All HELL BREAKS LOOSE as ICE GOES AFTER MEIDAS!!!

What this episode is about

The Midas Touch network is facing scrutiny from ICE and Border Patrol after posting a video that shows agents allegedly threatening a citizen in Minnesota. The incident, described as a hostile confrontation, raises concerns about law enforcement tactics and the treatment of individuals documenting their actions, prompting a response from the Department of Homeland Security aimed at intimidating those involved.

Key takeaways

• In a world where observing the law becomes a target, the First Amendment is under siege.
• ICE's portrayal as heroes clashes with the reality of alleged intimidation tactics—they're not just enforcing laws.
• It's ironic: the very agents enforcing laws may be better described as the poster children for bad PR.
• DHS may define 'obstruction' as filming their actions, but the public sees it as accountability.
• When law enforcement evolves into secret police, even an observer becomes a suspect in their narrative.

Who speaks in this episode?

• Ben Meiselas (Host) · 17 min speaking
• Marne von Wilpert (Guest) · 11 min speaking

What is discussed, and when

1. 0:00 – 5:00: Border Patrol, Department of Homeland Security, Midas Touch, David Byer
2. 5:00 – 10:00: Border Patrol, Midland, Donald Trump, ICE
3. 10:00 – 15:00: Border Patrol, Donald Trump, Greg Bevino, San Diego
4. 15:00 – 20:00: San Diego, Donald Trump, California, Daryl Isa
5. 20:00 – 25:00: Donald Trump, California, San Diego, Daryl Isa
6. 25:00 – 28:17: San Diego, Donald Trump, Marne von Wilpert, California

Notable quotes from "All HELL BREAKS LOOSE as ICE GOES AFTER MEIDAS!!!"

• Caught on camera. David Byer was the first to post it. took place in Minnesota. And then the ICE and Border Patrol Gustapo through the Department of Homeland Security…

  about ICE · at 0:18

• It's a tone change. And the media was They're changing tone. No, they aren't. Let me show you what just took place in Elmonte, California. I want to show you Maria Sante. She's a hero.

  about California · at 6:45

• Patrol Gustapo did an alliance with the fire department and the local sheriff's office because in Texas in these right-wing towns and cities and state they help ICE and border…

  about Texas · at 8:37

• Trump's goons broke into a locked auto body shop without a warrant in Utah. And then the owner of the body shop's You just broke into my business. this is my what do you didn't show.

  about Donald Trump · at 10:44

• Continued to terrorize people in this country. Also, the New York Times reporting how the border patrol leader Greg Bevino mocked the Jewish faith of US attorney in Minnesota…

  about Greg Bevino · at 12:45

• Cities and towns across the country. So, stop with the new tone crap. So, I want to bring in Marne von Wilpert. She's a San Diego city council member because San Diego is still…

  about Marne von Wilpert · at 13:58

• And we're preparing here in San Diego County. So, I'm leading a vote on Monday at the San Diego City Council to join the lawsuit with Minneapolis against ICE and Donald Trump. we too have seen chaotic ICE raids here in.

  about San Diego · at 16:34

• Raising all of our costs with this tariff war that's increasing the price of everything. and Daryl Isa just voted again to increase the price of health care by not joining…

