Podcast Summary: UNBIASED Politics (June 12, 2025)

Host: Jordan Berman

1. Los Angeles Protests, Riots, and Raids

Timeline of Events

The episode delves extensively into the escalating tensions and unfolding events in Los Angeles over the past week. On Friday around 3:00 PM ([00:25] - [17:00]), ICE agents conducted raids at a Home Depot and a nearby clothing manufacturing site. During the Home Depot raid, migrants began to flee upon hearing "ICE," leading to chaotic scenes in the parking lot. Aerial footage captured Homeland Security agents loading migrants into white vans at the manufacturing site, met with unsuccessful attempts by crowds to halt their departure.

By Friday night, over 40 migrants had been detained, prompting larger protests outside a federal detention facility downtown. Reports from outlets like CBS News highlighted dire conditions within the facility, including families being detained despite prior legal protections. The protests escalated, leading to vandalism and clashes with police using tear gas and batons around 6:30 PM ([00:25] - [17:00]).

On Saturday morning, misinformation about impending raids at another Home Depot in Paramount led to further unrest, including tear gas deployments and fires in Compton by 6:00 PM ([00:25] - [17:00]). President Trump’s signing of a presidential memo authorized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard members to LA, a move immediately opposed by LA’s mayor and California Governor Gavin Newsom, who argued it would exacerbate tensions.

Deployment of the National Guard

The deployment officially occurred on Sunday early morning at 4:00 AM, with National Guard troops positioning themselves at the downtown federal building. The presence of the National Guard coincided with increased violence, including volleys of commercial-grade fireworks targeting officers and the arrest of a female Australian journalist by rubber bullets ([00:25] - [17:00]).

Governor Newsom formally requested the withdrawal of these troops by Sunday night, leading to declarations of an unlawful assembly in downtown LA by the LAPD at midnight. This restricted public gatherings within a five-square-mile area, though the scope remained limited despite the city’s expansive 502 square miles.

By Monday, the military confirmed the addition of 700 Marines and another 2,100 National Guard troops, with projected costs reaching approximately $134 million. Additionally, California’s Attorney General filed a lawsuit challenging the federalized deployment, arguing it violated Title 10 and the 10th Amendment ([00:25] - [17:00]).

Legal and Political Responses

Governor Newsom addressed the nation on Tuesday, emphasizing the broader implications of Trump’s National Guard deployment beyond California. He stated:

“Democracy is next. Democracy is under assault right before our eyes... What Donald Trump wants most is your fealty, your silence to be complicit in this moment. Do not give in to him.”
[22:30]

The lawsuit filed by California’s Attorney General contends that the administration unlawfully federalized the National Guard without Governor Newsom’s consent or a valid legal foundation, mischaracterizing peaceful protests as violent uprisings to justify the deployment.

Notable Incident: DHS Secretary Noem and Senator Alex Padilla

During a DHS press conference in LA, Senator Alex Padilla attempted to question Secretary Noem but was forcibly removed and handcuffed. Noem responded:

“When I leave here, I'll find him and visit and find out what his concerns really were... Has he returned them? No, he hasn't.”
[33:00]

Padilla echoed the sentiment, highlighting concerns over the administration’s response to protests and its impact on communities.

2. Non-Immigration News

Removal of ACIP Members by RFK Jr.

In a significant shift within public health policy, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the removal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP advises the CDC on vaccine use and scheduling. Kennedy cited eroded public trust and alleged corruption:

“The committee has been plagued with persistent conflicts of interest and has become little more than a rubber stamp for any vaccine.”
[45:00]

Former CDC Director Tom Frieden criticized the move, stating:

“Politicizing the ACIP as Secretary Kennedy is doing will undermine public trust...”
[47:00]

Kennedy responded by referencing past reports on conflicts of interest, despite criticism that his data was outdated and misrepresented ([45:00] - [67:44]).

Phase-Out of FEMA by President Trump

President Trump announced plans to phase out FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, aiming to shift disaster response responsibilities to state governments. He stated:

“We want to wean off of FEMA and we want to bring it down to the state level. A governor should be able to handle it and frankly, if they can't handle it, the aftermath, then maybe they shouldn't be governor.”
[50:00]

However, legally, dismantling FEMA would require congressional action, as the president alone cannot eliminate federal agencies. Trump suggested the phase-out would commence post the upcoming hurricane season by November 30th, focusing on reducing federal expenditure ([50:00] - [57:44]).

Renaming of US Army Bases

Trump’s administration proceeded to rename several US Army bases originally honoring Confederate generals. Instead of reinstating the Confederate names, the bases were renamed to honor different military personnel sharing the same surnames. For example:

• Fort Gordon in Georgia was renamed to honor Master Sergeant Gary I. Gordon, a Medal of Honor recipient.
• Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia was changed to Fort Walker, commemorating three Black Union soldiers.

This move reversed prior efforts by Congress and the Biden administration to remove Confederate symbolism from military installations. Critics argue that this strategy fails to address the original intent of eliminating Confederate symbols ([60:00] - [67:44]).

Supreme Court Decisions

The Supreme Court released six decisions, four unanimous and two with significant majorities. Highlights include:

• Martin vs. US: The Court overturned a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit against FBI agents who mistakenly raided the wrong house, ruling that the proper test was not applied. The case will return to determine if the agents’ actions were protected judgment calls ([67:44]).

• AJT vs. Osio Area Schools: The Court mandated that disability discrimination claims by school children must meet the same standards as other contexts, rejecting the lower court’s higher threshold for success ([67:44]).

These decisions indicate a trend towards stricter adherence to established legal standards, with expectations of more contentious rulings as the term progresses ([67:44]).

3. Quick News Updates

• ABC News Fires Terry Moran: Senior correspondent Terry Moran was dismissed following social media posts criticizing Stephen Miller and President Trump. Moran announced he would continue his reporting independently ([67:44]).

• Elon Musk Apologizes to Trump: After internal discussions, Musk apologized for previous posts about Trump, indicating a potential easing of tensions between tech magnates and the administration ([67:44]).

• U.S. Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade: Scheduled to coincide with Trump’s 79th birthday and Flag Day, the parade in Washington, D.C., is expected to cost between $25-45 million and feature over 6,000 soldiers ([67:44]).

• HHS Rehiring 450 Employees: The Trump administration is reinstating over 450 previously fired CDC employees across various divisions, citing prior cutbacks as inappropriate ([67:44]).

• Permanent Residency Medical Exam Requirement: An executive order mandates all permanent residency applicants submit a medical examination form, expanding previous requirements ([67:44]).

• House Agrees to Rescissions Proposal: The House has passed Trump’s proposal to cut $9.4 billion in federal spending, primarily targeting foreign aid and public radio, pending Senate approval ([67:44]).

Conclusion

Jordan Berman provides a comprehensive and factual overview of the latest political developments, emphasizing the chaotic situation in Los Angeles, significant policy shifts under the Trump administration, and pivotal Supreme Court decisions. The episode underscores the tension between federal authority and state governance, the politicization of public health advisory bodies, and ongoing debates over immigration enforcement and civil liberties.

Notable quotes throughout the episode highlight the gravity of the situations discussed and the strong sentiments of key political figures, offering listeners a clear, unbiased perspective on complex and evolving news stories.