Trump Busted on Footage Before Full Invasion Starts

Summary

---

The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Busted on Footage Before Full Invasion Starts
Date: September 10, 2025

---

Overview

This intense episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, led by the Meiselas brothers and their team, documents a disturbing escalation of ICE raids and federal crackdowns under the Trump administration. Through raw citizen footage and frontline reports, the hosts spotlight the authoritarian tactics being used to round up immigrants, target minority U.S. citizens, disrupt families, and trample on civil rights. The episode serves as both a call to action and a catalogue of abuses—intending to rally democratic resistance and expose the regime's overreach.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. ICE Crackdown: Brutality and Civil Rights Violations

• Opening Call to Action: The episode starts with a heartfelt plea to share footage exposing ICE brutality, highlighting the need for awareness and resistance.
  • “It's not a question of whether authoritarianism is coming, it is here. Right now the question is what do we do to fight back? We expose it, we resist, we build this grassroots movement together.” (Michael Tracey, 01:57)
• Reports of ICE, described by hosts as “Trump’s Gestapo,” deploying militarized tactics against migrants and citizens protesting or near detention centers.
• Citizen journalists are celebrated for capturing and surfacing these abuses.
• Notable incident: In LA, peaceful protesters—including a woman—are tackled and dragged by federal agents, while in Portland, even veterans and nurses are not spared.

2. Authoritarian Policy Backing by the Supreme Court

• Detailed condemnation of Supreme Court decisions that enable racial profiling and prioritize targeting Latinos and Black Americans.
  • "The fascist right wing United States Supreme Court has basically said go for it. Racially profile Latinos." (Michael Tracey, 08:22)

3. Specific Raids and Firsthand Accounts

A. New York Immigration Courthouse

• Sandy Bacon, a frontline independent journalist, documents ICE agents confronting a U.S. citizen, demanding identification and nearly detaining him.
  • "Why he push me? Listen to me, listen to me. … Okay, this my license. You can check everything, whatever you want." (00:00-08:20, paraphrased)
• The broader pattern: citizens with brown or black skin are routinely harassed.

B. Cato, New York—Granola Bar Factory Raid

• ICE and local sheriffs surround a factory, selectively detain “Hispanic-looking” employees, and prevent some from accessing ID or legal papers.
• Testimony from the company’s owner highlights the shock, the sense of inhumanity, families separated, and community upheaval.
  • "To have them taken away is not only unfortunate, it's just inhumane almost the way you see it." (Lenny Schmidt, 12:05)

C. Chicago—Elderly Street Vendor Targeted

• ICE agents, some displaying Trump campaign symbols (potential Hatch Act violations), detain a beloved elderly street florist.
• Community response is one of shock, sadness, and determination, with activists refusing to “tolerate our people getting kidnapped.”
  • “People may be afraid, but also people are determined to say this is our home, this is where we belong, and we will not just sit back and tolerate our people getting kidnapped.” (16:47)

D. Asheville, NC—ICE Ambushes Exonerated Man

• After being found not guilty in court, Jadiel Sanchez is seized in a crosswalk by heavily armed ICE agents.
• Eyewitness attorneys and local police express fears of inter-agency conflict and describe the scene as “shocking in that this is America.”
  • "People in tactical gear and long guns run towards somebody and literally just grab them." (James Mills, 20:11)

E. Georgia—Hyundai Plant Raid

• ICE raids a Hyundai plant seeking a handful of Latino workers but instead detains legal South Korean workers with valid visas, harming international business relations.
• Absence of Korean translators points to ignorance and recklessness in execution.
  • “They were looking for four Latino workers. That’s it. … The Koreans were never part of the plan, which is why they didn’t even bring a single Korean translator with them.” (Lawyer for employees, 23:15)

4. Community & Political Reactions

• New York’s governor condemns the family-separating raids, vowing to oppose inhumane practices while seeking “real” security and just policies.
  • “We will never stand for masked ICE agents separating families and abandoning children. … Today's raids will not make New York safer. What they did was shatter hardworking families.” (13:40)
• Congressman Garcia in Chicago warns that such intimidation may increase during cultural celebrations, highlighting the regime’s use of fear as political intimidation.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I rarely ask for favors, but we need as many people in this country and the world to know what is truly taking place in the United States as people are being rounded up, beaten, sent to concentration camps, disappeared, and having their lives destroyed by this authoritarian regime."
  (Michael Tracey, 01:57)

