where there should have been jurisdiction over arresting him anyway. I mean, he was there completely legally. Members of Congress have every right. I'll just restate. To visit ICE facilities. This is absolutely proper oversight, something that's been in place for many years. It sounds like what you're saying is there was a significant delay, I think you said an hour and a half for you to get into the facility. And maybe during that time they were calling people and saying the mayor was outside or possibly. But it sounds like that's part of what you were saying, is that right?
Stephen Miller
No, he wasn't there. When we first approached the facility, they didn't want to let us in. So we finally had to convince them that we had a right to come into the facility. So we met with some of the employees of the owner of the building that is the Trump donor who owns that facility that's being used for this purpose. And we went in and we told them why we're there and they kept basically giving us a runaround. So we were there an hour and a half, a little bit more before we finally got them to get all the so called officials in our presence so we could have a discussion about why we can't take this tour, this oversight tour. When they came, they, when they came, they acknowledged us and they ran outside and we went outside to see what was going on and the mayor was there. He had not been there. He had just gotten there. So he. And so they invited him in, that some officer had invited him in to talk to him about what he want. But while he was there and what he needed, when we all came up on the situation, the ICE agent said to him, you're trespassing, you've got to move, get off this property. The mayor did exactly what he was asked to do. No kind of resistance, no disrespect. He went and got over there where the protesters were and arrested him.
Jen Psaki
And he wasn't even trespassing. It doesn't sound like either from your decision.
Stephen Miller
He wasn't even trespassing. Nope. Nope.
Jen Psaki
Let me ask you one of the. Oh, go ahead, Go ahead, Congressman, go ahead.
Stephen Miller
That's what's so disturbing to us that the mayor was arrested. Not doing anything, not protesting, not resisting, not doing anything. And so this to me was just an illustration of how weaponized law enforcement under this administration. And so when we were trying to shield the mayor, the ice ages got kind of rough with us as well. Our concern is that if you can do that to three elected officials, federal elected officials, that you knew who they were, and the mayor of the largest city in the state of New Jersey, my God, what are you doing to innocent people just going through their lives, dropping their kids off to school, going to work, going to class? This is very troublesome. This is very heartbreaking, Jen. This is not American. And these agents have been given permission to be disrespectful and disregarding of our rights.
Jen Psaki
No question about that. We are going to keep talking about this story. I know my colleagues are and keep showing the video. The fact that they were masked, I think is also just important to note. Congresswoman, I know you have had a long day. I appreciate that you were a mom of with the mayor, it sounds like too. I really appreciate you joining me and answering a lot of questions. I know people out there watching had what we're hoping to learn more information about. Thank you again so much.
Stephen Miller
Thank you for having me.
Jen Psaki
We're going to take a very quick break and we're going to continue this conversation with Obama, White House veterans and Pod Save America co host Jon Favreau and Tommy Vitor. We'll be right back.
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From blockbuster franchises and made for TV.
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Romances to bonkers 80s action flicks and obscure sci fi musicals, we cover it all you can find. How did this get made? Wherever you get your podcasts and don't forget to follow the show so you never miss an episode. Idiot.
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Stephen Miller
Well, the Constitution is.
Brian Tyler Cohen
Clear and that of course is the.
Jen Psaki
Supreme law of the land that the.
Brian Tyler Cohen
Privilege of the writ of habeas corpus.
Jen Psaki
Can be suspended in a time of invasion.
Brian Tyler Cohen
So I would say that's an option we're actively looking at.
Jen Psaki
That was of course Trump whisperer Stephen Miller today. I think everybody knows who he is saying out loud what in any other time would be unthinkable that a sitting US President is considering taking away people's right to challenge their own imprisonment. I mean, that is everyone's right on US Soil, whether they're a citizen or not a citizen. But apparently in Trump's world, it's a nice to have rather than a must have. I mean, who knows? Joining me now or two guys I've known since we were all young campaign rats. And again in the Obama White House, Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor, co hosts of Pod Save America. Well, I thought I would play a Stephen Miller because I know that would get you both particularly agitated on a Friday night, as it does for me. But we've been talking a little bit so far in the show and I'm sure you two have been with each other just about the series of events today. I mean, I woke up this morning and watched this video of this 16 year old girl having her head essentially slammed to the ground by ICE agents. You have finally a Tufts University student who was finally released after 45 days. You have the arrest of a Newark mayor. Stephen Miller's comments. It's just it sometimes feels not normalized but like it's hard to keep up with. But we've all spent time in White Houses. I've thought about This a lot. John, let me start with you. I mean, how do you look at this day and make sense of sort of what's going on in the Trump administration and how they're thinking about their rights, the rule of law and everything, really, at this moment?