  about Daryl Isa · at 18:43

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

• Donald Trump — Person · Primary referenced political figure · 13 mentions · first at 0:00
  Framed as responsible for or associated with ICE/Border Patrol actions discussed; also referenced in relation to Epstein-file allegations and broader political accountability.
• Marne von Wilpert — Person · Main guest (interviewee) · 3 mentions · first at 14:01
  San Diego City Council member discussing local response to ICE activity and her congressional campaign against Darrell Issa in CA-48; describes policy actions (warrant ordinance, lawsuit vote) and background.
• Greg Bevino — Person · Referenced government/operations figure (as described in episode) · 4 mentions · first at 6:40
  Presented as a Border Patrol leader moving between cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul to San Diego) and as a focal point of criticism; mentioned in connection with a New York Times report about mocking a U.S. attorney’s Jewish faith.
• Daryl Isa — Person · Referenced political opponent · 6 mentions · first at 14:25
  Identified as Marne von Wilpert’s opponent in the CA-48 congressional race; criticized for votes and alignment with Trump in the discussion.
• David Byer — Person · Referenced source / original poster · 2 mentions · first at 0:18
  Credited as the first to post the Minnesota video that the episode centers on; his post is amplified by the show’s account.
  Patrol Gustapo through the Department of Homeland Security immediately responded and went after the Midas Touch for just showing a video of the objective facts that just went…
• Chrissy Gnome — Person · Referenced government spokesperson/official (as described in episode) · 2 mentions · first at 5:26
  Named as the figure the host tells viewers not to trust; later the guest calls on Trump to fire her, positioning her as responsible for DHS messaging/actions.
  Trump to fire Babino, not to give him a new post where he can wreak new havoc on our communities. I've also called on Donald Trump to fire Christy Gnome. she needs to go. She has failed and derelcted her duty to keep America safe.
• Maria Sante — Person · Referenced legal observer / incident subject · 1 mention · first at 6:51
  Presented as a legal observer in El Monte, California who was allegedly targeted by ICE/Border Patrol; used as an example of nationwide enforcement tactics.
  They're changing tone. No, they aren't. Let me show you what just took place in Elmonte, California. I want to show you Maria Sante. She's a hero.
• Alex Prety — Person · Referenced victim (as described in episode) · 1 mention · first at 1:18
  Mentioned alongside Renee Good as an example of alleged prior killings; used rhetorically to frame current events.
  Who was observing their conduct. That's why she was out there. She was an IC and Border Patrol observer. The only thing they learned from Renee Good and the Alex Pretty murders…
• Renee Mlin Good — Person · Referenced victim (as described in episode) · 1 mention · first at 1:18
  Cited as part of prior incidents the host calls “murders,” used to argue enforcement learned how to avoid accountability.
  Who was observing their conduct. That's why she was out there. She was an IC and Border Patrol observer. The only thing they learned from Renee Good and the Alex Pretty murders…
• Elon Musk — Person · Referenced name in Epstein-files allegation · 1 mention · first at 13:29
  Mentioned briefly as another name alleged to appear in “Epstein files,” used to broaden the scope of the host’s critique.
  Appeared on the Epstein files over 5,000 times in some of the most despicable ways along with the cabal of Trump regime officials. Howard Lutnik's name appeared. Elon Musk's…
• Secretary Howard Lutnik — Person · Referenced name in Epstein-files allegation · 1 mention · first at 13:31
  Listed among people whose names allegedly appeared in “Epstein files” per the host; not otherwise discussed.
  Appeared on the Epstein files over 5,000 times in some of the most despicable ways along with the cabal of Trump regime officials. Howard Lutnik's name appeared. Elon Musk's…

Companies & orgs

• ICE — Company · Business focus · 1 mention · first at 8:10
  Central entity discussed in the podcast, criticized for its actions and described as a paramilitary force terrorizing communities.
• Border Patrol — Company · Business focus · 13 mentions · first at 0:02
  Discussed alongside ICE for its controversial actions and described as part of a paramilitary force.
  Are now going after Midas Touch. The Midas Touch network posted a video of the ICE Border Patrol Gustapo attacking a United States citizen horrifically was caught on camera.…
• Department of Homeland Security — Company · Business focus · 6 mentions · first at 0:27
  Government agency overseeing ICE and Border Patrol, criticized for its handling of operations.
  Caught on camera. David Byer was the first to post it. took place in Minnesota. And then the ICE and Border Patrol Gustapo through the Department of Homeland Security…
• Midas Touch — Company · Business focus · 4 mentions · first at 0:05
  Network that posted a video of ICE and Border Patrol actions, leading to a confrontation with DHS.
  All hell is breaking loose as Donald Trump's ICE and Border Patrol Gustapo are now going after Midas Touch. The Midas Touch network posted a video of the ICE Border Patrol…
• Status Coup — Company · Business focus · 1 mention · first at 6:28
  Media organization documenting ICE and Border Patrol actions, mentioned as allies in reporting.
  Here in Los Angeles. That's where we're based, but we have reporters across the country and shout out to our friends at Status Coup who are in Minneapolis still and they're…

