Bill Maher challenges Dr Phil over role in Trump administration’s controversial ICE raids

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tensions flared on HBO’s 'Real Time' on Friday, August 8, when host Bill Maher confronted Dr Phil over his decision to join Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids under the Donald Trump administration.

The exchange grew heated as the comedian questioned how the television personality, known for reuniting families, could support operations that separate them. 

Bill Maher confronts Dr Phil over ICE raid participation

Bill Maher opened the discussion by pressing Dr Phil on his involvement, asking, “Why are you going on these ICE raids? I don’t understand that.” He continued, “You’re a guy who we know for so many years who has been working to put families together… And now you’re going on raids with people who are literally separating families.”

Dr Phil fired back, “Well, now that’s bulls**t,” and drew a comparison to criminal arrests involving citizens. “If you arrest somebody that’s a citizen… do you think they don’t separate that family right then, right there? Of course they do!” Maher disagreed, insisting, “But that’s not what’s going on.”

Responding to Maher’s criticism of masked ICE officers, Dr Phil claimed lawmakers have “doxxed” agents, putting their personal details online and exposing them to potential violence. “So, of course, they’re wearing masks so they don’t get outed, so people can do violence against their families,” he argued.

Dr Phil further defended the raids by citing “files” he had reviewed. “They’ve got a rap sheet, 12, 14 different cases long of child predators… Who would want them back in their communities?” he said, adding ICE is targeting “the worst first.”

Dr Phil has reportedly joined ICE operations twice, first during January’s Chicago raids and again in June’s Los Angeles raids. 

Internet erupts over Bill Maher’s stance on ICE raids and choice of guests

Social media users slammed Bill Maher’s comments and choice of guests on his recent show discussing ICE raids.

One wrote, "@billmaher doing his best to turn this country into an Idiocracy. Dr. Phil and Stephen A Smith are the guests? Jesus f**king Christ!! Fire your booker, @RealTimers."

Another said, "No @billmaher that’s not wrong. Every other law enforcement shows their face and tells you their f**king name."

A person expressed, "Dr Phil cut through the noise by pointing out that ICE agents are enforcing laws passed by elected officials not making them. His emphasis on their safety, in light of threats and doxxing, brought attention to the human side of law enforcement that often gets overlooked in political debates."

One simply tagged Maher and wrote, "On the wrong side again."

Meanwhile, another said, "Bill Maher is a stupid person’s idea of a smart person. He’s shockingly ill-informed; and while pretending to be 'a traditional liberal', readily sops-up and spews-out every tired, radical taking-point out there," while someone else remarked, "Dr. Phil just kicked Bill Maher’s tail… Bill wants to pick and choose the law you follow. Because it doesn’t yet affect him."

Stephen A Smith finds common ground with Bill Maher

ESPN commentator Stephen A Smith, another guest on the show, voiced support for “closing the borders” but criticized the execution of the administration’s policies.

“Who they have been targeting has been different than what they originally advertised,” Smith said, referencing ICE actions at workplaces, churches, and other public spaces.

Maher echoed Smith’s concerns, warning that targeting people “already working” could push undocumented immigrants toward crime.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.