Brian Tyler Cohen
Yeah, I don't think they're thinking much about the rule of law at this point. I mean, I think Stephen Miller. Stephen Miller doesn't believe in the Constitution, and he doesn't believe in the rule of law. And what he wants to do is be able to use the power they have the federal government has to round people up, throw them in jail, send them to foreign jails, and do it all without due process. And when he was just talking about, oh, the Constitution is clear, the Constitution is clear that it has to be an invasion. There's no invasion. A Trump appointed judge has already said that Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies act is unlawful because there is no invasion. The government hasn't provided any evidence for an invasion. Our own intelligence agencies have concluded that Trend Aragua is not part of the Maduro government, which would be required if you were going to say there's an invasion of the country. So it's all nonsense that there's an invasion. But look, they don't like the fact that people are getting due process. They want to send a message that everyone should be afraid. Not just immigrants, but Americans who, as we saw with the mayor of Newark, Americans who disagree with this administration. They want to arrest Democrats. I mean, Tom Homan said the other day that just wait and see about arresting elected officials. And that's what they did. So, of course they wanted to arrest the mayor of Newark there. And they were looking for an excuse.
Jen Psaki
And these members had every right to be there, as did the mayor. Tom, sometimes you guys may feel this way, too. I feel like I am a little gaslit, even though I pay attention to this for a living. I mean, I started the show also, also by talking a little bit about how Kash Patel, the FBI director, is only receiving briefings two mornings a week. And Tomi, you are a still national security nerd, I think it's safe to say. I described it as. I mean, this is the person overseeing all of law enforcement. This is the person who these briefings often take dozens, if not hundreds of people to put them together to make sure these officials are most up to date. Help us articulate here why this is. It's not a crisis today, but it is the kind of thing that creates a scenario for a crisis that's how I see it.
Brian Tyler Cohen
Yeah. I mean, so, Jen, Pablo Torre, a great journalist who has a podcast called Pablo Finds out, did a whole piece on Kash Patel and his relationship with Wayne Gretzky. And in that investigation, he found that Kash Patel apparently has a standing Sunday night pickup hockey game where he was told that the FBI knows not to bug him. Now, mind you, Cash Patel lives in Las Vegas, so it doesn't seem like a guy who really has his eye on the ball. Now, there's a part of me that's like, pretty worried about a baby fascist. Our friends at Strict Scrutiny call Stephen Miller Pee wee German. I feel like that kind of vibe applies to Cash Patel. I want him to focus on his work life balance and maybe not target so many Democrats. But you're right. Like, there's real things happening in the world. And if you look at the headlines today, India and Pakistan, two countries with nuclear weapons, are engaged in a hot war that is rapidly escalating. When Trump was asked about this war, he was like, oh, man, you know, hope it all works out. Seems like a real shame. And in the first Trump term, you had a cabinet full of people who I didn't agree with but were professionals, like Jim Mattis, the secretary of defense. Now you have Pete Hegseth, who, as you noted in your, in your introduction, spends half his time on leak investigations. Trump just fired his national security adviser. Marco Rubio has like four jobs. So who is handling these crises? Like, remember when we were going to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours? Now it's been 100 days, and Trump is threatening to walk away from the negotiations. So it just feels like they're asleep at the switch at almost every level here.
Jen Psaki
This is, I started the show, too, just talking about how they seem kind of removed from their jobs, as if they're observing the role of governing. The president is doing, Trump is doing that. A lot of these cabinet officials are doing that. There was this detail, John, that it reminded me sort of some things we've seen happen where there was a report that Pete Hegseth doesn't get approval over his own chief of staff, which that happens in administrations when people, when the White House is sending a babysitter over to an agency. It's not just a Trump administration thing. That's what it tells me. What else about these cabinet officials? I mean, who should everybody be paying attention to more that is concerning troubling as you're watching them?
