Oliver Slams Trump’s Response​ to immigration‌ Protest Role

⁤ updated June 16, 2025

John ⁢Oliver, on Last Week Tonight, recently criticized President Trump’s handling ‌of the escalating immigration‍ protests. The comedian focused on‍ the president’s decision to deploy National Guard​ troops to los Angeles.

Oliver referenced ICE​ raids ordered by Stephen Miller, White⁤ House deputy chief of staff. Miller reportedly instructed ICE to arrest undocumented immigrants, suggesting targeting locations⁣ like Home Depot⁣ and 7-Eleven. oliver characterized ⁤the operation as a “mess.”

A news segment showed Homeland​ Security detaining individuals in Los⁢ Angeles.One ‍interviewee recounted people shouting “ICE, ICE, ICE” as‌ day laborers fled.

Oliver quipped, “Someone yelling ICE is‍ almost never going to be a ⁣positive ​thing.” He then digressed into a humorous tangent about Trump’s participation in‍ the ice bucket challenge, nominated by Mike Tyson, Vince McMahon, and Homer Simpson.

Trump stated he sent troops and ⁤Marines⁣ “to protect federal law enforcement‍ from the attacks of ​a vicious and violent mob.” He added, “if we⁢ didn’t do it, there wouldn’t be ‍a los angeles.‍ It’d be burning today.”

oliver ⁢responded, “There is just no reason to bring up the traumatic fires that are still very much on people’s minds⁢ in L.A.”

California ⁤Gov. Gavin Newsom and los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass opposed trump’s move.

Oliver questioned the necessity of ⁤deploying ​troops ‍if ⁤they had nothing to do, imagining them sightseeing ⁣on the ‌Hollywood Walk of Fame.

He acknowledged isolated incidents of vandalism, rock throwing, and Waymo cars being set ablaze.Though, ⁤he emphasized these were not representative of the protests ⁢as a whole.

Oliver stated ⁣Trump’s response felt excessive, especially considering the $134 ⁣million taxpayer cost ⁣for the 60-day deployment.

What’s next

the​ deployment of ‍National ‌Guard troops in ⁤Los Angeles is expected⁢ to continue ⁣for 60 days, raising questions about its long-term⁤ impact and cost.