• “This is not going after the worst of the worst, as Trump or Secretary Noem have tried to justify. This is racial profiling, it’s discriminatory, it’s wrong, and it is a potential threat against the civil rights of everyone in this country.”
  (Michael Tracey, 17:50)

• "Men with tactical vests stop in the middle of the road to take away a human being."
  (Michael Tracey, 20:31)

• Community solidarity:
  “People may be afraid, but also people are determined to say this is our home, this is where we belong, and we will not just sit back and tolerate our people getting kidnapped.” (16:47)

• Industry impact:
  “These individuals were working for those companies in installing the plant. So the plant could then employ U.S. workers. … And here are the people in their shackles.” (Hyundai plant lawyer, 23:15 & Michael Tracey, 25:02)

---

Important Timestamps

• 01:57: Michael Tracey’s impassioned call to expose ICE brutality and fight authoritarianism
• 05:30: Sandy Bacon’s frontline reporting at a New York immigration courthouse
• 09:44: Granola bar factory raid in Cato, NY—mass detentions, families separated
• 13:28: NY governor’s response denouncing family-separating raids
• 16:25: Chicago flower vendor and community response to ICE intimidation, evidence of political partisanship in enforcement
• 18:34: Armed ICE arrest of acquitted North Carolina man outside courthouse
• 22:08: Hyundai plant raid: legal South Korean workers detained, economic consequences

---

Tone & Style

The episode is urgent, raw, and deeply personal. There is palpable outrage, sadness, and a fierce commitment to democratic values and civil rights. True to MeidasTouch’s style, the hosts blend detailed reporting, emotional appeals, and a sense of collective action—always encouraging listeners to get involved, stay informed, and resist creeping authoritarianism.

---

Conclusion

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast offers a thorough and emotional record of the Trump administration’s ICE policies in action, from brutal detentions of innocent citizens to massive factory raids and the trampling of constitutional rights. Through firsthand accounts, video evidence, and analysis, the Meiselas brothers and their correspondents issue a clear warning: American democracy and civil rights are under immediate threat, and only broad, informed resistance can stop the slide into authoritarianism.

---

Transcript

[Michael Tracey]

This episode is brought to you by Lifelock. When you visit the doctor, you probably hand over your insurance, your ID and contact details. It's just one of the many places that has your personal info and if any of them accidentally expose it, you could be at risk for identity theft. Lifelock monitors millions of data points a second. If you become a victim, they'll fix it, guaranteed or your money back. Save up to 40% your first [e-mail] podcast terms apply. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, Monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliate. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations Introducing Family Freedom from T Mobile we'll pay off four phones up to $3200 and give you four free phones, all on America's largest 5G network. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com FamilyFreedom up to $800 per line via virtual prepaid card typically takes 15 days. Free phones via 24 monthly bill credits with finance agreement eg Apple iPhone16128Gigabyte829 99 eligible trade in eg iPhone 11 Pro for well qualified credits end and balance due if you pay off early or cancel contact T Mobile.

[Kimberly King]

A Mochi Moment from Mark who writes I just want to thank you for making GLP1s affordable. What would have been over $1,000 a month is just $99 a month with Mochi. Money shouldn't be a barrier to healthy weight. Three months in and I have smaller jeans and a bigger wallet. You're the best. Thanks Mark. I'm Mayra Amit, founder of Mochi Health. To find your mochi moment, visit joinmochi.com Mark is a Mochi member compensated for his story?

