Podcast Summary: The Jim Acosta Show Episode: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on No Kings Day Protests and Military Expert Barbara Starr on the Crisis in the Middle East
Release Date: June 16, 2025

In this episode of The Jim Acosta Show, host Jim Acosta engages in a comprehensive discussion with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass regarding the recent "No Kings Day" protests and the federal government's response. The episode also features insights from Barbara Starr, a seasoned Pentagon and national security correspondent, on the escalating crisis between Israel and Iran. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key points, discussions, and notable quotes from both segments.

Part 1: Interview with Mayor Karen Bass

1. Overview of "No Kings Day" Protests
Duration: 00:00 - 02:03

Jim Acosta opens the episode by addressing the widespread "No Kings Day" protests that erupted over the weekend, particularly focusing on Los Angeles. Mayor Karen Bass describes the scale and nature of these protests:

Karen Bass (00:31): "We had 15 different locations just in the city of Los Angeles, and they were all peaceful. The largest one was about 30,000 people in downtown LA."

Despite a few conflicts towards the end, Bass emphasizes the overall peacefulness and effective management by local authorities, resulting in minimal arrests.

2. Federal Presence and Its Implications
Duration: 01:21 - 05:30

Acosta raises concerns about the constant presence of the Marines and National Guard in LA without local or gubernatorial consent. Bass responds critically, highlighting the lack of transparency and the resultant rumors and fear among residents:

Karen Bass (01:57): "Needless to say, that opens the door up for all sorts of rumors and gossip and fear."

She further critiques President Trump's misrepresentation of the National Guard's role, clarifying that their primary mission has been to protect federal buildings rather than engage in crowd control.

3. Critique of ICE Deportation Policies
Duration: 03:31 - 08:04

The conversation shifts to President Trump's aggressive ICE deportation tactics. Bass laments the shift from targeting violent criminals to a numbers-based approach, which she argues fosters random surveillance and undue fear:

Karen Bass (05:30): "Los Angeles is a big laboratory experiment. Let's experiment on LA to see how far the federal government can go."

She underscores the negative impact on the local economy, particularly sectors reliant on immigrant labor, and the emotional toll on families, especially highlighted by events on Father's Day.

4. Local Response and Economic Impact
Duration: 06:09 - 10:31

Bass draws parallels between the current climate and the COVID-19 pandemic, noting a significant decline in customer presence in local businesses due to fear instilled by federal actions:

Karen Bass (06:09): "The restaurant owners literally became very emotional and said, people won't come and people aren't even doing orders."

She emphasizes that the portrayal of LA as chaotic is inaccurate, with protests occupying merely a fraction of the city's vast area, thereby maintaining that federal intervention is unwarranted and harmful.

5. Treatment of Journalists and Police Conduct
Duration: 14:16 - 15:56

Acosta inquires about the LAPD's handling of protests, especially concerning the treatment of journalists. Bass acknowledges instances requiring review but generally supports the department's actions:

Karen Bass (14:53): "I certainly think, for the most part, yes, the LAPD is acting appropriately."

She points out the importance of reviewing incidents through available video evidence and stresses that violent protesters undermine the cause of immigrant rights by provoking unnecessary federal involvement.

6. Call for Federal Withdrawal and Community Stability
Duration: 13:25 - 17:26

Bass implores President Trump to withdraw federal troops from LA, asserting the city's capability to maintain order independently:

Karen Bass (13:25): "Please remove the troops. Please remove the troops. Don't do that to our young men and women and don't do this to our city."

She highlights the community's resilience and the minimal area affected by protests, reinforcing LA's openness and readiness to welcome visitors and support economic activities.

Part 2: Insights from Barbara Starr on the Israel-Iran Crisis

1. Current Tensions and Leadership Challenges
Duration: 19:24 - 21:22

Barbara Starr provides an overview of the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, focusing on recent missile exchanges and the implications for US leadership:

Barbara Starr (20:15): "The key question is President Trump... will he be able to?"

