Summary of "The Majority Report with Sam Seder" - Episode 2519

Title: Mike Lee Melts Down, Iran Tensions Rise, NYC Comptroller Arrested by ICE, CA Sues Feds w/ Rob Bonta
Release Date: June 17, 2025

1. Mike Lee's Controversial Tweet on Minnesota Assassination Case

The episode opens with Sam Seder addressing the recent backlash against Senator Mike Lee of Utah. Lee had tweeted about the tragic assassination of Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota, seemingly making light of the situation. This move sparked outrage among listeners and prompted immediate critique from the hosts.

Notable Quote:

• Sam Seder [08:21]: "But that's not the point. Why would you use the awesome power of United States Senate office to compound people's grief?"

The discussion highlights Lee's failure to appropriately condemn the violence, instead choosing to make provocative remarks that many found insensitive and unbecoming of a public official.

2. Interview with California Attorney General Rob Bonta

a. California's Lawsuit Against the Trump Administration

Rob Bonta, California's Attorney General, joins the show to discuss the state's legal battles against the Trump administration. California has initiated a lawsuit challenging President Trump's authority to deploy the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles. The core argument centers around the misuse of 10 USC §12406, which permits federal intervention only in cases of rebellion, invasion, or inability to execute laws—conditions that Bonta asserts were not present during the deployment.

Notable Quotes:

• Rob Bonta [20:21]: "The executive order from the president calling in the national guard to LA... invokes a statute... requires the presence of a rebellion or an invasion or the inability of the federal government to execute the laws, none of which were present."
• Sam Seder [22:36]: "The statute that the administration cited, they need to... Does that statute refer to the Marines...?"

Bonta elaborates on the legal nuances, emphasizing that the Posse Comitatus Act restricts the use of the military for civilian law enforcement, making the deployment of Marines without proper authority unlawful.

b. Broader Legal Actions Against Federal Coercion

Beyond the National Guard issue, Bonta outlines California's broader strategy in suing the federal government for leveraging grants to coerce state policies, particularly concerning immigration enforcement. He references past Supreme Court rulings, such as those related to the Affordable Care Act, to underscore the illegality of conditional federal funding.

Notable Quotes:

• Rob Bonta [34:30]: "There shouldn't be a question in this instance. It was a clearly unlawful course of use of the spending authority of the federal government..."
• Rob Bonta [36:37]: "We'll sue him 26 times in 21 weeks... because that's how often he's violated the law."

Bonta expresses confidence in California's legal standing and preparedness, citing a robust legal team and a history of successful litigation against federal overreach.

3. Arrest of NYC Comptroller Brad Lander by ICE

A significant portion of the episode covers the sudden arrest of Brad Lander, the NYC Comptroller and mayoral candidate, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The arrest occurred as Lander was escorting a defendant out of an immigration court in New York City. The agents, some concealed behind masks, detained him without clear authority or a warrant.

Notable Quotes:

• Emma Vigeland [45:13]: "He was there to observe immigration hearings. Unbelievable."
• Sam Seder [48:25]: "You don't have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens."

The hosts critique ICE's aggressive tactics, suggesting that the agency is overstepping its bounds in its pursuit of deportations to meet stringent quotas. They highlight the psychological and societal impacts of such actions, including fostering fear within communities and undermining trust in public institutions.

4. Additional Political Discussions

a. Split in Right-Wing Media

The conversation shifts to the fragmentation within right-wing media outlets, particularly focusing on figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker Carlson. Seder suggests that the expansive and diverse nature of modern right-wing media platforms has led to internal conflicts and differing agendas.

Notable Quotes:

• Sam Seder [57:48]: "The only reason why we're seeing a split... is because of the size of the right-wing media."
• Emma Vigeland [59:43]: "Marjorie Taylor Greene... is a true legitimate like anti-Jewish bigot and bigot in so many other ways."

Seder emphasizes the challenges this split poses for unified messaging and coordinated political strategies among conservative factions.

b. Ranked-Choice Voting in NYC

The hosts briefly touch upon the complexities of ranked-choice voting in New York City, encouraging listeners to participate actively in the electoral process to influence outcomes and prevent undesirable candidates from gaining power.

Notable Quotes:

• Sam Seder [61:00]: "I'm happy to have any Republican vote for a bill that inhibits the ability of the President... to go to war."
• Emma Vigeland [62:47]: "Brad Lander is number two. I think that's. Now we know I'm rankings over on one."

5. Conclusion and Host Interactions

The episode concludes with lighter banter among the hosts, celebrating milestones such as reaching 100,000 followers on Twitch and engaging with the audience through social media platforms like Discord. They also address the immediate aftermath of the Brad Lander arrest, expressing solidarity and ongoing monitoring of the situation.

Notable Quotes:

• Sam Seder [53:51]: "Pressure works, folks."
• Emma Vigeland [56:54]: "That's not based. But you're not based. You're psychopath still, but you're not based anymore. I'm sorry."

While some interactions veer into humor and informality, the overarching themes remain focused on political accountability, legal battles against federal overreach, and the defense of civil liberties.

Conclusion

Episode 2519 of "The Majority Report with Sam Seder" delves into pressing political issues, including Senator Mike Lee's questionable social media conduct, California's robust legal challenges against the Trump administration's federal interventions, and ICE's controversial arrest of a prominent NYC official. Through insightful interviews and critical analysis, the hosts underscore the importance of upholding constitutional rights and maintaining vigilant oversight of governmental powers.