Brian Tyler Cohen
I mean, I would like it if our transportation secretary would sort of fix the Airports of Road Rules fame. Of Road Rules fame, yes. Right. I know. I know. He's had a long history there. No, look, I think there are some people in the administration who know exactly what they're doing, and they're working very hard to implement an agenda. And I think you've got Stephen Miller and Russ Vogt and everyone who's trying to implement Project 2025 right now. And, you know, Donald Trump likes to play host on TV all day, and he filled a cabinet filled with. He has a cabinet filled with Fox News hosts, former Fox News hosts, because he likes them to play cabinet secretaries on tv. So that's what they're focused on. But there are plenty of people in that government, in that administration who are doing real work. It's just work that's very dangerous because they're trying to break the federal government, destroy the services and benefits that people count on, and try to round people up and throw them in jail without due process. And so, you know, it's sort of a silly facade of cabinet secretaries who look like they're not paying attention, but underneath that is an administration that is, that is implementing the agenda that they said they would.
Jen Psaki
21, just so you have the stat. Former Fox News hosts or contributors, no hack to cable hosts, but doesn't prepare you to run the Defense Department.
Stephen Miller
No.
Jen Psaki
This is about so much more than politics, which is why I wanted to start on some of the events of today. But you guys think about the politics a lot, and all of this sort of the president and cabinet members just kind of observing their jobs. A lot of things they're doing are very unpopular. Tariffs, we're seeing the impacts on costs. What have you guys. And you talked about this on your podcast, of course. But Tommy, what do you think? What do you wish Democrats were doing right now that they're not doing to kind of take advantage of of this moment? In some ways.
Brian Tyler Cohen
I think right after the election, Democrats felt like very unsteady. Trump seemed like he was more popular than ever. He had won the popular vote. They were concerned. He had a mandate on issues like immigration, and they seemed afraid to take him on. I think that has slowly changed over time. And you were seeing Democrats stand up and fight in various ways. Right. We had Chris Van Hollen go down to El Salvador and actually get access to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was rendered wrongly via an administrative error to this gulag in El Salvador. You had Congressman Maxwell Frost and other members going down to El Salvador. You've had Cory Booker staging What was like a 21 hour filibuster on the Senate floor. So you're seeing these members of Congress step up in all these different ways. You're starting to see governors like Gavin Newsom, J.B. pritzker and others give speeches and kind of lay out the values of the party and lay out an alternative to the Republicans. So I think we were slow at first. I think we're starting to get our sea legs and fight back. But I think the modus operandi for the Democratic Party has got to be fight Donald Trump at every issue on everything. Because we've seen what happened to his approval rating in the first 100 days in ABC News, his approval was only at 39%. You know, like that was. He had a historically damaging first hundred days politically. And I think we need to hit the gas on resisting what he's doing and try to get that number down further. Yeah, they just arrested, they just arrested the mayor of Newark for just peacefully standing in the public with protests. I think that the governor, I think Phil Murphy, the governor of New Jersey, Cory Booker, Andy Kim, the entire Jersey delegation should go back to the ICE facility tomorrow. I think there's strength in numbers. I think they should make a big deal of it. And if they can't get in there, they should go to DHS, they should go to Elena Haba's office. She the U.S. attorney. There's that Donald Trump installed. She put out a statement celebrating it. Trisha McLaughlin put out a statement from the spokesperson at DHS. And both of them just lied about what happened. They lied. There's footage that shows that they lied about what happened and that they still lied anyway. And so if I think that the Democrats, like don't let this one, just because they released him, don't let this one go away. Like, go demand answers and do it in a big group.
Jen Psaki
Yeah. Also these ICE officials, they were, a number of them were masked, which I can't, I find to be extremely strange. They deserve answers on that and so many things. And as you said, they were lying completely about what happened. Let me ask you just another political question. I mean, Axios is reporting that Trump's cash flush operation, as they're calling it, which it is, they have lots of money, is running its first ad starting Monday with an ad that's basically urging Congress to support Trump's economic agenda. They have the money to do it. Others have done this. But what does that, what it tells me is that they're worried about their economic numbers. But what is it, John? What does it tell you?
Brian Tyler Cohen
Yeah, I mean, I think we. I think we all learned from the last four years that trying to message your way out of actual economic pain is not really going to work. So they can run their ads about the economic agenda all they want. I think, for Democrats, like the Democrats who've been doing a great job, are the ones holding town halls, going to places where Republicans represent the district, but they refuse to hold town halls. So I think making a lot of noise, a lot, having a lot of grassroots energy around this bill, which is going to be filled with either Medicaid cuts or tax cuts for the rich or both, is going to be very effective. And I don't know that if these tariffs continue that any number, any millions and millions of dollars of ads from Donald Trump and Republicans is actually going to fix that for them.