She discusses Netanyahu's aggressive stance against Iran's nuclear program and the complexities it introduces for President Trump, who has pledged to avoid entanglement in Middle Eastern conflicts.

2. US Military Involvement and Strategic Decisions
Duration: 21:22 - 26:51

Starr delves into the potential US military options in supporting Israel, examining the feasibility and risks associated with actions like bombing Iran's Fordow nuclear facility:

Barbara Starr (25:39): "If you have not seen the video of what took place on Iranian state TV... we're getting very close to things really spiraling in the Middle East."

She questions the intelligence assessments that spurred Netanyahu's aggressive maneuvers and the possible need for the US to intervene, highlighting the strategic dilemmas faced by military leaders.

3. Critique of Military Leadership and Messaging
Duration: 26:51 - 33:31

Starr critiques the current handling of military messaging under Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump, suggesting a disconnect between public displays and on-the-ground military preparedness:

Barbara Starr (30:44): "The Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs... giving the president of the United States and the defense secretary the bad news that they may not want to hear."

She underscores the importance of honest counsel from military leaders, warning against the pitfalls of maintaining a purely supportive stance without addressing strategic realities.

4. Assessment of US Military Parade and Public Perception
Duration: 27:06 - 33:31

The discussion shifts to the recent US military parade celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary. Starr expresses disappointment over the perceived lack of enthusiasm and questions the authenticity of the displayed military might:

Barbara Starr (31:33): "These guys weren't, you know, who knows what you want."

She contrasts the precise discipline seen in regular military operations with the underwhelming performance observed during the parade, reflecting concerns over the military's current morale and public image.

5. Strategic Outlook and Diplomatic Channels
Duration: 33:31 - 34:16

Starr wraps up her segment by emphasizing the need for strategic patience and diplomacy, cautioning against hasty military actions that could exacerbate the crisis:

Barbara Starr (32:01): "But again, I just feel so sad about it because here's the real... they have to find a way out of this crisis."

She highlights the critical role of measured leadership in preventing further escalation in the Middle East.

Additional Topics: Political Violence and Disinformation in America

1. Minnesota Political Assassination and Disinformation
Duration: 17:26 - 33:58

Jim Acosta addresses the tragic political violence in Minnesota, where a suspect targeted Democratic officials. He criticizes figures like Senator Mike Lee and Donald Trump Jr. for spreading disinformation and politicizing the tragedy:

Jim Acosta (23:58): "Where does this score you points, Mike Lee, with the garbage shit posters, garbage trolls on places like X... Shame on you, Mike Lee. Shame on you, Donald Trump Jr."

Acosta condemns their actions as part of a broader decency and disinformation crisis, emphasizing the inappropriateness of politicizing such violent acts.

Conclusion

Jim Acosta concludes the episode by reiterating the importance of responsible leadership and the ramifications of current federal and military actions on both local communities and international relations. He underscores the need for truth and decency in political discourse, urging listeners to reflect on the ongoing challenges discussed with Mayor Karen Bass and Barbara Starr.

Notable Quotes:

• Karen Bass (01:57): "Needless to say, that opens the door up for all sorts of rumors and gossip and fear."
• Karen Bass (05:30): "Los Angeles is a big laboratory experiment. Let's experiment on LA to see how far the federal government can go."
• Barbara Starr (20:15): "The key question is President Trump... will he be able to?"
• Barbara Starr (25:39): "If you have not seen the video of what took place on Iranian state TV... we're getting very close to things really spiraling in the Middle East."
• Jim Acosta (23:58): "Shame on you, Mike Lee. Shame on you, Donald Trump Jr."

This episode provides a critical examination of federal intervention in local affairs, the complexities of international conflicts, and the pervasive issue of disinformation within American politics. Mayor Bass offers a grounded perspective on managing protests and safeguarding community interests, while Barbara Starr sheds light on the precarious balance of military strategy and diplomatic engagement in the Middle East.