[Michael Tracey]

It's videos like this why we created the Midas Touch Network. Donald Trump is unleashing hell across the United States as he sends his ICE Gestapo in militarized formation to attack migrants and citizens alike. I have a favor to ask of you. Please share this video with as many people as you can. I rarely ask for favors, but we need as many people in this country and the world to know what is truly taking place in the United States as people are being rounded up, beaten, sent to concentration camps, disappeared, and having their lives destroyed by this authoritarian regime. It's not a question of whether authoritarianism is coming, it is here Right now the question is what do we do to fight back? We expose it, we resist, we build this grassroots movement together. And I want to give a shout out to all these citizen journalists, the courageous citizen journalists who have helped capture these videos. So what you'll see right here, two more ICE protesters getting brutally slammed headfirst into pavement in Los Angeles, sending a man to the hospital for a concussion check. Peacefully protesting. A woman is tackled by four agents, then dragged across the street. With each agent grabbing a hand or foot. At least 245 US citizens have been arrested over the past five months. I think that number is actually significantly higher now for peacefully protesting outside of the Metropolitan Detention center in downtown Los Angeles. You'll see these Homeland Security so called officers behaving in this horrific way. Here, play this clip. Back up, back up. Then we go to Portland, Oregon where an ICE protester is brutally slammed backwards into concrete for simply calling out the agent. Over the course of the ICE protest in Portland, a US veteran was tackled and pinned down, suffocating in tear gas. A nurse was shot with pepper ball in the eye for using a megaphone. You have. Schools were forced to close to move locations due to excessive tear gas along with other chemical munitions. Let me show you what took place. Let's play it you.

[Kimberly King]

Boy, I bet your mom's real fucking proud of you. Shut up.

[Michael Tracey]

And next I want to give a shout out to my friend Sandy Bacon. And she's been in that federal courthouse in New York, that immigration courthouse. She's there basically every day documenting the atrocities that are being committed in. Here's what she just recorded. And everybody support Sandy Bacon's work. She's got a paypal, she's an independent video journalist who I think is one of the best out there. And she's been doing this for a long time and she's on the front lines always exposing authoritarianism. Sandy writes tense moments outside immigration court today at 26 Federal Plaza. A man leaves his scheduled hearing and, and he's surrounded by ICE agents asking his name. He yells, why are you pushing me? I'm a U.S. citizen. Let me get my paperwork. Why are you attacking me? What the hell is going on here? Take a look at what Sandy captured. And we're seeing this at that immigration courthouse over and over again. Here, play this clip. Why? Put it out one step. Okay, look at me. Yeah, I look at you, but yeah, I gotta prove it. Yeah, I gotta prove it. Why he push me? Listen to me, listen to me. Okay, yeah, I have, I have. No, but why he push me. Why he push me? Why he push me? Okay, this my license. You can check everything, whatever you want. We'll check it right now. What's your name? Why he pushed me? That's not. That's not right. You can check every. Whatever you want. Why? Why he push me? Why would you push? You didn't identify yourself. We were intending to question who you were, to see if you were someone that we were going to want to take into custody. At that time, we were going to take you to a secure area so we can question you some more. Okay. Once we realized in Ukraine that you're US Citizen, we found out what that was and we stopped trying to take you to security areas. Okay. That's what was going on. Okay. But this not the right. What he does at the time. Taking to a place where we could. Question. I was asking. I. I was answering the question, right? I was trying to answer.

[Kimberly King]

You didn't answer the question.

[Michael Tracey]

Thank you, sir. Thank you. Now it should be noted that the fascist right wing United States Supreme Court has basically said go for it. Racially profile Latinos. If someone has brown or black skin and you think that they're in an area where there may be migrants, go after them first, ask questions later. And we're seeing what happens with this dastardly and despicable Trump regime. Next, I want to show you an ICE raid at a granola bar factory. ICE surrounds the building with guard dogs. Agents detain every Hispanic looking employee whether they are a US citizen or not. And they let everyone else go. We feel terrorized. There is no explanation, says the owners. 70 of the 150 people working were taken away in white vans by masked individuals. Some had their legal IDs in their cars, but weren't even allowed to get their licenses or their legal IDs. The owners were shocked by the raid because they are particularly diligent in hiring migrant workers. The incident occurred at the Nutrition Bar Confectioners plant in Cato, New York. Here, play this clip.

[Kimberly King]

Video shared with CMY Central by the statewide advocacy group Rural and Migrant Ministry shows people being led out of the facility in Cato and into a van labeled Border Patrol. They don't appear to be handcuffed, but they aren't allowed to go anywhere except that waiting van. Those at the scene say dozens were detained by federal officials. The Rural and Migrant Ministry says these people were taken to a detention center in Oswego County. The Sheriff's department there has not responded to our questions.