Jen Psaki
I'm going to let you both go because we actually now have the mayor of Newark, New Jersey, Ross Bracha, who just was released in the last hour, waiting to talk to us. Thank you both so much. Thank you. Mayor, it is great to see you. I know you have had quite a day. First, let me just ask you how you're doing right now.
Rachel Maddow
I'm okay. A little tired, but doing pretty good. Thank you. Thank God.
Jen Psaki
Thank God for that. I know you're back with your family. I know you have been charged with trespassing, which just seems completely insane. We've seen the video. We just spoke with Congressman Bonnie Watson Coleman, who was there with you today, and she said you were on public property at the time of your arrest. She also said that you left the premises when officers asked you to. Were you told at all why you were charged with trespassing?
Rachel Maddow
No, they charged me. I guess, based on the charge that they can find, we was actually allowed on the property in the first place. Nothing happened for a long, long time, for at least over an hour. And then after they finally told us to leave and I told them I was leaving, they came outside the gate and arrested me. So it looked like it was targeted.
Jen Psaki
It certainly looked like that from watching. And I know there's lots of questions. I'm sure you have. We all have. Have you heard, Are those charges still pending? Have they been dropped? Have you been given any indication of that?
Rachel Maddow
No, they haven't been dropped. I can't completely talk about the particulars of the case, they said, but have to appear in court again. So they have not dropped the charges. I've been charged with a class C misdemeanor, a federal trespass.
Jen Psaki
That is, were you, let me ask you, I mean, just you were detained for a couple of hours today. I mean, where were you detained after you were arrested?
Rachel Maddow
I was in a Homeland Security kind of barracks cell that they have there. I was being held there. And the guys from Homeland Security were very gracious, very respectful, treated me with respect and integrity. So I have nothing but respect for those guys. But, you know, it was still an uncomfortable and humiliating situation for me.
Jen Psaki
Absolutely. I mean, you had. Again, I'll just restate this. Every right to be there. The delegation had every right to visit this facility. I know you've been trying to call attention to this facility and wanting the delegation to gain access to it, which they have every right to do. Tell us about why and what concerns you might have that you want people to be aware of.
Rachel Maddow
Well, our concern is with Go, the group that's getting $63 million on this contract annually. They came into the city, they have a CO from 20 years ago. The city's law say you need to have a new CO updated co. They refused to do that. So we're in dispute about that in court. They wouldn't allow the federal inspector. They wouldn't allow, excuse me, the health inspectors, the UCC inspectors, or the fire inspectors into the building, which is why we began coming down there regularly. I was just down there this morning, actually. We go down there for like 15 minutes, try to get entry. They say no, we give them a citation. We're in the process of being in court. We're in court now. You know, they are violating, just doing what they want to do, really, without respecting our authority or the laws of the city or the state. And the reality is we're in a dispute. Like, they have one point of view, we have another point of view. But disputes are settled in court. Like ICE doesn't settle our disputes. Neither does the President of the United States, nor does the US Attorney. Disputes are settled in a court of law, which is what we were doing. They taking a lead from the President of the United States. They felt like they could just violate any court and do whatever they want.
Jen Psaki
You know, you had a harrowing day, an absurd day today, I think a day that's really outraged a lot of people, including myself. Have you thought about taking any legal action in light of what took place today and what happened to you?
Rachel Maddow
Well, I mean, we're going through this process now, and obviously I will confer with my lawyers to figure out what's the best pathway forward on this. I think they completely violated my rights. I'm the Mayor of the city. I have the right to go anywhere in this city, particularly in places where I think our laws are being violated. I went up in a driveway with our health care inspectors and our fire inspectors early on, and we've been doing that for the last couple of days. They've been ignoring us. And actually the Congress people who have oversight on this went onto the property and tried to get inside, and they made them wait over an hour and they never got in. Never.
Jen Psaki
They mentioned that. And one of the things that the congresswoman I spoke with alluded to is that she thinks they were tipped off that perhaps they were tipped off to you coming. I don't know. Of course, this all needs to be looked into. But the nature of your arrest with masked members of ICE just felt. And we've all seen the video. I mean, incredibly suspect. Just watching.
