What A Day - Episode Summary: "Los Angeles Is Not In Crisis feat. Mayor Karen Bass"

Release Date: June 17, 2025
Host: Jane Coaston
Guest: Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles

1. Introduction to the Los Angeles National Guard Controversy

The episode opens with host Jane Coaston addressing recent political tensions surrounding the deployment of the California National Guard in Los Angeles. This move, initiated by former President Donald Trump in response to anti-immigration raid protests, has sparked significant legal and political debates.

Key Points:

• Legal Battle: A federal appeals court is set to decide whether Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles can continue. Initially, a court ruled in favor of Governor Gavin Newsom, declaring Trump's use of the National Guard illegal. However, this ruling was temporarily paused by the 9th Circuit Court.

• Trump's Justification: President Trump defended the deployment, claiming it was essential to prevent protesters from "ripping Los Angeles apart" (01:27).

  Donald Trump (01:27): "So the protesters, if we didn't have the National Guard on call and ready, they would rip Los Angeles apart."

2. In-Depth Interview with Mayor Karen Bass

Jane Coaston sits down with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to discuss the implications of the National Guard deployment and the broader impact of immigration raids on the city.

Impact on Los Angeles:

• Economic Strain: Mayor Bass highlights the detrimental effects of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids on local businesses, particularly those reliant on immigrant labor. She notes a significant downturn in business activity, drawing parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic's economic impact.

  Karen Bass (03:47): "Even though it's only lasted for a couple of weeks, it's been a body blow to the economy... It has just wrecked havoc and created a sense of fear."

• Community Fear: The raids have instilled fear within the immigrant community, leading to decreased participation in necessary legal processes and risking individuals' legal status.

  Karen Bass (05:04): "People disappear... They have no access, no contact with their family members to let them know that they're okay."

Legal and Legislative Challenges:

• Limited Government Response: Mayor Bass expresses frustration with the federal government's overreach, stating that the executive branch, particularly under Trump's leadership, has sidelined other branches of government, making legislative solutions difficult.

  Karen Bass (06:38): "Congress is majority rules and Democrats are not in the majority now... We really have one branch of the government and that's the executive."

Community Resilience:

• Unified Efforts: Despite the challenges, Mayor Bass emphasizes the importance of community solidarity and support. She mentions collaborative efforts with over 100 community organizations to mitigate the human toll of the raids.

  Karen Bass (07:43): "We stay together and support each other... Everybody is being touched by this."

3. Broader Political and Legal Developments

Following the interview with Mayor Bass, the podcast transitions to other pressing national and international issues.

Israel-Iran Conflict Escalation:

• Military Actions: Israel has intensified its attacks against Iran, including striking a state-run television station during a live broadcast, resulting in significant casualties on both sides.

  Jane Coaston (11:12): "Israel claims it's only targeting sites connected to Iran's nuclear and missile program, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke about the possibility of targeting Iran's Supreme Leader."

• U.S. Involvement: President Trump publicly opposed plans to target Iran’s Supreme Leader, citing concerns over escalating the conflict.

  Eric Trump (10:19): "U.S. officials tell us that the president flatly rejected a plan... His concern is that this would escalate the conflict beyond where it is already."

Trade and Tariffs:

• US-UK Tariff Deal: President Trump announced a new tariff agreement with the United Kingdom, characterized by partial tariff exemptions on steel and goods, though some tariffs remain in place.

  Donald Trump (14:10): "The UK is very well protected. You know why? Because I like them, that's why. That's their ultimate protection."

Immigration Enforcement Funding:

• ICE Financial Strain: The podcast highlights reports that ICE may exhaust its funds by the next month due to the administration's aggressive deportation targets of 3,000 undocumented individuals per day. Legislative efforts appear stagnant, with potential emergency measures looming.

Judicial Rulings on NIH Funding Cuts:

• Legal Reprimand: A Massachusetts federal judge deemed the Trump administration's cuts to NIH grants for research on diversity-related topics as illegal, ordering the restoration of funds.

  Judge William Young (15:09): "I've never seen government racial discrimination like this, and I would be blind not to call it out."

Corporate Developments:

• Eric Trump's T1 Mobile Launch: Eric and Donald Trump Jr. launched T1 Mobile, promoting an "America First" ethos. Despite claims of manufacturing in the USA, analysts are skeptical about the authenticity of these assertions.

  Jane Coaston (16:31): "Industry analysts are skeptical, saying it's most likely a reskinned Android phone made in China."

4. Conclusion and Production Credits

The episode concludes with a brief mention of upcoming segments and production acknowledgments, which are summarized below:

• Strict Scrutiny Segment: An advertisement for "Strict Scrutiny," featuring legal analysis by constitutional law scholars.

• Producer Credits: Recognition of the production team, including Desmond Taylor, Raven Yamamoto, Emily Foer, and others.

Note: Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections have been excluded from this summary as per the episode guidelines.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Donald Trump (01:27): "So the protesters, if we didn't have the National Guard on call and ready, they would rip Los Angeles apart."

• Karen Bass (03:47): "It has just wrecked havoc and created a sense of fear."

• Karen Bass (05:04): "People disappear... They have no access, no contact with their family members to let them know that they're okay."

• Karen Bass (06:38): "We really have one branch of the government and that's the executive."

• Donald Trump (14:10): "The UK is very well protected. You know why? Because I like them, that's why."

• Judge William Young (15:09): "I've never seen government racial discrimination like this, and I would be blind not to call it out."

This episode of "What A Day" provides a comprehensive look into the ongoing political and social challenges facing Los Angeles, particularly in light of federal immigration policies and the deployment of the National Guard. Through insightful discussions with Mayor Karen Bass and coverage of broader national and international issues, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted crises impacting communities today.