Summary of "What Are the Democrats Doing?" – The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Introduction

In the episode titled "What Are the Democrats Doing?" released on June 10, 2025, hosts and contributors from Commentary Magazine delve into the escalating tensions in Los Angeles, focusing on the deployment of federal forces and the Democratic Party's response to left-wing violence. The discussion features editor John Podhoretz, executive editor Abe Greenwald, senior editor Seth Mandel, social commentary columnist Christine Rosen, and guest commentator Noah Rothman, who is recognized for his decade-long analysis of left-wing domestic violence.

1. Deployment of National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles

The podcast kicks off with a discussion on the unprecedented deployment of the California National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in response to ongoing civil unrest. John Podhoretz highlights the controversial nature of using military personnel for domestic law enforcement, referencing historical laws designed to prevent such actions:

"There are at least two laws on the books dating back to the 19th century to prevent or to make it extraordinarily difficult for the president to do what he just did yesterday." – Noah Rothman [02:00]

2. Partisan Perspectives on Violence and Law Enforcement

The conversation underscores the deep partisan divide regarding the interpretation of the violence in Los Angeles. Center-right figures criticize the Democratic Party for not vocally condemning the street violence, thereby exacerbating the situation. Conversely, the center-left perceives the federal deployment as an overreach, hinting at authoritarian tendencies:

"If you talk to us and most people on the center right... you would hear that they think that the Democratic Party has gone insane in not speaking out more forthrightly about the nature of the violence..." – John Podhoretz [03:30]

"On the people from the center to the left believe that this is the Trump administration overreaching..." – John Podhoretz [04:10]

3. The Theatrical Nature of Political Posturing

Noah Rothman criticizes both political factions for projecting extreme images to solidify their bases, which he believes only heightens the crisis:

"Both parties want to project the worst image of themselves onto the American political landscape and convey to the voting public... that they are wholly uncompromising." – Noah Rothman [04:30]

He further elaborates on the misleading portrayal of the National Guard’s role, suggesting that the administration seeks to create a facade of control:

"They want you to think that Democrats who are running block for these protesters... make excuses for them..." – Noah Rothman [06:00]

4. Immigration Enforcement and ICE’s Role

The discussion shifts to the resurgence of stringent immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, contrasting it with the perceived leniency of previous administrations. Seth Mandel and Abe Greenwald explore the complexities of ICE’s operations and the moral dilemmas faced by local officials:

"ICE agents are part of what we do together... they are there to enforce immigration laws." – John Podhoretz [09:15]

Abe Greenwald advocates for the deployment of federal forces to support local law enforcement, arguing that the lack of action from local authorities necessitates federal intervention:

"If the local law enforcement and local prosecutors are not pursuing and prosecuting these crimes, then you actually do need to bring in backup from the federal government." – Abe Greenwald [28:50]

5. The Role of Universities and Organized Movements

Christine Rosen criticizes universities for fostering environments that encourage negotiation with extremists, thereby emboldening protest movements:

"The universities said, let's negotiate with them... the willingness to negotiate has created a sense of entitlement to occupation in these people's heads." – Christine Rosen [21:50]

Noah Rothman adds that organized groups are orchestrating protests rather than allowing organic movements, undermining genuine civic activism:

"These are not organic phenomena... the initial outburst is totally inorganic, it is contrived." – Noah Rothman [13:40]

6. Historical Comparisons to the 1960s Protest Movements

The panel draws parallels between current protests and the 1960s movements, debating whether modern activists genuinely seek political change or merely emulate past upheavals without substantial impact:

"If you're making the Ten Commandments and you need 20,000 extras... what we see is... genetic anarchy." – John Podhoretz [17:00]

Noah Rothman challenges the effectiveness of violent protests, suggesting that they damage the Democratic Party's ability to harness genuine political support:

"Their instincts are righteous... but their actions are anarchistic." – Noah Rothman [32:20]

7. Public Perception and Permission Structures

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on how public perception and societal permission structures influence governmental responses. Noah Rothman questions whether the average voter supports the Trump administration’s hardline stance or prefers rule-of-law approaches:

"The normie Republican voter wants to see law and order established within the terms set for local law enforcement." – Noah Rothman [39:50]

8. Media Representation and Public Messaging

Christine Rosen and Seth Mandel critique how media outlets portray the violence and law enforcement's response, arguing that selective reporting skews public understanding:

"You have people dropping bricks on cops, setting cars on fire... it sounds ridiculous to have a discussion over whether to deploy the National Guard." – John Podhoretz [35:00]

9. The Democratic Party’s Struggle with Left-Wing Violence

Noah Rothman and Abe Greenwald discuss the Democratic Party’s inability to distance itself from violent factions within its base, leading to political vulnerability:

"Democrats can't afford to bring themselves to exclude the malcontents... they're part of their coalition." – Noah Rothman [34:03]

"There is a sense of entitlement to occupation... which Republicans can capitalize on." – Abe Greenwald [30:00]

10. Concluding Insights

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the broader implications of the current unrest and political strategies. They emphasize the need for clear leadership and the dangers of blending theatrical posturing with real-world violence. The overarching theme is a critique of the Democratic Party's handling of internal conflicts and the resultant impact on national stability.

"They are treating these movemen ts as a political cause that morphs into disorder, which ultimately is anarchism." – Noah Rothman [18:50]

"This is like law and order stuff. There's no way someone who says it's okay for lawlessness is acceptable." – John Podhoretz [65:00]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Hope for the best, expect the worst." – Noah Rothman [00:04]

• "Domestic civil violence, how is that civil violence? I mean, on our shores." – John Podhoretz [01:20]

• "Both parties want to project the worst image of themselves onto the American political landscape." – Noah Rothman [06:00]

• "They can take a policy that was once a crime and make it a top agenda item, but Democracy is reacting badly." – No exact timestamp

• "These are not organic phenomena... the initial outburst is totally contrived." – Noah Rothman [13:40]

• "Permission structures are dynamic." – John Podhoretz [44:10]

Conclusion

The episode presents a critical examination of the Democratic Party's strategies and responses to escalating violence and civil unrest, particularly in the context of immigration enforcement. Through robust debate and analysis, the contributors argue that both political factions engage in theatrical posturing that exacerbates societal tensions. They call for a more principled approach to law enforcement and political activism, emphasizing the importance of maintaining rule of law and genuine civic engagement.