Rachel Maddow
Was terrible. They obviously targeted me. It was more than. I wasn't the only one out there. They came directly to me, right. And tried to arrest me. No one else. Me. And so I honestly believe I was targeted there. And it's interesting to see all these people making these comments on social media from the government about why I was there. I didn't come down here to protest. I came down here for a press conference with the Congress people. I knew I was going to get in the building with them. I was waiting for them to return from outside of the building to participate in a press conference with them. I was already there earlier that morning. I didn't need to. If I wanted to protest, I could have protested that morning.
Jen Psaki
I don't know if you've seen Alina Haba's comments, and I can ask our team, if they have them, we can perhaps play them. But to your point, the administration has been out there lying about what the members of Congress were there for and what you were there for. Have you seen any of what they've said publicly? It sounds like you have.
Stephen Miller
I have.
Rachel Maddow
I have. I've seen it. The members of Congress didn't come down here to protest. They came down there to get a tour of the building. They made them wait over an hour. I was waiting outside to. For them to return so I could be a part of a press conference they were having after it to talk to us about what they actually saw in the building. Unfortunately, none of that got to take place because the gentleman you see in his photo, the video had escalated, completely escalated this situation to a point where it didn't need to be.
Jen Psaki
Mayor Baraka, I know you've had quite a long day before I let you go, is there, do you have any plans to go back to this ice facility or perhaps ask the governor or senators to go back tomorrow or the next day?
Rachel Maddow
Well, I think all of these elected officials of good conscience should go down there. I think all of our congressional delegation should be there. I think the senators, US Senators should be at this place, considering what happened to our Congress people, that they need to be there. I think state officials need to be there as well. Our governor and other state officials need to be at this site. This is disturbing, what they think they have the ability to do and what they actually did today was terrible.
Jen Psaki
Mayor?
Rachel Maddow
Yep.
Jen Psaki
No, go ahead, continue. I just was gonna just thank you and just really appreciate you taking the time tonight. Thank you so much. Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka. Appreciate you.
Rachel Maddow
Thank you for having me.
Jen Psaki
Coming up, we're gonna talk about the briefing that White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt had today. She told some whoppers. So after the break, I'm going to answer the same questions she did, but actually tell the truth. That's next after a quick break. You may have noticed the White House briefing room has taken a bit of a bizarro turn lately. And I figure, what the hell, it's a Friday night. Why not dust off the cobwebs and field a few questions from the White House press briefing room today? Because it's been a while. Of course, I'm going to answer them without the usual MAGA spin. So we got a few. They're actual questions from today. And we're going to start with Andrew Eggers from their bulwark. All right, Andrew, let's hear what you got.
Brian Tyler Cohen
The president posted another ad this week.
Stephen Miller
For his Trump meme coin.
Brian Tyler Cohen
The group that's running that coin is.
Jen Psaki
Encouraging people to buy in order to.
Brian Tyler Cohen
Win a dinner this month with the president. Why is the president planning to attend.
Stephen Miller
A dinner for the top investors in his coin?
Jen Psaki
I love that he was reading it. Well, Andrew, here's the thing. This is all about the grift. Selling access to make himself and his adult sons richer is a key part of this presidency. And guess what? It's working. I mean, since that dinner you mentioned was announced, the surge of trading has brought in more than $1 million in fees for Trump, his family and all their partners. They've all netted more than $320 billion since Trump's coin debuted in January. So that's why he's planning to attend the dinner. The money for himself. That's a pretty easy one. Okay, we're gonna take another one. Jackie Heinrich from Fox News. Why did the White House announce this deal with the UK before all of the details were finished? Oh, Jackie. Well, the announcement and the headlines it generates are pretty much the point. The details are kind of secondary. I mean, Trump gets to put on a show in the Oval Office and pretend like he's achieved a monumental victory. The deal is just a bit of an empty shell. I mean, you could, I guess, call it a framework which is sort of generous or agreement to negotiate more than anything else. But the 10% tariff on goods remains in place. And there are big remaining questions, huge ones, like any UK tax on digital services for the US Something that would have huge effects on American tech companies. And there are many more. Okay, next question. Stephen Nelson from the New York Post on New York. The Mayor, Eric Adams is here today. Can you tell us anything more about the visit, who initiated it, what they're talking about? I would just note this reporter once asked me if the Bidens were going to put their dog down. But. But that aside, here's the answer to that question. Eric Adams is visiting because he owes his current freedom to the guy sitting in the White House. Let's stop pretending this is on the level. Like where the relationship is between a president and a New York City mayor just coordinating city business in a normal course of events. I mean, even the judge who allowed the case to be dropped said that it, quote, smacks of a bargain. Okay, we got time, Maury. We're having fun here. How about Nicole Killian from CBS News?