Places & events

• San Diego — Place · Setting · 13 mentions · first at 14:07
  City under attack by ICE and Border Patrol, with local government pushing back against their actions.
• California — Place · Setting · 8 mentions · first at 6:49
  Mentioned as a location where ICE and Border Patrol actions are taking place, including raids and political campaigns.
• Minnesota — Place · Setting · 3 mentions · first at 0:21
  Location where a video of ICE and Border Patrol actions was recorded, leading to widespread criticism.
  All hell is breaking loose as Donald Trump's ICE and Border Patrol Gustapo are now going after Midas Touch. The Midas Touch network posted a video of the ICE Border Patrol…
• Texas — Place · Setting · 1 mention · first at 8:43
  Location where ICE and Border Patrol actions are described, including raids on migrant workers.
• Utah — Place · Setting · 3 mentions
  Location where Border Patrol actions are described, including breaking into a business without a warrant.
  And then we'll go from Minneapolis, Los Angeles, El Monty, and let's go to Utah. This is happening everywhere.
• Midland — Place · Setting · 2 mentions · first at 8:23
  Specific location in Texas where ICE and Border Patrol actions against migrant workers are described.
  Of their jacket. there is various witnesses to this. This is happening in a neighborhood in Midland. it is in Stonebridge Drive and Porterfield Road.
• Florida's 7th Congressional District — Place · Setting · 2 mentions
  Political district mentioned in the context of a congressional race involving Marne von Wilpert.
  And Marne's been fighting back with the city council and she's also running for Congress from California's 48th Congressional District against Daryl Isa. It's a competitive primary with lots of Democratic candidates who are.
• Stonebridge Road — Place · Setting · 2 mentions · first at 8:18
  Specific location in Texas where ICE actions are described.
  So, here's a story. This right here is in Stonebridge Road and Cedar Creek Road in the North Midland neighborhood in Texas. Nine people, nine migrants who were roofers. They were working on.
• Jefferson — Place · Setting · 1 mention · first at 1:54
  Mentioned as a location where an incident involving ICE and Border Patrol occurred.
  Call 911. I'm right at the corner of Jefferson.
• Cedar Creek Road — Place · Setting · 1 mention · first at 8:18
  Specific location in Texas where ICE actions are described.
  So, here's a story. This right here is in Stonebridge Road and Cedar Creek Road in the North Midland neighborhood in Texas. Nine people, nine migrants who were roofers. They were working on.
• Porterfield Road — Place · Setting · 1 mention · first at 10:16
  Specific location in Texas where ICE actions are described.
  Of their jacket. there is various witnesses to this. This is happening in a neighborhood in Midland. it is in Stonebridge Drive and Porterfield Road.

Full transcript with timestamps

0:00 All hell is breaking loose as Donald Trump's ICE and Border Patrol Gustapo are now going after Midas Touch. The Midas Touch network posted a video of the ICE Border Patrol Gustapo attacking a United States citizen horrifically was caught on camera. David Byer was the first to post it. took place in Minnesota. And then the ICE and Border Patrol Gustapo through the Department of Homeland Security immediately responded and went after the Midas Touch for just showing a video of the objective facts that just went down in Minnesota. We wrote on our account, "Watch these thugs. This isn't law enforcement. These are criminals." And we were amplifying David Byer's post of how the Department of Homeland Security agent, unclear if it's Border Patrol or ICE cuz they all wear masks, but they're all Gustapo and SS. They're in Minnesota. They swerved in front of an unarmed woman who was recording them. And once again, they

1:08 walk in front of the car with their guns drawn and threatened to kill the woman who was observing their conduct. That's why she was out there. She was an IC and Border Patrol observer. The only thing they learned from Renee Good and the Alex Pretty murders is how to get away with killing people. A local cop had to intervene to stop the illegal arrest. So, first let me show you this video and then I'll show you what the Department of Homeland Security said, I believe, to try to intimidate us. Here, play this clip. Um, I think someone needs to call 911.

1:48 Um, they are seriously like attacking me. We'll call 911 right now. What's your location?

1:54 Call 911. I'm right at the corner of Jefferson. Get out of the car right now. No.

2:04 No. I will not get out of the car. I will not get out of the car right now. No.

