Summary of "Protests In L.A. Over Trump's Immigration Policies"
The NPR Politics Podcast
Release Date: June 9, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The NPR Politics Podcast, hosts Sarah McCammon, Rachel Bustia, and Tom Bowman delve into the escalating tensions in Los Angeles sparked by President Donald Trump's recent immigration policies. The discussion encompasses the surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, the unprecedented federalization of the National Guard, reactions from California officials, and significant legal cases affecting immigration enforcement.

Escalation of Immigration Enforcement in California

The episode begins with Rachel Bustia outlining the recent surge in ICE activities across California. She notes, “[...] last week there were several arrests throughout the state, but particularly on Friday, there were at least three specific immigration enforcement operations” (01:14). These operations culminated on Saturday with ICE announcing the arrest of 118 individuals. The intensity of these enforcement actions led to widespread protests in Los Angeles, with residents expressing strong opposition to the arrests in their communities.

Federalization of the National Guard

A pivotal moment discussed is President Trump's decision to federalize the National Guard in response to the protests. Tom Bowman highlights the rarity of such a move, stating, “It's pretty unusual. It has happened in the past [...] Very, very unusual” (02:22). He references historical instances, such as Lyndon Johnson’s use of the National Guard during the civil rights movement, to emphasize the gravity of the current situation. Unlike typical deployments for natural disasters, this federalization is directly tied to immigration enforcement and civil unrest.

Department of Homeland Security Memo and Guard Deployment Plans

Tom Bowman further elaborates on a recent memo from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which requests up to 20,000 National Guard members to support immigration enforcement. He explains, “this memo from May 9 [...] up to 3,500 Guard personnel for field investigative units” (04:39). The roles outlined include surveillance, night operations, rural interdiction, and guard duty at detention facilities. Notably, the memo suggests the possibility of deploying Guard members across state lines, a departure from standard protocol, raising concerns about jurisdictional overreach.

California Officials' Response to Federal Actions

Rachel Bustia reports strong resistance from California’s leadership against the federalization of the National Guard. She cites LA Mayor Karen Bass, who criticized the move as an attempt “to sow chaos” (09:29), and Governor Gavin Newsom, who publicly requested President Trump to revoke the deployment and indicated plans to sue the administration. This resistance underscores a significant state-federal conflict over immigration policy enforcement.

Potential Expansion of National Guard Deployment

The discussion shifts to the likelihood of the National Guard deployment extending beyond California. Tom Bowman predicts a high probability of expansion, given the DHS memo and the administration's aggressive stance. Rachel adds, “...we have to keep an eye on that as well” (05:56), highlighting the unprecedented nature of the proposed cross-state Guard deployments. This development suggests a possible nationwide intensification of immigration enforcement efforts.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Case: A Legal Battle

The episode also covers the high-profile case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident wrongfully deported to El Salvador. Rachel Bustia outlines the case, noting, “Abrego Garcia was a man who was living in Maryland, and he was arrested by ICE [...] deported to El Salvador” (11:09). Despite a 2019 immigration judge's order preventing his deportation to El Salvador due to safety concerns, Garcia was sent to a notorious prison facility. Following litigation and a Supreme Court ruling favoring his return, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced his repatriation. However, Garcia now faces new federal charges related to alien smuggling, complicating his legal situation and raising questions about the administration’s immigration enforcement integrity.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with hosts summarizing the turbulent state of immigration policy enforcement under President Trump’s administration. The federalization of the National Guard in California marks a significant escalation, inviting widespread protests and legal challenges. The Kilmar Abrego Garcia case exemplifies the contentious and often contradictory nature of current immigration policies, highlighting the deep divisions and legal complexities at play.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Rachel Bustia (01:14): “Last week there were several arrests throughout the state. [...] especially on Friday, there were at least three specific immigration enforcement operations.”

• Tom Bowman (02:22): “It's pretty unusual. It has happened in the past. [...] Very, very unusual.”

• President Trump (03:33): “We have to send in the National Guard. I'm taking control of the California National Guard.”

• LA Mayor Karen Bass (09:29): “This kind of coordination to deploy the National Guard was not the right move. It's an effort to sow chaos.”

• Governor Gavin Newsom (09:29): “[...] I have asked Trump to rescind the unlawful deployment and we plan to sue the president over this.”

• Rachel Bustia (14:00): “There are still a lot of questions about what will happen in that case. [...] yet to see what happens in the Maryland case as well.”

Timestamp Reference Guide:

• 01:14: Rachel Bustia discusses recent ICE operations in California.
• 02:22: Tom Bowman on the unusual federalization of the National Guard.
• 03:33: Rachel Bustia quotes President Trump’s justification for deploying the National Guard.
• 04:39: Tom Bowman elaborates on the DHS memo requesting National Guard support.
• 05:56: Rachel Bustia discusses potential interstate deployment of the National Guard.
• 09:29: Responses from LA Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom.
• 11:09: Rachel Bustia outlines the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case.
• 14:00: Rachel Bustia comments on ongoing legal uncertainties.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a clear understanding of the current state of immigration policy enforcement and the significant reactions it has elicited in Los Angeles and beyond.