Brian Tyler Cohen
Can you just clarify the president's position.
Jen Psaki
Though, a little bit, specifically on the tax issue? Because in his Truth Social post, he said this morning that he would accept even a tiny tax increase for the rich, but then says Republicans probably shouldn't do it, but I'm okay if they do it. So what is it that he wants? Does he want them to increase the tax rates? I mean, Nicole, I totally understand why you're confused here, but let me tell you the truth that they can't say from the podium right now. He definitely does not want them to increase taxes. And he will be even less inclined once he hears from any number of his multimillionaire and even billionaire buddies who will hate this. What he wants to be able to do is to say to some part of his political base, maybe working class voters, that he tried to get taxes raised on the highest income, at least a small portion of them, and then blame it on someone else for that, failing while not taking the blame for the taxes going up. I mean, he may be conniving, but the guy knows how to read a poll. He also doesn't like angry phone calls from donors. So I guess, I mean, he's trying to walk a tightrope here, Nicole. Okay, next question from Axios's Sophia Kai.
Stephen Miller
Yesterday, the administration appears to have started.
Jen Psaki
Dismantling the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Brian Tyler Cohen
This is the federal agency, an independent.
Jen Psaki
One, that does recalls and is responsible, responsible for product safety. Does the administration not believe that it's important to keep toys and cribs? I mean, you're a young mom off of the market. I love that you had to state in your question, Sophia, what they actually do, which is important for people to remember, but that's right, he did. And these people also inspect things like strollers and seat belts. When you combine this with the impact the tariffs on China are going to have on the cost of things like strollers and car seats and toys and cribs, it's kind of hard to argue. They see the safety and affordability of these items as important. All right, I got time for one more. Chris McGarrian from the Associated Press. Last one. The president fired the Librarian of Congress. Why did he choose to do that? All right, Chris. Why did Trump abruptly fire Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress who has served in her position, I would note, since 2016, and was confirmed by the Senate with bipartisan support in a vote of 74 to 18? Well, I'm gonna use a visual aid. Here's a picture of her. I'll let you draw your own conclusions on why Trump and his administration decided to fire Carla Hayden. Hope that was all clarifying. See you guys. Just like riding a bike. I will be right back. That does it for me tonight. Rachel's back on Monday. We'll be back here on Tuesday at 9pm Eastern.
Brian Tyler Cohen
Hey, I'm Paul Scheer.
Jen Psaki
I'm June. Diane Rayfield.
Brian Tyler Cohen
And I'm Jason Mantzoukas. And we're the hosts of how did this Get Made? A comedy podcast where we deconstruct, make fun of and celebrate the worst movies ever made. Have you ever seen a movie that's.
Jen Psaki
So bad that it's actually good?
Brian Tyler Cohen
That's what we're talking about.
Jen Psaki
From blockbuster franchises and made for TV.
Brian Tyler Cohen
Romances to bonkers 80s action flicks and obscure sci fi musicals, we cover it all. You can find. How did this Get Made? Wherever you get your podcasts and don't forget to follow the show so you never miss an episode.
Jen Psaki
Idiot.
Podcast Summary: "They obviously targeted me": Newark Mayor Describes Chaotic Arrest in Confrontation at ICE Facility
Podcast Information:
Overview
In this intense episode of The Briefing with Jen Psaki, host Jen Psaki delves into a disturbing incident involving the arrest of Newark, New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka during a visit to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. The episode explores the chaotic nature of the arrest, the involvement of several members of Congress, and broader critiques of the current administration's handling of immigration and other critical issues.
The Arrest of Mayor Ras Baraka
Incident Description: Jen Psaki opens the discussion by recounting the tumultuous events leading to the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka at an ICE detention center. The mayor, alongside Congressional representatives from New Jersey, was conducting an oversight visit when the situation escalated.
“It was one of those Fridays we have unfortunately become accustomed to in the age of Donald Trump. I mean, it was chaotic. It was bizarre at times. And at times it was very cruel.”
[01:03] – Jen Psaki
Details of the Arrest: Psaki describes how the mayor was approached by ICE agents and handcuffed despite being on public property and part of an authorized oversight visit. The scene quickly became chaotic, with masked ICE agents aggressively interacting with the elected officials.