2:09 Get out of the car. No. I will not get out of the car. You guys, I need CEOs here now. No, I will not get out of the car. You

2:21 get your hands off of me. Get your [ __ ] hands off me. GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME. I am not doing [ __ ]

2:32 I am observant. I have not done anything. This is my constitutional right. We're calling 911 right now.

2:48 I am not You cannot arrest me. I'm observing. You can't arrest me. I'm observing.

2:54 You cannot I am not taking a video, too. Get off of me. Get off of me. Don't do that. [ __ ] Someone call the MP or someone call the police.

3:09 Somebody help them. Call the police. Call the police. Call them now. Call them now. Call them now.

3:19 They're calling 911. They're calling 911. They're calling 911 right now. So then the horrific video, right? Then the Department of Homeland Security responded to us directly and here's what they said to us. As the Department of Homeland Security gov law enforcement, they were conducting a targeted operation to arrest a serial criminal illegal alien whose wrap sheet includes multiple arrests for assault, domestic violence, and driving under the influence. An agitator began stalking and obstructing law enforcement. Just pause there for a moment. This is their mo. This is what they say all the time.

4:03 They're out here getting the pedos. They're out here getting the violent criminals. But then when they're actually called out, it turns out they're not doing that at all. That a very small fraction of the people they go after are actually criminals. We all agree that criminals need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law deported prosecuted whatever. That's not what these SS, these paramilitary, border patrol and ICE thugs are doing. Then they use language like stalking, obstructing. You mean the first amendment right to observe you? We all have that right under the constitution and this idea of secret police wearing masks and oh you're doc local law enforcement doesn't do that.

4:48 Anyway, let's go through DHS's response to Midas touch. Law enforcement officers attempted to pull her over using their emergency lights to issue her a warning. Ignoring law enforcement commands, the agitator refused to pull over and began driving recklessly, including running stop signs, nearly colliding with multiple vehicles and driving directly at law enforcement in an attempt to ram their vehicle. See what they're doing right here? They're creating another pretext that she's a domestic terrorist. She's the bad guy. Don't believe your own eyes, which you saw on the video.

5:26 Trust Christy Gnome. Her actions endangered law enforcement officers, the public, and allowed this violent criminal to remain at large. Ah, so you're saying it was her fault. I got it. She did it. No, y'all are a bunch of sociopaths and you lie the way badrade liars lie. Like, it's obvious. It's juvenile in nature. Then it goes on to say, "Our officers arrested the agitator. Obstructing law enforcement is a felony and a federal crime. Why are you getting in our messages? Why do you think you need to propagandize in replies to the Midas Touch account? We see what we see on the video. So stop your propaganda. You are not welcome in the Midas Touch Network accounts where we're out here trying to tell the truth.

6:21 Speaking of telling the truth, we're out here in Los Angeles. That's where we're based, but we have reporters across the country and shout out to our friends at Status Coup who are in Minneapolis still and they're recording the peaceful protest there and they're still documenting what's taking place. That first video wasn't from Status Coup, but that took place very recently post Greg Bevino when uh Donald Trump said, "Oh, it's a tone change." And the media was like, "They're changing tone." No, they aren't. Let me show you what just took place in Elmonte, California. I want to show you Maria Sante. She's a hero.

6:58 She's a well-known legal observer. She shows up to help the migrant community and she was targeted by the ICE and Border Patrol Gustapo who pointed weapons at her. They knocked through her window. They broke through her car simply because she was observing them. Watch what takes place here. Let's play this clip.

7:20 Um guys, I'm getting out. Okay. Um guys, my keys are in the car. Please Oh, they already broke. They broke my window.

7:27 They're breaking my window, guys. I'm a US citizen. It's insane. Insane. This guy's breaking my window, guys.

7:42 They're going to They're going to try. I was unlocking the door, guys. My phone's under here. And I want to show you what's happening in the rest of the country over the past day or so. So, you know that, you know, even though we focused a lot on what was going down in uh Minneapolis or St. Paul or Chicago, ICE is involved in this conduct across the country right now. So, here's a story. This right here is in Stonebridge Road and Cedar Creek Road in the North Midland neighborhood in Texas. Nine people, nine migrants who were roofers. They were working on building pretty big homes in this North Midland area. and the ICE and Border Patrol Gustapo did an alliance with the fire department and the local sheriff's office because in Texas in these right-wing towns and cities and state they help ICE and border patrol attack their own workers. So, what I want to share with you right here is you'll see

8:55 the ICE and firefighters going after roofers who are literally on the roof working on homes, trying to build homes right now in this country. That's who you're attacking. So, Department of Homeland Security, when you get in our messages and you're like, "Oh, we're going after the most violent." You're going after roofers who are out there working and doing jobs that uh these these construction companies aren't able to hire anybody else. These people should be applauded and be paid more, not ripped from the roofs. Here, play this clip.

