Podcast Summary: The Five

Episode: Los Angeles Declares Emergency Over I.C.E. Raids
Date: October 15, 2025
Host(s): Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, Katie Pavlich, Harold Ford Jr.

Overview

This episode tackles the heated aftermath of Los Angeles County's declaration of a state of emergency in response to recent ICE immigration raids. The hosts probe the political, social, and media narratives at play, especially as cities like Los Angeles move to support undocumented immigrants using taxpayer resources. The discussion ranges from the perceived victimization of immigrant communities, the accountability of law enforcement, the role of policy, intra-party challenges for Democrats, to the media handling of controversial figures and events. Throughout, the tone is energetic and combative, laced with the show's signature humor and sarcasm.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Los Angeles’ Emergency Declaration and the David vs. Goliath Narrative

• LA County’s move gives them the ability to provide taxpayer-funded rent relief, legal support, and more for those affected by ICE raids.
• Panelists debate whether framing the city as 'David' and the federal government as 'Goliath' is valid or manipulative.
• Katie Pavlich (00:41): "It feels like we're David and Goliath. We're David going against Goliath. We have entire families who are destitute because their fathers or mothers were taken from their workplaces..."

Memorable Quotes:

• Greg Gutfeld (02:22): "In L.A, they're using taxpayer funds to back one side, to block taxpayer funds that are supporting another side. Why not just have two bureaucrats in a ring throwing money at each other?"

2. Immigration Enforcement, Protests, and Political Repercussions

• Chicago protests are depicted as heroic in some media, with law enforcement under increasing scrutiny.
• Debate on prosecuting ICE agents and whether government officials may face consequences after administration changes.
• Arguments over the definition of "emergency"—does deportation qualify, or does it dilute the meaning of real crises?
• Jesse Watters (02:58): "It's not an emergency when Juan has to go back to Honduras. It's not even an emergency for Juan... What is this? A foreign welfare state in the middle of California…?"

3. Qualified Immunity and Law Enforcement Morale

• Concerns about weakening legal protections for law enforcement, referencing both ICE and broader police issues.
• Dana Perino (04:58): "The law enforcement officers, they need to have confidence that the system is going to have their back. That's one of the problems they have here. This whole qualified immunity thing is a problem in New York City."

4. Policy Solutions and Political Strategy

• Calls for Democratic politicians to seek dialogue with federal officials (including Trump) to resolve disagreements, rather than escalating via public proclamations.
• Issues with LA’s priorities: funding immigration relief while struggling with infrastructure and housing.
• Harold Ford Jr. (07:14): "Providing financial support to people in the country illegally is not the way to go about showing objection to the hierarchy of deportations in the country."

5. Crime & Language Manipulation

• Panelists criticize the conflation of ICE raids with terms like 'kidnapping' and 'cruelty,' arguing this misleads the public.
• Katie Pavlich (08:42): "They use the language, as you mentioned, about they're taking people from job sites, they're kidnapping them. No, they're taking people from job sites where they are trafficking children, they're trafficking women, they're selling drugs…"

6. Democratic Party Struggles and Leadership

• Deep dive into Democratic polling problems and poor messaging on crime and immigration.
• Complaints that Democrats fail to acknowledge their missteps or adjust their positions despite popular opposition.
• Extended analogy comparing Trump and Newsom to competing "resorts," with Democrats painted as out of touch.
• Dana Perino (14:57): "The first step to getting better on anything is admitting you have a problem. But they've only gone a half a step..."

7. Media and Notable Figures

• Discussion about Cheryl Hines defending RFK Jr. on The View, the media’s treatment of female guests, and whether the panel is fair in its questioning.
• Jesse Watters (24:33): "Imagine if Emma writes a book... and they just start attacking her over things I've said. That's not fair. Even I can't defend some of the things I've said."
• Reflection on public scrutiny, transparency, and the competitiveness inside Democratic politics (e.g., Katie Porter’s staff videos).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Greg Gutfeld (02:22): "[In LA] Why not just have two bureaucrats in a ring throwing money at each other?"
• Jesse Watters (02:58): "Is that what we're doing? You just live for free in LA illegally?"
• Dana Perino (04:58): "Law enforcement officers... need to have confidence that the system is going to have their back."
• Katie Pavlich (08:42): "No, they're taking people from job sites where they are trafficking children, they're trafficking women..."
• Dana Perino (14:57): "They've only gone a half a step because in the clip they say, yeah, we are historically unpopular, but they won't take the next half a step, which is say we did it to ourselves."
• Greg Gutfeld (13:16): "CDS is not CDS if the data is real, like the U hauls leaving."
• Harold Ford Jr. (07:14): "...this ridiculous public policy proclamation from LA county... you should shelve this one and try to get to the White House to figure out a longer term solution."
• Katie Pavlich (10:26): "One of the biggest lessons... is that the myth that illegal immigrants don't commit crimes and that it's not an issue has been completely blown out of the water."
• Harold Ford Jr. (36:19): "I also think I give her [Katie Porter] some credit for at least apologizing. But if there are other videos out, I think that the Dana Perino approach might be the better one."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Los Angeles Emergency Decision & David/Goliath Framing – 00:04 to 01:10
• ICE Protests, Accountability, Emergency Definition Debate – 01:10 to 03:30
• Qualified Immunity, Policing, California Priorities – 04:27 to 06:42
• How Democrats Handle Crime, Immigration, and Political Positioning – 07:14 to 10:26
• Media, The View, Cheryl Hines and Handling Criticism – 19:55 to 26:53
• Katie Porter Staffer Video Leaks and Transparency – 32:37 to 36:29
• Alec Baldwin Car Accident Anecdote – 27:19 to 31:09
• Democrats’ Party Troubles and Resort Analogy – 12:11 to 14:57
• One More Thing—Lighter News & Panel Banter – 37:34 onward

Episode Tone & Style

• The dialogue is full of quick-witted, sometimes edgy humor, with playful jabs both at political opponents and among the hosts.
• Panelists often blend sarcasm (e.g., "two bureaucrats throwing money at each other," "beautiful black women in MAGA hats") with policy critique, reinforcing the show's irreverent persona.
• There is significant skepticism—if not outright hostility—toward progressive approaches to immigration, urban policy, and Democratic Party leadership.

Useful For…

• Listeners seeking a conservative critique of current urban immigration policy and the broader Democratic response.
• Those interested in seeing how partisans frame and debate “emergency” government actions.
• Devotees of The Five’s unique blend of news commentary, cultural snark, and group chemistry.

Final Takeaway

This episode doubles down on skepticism over blue state immigration policies, Democratic party unity, and media double standards. The hosts alternately mock, critique, and challenge both political leaders and trending narratives, with “David vs. Goliath” spinning into a larger debate on who is truly wielding power and who’s being left behind. The episode closes, as always, with lighter stories and panel banter, staying true to the show's energetic and sarcastic style.