Andrew Yang and Elon Musk?
Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang has reportedly reached out to Elon Musk with a proposal to collaborate on building a third political party.
The Rebel Yellow Issue #81
Federal immigration raids in Los Angeles have triggered national protests, drawing attention to the Trump administration’s aggressive enforcement actions, controversial use of active-duty troops, and growing legal challenges from California officials. In this issue: Korean American groups denounce a viral Trump Jr. meme invoking the 1992 LA riots, critics accuse FBI Director Kash Patel of hypocrisy over protester threats, and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu faces backlash for likening ICE agents to neo-Nazis. Also covered: community rallies for a detained Vietnamese mother, scientists protest deep NIH cuts, and Asian Americans make history at the 2025 Tony Awards.
Federal immigration raids in Los Angeles spark protests nationwide
Federal immigration enforcement operations across Los Angeles on Friday culminating President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and Marines in the city, have ignited a series of protests across the country.
Catch up
The crisis began on Friday when agents from ICE, HSI, DEA and FBI conducted raids at multiple locations, including a Home Depot in the Westlake District and businesses in downtown LA’s Fashion District. The operations reportedly resulted in more than 100 arrests, with 44 taken into custody at one operation site. Among those arrested was prominent California labor leader David Huerta, who was injured when pushed to the ground by federal agents while observing the raid as part of a rapid response network.
Protesters initially assembled in Chinatown Friday evening to confront federal agents, with demonstrations expanding downtown over the weekend. The situation intensified as demonstrators blocked freeway traffic, ignited fires and damaged buildings, leading police to deploy tear gas and make more arrests.
What authorities are saying
Federal officials have defended the enforcement actions and criticized the protests. A senior DHS spokesperson said immigration authorities are following proper legal procedures for deportations. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned that individuals who attack law enforcement officers will face prosecution.
Meanwhile, Trump defended the National Guard deployment, citing violence and disorder in the city while criticizing state and local leadership. The president activated emergency powers Saturday evening, deploying National Guard members and later adding 700 active-duty Marines in what legal experts describe as the first federalization of state National Guard units without gubernatorial consent in approximately 60 years.
The protests
Monday saw thousands gather peacefully in Grand Park slamming the raids and calling for Huerta’s release, a scene that contrasted sharply with the damaged downtown area now patrolled by police and National Guard personnel. Huerta appeared in federal court on conspiracy charges and was released on $50,000 bond with conditions that bar him from approaching federal operations within 100 yards.
The situation remains volatile as California officials have mounted legal challenges against the federal response. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit Monday arguing Trump’s orders exceed federal authority. On Tuesday, California attorneys requested an emergency court order to temporarily prohibit the use of Marines and federalized National Guard for law enforcement, claiming the federal government intends to use troops to accompany immigration enforcement officers on raids.
Beyond California
The unrest has now spread nationwide, with activists organizing rallies in major cities. Since Monday, at least 25 protests have been documented coast to coast, ranging from dozens to thousands of participants. In New York, at least nine people were arrested during a tense Monday rally targeting ICE raids and the travel ban on multiple countries. Similar scenes unfolded in Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and other East Coast cities.
The movement has also gained momentum in Texas and across the South and Midwest. Hundreds gathered at the Texas Capitol on Monday. Additional demonstrations reportedly occurred in cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Memphis and Oklahoma City, with more protests planned for Tuesday. A series of nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations is also scheduled for Saturday.
Trump Jr. appears to suggest “rooftop Koreans” should shoot protestors
Korean Americans in Los Angeles are condemning Donald Trump Jr. for posting a contentious image that references their community’s experience during the 1992 riots amid ongoing immigration protests.
About the meme: Trump Jr. posted the controversial photo showing an armed man on a rooftop with the caption “Make Rooftop Koreans Great Again!” on social media Sunday night. It referenced Korean shop owners who defended their businesses with firearms during the 1992 LA riots after police forces withdrew from certain areas. Photojournalist Hyungwon Kang, who took the original photograph, said it was used without permission and demanded Trump Jr. to take it down, noting that it was being used “out of context.”
What they’re saying: The Korean American Federation of Los Angeles denounced the post as demonstrating “poor judgment” and warned that Trump Jr.’s actions “could pose serious risks during this tense period.” The group further urged that “the past trauma of the Korean people be never, ever exploited for any purpose.” Kang also told Reuters that the current situation with adequate police protection “is not even remotely similar to the dire situation for Korean Americans of those dark hours during the 1992 LA Riots.”
Kash Patel’s jail threat to ICE protesters draws accusations of hypocrisy
FBI Director Kash Patel has faced backlash over his jail threat to anti-ICE protesters, with critics accusing the administration of applying different standards compared to Jan. 6 defendants.
What he said: The demonstrations broke out in Los Angeles over the weekend following the arrests of dozens accused of immigration violations. As the protests unfolded, Patel wrote on X, “Hit a cop, you're going to jail … doesn’t matter where you came from, how you got here, or what movement speaks to you. If the local police force won’t back our men and women on the thin blue line, we @FBI will.”
What critics are saying
Patel’s post has drawn flak among X users who pointed out the irony in relation to the Jan. 6 insurrection. “But if you do it wearing Trump merch while rioting at the U.S. Capitol, you’ll get a pardon, right, Kash?” one questioned. Another noted, “Just wear MAGA hats and you can beat up cops and smear shit in the U.S. Capitol and get pardoned and maybe even a tasty settlement.”