9:32 We are here and some people are being witnesses to what is going on. We can tell that some of them are actually concerned for their safety. As we said mentioned earlier, we spoke with some neighbors and they did say that they believed this to be a medical emergency and then they saw HSI, they saw people with green uniforms. Um, we do know that they were trying to pepper spray a few of them. Like we've mentioned before, the Midland Fire Department is present. Uh, Midland County Sheriff's Office is also present. Earlier, we did see people with an HSI badge and police uh ICE logo in the back of their jacket. Um there is various witnesses to this. This is happening in a neighborhood in Midland. Um it is in Stonebridge Drive and Porterfield Road.

10:24 We have been here for what is about an hour. As we are seeing, they were trying to run and try to get them.

10:35 And then we'll go from Minneapolis, Los Angeles, El Monty, and let's go to Utah. This is happening everywhere. Trump's goons broke into a locked auto body shop without a warrant in Utah. And then the owner of the body shop's like, "You just broke into my business. Like, this is my what do you you didn't show me a warrant." And Trump's goons, his border patrol Gustapo say, "We don't need to show you anything. We don't need to do anything at all." Here, play this clip.

11:06 Look at this. Look at these. Where's your guys's warrant? Stay back. Where's your guys's warrant?

11:12 STAY BACK. NO. WHERE'S YOUR WARRANT? Where's the warrant? Stand right THERE. YOU

11:18 WHERE'S THE WARRANT? I DON'T NEED ONE. YES, you do. WHERE THE WARRANT? You guys do this back.

11:28 I need you to wrap that up for what? Stay back. Stop getting closer to me. STAY BACK THERE.

11:34 I'M BACK. I'M BACK. I'M GOING TO DO to you. I'm back. LET YOU GUYS HAVE TO LEAVE. My lawyer is coming.

11:44 Good. You guys want to get sued? Are you done? What's your badge number? Back. No, I want to get you guys that one.

11:53 All right. This kill you inside your stuff. Yes, you guys aren't supposed to be back here.

11:59 Stand back here. You can record, but I'm already back here. You guys haven't shown me. You guys haven't identified yourself. I don't know who the you guys are.

12:08 Who the what the is that? What the is that? Federal agent. I need a warrant. I need a warrant.

12:14 You do not need a warrant. Yes, I do. Yes, I do. You You know how you guys came in

12:20 illegally? No, you guys broke the window. Yes, we did. Cuz you guys don't have a warrant.

12:26 We don't need one. YES, YOU DO. STAY BACK HERE. HEY, WHAT THE I AIN'T DOING I'm making sure he's safe.

12:33 Excuse you. I I need to leave it. Meanwhile, you had Greg Bevino partying it up in Las Vegas. Here he is in Las Vegas at the clubs while I border patrol continued to terrorize people in this country. Also, the New York Times reporting how the border patrol leader Greg Bevino mocked the Jewish faith of US attorney in Minnesota during a call with lawyers, according to several people with knowledge of the conversation. Uh, shout out to some of the celebrities now who are calling out ICE and Border Patrol terrorism. I showed you Bruce Springsteen before, Tom Mel of Rage Against the Machine, Becky G with her FICE uh fingernails. You even had uh Garcia, the boxer, Ryan Garcia, say that he's no long he said that he's recanting his he said reclining, but he meant recanting. Any support that he gave to Donald Trump after the Epstein files were released and Trump's name appeared on the Epstein files over 5,000

13:36 times in some of the most despicable ways along with the cabal of Trump regime officials. Howard Lutnik's name appeared. Elon Musk's name appeared. The new guy that Trump appointed Kevin Walsh to the Federal Reserve chairman, his name appeared. And look, when we're talking about ICE terrorism, too, I think it's important to note, as I said, this is still happening every day in cities and towns across the country. So, stop with the new tone crap. So, I want to bring in Marne von Wilpert. She's a San Diego city council member because San Diego is still under attack. Every day in San Diego, ICE and Border Patrol Gustapo are terrorizing people there.

