PDB Afternoon Bulletin | January 28th, 2025: Mexican Cartel Gunmen Open Fire On Border Agents & Trump Orders Pentagon To Build US 'Iron Dome'
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What happened at the U.S. southern border on January 28th?
It's Tuesday, 28 January. Welcome to the PDB Afternoon Bulletin. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. Alright, let's get briefed. First, we'll begin at the US southern border, where US Border Patrol agents came under fire on Monday from suspected members of a Mexican drug cartel as a group of migrants attempted to enter the US illegally.
How are drug cartels responding to U.S. border policies?
Later in this afternoon's episode, we'll discuss President Trump's plans to build a new comprehensive air defense system for the U.S., modeled after Israel's Iron Dome system. But first, our afternoon spotlight. With President Trump's crackdown on the U.S.
What are the details of the border gunfire incident?
southern border in full swing, the drug cartels that helped facilitate the migration crisis have started violently lashing out at American border agents. On Monday, four suspected members of a Mexican cartel were captured on video opening fire on U.S. Border Patrol agents who were attempting to stop a group of migrants from entering the U.S. illegally. The incident unfolded in broad daylight around 1.30 p.m. along the southern border near Fronten Island, Texas, which is unofficially known as Cartel Island. That's due to the high level of criminal activity seen in the area. And that's according to a report from Fox News. The suspected cartel members opened fire just as a group of migrants attempted to cross the Rio Grande.
The migrants were reportedly stopped and border agents promptly returned fire on the cartel members, sending the heavily armed gunmen running for cover. The agents subsequently deployed a drone to track the four gunmen, who officials said were spotted, quote, fleeing Mexico due to a military presence and seeking refuge on an island between the US and Mexico. The footage reportedly showed the four men walking along a riverbank and seeking cover from the drone in shrubs. Several were seen repeatedly aiming their weapons directly at the drone. While authorities were unable to apprehend the gunmen, no injuries were reported to the border agents.
What measures is the Trump administration taking against illegal immigration?
The incident comes as the Trump administration marches forward with their efforts to curb illegal immigration and fortify the southern border. Now, as we've been tracking here on the PDB, the Trump administration has already shut down all crossings along the US-Mexico border, effectively suspending access for migrants seeking asylum in the US. Refugee and parole admissions have also been suspended, and Trump has ended the Biden-era catch-and-release policy that allowed apprehended illegal migrants to go free inside US borders. Border authorities have also been granted expanded enforcement powers under a process called, quote, expedited removal, which allows the deportation without a court hearing of any migrant who can't prove that they've been in the U.S. for longer than two years. Collectively, the aggressive policies are already having a significant effect on illegal immigration.
How has illegal immigration changed under the Trump administration?
According to an analysis by Fox News, illegal migrant encounters have dropped by 35% over the first week of the Trump administration when compared to the final days of the Biden administration. Meanwhile, officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, revealed Monday that they've already arrested at least 3,552 migrants living illegally in the U.S., including roughly 1,179 on Monday alone. The targeted arrests are currently unfolding in sanctuary cities across America, with authorities prioritizing illegal migrants with a criminal record or who have been deemed a potential threat to public safety.
What is the new air defense system ordered by Trump?
Coming up, President Trump signed an executive order Monday ordering the Pentagon to begin building a new comprehensive air defense system for the U.S. that's modeled after Israel's Iron Dome system. I'll be right back. Hey, Mike Baker here. Let's talk about your online security. Now, going online without the protection offered by ExpressVPN is like leaving your blinds open at night, right? That's a little creepy. Anyone can watch what you're doing, and you have no idea who might be out there lurking in the dark, or in this case, in the dark web. Express VPN reroutes 100% of your traffic through secure encrypted servers so your ISP can't see your browsing history. Because all your traffic flows through their servers, internet service providers know every single website you visit.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What happened at the U.S. southern border on January 28th?
0:12–0:35
2
How are drug cartels responding to U.S. border policies?
0:35–0:50
3
What are the details of the border gunfire incident?
0:50–2:17
4
What measures is the Trump administration taking against illegal immigration?
2:17–3:12
5
How has illegal immigration changed under the Trump administration?
3:12–3:54
6
What is the new air defense system ordered by Trump?
3:54–9:48
Speakers
1 identifiedMore from The President's Daily Brief
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