[Michael Tracey]

And tonight, new video from what appears to Be the moment that Homeland Security agents confronted workers inside the facility. In this video, you can see agents talking to workers, most of them women, many of whom are using their phones to record the interaction or, or perhaps call family or for help. This video was sent to a trusted source of CNY Central who then forwarded to our team.

[Kimberly King]

Our team reviewed these videos and found identifiable federal officers and workers that are seen in both of them. The officers can be recognized by their clothing, some of whom have logos for sports teams and non government organizations. CNY Central also reviewed the style of their body, armored vests and duty belts along with the contents attached to them to verify those seen in the two videos are in fact the same people.

[Michael Tracey]

Now, local law enforcement did help the federal officials in today's raid. Cuba County Sheriff Brian Schenck says his office was contacted by the federal government to assist with traffic and security at the site while the Homeland Security investigation took place. The raid in Cato left dozens of families without answers tonight.

[Kimberly King]

Yeah, that is certainly a question that we've been looking into. Gary Robinson Jr. Spoke with part of the company's leadership and people who say loved ones may never come home to their families.

[Michael Tracey]

It started as a normal workday at Nutrition Bar Confectioners until federal agents swarmed the Cato factory. Lenny Schmidt is an owner of the company. Came into work today and, you know, a bunch of federal agents, sheriff's department were here conducting an investigation. I'm not sure how many, probably could be about 100 wasn't able to get into the facility. They weren't letting anybody in there. Schmidt says it was a terrifying scene. Officers with dogs and vehic surrounding the factory. The people that work for us are, you know, every single one of them are wonderful people. You know, they work hard, they come to work smiling. Every one of them is special. And to have them taken away is not only unfortunate, it's just inhumane almost the way you see it, you know, as it's being conducted. Schmidt says most of those detained were Hispanic workers. And many families now have no idea who, where their loved ones are. Outside the factory, cars still sit in the lot, a stark reminder of the people who never went home. It's the first week of school. A lot of classes are starting for, you know, college students and everybody. This, this raid has disrupted a lot of families, hardworking families. All the, all the kids are going to come home from school and ask, you know, where is, where's my mom, where's my dad? Schmidt says the factory lost a full day of production, but the bigger loss is to the community. You feel for these, for these people that get taken away and they have families, they have children, and they don't know what happened to them. You know, there is no, like, no warning, no rhyme or reason, just, boom, gone. We reached out to numerous state agencies for their response, and we are still waiting to hear back from many of them. Reporting in Cato, I'm Gary Robinson Jr.

[Kimberly King]

Well, tonight the governor responded to this, saying New York will work with the federal government to secure our borders and deport violent criminals. But we will never stand for masked ICE agents separating families and abandoning children.

[Michael Tracey]

She goes on to say, today's raids will not make New York safer. What they did was shatter hardworking families who are simply trying to build a life here, just like millions of immigrants before then. Here's the hard truth. Nearly half of American adults say they would suffer financial hardship within six months of losing their primary income earners. That's not just policy failure. It's financial crisis waiting to happen. With policygenius, you can protect your future and your families with tools that are easy to use and coverage that actually makes sense. Policygenius makes finding and buying life insurance simple, ensuring that your loved ones have a financial safety net they can use in case something happens to you. Whether to cover debts and routine expenses or even invest the money and earn interest over time, you can compare quotes from top insurers and find coverage that fits your needs and your budget. With Policygenius, you can find life insurance policies starting at just $276 a year for $1 million in coverage. It's an easy way to protect the people you love and feel good about the future. Policygenius helps you compare your options by getting quotes from America's top insurers in just a few clicks. To find your lowest price, talk to a team of licensed agents who will walk you through the process step by step. They answer your questions, handle paperwork, and advocate for you throughout the process. PolicyGenius lays out all your options clearly. Coverage, amounts, price terms. No guesswork, just clarity. We fight for justice, but real security starts at home. Visit policygenius.com midas to compare quotes, understand your options, and take control of your future. It's one of the most empowering financial decisions you can make. That's policygenius.com Midas in this next video I'm going to show you, ice detains an elderly Chicago man selling flowers. An agent wore a special gold Trump loyalty pin on his official uniform, which in my opinion, is against the law. The hatch act forbids any wearing or displaying of partisan political pins during arrest. ICE also told witnesses and Make America Safe. Verbal campaign messages are also prohibited. The Chicago alderwoman Gutierrez said that the pin is emblematic of a hate campaign targeting Latino families rather than focusing on actual criminals. This incident occurred amid height and ICE activity in Chicago neighborhoods like Archer Heights. Here, watch this. They didn't have a court order to come to pick up. Someone that sells flowers on a street corner here has been doing it for years.

