Lost Debate Clashes in LA, Abrego Indictment, Cartel Influencers
Jun 10, 2025
Antón Barba-Kay, a distinguished fellow at the Center on Privacy and Technology at Georgetown Law, joins to discuss the rise of Mexican drug cartels as social media influencers. The conversation reveals how these cartels use platforms like TikTok to shape public perception, blending crime with celebrity. Barba-Kay further explores the national security implications of this trend and the broader cultural flattening occurring in the digital age, illustrating the unique challenges law enforcement faces in combating cartel activities amidst a fragmented information landscape.
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Federal Troop Deployment Risks
- Deploying federal troops domestically risks crossing legal and constitutional lines, especially under the Posse Comitatus Act.
- The Trump administration’s use of Title 10 to send troops to LA raises questions about legality and potential dangerous precedents.
Immigration Arrests and Protests
- Arresting undocumented immigrants at workplaces hurts the workforce and economy.
- Civil disobedience and peaceful protest are valid, but violence and vandalism undermine protest legitimacy.
Cartel Raid and Social Media
- Anton Barba-Kay shared a firsthand experience of a cartel safe house raid near his Mexico City family home.
- He observed how social media turns cartel violence into public spectacle and influences society.