The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode Title: Trump Caught on Camera as War Crimes Backfire in his Face
Release Date: October 6, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

In this searing episode, the Meiselas brothers analyze explosive footage and on-the-ground reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents under the Trump regime allegedly committing severe abuses across the United States, including the use of chemical agents, physical violence against nonviolent civilians, and the militarization of federal agencies. The hosts—especially lead anchor Ben—underscore the threat these actions pose to American democracy, bolster their coverage with dramatic first-hand video, and highlight the efforts of citizen journalists and politicians struggling against what they describe as authoritarian overreach. The tone is urgent, unapologetically pro-democracy, and punctuated by moments of righteous anger and solidarity with protestors and victims.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. ICE Agents' Extreme Tactics, Violence, and Chemical Warfare ([01:01] – [03:56])

• Documented Atrocities: Ben opens with recent, graphic examples of ICE using force against citizens and immigrants alike, describing it as "militarized ICE Gestapo" engaging in "chemical warfare" and comparing current events to historical atrocities.
  • Quote [01:01], Ben:
    "Donald Trump has been caught on tape yet again unleashing some of the biggest atrocities we've ever seen here in the United States."
• Incident 1: Los Angeles Assault ([01:45]): Officers tackle a woman outside an ICE facility, with witnesses shouting accusations of sexual assault.
  • Quote [02:13], Witness:
    "What the fuck are you doing? You guys are pulling your fucking clothes off. Sexual assault is happening right now."
• Incident 2: Portland Pepper Spray ([03:56]): Peaceful conversations with ICE agents devolve when chemical agents are sprayed point blank into a woman's face.

2. ICE Attempting Disappearances and Public Pushback ([04:30] – [07:00])

• South Side Chicago Abduction Attempt ([04:30]): ICE agents try to detain an individual; locals intervene, honking and confronting ICE until the person escapes.
  • Quote [05:19], Protester:
    "Let him go."
• ICE Intimidation of Protesters ([07:00]): Agents repeatedly draw weapons on peaceful demonstrators nationwide.
  • Quote [07:27], Protester:
    "That's right. That's right. Get the fuck out of here, man."

3. ICE’s Escalating Aggression and Undermining of Law Enforcement ([07:39] – [14:20])

• ICE vs. Law Enforcement: ICE agents use chemical agents against Chicago PD, exposing even police to their tactics ([07:39]).
• Disinformation and False Reports ([14:20]): ICE accused of making bogus 911 calls to create confusion and to antagonize local law enforcement in Chicago.
  • Quote [15:45], Police:
    "Do you believe that that was a false call?"
    "I do."

4. Judicial, Political, and Community Resistance ([10:41] – [14:20])

• Judicial Rebuke ([10:41]): A Portland judge labels Trump's deployment of militarized law enforcement "untethered to the facts" and likens the situation to martial law.
• Trump’s Response to Court Orders ([10:41] – [11:33]): Trump allegedly ignores federal injunctions, calling up the California National Guard to Portland in what the hosts frame as open defiance.
  • Quote [11:38], Trump speech excerpt:
    "Portland is burning to the ground. It’s insurrectionists all over the place. It’s Antifa... They pretend like there’s nothing happening."

5. Gripping Firsthand and Community Stories ([12:56] – [18:11])

• Snipers on Rooftops / Provocations ([12:56]): ICE agents position "snipers" with pepper-ball guns above crowds of peaceful protesters.
  • Quote [12:56], Citizen journalist:
    "We have snipers on the roof that are shooting pepper balls at peaceful protesters... Now we have smoke being thrown..."
  • Quote [13:57], Witness:
    "They are literally using gas to cover their retreat... if this place is called a war zone for any reason, it’s because ICE, DHS, and police are making it look that way."
• Victims and Families Targeted ([16:23]): Story of Letitia “Letty” Nes, whose family raised $16,000 for a green card and who was detained by ICE at her final appointment.
  • Quote [17:18], Steven Rodriguez (Letty’s son):
    "She was having an interview to get her green card, and instead of receiving her green card, she was taken in handcuffs. …She’s the model citizen. She’s being treated like a criminal."
• ICE Brutality against US Citizens ([18:25]): Video and coverage of ICE agents body-slamming an unarmed citizen standing peacefully on the sidewalk.
  • Quote [18:45], Bystander:
    "He’s not doing anything. He’s not doing anything."

6. Escalation of ICE Budgets & Detention Capacity ([18:11])

• Reporting on Congress’s approval of a $3 billion budget for ICE, designed to double detention center capacity to 50,000 beds.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben condemns ongoing ICE tactics ([01:01]):

  “Donald Trump has been caught on tape yet again unleashing some of the biggest atrocities we've ever seen here in the United States."

• Protester during ICE assault ([02:13]):

  “You guys are pulling your fucking clothes off. Sexual assault is happening right now.”

• Trump’s own rhetoric on Portland ([11:38]):

  “Portland is burning to the ground. It’s insurrectionists all over the place. It’s Antifa…”

• Community member on rooftop snipers ([12:56]):

  “We have snipers on the roof that are shooting pepper balls at peaceful protesters... Now we have smoke being thrown…”

• Letty Nes’s son on her detention ([17:18]):

  “She’s a mother. She’s a church attendee. She does community service. She’s the model citizen. She’s being treated like a criminal.”

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:01] – Ben begins coverage of ICE “atrocities;” L.A. assault incident described
• [03:56] – Portland chemical spray incident
• [04:30] – South Side Chicago attempted ICE abduction and community resistance
• [07:00] – ICE agents pull weapons on protesters
• [10:41] – Judge condemns Trump’s martial law tactics
• [11:38] – Trump’s speech excerpt on Portland
• [12:56] – ICE snipers and pepper ball shootings in Portland
• [14:20] – ICE fakes 911 calls to antagonize police
• [16:23] – Letty Nes’ story: family’s heartbreak after ICE detention
• [18:25] – ICE body slam of U.S. citizen on camera

Tone and Style

Consistent with the MeidasTouch brand, the episode is direct, impassioned, and unapologetically critical of Trump and ICE. There is brotherly banter and some moments of dark humor, but this episode stays focused on activism and solidarity, making both factual and emotional appeals to listeners. The use of direct quotes and live video/audio immerses listeners in the emotional weight of the events.

Summary For New Listeners

If you missed the episode, the Meiselas brothers fiercely document and denounce a series of ICE abuses caught on camera under Trump’s regime: from sexual assaults and chemical warfare against civilians, to attempts to “disappear” people off the street, to armed intimidation of protesters. Firsthand accounts, video clips, and family stories highlight both the suffering of the victims and the everyday resistance of ordinary Americans. Judges and police are shown struggling to push back against the administration’s extreme measures, while communities rally publicly to defend neighbors. The episode ends with a call to action and a stark warning about the growing normalization of militarized federal violence.