[Kimberly King]

Surveillance video from a nearby restaurant shows a man whom residents say sells flowers on the street being detained by multiple individuals wearing bulletproof vests labeled Police and Federal Agent. At least one done in a Donald Trump shaped gold colored pin. Selena Marin, a regular customer of the man taken away, says she's heartbroken. He's been a flower under here for quite some time. You see him consistently, especially on the weekends. Very sweet gentleman, never causing problems with anyone. Community activists showing up in the same spot too, saying others have also been taken into custody today in similar fashion, including this man detained at 47th and Archer marched to a waiting vehicle while surrounded by armed men. People may be afraid, but also people are determined to say this is our home, this is where we belong, and we will not just sit back and tolerate our people getting kidnapped. All of this happening in the wake of a massive march Saturday. Thousands taken to the streets protesting against President Trump as the city prepares for the possibility of ramped up federal enforcement officials say the bill of goods being sold as a crackdown on crime is directly at odds with the reality witnessed today in Chicago.

[Michael Tracey]

This is not going after the worst of the worst, as Trump or Secretary Noem have tried to justify. This is racial profiling, it's discriminatory, it's wrong, and it is a potential threat against the civil rights of everyone in this country.

[Kimberly King]

Now, the street vendor we do have a full name for, we have tried to see if there's a criminal history there. We've not been able to find one. Congressman Garcia did add today he expects a to see more of what he calls intimidation tactics, like today in the run up to the Mexican Independence Day celebrations next week. We did also reach out to ICE today for comment and we've yet to hear back. Well, I've done 10 tonight. WGN News.

[Michael Tracey]

Next up, you have ice detaining a man on a busy crosswalk with long guns drawn after he was found not guilty in a jury trial. The judge even ordered his bailiff to escort the man out of the courthouse, but agents jumped him. Masked agents Jumped him and tried to beat him. Sheriff said he's concerned about a blue on blue incident where a deputy gets shot in the line of duty over miscommunications between agencies. Jadiel Sanchez had been found not guilty of assault by a jury in North Carolina. This guy owns a car shop. He's lived in North Carolina for 20 years. He came to the courthouse seeking justice. He cleared his name and then he got beat and kidnapped by ICE agents. Here, play this clip. ICE officers armed with long guns stopped in the middle of the street and arrested a man outside of the Buncombe county courthouse.

[Kimberly King]

Now that man was recently found not.

[Michael Tracey]

Guilty in a jury trial. Kimberly King joins us live now from near where this happened.

[Kimberly King]

And Kim, you spoke with an eyewitness there. Patrick? That's right. An attorney who was just coming outside the courthouse along with Amaya Sanchez's attorney who says it happened right here in the crosswalk. ICE agents getting out.

[Michael Tracey]

I was standing right over here.

[Kimberly King]

Asheville attorney James Mills recounts how he saw ICE agents stop on college and get out. He took this picture as they took into custody the man in the blue shirt.

[Michael Tracey]

People in tactical gear and long guns run towards somebody and literally just grab them.

[Kimberly King]

So you believe it was ice?

[Michael Tracey]

Yes.

[Kimberly King]

The sheriff's department confirmed it.

[Michael Tracey]

This was about 11am and it was.

[Kimberly King]

Shocking in that this is America.

[Michael Tracey]

Men with tactical vests stop in the middle of the road to take away a human being.

[Kimberly King]

46 year old Jadeel Amaya Sanchez had recently been found not guilty of a home break in. He was leaving the courthouse on a civil filing his attorney believes was unwarranted.