14:18 And Marne's been fighting back with the city council and she's also running for Congress from California's 48th Congressional District against Daryl Isa. It's a competitive primary with lots of Democratic candidates uh who are running. Um Marne San Diego City Council. She believes that she'll be she flipped a red seat to become that city council member. Let let's bring in Marne. Here's the interview that I just did with Marne. And so, while Greg Bevino is leaving Minneapolis and St. Paul, he's now heading unfortunately to San Diego. And the San Diego community has already been terrorized by Bavinos, thugs, and the ICE border patrol thugs and Gustapo before. We've covered here um last year restaurants being raided and communities being terrorized. And now Bavino is back. I want to speak to a San Diego city council member, Marne von Wilbert, who's also running uh for Congress against a MAGA Republican

15:22 candidate, Daryl Isa, in the newly redrawn California's 48th district. It's an important district redrawn after Prop 50. Um and this is one of the areas that Democrats um need and many people believe Democrats will get. It's unclear what ICE is going to do. He's running away from all the members of the press when they try to ask him questions on Capitol Hill. Um, but uh, Marne, let's talk first about Bevino and we'll talk about the race, but Bevino is coming into your city. You're a city council member. Previously, you were a deputy city attorney there. You were a prosecutor uh, in the city and before that a labor attorney uh, as well. Um, but but talk to us. How are you preparing for this and uh, what are you doing to push back?

16:07 Yeah. So, we have been raising all the alarms. Uh, you know, here in the city of San Diego, we do not need to see what's happening, the chaos and terror on the streets of Minneapolis. And Bavino is coming back to Southern California. Uh, I've called on President Trump to fire Babino, not to give him a new post where he can wreak new havoc on our communities. Uh, I've also called on Donald Trump to fire Christy Gnome. Uh, she needs to go. She has failed and derelcted her duty to keep America safe. Uh, and we're preparing here in San Diego County. So, I'm leading a vote on Monday at the San Diego City Council to join the lawsuit with Minneapolis against ICE and Donald Trump. Uh, we too have seen chaotic uh, ICE raids here in San Diego where ICE officers are walking into the middle of a crowded restaurant on a weekend with their full riot gear on. And of course, it causes havoc and panic and just so they can arrest the

17:01 kitchen staff. So, is that what's going on now? One of the things, you know, we're seeing the all these it's we have to keep track of everything. So, you know, because also, you know, authoritarianism spreads in silence. Like right now, are we see like on any given weekend, you know, is is ICE still going into restaurants and and and terrorizing people? Maybe not with the visuals we're seeing in Minneapolis, but is is is that going on now?

17:26 Oh, yeah. It happens all the time here in San Diego. And, you know, we are doing the best we can to fight back. Uh, you know, we've also passed a due process ordinance requiring any federal agent to have a warrant, a judicial warrant, not one signed by their own officers, uh, to come on to any city-owned land. We have know your rights trainings going on. But, you know, I'm running for Congress because this race is about the future of our democracy. Uh, this is one of the top five seats in the nation we have to take back to get control of the House. And we have to hold Donald Trump accountable.

17:57 We have to restore Congress as a co-equal branch of government that stands up for the Constitution and the American people. You know, I've been a San Diego city council member here for for five years now. We're the eighth largest city in the country. So, it's a big city that I govern. And just like I've been here, I' I've been a champion for working families. I started the first teacher down payment assistance program so that teachers, public school teachers, could afford to buy homes in the communities where they teach. I wrote the first law in the nation requiring grocery stores to not require senior citizens to download an app and and find digital coupons merely to get discounts on the food they buy. So, I'm doing everything I can to lower our cost of living, make the economy work for all of us. Donald Trump and Daryl Isa are raising all of our costs with this tariff war that's increasing the price

18:46 of everything. and Daryl Isa just voted again to increase the price of health care by not joining Republicans to restore the subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. So, I'm going to get into Congress and fight back and and make sure I'm a champion for working people across this country.

