The Occupy Democrats Podcast EP #16
Update: 2025-06-12
Description
Hosts Jason Kull and Mark Bland tackle the latest issues on this tumultuous evening. Los Angeles is far from its usual summer vibe of pool parties and Fourth of July preparations. Instead, the city grapples with protests sparked by ICE raids that began over the weekend. These operations targeted immigrants at unexpected locations—Ambiance Apparel in the Fashion District, a Home Depot in Westlake, and even immigration courts where individuals complied with legal processes. At least 44 were arrested for immigration violations, igniting widespread anger. Hundreds gathered outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, chanting “set them free,” but the scene turned chaotic as federal agents deployed pepper spray, rubber bullets, and flashbangs to disperse the crowd. The situation escalated when President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops, bypassing Governor Newsom, a move raising serious questions about states’ rights under Title 10. The unrest spread to Paramount and Compton, where protesters threw rocks and fireworks, a car was set ablaze, and an Australian reporter was struck by a rubber bullet. With next week’s “no kings” protests looming, the hosts brace for potential nationwide flashpoints.
They express deep concern about this trajectory, linking it to Trump’s hardline immigration stance and the Project 2025 agenda, which appears to prioritize detaining law-abiding workers over criminals. The masked, militarized tactics of ICE agents evoke historical overreach, prompting them to question the intent behind these actions. Shifting topics, ABC News suspended correspondent Terry Morren after he called Trump and Stephen Miller “world-class haters” on X, a post deleted amid White House backlash. This has ignited a debate on media impartiality, with Morren’s framing of Trump’s hatred as self-glorification and Miller’s as personal fuel adding fuel to the fire.
To conclude on a lighter note, they share their top 10 minor annoyances—lengthy red lights, loud chewing, unexpected knocks—and celebrate Jason’s son Ethan’s graduation with a clip of him crossing the stage. Listeners can follow them at Occupy Democrats for more. The episode wraps with a promise to return next time!
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