Latest news with #MeritTV
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Talkshow host Dr Phil joined Ice agents for Los Angeles immigration raids
The television personality Dr Phil was embedded with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) officers as they carried out controversial raids in Los Angeles that led to days of protests in California, his TV network said. Phil, whose full name is Phil McGraw, was with Ice before and after its agents conducted a series of raids on multiple locations across LA on Friday. Immigration advocates said at least 45 people were arrested, and the action was condemned by California's governor and LA's mayor. It was the second time McGraw, a former practising psychologist who hosted a TV talkshow for two decades, has been embedded with Ice this year. In January, he joined the US border czar, Tom Homan, in a choreographed immigration raid in Chicago, in a stunt that was criticized at the time. CNN was the first to report on McGraw's presence at the Los Angeles raids. McGraw was there 'to get a first-hand look at the targeted operations', his conservative TV channel, MeritTV, told CNN. McGraw had 'exclusive' access to Homan before and after the raids, CNN reported. During the Chicago raids, McGraw was on the ground with Ice officers and even spoke to some of the people the agency had detained. His experience in LA was less immersive, MeritTV said. 'In order to not escalate any situation, Dr Phil McGraw did not join and was not embedded' during Friday's raids, a MeritTV spokesperson told CNN. On Sunday, he appeared with Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, at a synagogue, as Adams signed an executive order which ordered city agencies to adopt a controversial definition of antisemitism. McGraw, who is not Jewish but has said it was his 'duty' to support Israel, has increasingly immersed himself in political issues in recent months, particularly regarding immigration. In April, he McGraw backed Donald Trump in the 2024 election, and in May he described Trump as 'a man of deep faith, a man of deep conviction'.
CNN
14 hours ago
- Politics
- CNN
Dr. Phil was embedded with ICE during controversial Los Angeles immigration raids
Source: CNN As federal agents prepared to fan out in Los Angeles for a controversial immigration crackdown, the officers were greeted by a familiar face: Dr. Phil McGraw. The television personality and his camera crew were on hand before and after the raids that took place on Friday and triggered several days of street protests. McGraw was there 'to get a first-hand look at the targeted operations,' according to his conservative TV channel, MeritTV. McGraw also had 'exclusive' access to Trump's border czar Tom Homan, a spokesperson for the channel said. The two men sat down for taped conversations about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts both 'the day before and day after the LA operation.' The TV personality and Homan were also together at the Homeland Security Investigations field office in L.A. on the morning the raids began. McGraw's presence on the ground in L.A. reinforces the made-for-TV nature of Trump's immigration crackdown. The former daytime talk show host was embedded with ICE officials in Chicago back in January, when some federal agents were told to be camera-ready for a show of force at the very start of President Trump's second term. A MeritTV spokesperson said this time was different, however. 'In order to not escalate any situation, Dr. Phil McGraw did not join and was not embedded' during the L.A. raids, the channel spokesperson said. Instead, he hung out at the field office and had face time with Homan. The conversations will air on 'Dr. Phil Primetime' on Monday and Tuesday night. The Friday raids resulted in the detainment of dozens of people, sparking protests and violent reactions. On Saturday, reacting in part to the television pictures of the chaos, Trump authorized the deployment of the National Guard. Trump officials have repeatedly tried to maximize television and online attention around immigration enforcement activities this year. Homan and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem are regulars on Fox News and other Trump-aligned TV networks. They also frequently publicize ICE actions on X and other social media platforms. As protests escalated in L.A., Trump officials used X to justify Trump's extraordinary deployment of the National Guard and warn Angelenos not to impede immigration operations. 'We are not stopping or slowing down. We are not intimidated or apprehensive,' FBI deputy director Dan Bongino wrote in one of his messages. Trump set the administration's tone through his own posts on Truth Social, at times sounding like the marketer of an action movie. 'A once great American City, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals,' he claimed on Sunday, promising federal action to 'liberate' L.A. 'Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free,' Trump wrote, spurring criticism from residents who said he was vastly overstating the severity of the situation. Early Monday morning, as Los Angeles police worked to disperse demonstrators, Trump appeared to be watching TV as he posted about a police press conference and reacted to videos of skirmishes in the streets. 'Looking really bad in L.A.,' Trump wrote. 'BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!' This story has been updated with new information. See Full Web Article
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
No, Dr. Phil wasn't present at L.A. ICE raids, but he taped interview with Trump's border czar
As Immigration and Customs Enforcement carries out raids across Los Angeles, former daytime talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw and his TV network MeritTV are covering the actions and protests in the city. McGraw conducted an interview Friday with White House border czar Tom Homan, who was leading the agency's raids. A portion of the interview was posted on MeritTV's website and the network plans to air a conversation between the men that was "taped the day before and the day after the L.A. operation" in two parts beginning Monday at 5 p.m. PT, according to a network spokesperson reached via email. MeritTV, which launched late last year, primarily features McGraw's show "Dr. Phil Primetime," where he comments on the news and interviews figures ranging from New York City Mayor Eric Adams to businessman and former L.A. mayoral candidate Rick Caruso. The TV host has previously embedded with ICE officials during raids, including in Chicago earlier this year, where he and his crew taped arrests. However, that wasn't the case this time around in L.A., but crews from his network did capture footage from the enforcement action over the weekend. Read more: Camp Pendleton Marines deployed to L.A.; after ICE protest, union leader faces a federal charge 'MeritTV news crews were on the ground during the recent ICE operation in L.A. on Friday,' a MeritTV spokesperson said. 'In order to not escalate any situation, Dr. Phil McGraw did not join and was not embedded, as he previously was in Chicago.' The interview was taped at the Homeland Security Investigations' downtown field office. ICE declined to comment on the interview and whether McGraw was given advance notice of the raids. McGraw was previously the host of his eponymous talk show, which ended in 2023 after 21 seasons. At the time, CBS Media Ventures, which syndicated the talk show, and McGraw said he wanted to expand his audience in a new venture because of 'grave concerns for the American family.' During the 2024 election, McGraw spoke at then-presidential candidate Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden, though he claimed it wasn't an endorsement. However, he has been a proponent of the administration's positions on immigration and he was recently named to the president's religious liberty commission. Sign up for Screen Gab, a free newsletter about the TV and movies everyone's talking about from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