19:02 One of the things that's really impressive about your background, among a lot of things, is you flipped a very, very right-wing city council district blue that nobody thought was possible. Well, you and I were joking before we went on. I said, "So, you were the city prosecutor. You were a successful labor attorney, then you decided to jump into this, but it's important to note you didn't just jump into any city council seat. I mean, that city council seat was kind of as right-wing as it gets, and you you flipped that one. So t talk to us about that because I think the lessons there may apply now and may apply across the country right now about how you did that and kind of push back against this disinformation magma machine where they you know lie to lie to the people all of the time and get some people to vote against their interests.

19:55 Yeah, Ben, I I did you know I grew up in this district. My parents still live in the house I grew up in. And I knew it was Ruby Red because my parents only had Republicans representing them my whole life. But the first time Donald Trump got elected, I quit my job uh in the Obama administration and I I flew home to San Diego. I was a labor lawyer enforcing workers rights and women's rights to equal pay around this country. And I said, "We can do better. Let's get more women in office." And so I did. And I ran for the city council seat. And when I won it, people told me, "You're never going to be effective because to stay in office in a purple district, you can't be bold." And I said, "Watch me."

20:31 The first law I ever passed when I got elected was the first law in California banning the sale of untraceable ghost guns and the parts of guns people were buying and making guns at home and using in crimes. We had a horrific mass shooting in San Diego in April of 2021. And when I found out the shooter used a ghost gun, I wrote the first law in the nation to in California to ban it instantly. Then within 10 minutes, I got sued. I was sued by the NRA. Um they came at me in federal court and I was six months into my first term in office facing a federal lawsuit by myself. And I honestly thought about giving up. Uh but then I got an email from a father who wrote to me and said, "Marney, I need to tell you what happened to my son." and he sent me a selfie of him standing in front of his 12-year-old son's grave. And I could tell the grave was fresh because the flowers were still blooming and the candles were still lit.

21:24 And he said, "Marty, my 12-year-old son, Max, was shot and killed by a ghost gun two weeks ago. And I'm writing to you because you're the only politician doing anything about it." And so we did. We took Max's story in that email and I called the city attorney. I said, "Let's go to court." And we did. And we won. We beat the NRA. The federal court upheld my law. And then San Francisco passed my ghost gun law. LA passed the law. Oakland, the state of California has now taken action. And so I am able to move the needle on things like gun violence prevention, which has been so hard. And the way I did it, Ben, in my purple district, is I brought people into the conversation. I had moms demand action at my press conferences. I had high school students who were sick and tired of the active shooter drills. And I had uniform police officers cuz they also don't like being shot on the street by legal guns. And so when people saw

22:14 uniform cops alongside high school students in the mom's groups, they said, "Wait a minute. This is something we all agree on." And I did. And guess what? I won my re-election with no opponent for my second term. So that is how you lead in a purple district. You You are bold. You bring solutions, but you also bring people in. I am sick and tired of Donald Trump and Daryl Isa dividing this nation. Everybody wants their children to be safe at school and sitting at their desks learning, not hiding under their desks from gunfire.

22:43 Yeah. You know, and I think people like fighters and they want fighters right now. And sometimes people think, well, the way you deal with the purple district is you have to compromise on things, which some compromise is needed in government, but you can't compromise on certain values and principles. That's what I like to believe. And so when there are ICE and border patrol mass Gustapo and like a paramilitary force who are rolling into cities like San Diego Minneapolis LA Portland Chicago and terrorizing people, I just don't think that there's a All right, here's what we're going to do to try to negotiate with I mean it's get the hell out of our city right now and and get rid of this leadership and get rid of them. It's, you know, there are to me things like that where people want to know that you're fighting for them. And I think what Trump was able to convince people with fraud was that he was going

23:47 to do all of these things. I'm going to do this. I'm going to do that on day one. And on day one, you're going to get this. And he didn't. On Friday, a report shows that inflation, core inflation surging to 3.3% above expectations. Another government shutdown. people's healthc care gone and people are like we want fighters. So you're going to be their fighter there. Talk to us about that as you run now for Congress. What's the fight ahead?

