Podcast Summary: "The Five" – L.A. Rocked By Anti-ICE Riots

Episode Details:

• Title: The Five
• Host/Author: FOX News Radio
• Episode: L.A. Rocked By Anti-ICE Riots
• Release Date: June 9, 2025

Introduction to the Crisis in Los Angeles

The episode opens with Dana Perino introducing the panel: Kellyanne Conway, Harold Ford Jr., Jesse Waters, and Greg Gutfeld. The primary focus is the recent anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles, which have sparked intense debate and political contention.

Discussion on Anti-ICE Riots and Federal Response

Dana Perino outlines the situation: Democrats are attributing the anarchy in Los Angeles to President Trump’s policies. In response to the riots involving anti-ICE demonstrators burning cars, blocking freeways, and attacking police officers, President Trump has deployed the National Guard and placed 500 Marines on standby. He has criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, suggesting potential legal actions against him.

• Dana Perino [01:10]: "Democrats are blaming President Trump for the anarchy in Los Angeles... Trump is slamming the destruction and is warning that California Governor Gavin Newsom could be arrested."

Harold Ford Jr. challenges the notion that a civil war is imminent, arguing that Trump’s actions are a response to chaos sown by the current administration.

• Harold Ford Jr. [01:54]: "I don't want a civil war. Civil war would happen if you left it to people like him."

Greg Gutfeld supports the deployment of the National Guard, emphasizing the importance of maintaining law and order.

• Greg Gutfeld [02:08]: "And I like him."

Jesse Waters criticizes the protesters, expressing concern for the safety of ordinary citizens and condemning the actions of those causing turmoil.

• Jesse Waters [02:27]: "Get your hands off these poor people. Just trying to live their lives... Come after me?"

Media and Democratic Portrayal of Protests

Dana Perino highlights the discrepancy between the visible violence and the media's portrayal of the protests as predominantly peaceful.

• Dana Perino [02:32]: "Despite the clear images of burning cars, Democrats and the media kept insisting that the protests were mostly peaceful."

Greg Gutfeld reinforces the perception that the current administration targets peaceful protests, attributing the unrest to presidential policies.

• Greg Gutfeld [02:42]: "We are having an administration that's targeting peaceful protests."

Harold Ford Jr. and Jesse Waters further argue that the chaos is a result of the federal government's failure to enforce immigration laws effectively, leading to escalated tensions and conflicts.

• Jesse Waters [04:27]: "You either have a law, either have a border, or you have a country, and that's it."

Political Implications and Party Dynamics

The conversation shifts towards the broader political landscape, particularly the Democratic Party's strategies and challenges.

Kellyanne Conway criticizes the Democratic leadership for focusing excessively on President Trump, neglecting other critical issues, and alienating key voter bases.

• Kellyanne Conway [15:04]: "The current Democratic Party is so left, they don't even see the center."

Greg Gutfeld emphasizes the need for the Democrats to move beyond cultural issues like pronouns and focus on pressing matters such as border security and the economy to regain voter trust.

• Greg Gutfeld [15:51]: "If you can't think about anything else because Trump is in your face all the time, you're not going to win."

Harold Ford Jr. echoes the sentiment that the Democratic Party has lost direction by fixating on Trump, which has led to a disconnect with moderate and independent voters.

• Harold Ford Jr. [19:43]: "Trump broke the Democratic Party because they thought so much about him. They stopped thinking about other issues."

Dana Perino anticipates a backlash against the Democratic leadership for their inability to moderate and address core issues, further compounded by internal conflicts and policy missteps.

Current Events and Controversies

The panel discusses recent events involving prominent figures, such as the feud between gymnast Simone Biles and Riley Gaines. Kellyanne Conway and Harold Ford Jr. criticize Biles for her stance on transgender athletes, arguing that it undermines women's sports and contradicts her role as a role model.

• Harold Ford Jr. [24:24]: "If Simone believes that trans women are women, then I'm just gonna assume Simone is trans."

Dana Perino defends Biles, highlighting her commitment to gymnastics and questioning the motivations behind the conflict.

• Dana Perino [25:24]: "She's the only person that's actually brave here is Riley Gaines. And I don't think there are a lot of women who are doing it."

Additionally, the panel touches upon ABC News' suspension of reporter Terry Moran for disparaging remarks about a Trump aide, reflecting broader media distrust and bias concerns.

• Jesse Waters [29:29]: "ABC News is suspending correspondent Terry Moran for attacking... Steven Miller."

Cultural and Social Issues

The episode delves into cultural debates surrounding gender identity, particularly the use of pronouns, which Harold Ford Jr. and Jesse Waters argue distracts from more substantial political issues. They contend that the focus on such topics alienates voters and undermines the Democratic Party's broader objectives.

• Harold Ford Jr. [15:49]: "We have to have an agenda that addresses that. But if we're concerned with pronouns... less likely we're going to find our way back to the majority."

Kellyanne Conway criticizes the Democratic Party's preoccupation with slogans around Trump, arguing it hampers meaningful policy discussions and voter engagement.

Concluding Remarks and Future Outlook

As the episode wraps up, the panelists reflect on the path forward for both major political parties. Greg Gutfeld urges Republicans to focus on border security and economic issues while dismissing cultural debates as distractions orchestrated by the Democrats.

• Greg Gutfeld [15:52]: "We need a good border security immigration bill... We have to have an agenda that addresses that."

Harold Ford Jr. emphasizes the necessity for the Democratic Party to recalibrate its strategies to reconnect with the electorate, suggesting that internal divisions and misaligned priorities have weakened their position.

• Harold Ford Jr. [19:53]: "They stopped thinking about other issues."

Dana Perino anticipates continued challenges for Democrats as they navigate internal conflicts and external pressures, potentially impacting their performance in upcoming elections.

Key Takeaways

• Federal Response to Riots: President Trump's deployment of the National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles has sparked controversy, with Democrats attributing the unrest to his policies.

• Media Portrayal vs. Reality: There is a significant disconnect between the visible violence in protests and the media's portrayal of them as mostly peaceful.

• Democratic Party Strategy: The party is criticized for over-focusing on President Trump, neglecting other critical issues, and failing to appeal to moderate and independent voters.

• Cultural Debates as Distractors: The emphasis on gender identity and pronoun usage is viewed as a distraction from more pressing political and economic concerns.

• Future Political Landscape: Both parties face challenges in addressing internal divisions and reconnecting with the broader electorate to secure future electoral success.

Notable Quotes:

• Dana Perino [01:10]: "Democrats are blaming President Trump for the anarchy in Los Angeles... Trump is slamming the destruction and is warning that California Governor Gavin Newsom could be arrested."

• Harold Ford Jr. [01:54]: "I don't want a civil war. Civil war would happen if you left it to people like him."

• Greg Gutfeld [02:08]: "And I like him."

• Jesse Waters [02:27]: "Get your hands off these poor people. Just trying to live their lives... Come after me?"

• Kellyanne Conway [15:04]: "The current Democratic Party is so left, they don't even see the center."

• Greg Gutfeld [15:51]: "If you can't think about anything else because Trump is in your face all the time, you're not going to win."

This episode of "The Five" delves deep into the socio-political upheaval in Los Angeles, exploring the intersection of federal policies, media narratives, and party dynamics. The panelists provide a critical perspective on the actions of both the Republican and Democratic parties, emphasizing the need for strategic focus and unity to navigate the complexities of contemporary American politics.