President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration has begun, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents making thousands of arrests in the first week of Trump’s second term. However, the media’s portrayal of ICE raids varies significantly depending on the political leanings of the outlets.
Media coverage over Dr. Phil’s ride-along with ICE
One recent example of contrasting media narratives involves Dr. Phil’s participation in a ride-along with ICE agents and “border czar” Tom Homan during an operation in Chicago, Illinois. The event has sparked polarized reactions across news outlets.
JUST IN: The first arrest in Chicago with @RealTomHoman was a convicted sex offender and internet predator from Thailand.
— Dr. Phil (@DrPhil) January 27, 2025
For full live coverage of the operation, download the MeritTV app. pic.twitter.com/KEcphUWDDJ
Some left-leaning media outlets criticized the ride-along, calling it a spectacle. CNN highlighted Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s comments, referring to Dr. Phil’s involvement as “ridiculous.”
Meanwhile, Fox News defended the operation. The network noted that it provided transparency into ICE’s efforts to target criminal migrants.
The Chicago Tribune, critical of Dr. Phil’s presence, wrote, “granting largely unrestricted access to a well-known television personality during high-stakes law enforcement encounters raises questions about the propriety of the operation. It also underscores the extent to which Trump … relies on spectacle and showmanship to convey his message.”
In contrast, a Breitbart report focused on Dr. Phil’s comments about the targeted nature of the ICE mission. The publication highlighted that the operation was aimed at known criminals and terrorists.
Breitbart wrote, “Dr. Phil also said that Tom Homan, border czar for President Trump, had clear objectives to detain criminals and shut down the United States border as opposed to the common misconception of sweeping neighborhoods and rounding random Hispanics up for deportation.”
Debate over media access and ICE ride-alongs
While the appropriateness of Dr. Phil’s involvement has sparked debate, it’s not unusual for federal agencies to grant media access to operations. Dr. Phil, known for his talk show and reality TV career, started his own news media company, Merit Street Media, last year.
Dr. Phil isn’t the first to be granted such access. Fox News reporter Bill Melugin was embedded with ICE agents during a bust in Boston just days before Dr. Phil’s ride-along. Recently confirmed Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem also joined ICE agents for a ride-along in New York City.
The Bigger Picture: ICE operations nationwide
Across the country, from Chicago to Boston and New York City, ICE agents are conducting hundreds of arrests each day. Media coverage of these operations varies widely based on the political leanings of the network. Left-leaning outlets like CNN and MSNBC focus on the fear and anxiety within migrant communities while right-leaning outlets like Fox News emphasize the removal of criminal migrants.
How do Americans feel about it?
Polling data suggests widespread concern about the country’s immigration system, with 88% of Americans supporting the deportation of migrants with criminal records. A majority of Americans (55%) also favor deporting all immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally.
Conclusion: Ongoing media debate over operations
As President Trump’s administration pushes forward with its immigration priorities, media debates over the ethics and effectiveness of ICE operations continue.
While controversies over ICE raids and deportations persist, operations are well underway. The debate between left and right-leaning media outlets on how these operations should be conducted — and what constitutes ethical enforcement — shows no signs of abating. As the administration focuses on immigration reform, the nation remains divided on addressing the issue.
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