Slate News Amicus | Tanks On DC’s Streets And A US Senator In Handcuffs
Jun 14, 2025
Mark Joseph Stern, a senior writer at Slate focusing on law and LGBTQ rights, joins the conversation to dissect recent tumultuous events in the U.S. The podcast dives into the deployment of National Guard troops to quell protests in Los Angeles, igniting tensions between local and federal authorities. They also discuss a U.S. Senator's dramatic encounter with law enforcement and the implications for civil rights. As misinformation and erosion of trust in democracy grow, Stern emphasizes the need for truth and legal advocacy in these precarious times.
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Federal Troops vs. State Authority
- The federal deployment of National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles over state objections raises serious constitutional and legal questions.
- Federal officials refuse to commit to abiding by court orders, challenging the judiciary's authority.
Senator Padilla's Forceful Removal
- Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed, wrestled, handcuffed during a press conference after trying to ask a question.
- Federal agents prohibited recording this incident, underscoring an aggressive suppression of dissent.
Authoritarian Tactics in Action
- Trump's administration uses law enforcement and the Justice Department as tools to intimidate and suppress opposition.
- The assault on Senator Padilla symbolizes a disturbing shift toward authoritarian rule bypassing constitutional norms.