Recent immigration raids in Los Angeles sparked controversy and unrest, leading to a chaotic weekend marked by protests and police involvement.
On Friday, significant ICE operations targeting undocumented immigrants unfolded in downtown Los Angeles’ Fashion District and outside Home Depot locations in Paramount.
The consequences of these raids led to the arrest of several individuals, including union official David Huerta, as protests erupted in response to the aggressive actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Dissatisfied with local leaders’ handling of the situation, President Donald Trump made the contentious decision to deploy the National Guard, igniting further tensions.
This unprecedented move was met with notable opposition from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom, who criticized the decision as potentially unlawful.
As the situation intensified, protesters took to the streets, resulting in temporary freeway closures and incidents of vandalism, including damage to downtown stores and vehicles.
Amidst the chaos, Tom Homan, the president’s border advisor, issued a controversial threat to arrest Newsom if protests against the immigration enforcement continued.
In a bold response, Newsom publicly challenged Homan, indicating that California would pursue legal action against the Trump administration for exacerbating the tensions with their military response.
Over the weekend, Phil McGraw, commonly known as Dr. Phil, emerged as an unexpected figure amidst the unrest.
Having previously accompanied ICE officials during operations in Chicago, McGraw was observed in Los Angeles, engaging with Homan at the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.
Reports indicate that Dr. Phil was there for a firsthand look at the ongoing immigration raids and to conduct an exclusive interview with Homan for his media outlet, MeritTV, which is part of Merit Street Media owned by McGraw.
Notably, Dr. Phil is not a journalist or an expert in immigration policy or constitutional law.
He no longer holds a license to practice psychology in California, having allowed it to lapse years ago.
As a television personality and well-known supporter of Trump, his presence during the immigration raids raised several questions about the motivations behind it.
Speculation arises about whether McGraw aimed to provide psychological support to Homan, who had issued threats against California officials for their response to the raids.
Or perhaps his objective was to offer Homan a platform to clarify the administration’s stance on Trump’s immigration policy, which has faced scrutiny for breaking promises regarding the targeting of only violent criminals among undocumented immigrants.
Alternatively, McGraw’s role appeared to contribute to the normalization of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.
His involvement underscores a larger trend where celebrity figures are utilized to provide a veneer of legitimacy to contentious policies being enacted by the Trump administration.
While it remains uncertain whether McGraw posed tough questions during the interview, an excerpt released on social media shows him prompting Homan to explain the events of the weekend in Los Angeles.
Homan characterized the operations as law enforcement efforts targeting “at-large criminals” and securing warrants related to a money laundering investigation.
He revealed that during these operations, law enforcement arrested 41 undocumented immigrants believed to have been working illegally in the region.
In a political landscape seemingly influenced by the reality television format, Dr. Phil’s participation highlights the extent to which the Trump administration seeks to shape public perception of immigration enforcement.
Over the years, McGraw has faced criticism for his treatment of guests and for making controversial comparisons during public discussions, including remarks he made about COVID-19 that attracted widespread backlash.
In light of prior experiences, Dr. Phil’s alignment with Trump became further evident during a rally in August 2024, where he expressed strong support for the president while denouncing initiatives aimed at promoting diversity.
His remarks about the need for hard work and criticism of programs like DEI resonate deeply with conservative values that are increasingly articulated in the media landscape through outlets like Merit Street Media.
By using McGraw to further the narrative around immigration raids, the administration seems to capitalize on his recognizable brand to promote its policies, blurring the line between entertainment and governance.
This strategy could be seen as an effort to solidify support among conservative audiences who may resonate more with familiar faces than with traditional political discourse.
However, it raises alarms about the implications of blending media celebrity with immigration enforcement and the potential consequences for communities affected by such policies.
Given McGraw’s own admission of a lack of political knowledge in complex areas such as geopolitics, his role raises important questions about expertise and authority in discussions surrounding critical issues.
In an ideal scenario, one might assume that more informed voices would represent immigration policy discussions, steering clear of the sensationalism that characterizes celebrity culture.
Instead, the combination of entertainment figures and political maneuvers serves to heighten concern about the broader implications of immigration enforcement tactics, particularly in states that embrace sanctuary policies.
Ultimately, Dr. Phil’s involvement alongside Trump’s administration during the L.A. immigration raids contributes to a growing narrative of spectacle and sensationalism in the treatment of serious domestic policy issues.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2025-06-09/dr-phil-ice-raids-what-is-he-doing-reality-tv-event
