Podcast Summary: The Majority Report with Sam Seder
Episode 3609 – Provocateur’s Attacking Anti-ICE Protestors in Portland w/ Carissa Phelps, Jerrod Zisser
Date: October 23, 2025
Host: Sam Seder
Guests: Carissa Phelps (Survivors First), Jared Zisser (Ring of Fire Radio)
Theme:
A comprehensive look at government shutdown consequences, the politics of sex trafficking relief, anti-ICE protests in Portland, and the growing use of provocateurs and force against dissent in the Trump era.
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode blends sharp political commentary with in-depth on-the-ground reporting. Sam Seder, joined by Carissa Phelps and Jared Zisser, delves into the escalating tactics used by authorities and right-wing agitators against anti-ICE protestors in Portland. The conversation also explores the fallout of the government shutdown, relief funds for trafficking survivors, and heated debates about prostitution laws in Nevada. The episode underscores rising authoritarian tendencies, weaponization of law enforcement, and the critical role of reporting and advocacy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Harsh Effects of Government Shutdown (00:00–09:00)
- Shutdown Duration: At Day 23, the U.S. is gripped by a protracted government shutdown. Key issues: missed federal paychecks, healthcare crisis with rising insurance rates, cuts to food assistance in 25 states, and four U.S. citizens arrested by ICE on Canal Street (NYC).
- Sam on the Shutdown: "We are on the verge of a health care crisis in this country." (05:40)
- Political Theater: Trump’s "ballroom" renovations at the White House serve as a metaphor for mismanagement.
2. Backpage, Sex Trafficking, and Survivor Compensation (11:10–19:41)
Guest: Carissa Phelps, Co-Founder, Survivors First
- Past Efforts & FOSTA-SESTA: Carissa discusses legal challenges to hold websites and businesses profiting from sex trafficking accountable. While controversial, their "tools to do that...did not" work due to legal barriers like CDA 230 (12:05–13:30).
- Backpage Prosecution & Relief Fund:
- Backpage shuttered after criminal/lawsuit proceedings; proceeds seized included Bitcoin and assets.
- DOJ set up a $215 million victim remission fund; short window for survivors to claim (July 31–Feb 2).
- Outreach: "We only have three months and we’re trying to reach a global...international victims." (15:51)
- Obstacles: Many survivors are unaware they were trafficked, feel responsible, or fear legal consequences.
- Legal Help: Survivors don’t need an attorney but Carissa urges legal guidance due to sensitive information and risks.
- Where to Find Help: survivorsfirst.community, backpageremission.com (19:10).
- Warning: backpage.com redirects to an explicit site; use official links.
3. Debate: Rollback of Legal Prostitution in Nevada (19:41–32:49)
- Carissa’s Advocacy: Calls for ending legal brothels, citing persistent harm and exploitation regardless of legal status.
- "It creates a sort of uncapped cost to society through the harms it does to individual lives and families." (21:29)
- Challenges the idea that improved worker protections or regulations reduce harm: "The experiments have been done and people come out harmed in multiple ways." (22:49)
- Sam’s Counterpoint: Argues for personal autonomy, questions whether criminalizing prostitution increases harm, and presses for balancing worker protection with decriminalization (23:33–27:39).
- Personal Testimony: Carissa recounts being trafficked at 12, witnessing exploitation and systemic denial of harm.
- "Every single city, they have streets like this. Truck stops with bitcoin machines...because prostitution is legal in these small little counties in Nevada..." (30:10)
- Upcoming Efforts: Carissa's coalition against legal prostitution will launch once the Backpage victim deadline passes (32:25).
4. Anti-ICE Protests in Portland: Provocateurs, Escalation, and Media Manipulation (40:00–59:23)
Guest: Jared Zisser, Reporter and Incoming Host of Ring of Fire Radio
- Jared’s Background: Former Marine; recently reported from Portland during anti-ICE protests.
- On the Ground:
- Protest confined to a single block, often localized and “invisible” outside protest grounds (43:42–43:49).
- Colorful activism: “You will have protesters that are using their First [Amendment Rights]...inflatable animals...just dancing around...” (44:11)
- Heavy right-wing presence: “Four to five right wing, very popular, famous right wing agitators that were showing up and just instigating and trying to start fights.” (43:24)
- After dark, violence spikes: “A Molotov cocktail thrown at us...someone attempted to basically light the tent area where the protesters were sleeping on fire.” (45:10)
- “Protesters didn’t light their own tent on fire...No. These were people that did not agree with the fact that people are out exercising their First Amendment right...” (46:04)
- ICE & DHS Behavior:
- Authorities often collaborate with right-wing media and agitators; let them film crackdown, share laughs, and promote propaganda (47:11–47:55).