24:14 Yeah. So the fight is through this seat. You know, California did redistricting when Texas tried to change their districts to drown out Democrats voice. California stood up and fought back. And one of the things we did was change this particular district, congressional district 48, to make Daryl Isa, who just nominated Donald Trump in the Nobel Peace Prize again, uh, make him run on his heels. You know, Daryl Isa has never run a tough race in his life. He runs fleeing when he sees competition. We're calling him Dallas Daryl since he tried to run to Texas when he saw how hard it would be to run against me in this race.

24:48 But I I have fought for my community my whole life. You know, as a deputy city attorney, I took on some of the toughest fights against big corporations who are ruining the American experience. I sued the opioid industry for the havoc and the addiction they've caused on our American communities. And I want $40 million back to San Diego to get addiction treatment into our emergency room. So, if people survive that overdose and wake up in that ER bed, they have someone right next to them to hold their hand and get them into treatment. And guess what, Ben? It's working. We haven't seen a repeat overdose at the three hospitals we piloted this program with. I also took on environmental polluters. I sued Monsanto for polluting the San Diego Bay and we won $50 million to get them to clean up our bay. I know how to take on big fights and I'll know how to hold Donald Trump accountable when I get to

25:36 Congress. But we also need to remember what makes us safe. You know, I'm the chair of public safety and we see Daryl Lysa and Donald Trump wreaking havoc and chaos in Minneapolis. That's not public safety. That is not law enforcement. Our communities are safe when we live up to our shared American values of respect for our neighbors and life and liberty and dignity and fairness under law. Our communities are safe when we respect the Constitution and due process and the rule of law. So, I am running to fight back against ISIS's horrific tactics and actually reign them in. I am appalled that Republicans in Congress have rubber stamped everything Donald Trump has done, including Daryl Isa, and they won't even pass a funding bill to rein in ISIS's horrible conduct right now. We need better people in Congress. I'm going to win this race, take on Donald Trump, and get our country back.

26:31 Where can people learn more about the campaign Marty? Uh uh, go to my website. It's Marne von Wilpert. M A R Ni V N Wr.com. You know, my last name comes from my father. He's an immigrant to this country. My father was not born here. And when he came, he signed up to serve our nation in the United States Army. And now that he's older, uh, we're relying on the Veterans Administration, the VA to help care for him in his elder years. And this is what the American dream is about. You know, you can come to this country, make an incredible life, and then we take care of our veterans. It's just this is the core American values I want to see back in our communities. This is not the America I grew up in. You know, I'm a young LGBTQ woman. I just got engaged, Ben, to my girlfriend, three weeks ago.

27:15 Congratulations. We should have led with that. Yeah. So, we just got engaged and we're fighting to make sure that we can still get married in this country. You know, Roie Wade was already turned and I've lost my right as a young woman to reproductive health care in many states in this nation. I'm terrified of losing my right to marry the woman that I love. So, I'm fighting for our freedoms. and fighting to make America a place where equal protection and dignity mean something again and fighting to make respect and dignity the values of our government again.

27:46 Marne von Wilpert, City Council, San Diego, running for 48th Congressional District in California. Thanks for joining us.

27:54 Thank you so much for having me. Everybody hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million subscribers. Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our Substack at midasplus.com. You'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipowski, ad free episodes of our podcast, and more exclusive content only available at midasplus.com.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "All HELL BREAKS LOOSE as ICE GOES AFTER MEIDAS!!!"?

Ben Meiselas (Host), Marne von Wilpert (Guest).

What is "All HELL BREAKS LOOSE as ICE GOES AFTER MEIDAS!!!" about?

The Midas Touch network is facing scrutiny from ICE and Border Patrol after posting a video that shows agents allegedly threatening a citizen in Minnesota. The incident, described as a hostile confrontation, raises concerns about law enforcement tactics and the treatment of individuals documenting their actions, prompting a response from the Department of Homeland Security aimed at intimidating…

What is mentioned in this MeidasTouch episode?

27 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Donald Trump, ICE, Border Patrol, Marne von Wilpert, Department of Homeland Security, Midas Touch. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "All HELL BREAKS LOOSE as ICE GOES AFTER MEIDAS!!!"?

The episode runs 28 min; the transcript is about 4,878 words in 59 timestamped sections.

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