“We watched as members of Congress were basically in the middle of a scrum with masked ICE agents.”
[01:03] – Jen Psaki
Technical Failures Highlighted: She also touches upon unrelated yet alarming issues, such as the blackout of radar screens at Newark Airport, which hindered air traffic control and raised concerns about aviation safety under the current administration.
Interviews and Reactions
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman: The episode features an in-depth phone interview with Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, who was present during the arrest. She provides a firsthand account of the events and expresses deep concern over the administration's actions.
“The mayor was arrested without any provocation. He wasn’t trespassing or protesting; he was there as part of a legitimate oversight visit.”
[17:33] – Bonnie Watson Coleman
Mayor Ras Baraka: Later in the episode, Mayor Baraka joins the conversation to discuss his experience. He emphasizes that his presence at the ICE facility was lawful and highlights the aggressive tactics used by ICE agents.
“It was terrible. They obviously targeted me. It was more than just an arrest; it was an illustration of how law enforcement is being weaponized under this administration.”
[42:14] – Mayor Ras Baraka
Broader Administrative Critiques
Stephen Miller's Comments: The discussion moves towards broader critiques of the administration's policies, particularly focusing on statements made by Stephen Miller, a key figure in the current administration.
“The president, whoever he is, has to decide. He can't pass the buck to anybody.”
[04:38] – Stephen Miller
Jen Psaki counters by highlighting the administration's reluctance to take responsibility for policy failures, contrasting it with traditional presidential accountability.
“For Donald Trump, the buck stops with everybody. He shares the blame, refusing to take personal responsibility for the administration's actions.”
[05:04] – Jen Psaki
Impact on Governance: Psaki criticizes various cabinet officials for neglecting their duties, citing examples such as FBI Director Kash Patel reducing his briefing frequency and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prioritizing public image over defense responsibilities.
“Governing is not a photo op. It's a complicated and hard and often quite literally life or death situation for the people who live in this country.”
[06:56] – Jen Psaki
Economic and Public Safety Concerns: The episode also addresses economic policies like tariffs, which Psaki argues have led to rising costs and economic instability. Additionally, she raises concerns about public health crises and aviation safety under the current administration.
“There is a growing public health crisis, people are afraid to fly, things are going to cost more—all because of the policies of the guy sitting in the Oval Office.”
[04:33] – Jen Psaki
Conclusion and Forward Look
Jen Psaki concludes the episode by emphasizing the need for continued oversight and accountability. She calls on other elected officials to follow the example of Congresswoman Coleman and Mayor Baraka in demanding transparency and justice.
“This is very troublesome. This is very heartbreaking, Jen. This is not American.”
[22:17] – Bonnie Watson Coleman
Psaki also teases upcoming discussions on White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt's briefings, promising to provide truthful responses to misleading statements made by the administration.
“Coming up, we're gonna talk about the briefing that White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt had today. She told some whoppers. So after the break, I'm going to answer the same questions she did but actually tell the truth.”
[44:45] – Jen Psaki
Key Takeaways
Targeted Arrest: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was unlawfully arrested during an authorized oversight visit to an ICE facility, raising serious concerns about the administration's use of law enforcement.
Cabinet Failures: Several cabinet officials are criticized for neglecting their responsibilities, contributing to systemic inefficiencies and crises.
Economic and Safety Issues: The administration's policies on tariffs and immigration are implicated in economic instability and public safety concerns.
Call for Accountability: The episode underscores the importance of elected officials standing up against administrative overreach and demands for transparency and justice.
Notable Quotes
“It was chaotic. It was bizarre at times. And at times it was very cruel.”
— Jen Psaki [01:03]
“The president... has to decide. He can't pass the buck to anybody.”
— Stephen Miller [04:38]
“For Donald Trump, the buck stops with everybody.”
— Jen Psaki [05:04]
“Governing is not a photo op... It's a complicated and hard and often quite literally life or death situation.”
— Jen Psaki [06:56]
“This is not American.”
— Bonnie Watson Coleman [22:17]
“They obviously targeted me.”
— Mayor Ras Baraka [42:14]
This episode of The Briefing with Jen Psaki provides a critical examination of the current administration's handling of law enforcement and oversight, highlighted by the targeted arrest of a major city mayor. Through firsthand accounts and incisive commentary, Psaki calls for greater accountability and adherence to the rule of law.