- “The amount of laughs, high fives and everything that I saw on those rooftops with these ICE agents and the smiles, the smirky attitudes that they were giving...They were having a great time.” (47:55)
- Tear gas, rubber bullets, and aggressive clearing actions filmed for federal PR and recruitment (55:19–60:06).
- “They’re out there making a movie every day.” (59:57)
- Media Coverage: Only Fox present on ground; livestreaming only when agitators provoke incidents.
- Psychological Toll: Jared notes trauma and disappointment post-reporting. His Marine experience highlighted the terror of militarized policing on civilians (52:19–56:56).
- Constitutional Implications: Comparison to Gestapo/authoritarian tactics: “Really showed me how close we really are to the 1930s...” (47:57)
- Quote: “What I saw was, I mean, one event...I witnessed it in real time...they created this 4 to 5 city block, just covered in smoke and explosion...” (55:19)
5. Authoritarian Slide & What’s Next (58:01–63:35)
- Growing ICE Powers: Sam and Jared warn of ICE’s likely expansion beyond immigrants to broader political intimidation: “Everybody going to be going to have a lot of guns. There’s going to be a lot of these thugs. And Donald Trump does not want to lose elections.” (58:01)
- Fake Riots & Informants: Sam and Emma discuss the use of provocateurs, manufactured violence, and direct references to past FBI informant scandals:
- “When you start to hear stories of creating fake riots…to the extent there were Molotov cocktails, they were aimed at the protesters.” (63:35)
- “Paid FBI informants trying to stoke violence…you think that under Cash Patel’s FBI, that…those efforts are not being multiplied.” – Emma (64:12)
- Community Preparedness: Sam urges listeners to prepare and be proactive in defending community and democratic norms amid likely further escalation (65:00–66:55).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Carissa Phelps:
- “No, people who were harmed on Backpage qualify for this fund. And they were listed sometimes without them knowing. And those are the most difficult cases.” (16:12)
- “This is sort of the start of saying, you know, there is harm that is done when this is happening. I even believe...watching Pretty Woman and things like that kind of gives the feeling like everything’s okay. That movie, super creepy, and it’s not right.” (30:10)
- Jared Zisser:
- “Coming as someone who served two tours in Iraq, when I was in the Marine Corps, this was probably the closest I’ve ever been to seeing something...war ravaged...because it seemed DHS and ICE wanted it to look that way.” (42:15)
- “The only people that were there were Fox, and Fox didn’t really go live until one of the right-wing social media influencers was able to incite something...” (46:43)
- “I took an oath when I joined the Marine Corps that I feel is more important now than it ever was before.” (56:56)
- Sam Seder:
- “For you to actually be out there seeing it, I think it’s pretty impressive and good work. Where can people find that footage?” (59:23)
- “We are on the verge of a health care crisis in this country.” (05:40)
Key Timestamps
| Time | Segment/Discussion | |---------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Intro, government shutdown headlines, D.C./White House developments | | 11:10 | Carissa Phelps joins: Survivors First, Backpage, victim relief funds | | 19:41 | Debate on legal prostitution in Nevada, survivor experiences | | 40:00 | Jared Zisser joins: Anti-ICE Portland protests, right-wing provocateurs | | 43:00 | Scope of Portland protests, escalation after dark | | 47:00 | ICE colluding with right-wing media, agent attitudes | | 55:19 | Mass forced clearings, filming “PR” stunts for Federal use | | 58:01 | Growing ICE power, authoritarian threats, echoing 1930s tactics | | 65:00 | Sam and panel discuss preparation for accelerating repression |
Resources & Further Info
- Survivor Resources:
- Jared Zisser’s Footage:
- Instagram: @jaredzisser
- “Take with Jared Zisser” video pinned to profile
- Ring of Fire Radio:
Tone & Delivery
The episode features the irreverent, analytical, and at times darkly humorous tone that defines The Majority Report. It balances distress over current events with a sense of urgency and commitment to resilience—“What am I prepared to do to protect my community?” (65:00)
Summary for Non-Listeners
This episode delivers a sobering, firsthand account of rising state repression, manipulation of protests, and the risks facing vulnerable Americans in the current climate. Listeners get a rare window into not just policy, but the lived experience and resistance of communities and advocates on the front lines. Powerful personal testimonies, legal updates, and unflinching discussion make this an essential listen for anyone concerned about rights, democracy, and the struggle for justice in 2025.