Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast – Anabel Mendoza on Chicagoans Fighting Back Against Trump

Date: November 29, 2025
Host: MeidasTouch Network
Guests: Annabel Mendoza (activist and congressional candidate, IL-7)
Main Theme: Grassroots resistance in Chicago against Trump administration immigration raids, the lived realities endured by immigrants, and the emerging solidarity shaping the fight for democracy.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the wave of ICE raids and deportation tactics executed in Chicago—portrayed as an escalation of terror by the Trump administration—and the ways Chicagoans, especially in immigrant communities, have organized to resist and protect one another. The brothers welcome community leader and congressional candidate Annabel Mendoza, who shares her perspective on these events, the impact on communities, and her motivations for running for Congress to represent IL-7.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalating ICE Raids and State Violence in Chicago

• Discussion of recent violent ICE activity:
  From cars running into people to daycare raids, numerous chilling incidents are described.
• Militarization:
  The hosts describe ICE and Border Patrol as “militarized,” behaving like “terroristic cowboys” wielding military-grade weapons in public areas.
  • “We’ve seen ICE terrorize daycare workers and daycare centers... they show up with their weapons, they point them at kids, they rip people apart.” (Host, 03:29)

Notable Quote:

“You have no idea that this is a federal agent or random person on the street and they’re pulling out weapons. They are quite literally dragging people from their cars with impunity—violently. And we’ve seen this impact not just immigrant communities, but U.S. citizens.”
— Annabel Mendoza (09:29)

2. Personal Impact and Community Trauma

• Mendoza, a lifelong Chicagoan and daughter/granddaughter of immigrants, details the emotional and social toll:
  • ICE actions are “taking an impact on all of us,” diverting billions from local needs.
  • Outrage over “zero oversight” detention facilities, like Broadview, which she dubs “camps” (07:03).
  • The raids impact “restaurant workers, daycare workers”—neighbors and local leaders.

Memorable Moment:

• Account of daycare raid:

  “This week I’m having an event where I’m going to be speaking with some of the parents from that same daycare where one of their students’ teachers was ripped from the classroom in front of toddlers. This is exactly what’s happening. And it is not only instilling fear, but I think really what is important to focus on is the solidarity that is being built out of this moment.”
  — Annabel Mendoza (12:11)

3. Grassroots Solidarity and Resistance

• Despite the administration’s attempts, communities have responded with unity, not fear.
  • Reports of people recording, sharing, organizing against raids.
  • Faith leaders and local citizens stand outside detention centers in protest—“exercising their First Amendment right.”
• Mendoza praises growing “solidarity between neighbors looking after one another,” counteracting the administration’s goal to “pit working people against each other” (07:03, 12:11).

Notable Quote:

“As we take action, as we stand in solidarity with immigrant communities, it’s because immigrants are inherently part of the city of Chicago and our country.”
— Annabel Mendoza (13:39)

4. Failures of Democratic Response and Policy Implications

• The host criticizes Democrats’ retreat from openly supporting immigrant communities due to propaganda backlash, arguing this cedes narrative ground to Republicans (11:02).
• Mendoza voices frustration with her party “ceding the issue of immigration completely to Republicans,” emphasizing the economic fallout on local businesses and the urgency of fighting for a better, inclusive approach (12:11).

Memorable Moment:

“Immigration is not just an immigrant issue. It is all of our issues. We are seeing the fact that these raids are impacting our local economy immensely, not only with workers being detained, but small businesses are feeling the impact of that.”
— Annabel Mendoza (12:51)

5. Annabel Mendoza’s Congressional Campaign

• At 28, Mendoza is the youngest candidate in the open IL-7 race (Broadview area).
• Her experience:
  • Years on the front lines of the immigrant rights movement.
  • Emphasizes “urgency of this moment.”
  • Campaign centers on redirecting taxpayer money from detention/enforcement to education, healthcare, and communities.
• Campaign Info: anabelleforcongress.com
• Announcement of upcoming town hall in Oak Park on immigration and organizing (14:14).

Notable Quote:

“I am the youngest candidate in this race, but it means that I have the most energy, the most urgency of this moment... I have been fighting on the front lines to protect our communities against the violent overreach... I would encourage people who also understand the urgency of this moment, who want to elect leaders who are ready to meet this moment and fight for working families, to join my campaign.”
— Annabel Mendoza (14:14)

Segment Timestamps

• 02:04 Scenarios of terror—Host introduces ICE’s violent acts in Chicago
• 03:29 Daycare raid recounted by witnesses and reporter audio
• 04:49 Conditions at Broadview Detention, ICE snipers targeting peaceful protesters
• 07:03 Annabel Mendoza joins; background as an immigrant rights activist and personal stake
• 09:29 Mendoza describes abductions and violence (agents “with masks on... pulling out weapons”)
• 11:02 Host’s critique of Democratic messaging on immigration
• 12:11 Mendoza on community solidarity, campaign motivation, and the broader impact of raids
• 14:14 Mendoza details her congressional campaign and upcoming town hall

Notable Quotes

• “I have worked for years in the immigrant rights movement, specifically with immigrant youth. I am also the daughter and granddaughter of immigrants... What we are seeing right now is absolutely atrocious. We are seeing a total overreach by the Trump administration.”
  — Annabel Mendoza (07:03)

• “This is a moment where we need to elect leaders who are going to fight. That’s why I’m running because I have been extremely disheartened by the Democratic establishment that to me has ceded the issue of immigration completely to Republicans...”
  — Annabel Mendoza (12:11)

Closing

Annabel Mendoza urges listeners to stay engaged, seek out more information about her campaign, and “stand in solidarity with immigrant communities.” The episode closes with a call to support democracy by participating in campaigns, town halls, and local organizing.

For More:

• Campaign site: anabelleforcongress.com
• Next town hall: Oak Park, date TBA (see campaign site for details)

Tone & Style:
The episode is urgent, passionate, and unflinching in describing state violence, but counterbalanced by hope, community solidarity, and direct calls to action for listeners.