No, Dr. Phil wasn't present at L.A. ICE raids, but he taped interview with Trump's border czar
As Immigration and Customs Enforcement carries out raids across Los Angeles, former daytime talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw and his TV network MeritTV are covering the actions and protests in the city. McGraw conducted an interview Friday with White House border czar Tom Homan, who was leading the agency's raids. A portion of the interview was posted on MeritTV's website and the network plans to air a conversation between the men that was 'taped the day before and the day after the L.A. operation' in two parts beginning Monday at 5 p.m. PT, according to a network spokesperson reached via email. MeritTV, which launched late last year, primarily features McGraw's show 'Dr. Phil Primetime,' where he comments on the news and interviews figures ranging from New York City Mayor Eric Adams to businessman and former L.A. mayoral candidate Rick Caruso. The TV host has previously embedded with ICE officials during raids, including in Chicago earlier this year, where he and his crew taped arrests. However, that wasn't the case this time around in L.A., but crews from his network did capture footage from the enforcement action over the weekend. 'MeritTV news crews were on the ground during the recent ICE operation in L.A. on Friday,' a MeritTV spokesperson said. 'In order to not escalate any situation, Dr. Phil McGraw did not join and was not embedded, as he previously was in Chicago.' The interview was taped at the Homeland Security Investigations' downtown field office. ICE declined to comment on the interview and whether McGraw was given advance notice of the raids. McGraw was previously the host of his eponymous talk show, which ended in 2023 after 21 seasons. At the time, CBS Media Ventures, which syndicated the talk show, and McGraw said he wanted to expand his audience in a new venture because of 'grave concerns for the American family.' During the 2024 election, McGraw spoke at then-presidential candidate Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden, though he claimed it wasn't an endorsement. However, he has been a proponent of the administration's positions on immigration and he was recently named to the president's religious liberty commission.
RNZ News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Dr Phil on the ground with ICE during controversial Los Angeles immigration raids
By Brian Stelter , CNN US President Donald Trump, left, speaks alongside Dr Phil McGraw during a National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden at the White House on May 1, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo: AFP / Getty Images / Alex Wong As federal agents prepared to fan out in Los Angeles for a controversial immigration crackdown, the officers were greeted by a familiar face: Dr Phil McGraw. The television personality and his camera crew were on hand before and after the raids that took place on Friday and triggered several days of street protests. McGraw was there "to get a first-hand look at the targeted operations", according to his conservative TV channel, MeritTV. McGraw also had "exclusive" access to Trump's border czar Tom Homan, a spokesperson for the channel said. The two men sat down for taped conversations about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement efforts both "the day before and day after the LA operation". The TV personality and Homan were also together at the Homeland Security Investigations field office in LA on the morning the raids began. McGraw's presence on the ground in LA reinforces the made-for-TV nature of Trump's immigration crackdown. The former daytime talk show host was embedded with ICE officials in Chicago back in January, when some federal agents were told to be camera-ready for a show of force at the very start of President Trump's second term. A MeritTV spokesperson said this time was different, however. "In order to not escalate any situation, Dr Phil McGraw did not join and was not embedded" during the LA raids, the channel spokesperson said. Instead, he hung out at the field office and had face time with Homan. The conversations will air on Dr Phil Primetime on Monday and Tuesday night (US time). The Friday raids resulted in the detainment of dozens of people, sparking protests and violent reactions. On Saturday, reacting in part to the television pictures of the chaos, Trump authorised the deployment of the National Guard. Trump officials have repeatedly tried to maximise television and online attention around immigration enforcement activities this year. Homan and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem are regulars on Fox News and other Trump-aligned TV networks. They also frequently publicise ICE actions on X and other social media platforms. As protests escalated in LA , Trump officials used X to justify Trump's extraordinary deployment of the National Guard and warn Angelenos not to impede immigration operations. "We are not stopping or slowing down. We are not intimidated or apprehensive," FBI deputy director Dan Bongino wrote in one of his messages. Police officers deployed next to City Hall as clashes with protesters continue into the night during a protest following federal immigration operations, in Los Angeles, California on June 8, 2025. Photo: AFP/ETIENNE LAURENT Trump set the administration's tone through his own posts on Truth Social, at times sounding like the marketer of an action movie. "A once great American City, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals," he claimed on Sunday, promising federal action to "liberate" L.A. "Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free," Trump wrote, spurring criticism from residents who said he was vastly overstating the severity of the situation. Early on Monday morning, as Los Angeles police worked to disperse demonstrators, Trump appeared to be watching TV as he posted about a police press conference and reacted to videos of skirmishes in the streets. "Looking really bad in L.A.," Trump wrote. "BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!" -CNN
