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Charlie Kirk is the Founder and President of Turning Point USA, the largest and fastest growing conservative youth activist organization in the country with over 250,000 student members, over 150 full-time staff, and a presence on over 2,000 high school and college campuses nationwide. Charlie is also the Chairman of Students for Trump, which aims to activate one million new college voters on campuses in battleground states in the lead up to the 2020 presidential election. His social media reaches over 100 million people per month and according to Axios, he is one of the "top 10 most engaged" Twitter handles in the world. He is also the host of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” which regularly ranks among the top news shows on Apple podcast charts.
Trisha McLaughlin on Los Angeles Riots, ICE Raids, and Arresting Criminal Illegal Immigrants Amid Violent Resistance
Trisha McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security joins Charlie Kirk to discuss the escalating riots in Los Angeles and the ongoing ICE enforcement operations targeting criminal illegal immigrants. McLaughlin reveals that ICE agents arrested individuals including a rapist, a second-degree murderer, and someone who threw Molotov cocktails at officers, while facing violent mobs of thousands. She addresses the rhetoric from Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass calling for ICE to release arrested criminals, explains why agents wear masks during raids, and discusses how the upcoming legislation will provide crucial resources for an agency that hasn't grown in 20 years despite 20 million new arrivals to the country.
Trisha McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security provided an update on the riots taking place in Los Angeles and the status of immigration enforcement operations. According to McLaughlin, rioters are gearing up for another day of violence, contrary to claims by Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass that these are peaceful protests. She reported that an individual was arrested for throwing Molotov cocktails at law enforcement officers, and that ICE agents have faced relentless attacks including being pummeled by rocks while maintaining their professionalism and dignity.
Despite the violent resistance, McLaughlin emphasized that ICE is not slowing down but rather doubling down and ramping up enforcement efforts. The agency will continue arresting criminal illegal immigrants regardless of the attempts to deter their work.
Arresting the Worst of the Worst
McLaughlin shared details about some of the individuals arrested in the past 72 hours in Los Angeles, including a rapist with a foreign object, a second-degree murderer, and someone who attempted to kill high schoolers. These arrests represent what she characterized as heinous individuals who have been convicted of crimes and are now being held accountable.
She criticized Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass for calling on ICE to release all those arrested, pointing out that these are convicted criminals being removed from Los Angeles streets. McLaughlin made clear that the agency will not be slowing down and will continue arresting more illegal immigrants.
Responding to Mayor Karen Bass
When asked to respond to Mayor Karen Bass's claims that ICE raids are not warranted and that the chaos was started by Washington DC, McLaughlin called the rhetoric disgusting. She explained that the riots are a natural escalation of left-wing politicians calling ICE enforcement operators Nazis and Gestapo. This rhetoric has contributed to a 413% increase in assaults against ICE officers.
McLaughlin emphasized that ICE enforcement and law enforcement are simply carrying out the law and removing illegal immigrants from American streets. She criticized Bass for not having the backs of law enforcement and praised President Trump for having the moral fortitude to call in the National Guard and other military resources to prevent Los Angeles from experiencing the destruction seen in American cities during 2020.
How ICE Raids Actually Work
McLaughlin walked through what a typical ICE raid or arrest looks like in practice. She explained that the operations are very targeted and typically occur early in the morning, often at work sites based on intelligence about people's daily routines and locations. The agency knows exactly who they are arresting when they conduct these operations.
Addressing concerns about agents wearing masks, McLaughlin clarified that Homeland Security investigators work undercover when targeting members of highly sophisticated cartels like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. These criminal gang rings actively target ICE officers and their families, which is why agents hide their identities with masks. However, when making arrests, agents clearly present that they are with ICE, wearing ICE vests and using ICE vehicles, leaving no question about who they are.
Warning to Those in the Country Illegally
McLaughlin criticized Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass for calling for operations to end, arguing they should instead be informing people that if they are in the country illegally, the Trump administration has given them an opportunity to leave on their own accord. Those who self-deport can receive a $1,000 exit bonus and a free flight home, preserving the potential opportunity to return through legal channels. However, those who refuse will be arrested and will never be allowed to return to this country.
Law Enforcement Under Siege
McLaughlin described scenes of police officers being pelted with deadly objects and forced to take cover under a highway, facing attacks from illegal immigrants. She characterized the lawlessness as remarkable, with officers risking their lives while under siege. The violent resistance demonstrates the dangers law enforcement faces while carrying out their duties.
The Big Beautiful Bill and Resource Needs
When asked about what the legislation will mean for the Department of Homeland Security, McLaughlin explained it will give law enforcement the tools and resources they need to increase arrest numbers of illegal immigrants. With an estimated 15 to 20 million illegal immigrants in the country, including hundreds of thousands or potentially millions who are criminal aliens, gang members, convicted murderers, and rapists, the need for resources is critical.
She pointed to the challenges posed by injunctions from judges attempting to hamstring ICE officers and radical activists ignited by politicians like Newsom. On Friday night, ICE enforcement was completely outnumbered and surrounded by a violent mob, requiring the National Guard to be called in. On Sunday, they were surrounded by 6,000 rioters and vastly outnumbered. The legislation is needed not just to increase arrest numbers but also for the safety of law enforcement officers themselves and the safety of American communities.
ICE Has Not Grown in 20 Years
McLaughlin highlighted a shocking fact: the increase of ICE agents has not happened since the creation of the department. Every other department in the federal government has grown except ICE over the last 20 years, yet the country has invited 20 million new people during that time. ICE is vastly underfunded in terms of personnel. For the last four years, ICE officers have not been receiving pay increases or the typical treatment and resources that other law enforcement agencies in the country receive.
This funding is especially important given the tall task ahead—a mandate from the American people to remove illegal aliens from the country. It is a tough job where officers are putting their lives on the line, facing increased doxing and threats. The agency wants to incentivize the best and brightest to join ICE, and funding from the legislation is part of that effort.
Focus on Visa Overstays and Corrupted Programs
McLaughlin also discussed the emphasis on visa overstays and how that is a focus of the department's deportation efforts. She noted that while the Boulder terrorist was illegally in the country, the Biden administration had completely corrupted the integrity of the legal immigration system through different parole programs. The CHNV program (Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua) allowed millions of illegal immigrants in through what amounted to a rubber stamp process, acting as if they were here legally with very little vetting.
This has been a huge problem because the government does not know exactly who is in the country. Programs like Temporary Protected Status, which was supposed to be used only in extenuating circumstances and temporarily, have been completely corrupted. Once programs like CHNV and Temporary Protected Status are ended, it is critical to have the resources to locate these individuals and, if they do not self-deport on their own, to pick them up, arrest them, and deport them.
Final Message: Support Law Enforcement
McLaughlin concluded by addressing the vilification of law enforcement as incredibly concerning. She encouraged people to thank ICE officers and CBP officers for the hard work they are doing, as politicians are working overtime to demonize and vilify them. She urged the audience to call their congressmen and senators to get the legislation passed, emphasizing it is essential for securing the border and increasing arrest numbers of illegal immigrants.