[Michael Tracey]

This victim's wife said that within 10 minutes of being acquitted by a jury of his peers, Mr. Maya Sanchez attempted to run her down. This car in the parking garage. That didn't sound like something that the man I just spent a week trying to taste with would ever do.

[Kimberly King]

His attorney says his client remains in ICE custody.

[Michael Tracey]

I spoke to his daughter on Friday evening. She's been in touch with our office and it looked like Friday that Charlotte. I'm not sure where he is now.

[Kimberly King]

An attorney for the sheriff confirms an individual with federal credentials entered the courthouse and inquired about courtroom locations. ICE is communicating with Buncombe sheriffs regarding detainers and warrants. Although that's law. The sheriff is seeking the same notice for any apprehension at or near the courthouse to promote safe apprehension techniques.

[Michael Tracey]

It was terrifying for those watching.

[Kimberly King]

James noticed the surprise on the Buncombe county bailiff's face.

[Michael Tracey]

It seemed like he was told to back off and he did.

[Kimberly King]

Now, his attorney actually told us that there was a Buncombe deputy who was escorting him because Amaya Sanchez had requested that after he left that hearing where he was found not guilty and then was picked up by the ICE agents here. Reporting live from outside the Buncombe county courthouse, Kimberly King is 13.

[Michael Tracey]

Next, I want to show you a lawyer for the Hyundai plant employees. Remember in Georgia, Trump's ICE gestapo raided a factory, a Hyundai factory where they make batteries. There was about 350 South Korean workers there, all with legal papers, maybe even as many as 400 who were training the American workers how to work in that plant. Again, they were there on a temporary basis with their papers, but then Trump's Gestapo went military style and raided that plant. Let me show you what the lawyer has to say here. Play this clip. We represent several employees from different Korean companies that were engaged in the plant construction and development. One thing I think that's been unclear through all this is why did ICE and a specific part of ICE HSI go to this plant? As the reporter mentioned, they were looking for four Latino workers. That's it. In fact, when ICE went to this plant, we have now found out they didn't understand that there were a lot of Koreans there. The Koreans were never part of the plan, which is why they didn't even bring a single Korean translator with them. It turns out that the vast majority of these Korean workers weren't pounding nails. They weren't building facilities. They were working on what's called after sales service and installation pursuant to valid visas in the United States. Every one of these individuals had entered on a visa. They had told Customs and Border Protection why they were here for those that actually had visas as opposed to esta. They had gone to the consulate and explained they were working for companies that were selling the parts of the plant that create the batteries from their foreign companies. It turns out there's only three companies in the entire world that actually make the equipment that allows you to make batteries, and none of those companies are in the United States. These individuals were working for those companies in installing the plant. So the plant could then employ U.S. workers. And then finally, let me just show you what that raid looked like. Let me show you the vehicles. And this is a video that ICE made attacking a Hyundai plant in Georgia with workers with their papers who have now are on a charter plane going back to South Korea. And this is going to significantly harm the economy. Here's one video. Play it. GSP in position.

[Kimberly King]

North side.

[Michael Tracey]

He's here, buddy. Keep coming this way. Please. So as. So as. And here are the people in their shackles. You can see it again. I I want to make sure I'm always highlighting the independent journalists, citizen journalists, career journalists like Sandy Bacon in pieces like this. And again, you can see and you can support her work as an independent video journalist on Venmo. Sandy dash Bacon on PayPal. Sandy Bacon. She's been doing this for a very long time. She's a consummate professional and someone we're proud to promote here on the Midas Touch Network. So hit subscribe, let's get to 6 million and thank you so much for watching. Love this video. Support independent media and unlock exclusive content, ad free videos and custom emojis Emojis. By becoming a paid member of our YouTube channel today, you can also gift memberships to others. Let's keep growing together.

[Kimberly King]

It's that time of year again. Back to school season. And Instacart knows that the only thing harder than getting back into the swing of things is getting all the back to school supplies, snacks and essentials you need. So here's your reminder to make your life a little easier this season. Shop favorites from Staples, Best Buy and Costco, all delivered through Instacart, so that you can get some time back and do whatever it is that you need to get your life back on track. Instacart, we're here.