President Donald Trump granted pardons to some 1,500 individuals charged or convicted in the Capitol attack, including roughly 600 who faced accusations of assaulting officers. More than 140 law enforcement personnel sustained injuries during the incident.
Boston mayor Wu draws federal backlash for comparing masked ICE agents to neo-Nazis
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is taking heat from federal officials after comparing masked ICE agents to “secret police” and suggesting similarities to a neo-Nazi group during immigration enforcement operations.
Catch up
The latest rebuke against Wu — who is running for re-election — erupted in late May after she told WBUR that people are “getting snatched off the street by secret police who are wearing masks and can offer no justification for why certain people are being taken and then detained.” Her comments came amid heightened immigration enforcement operations, including the March arrest of Turkish student Rumeysa Ozturk by masked, plain-clothed ICE agents in a Boston suburb.
Federal officials defended the mask-wearing practice by highlighting safety concerns. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons told reporters, “People are out there taking photos of the names, their faces and posting them online with death threats to their family and themselves.”
Escalation of comments
Last week, Wu drew parallels between ICE agents and NSC-131, a New England-based neo-Nazi group. “I don’t know of any police department that routinely wears masks,” she told reporters. “We know that there are other groups that routinely wear masks. NSC-131 routinely wears masks.” But when pressed on whether she was equating ICE with the organization, Wu declined to directly answer and instead reiterated that local police departments do not routinely wear masks.
In response, the Department of Homeland Security called the comparison “sickening,” while White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson slammed her broader comments as “disgusting, dangerous attacks on law enforcement.”
The big picture
Wu’s confrontation with federal authorities builds on her March 5 congressional testimony before a Republican-led House Oversight Committee, where she defended Boston’s sanctuary policies by asserting that it is “the safest major city in the country.”
The mayor shows no signs of retreating. Yesterday, she signed an executive order mandating regular Freedom of Information Act requests for ICE arrest details, saying “it is our responsibility to make sure that communication between our residents and the city of Boston in every manner is designed to boost trust and boost collaboration.” She also advised border czar Tom Homan to “take a time out” on ICE operations nationwide.
Community rallies behind Vietnamese mother detained by ICE in Maryland
Nearly a month after being taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Melissa Tran made her first video contact with her children during a community rally held in her support on June 4 in Hagerstown, Maryland. The brief appearance, streamed from a detention facility in Tacoma, Washington, was her first communication with family members since her arrest on May 12 during a routine ICE check-in in Baltimore.
Since her detention, Tran had been transferred among ICE facilities in Maryland, Louisiana, Arizona and Washington without access to her family. At the rally, which took place at Nail Palace & Spa, supporters and relatives gathered as she appeared on a video call. “Please give me your prayers,” the 43-year-old mother and business owner asked the crowd.
Decades-old deportation order
Tran entered the U.S. from Vietnam in 1993 at age 11. In 2003, she was taken into ICE custody due to a felony theft conviction stemming from an incident when she was 19, according to attorney Elizabeth Rhodes. They say she stole money from an employer under pressure from a then-boyfriend, described by Rhodes as “the idea man” behind the crime.
Tran pleaded guilty to felony theft and received a largely suspended sentence, except for work release and paid restitution. Following her conviction, ICE obtained a deportation order, but Vietnam would not accept repatriation of individuals who had left the country before 1995. As a result, Tran was released and required to check in annually with immigration authorities — a practice she reportedly followed for over 20 years before her sudden detention last month.
Tran and her husband, Danny Hoang, have operated the nail salon and spa in the Long Meadow Shopping Center for nearly 22 years. Over that time, the couple have gained loyal customers and friends who have witnessed the growth of their four children: Jackson, 19; Rachel, 18; Jacob, 10; and Riley, 6.
“Not a gang member”
The June 4 rally drew more than a dozen supporters and public officials, including Maryland Delegate Matthew J. Schindler, who submitted a formal appeal to ICE and shared a public statement. “Melissa is not a gang member. Melissa is not a violent criminal. Melissa is our neighbor, a taxpayer, a business owner, a homeowner and a mother of four,” Schindler wrote.
Community members also organized a letter-writing campaign addressed to President Donald Trump, with residents planning to hand-deliver copies individually on June 11. “Melissa and Danny have resided in Hagerstown in Washington County, Maryland,” the letter read. “They are the epitome of a kind, caring, and contributing neighbor anyone would wish for.”
A GoFundMe campaig has been established to help the family with legal and related expenses.
Ex-DOGE engineer says federal abuse was “relatively nonexistent”
Software developer Sahil Lavingia, who worked briefly for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), claims that abuse within the federal government was “relatively nonexistent” during his 55-day stint at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
About Lavingia: Lavingia founded digital marketplace Gumroad and previously worked as Pinterest’s second hire. He joined DOGE on March 17 as an unpaid contractor supporting the VA after a friend facilitated contact with the organization. The tech entrepreneur had previously applied to the U.S. Digital Service around 2015, hoping to apply his programming expertise in government. In a recent interview with NPR, he said it would be hard to find “a better way to have a larger impact as someone who writes code every day” than federal employment, adding that he did not care which administration he worked for.
What he found
Lavingia disputed DOGE’s fundamental assertions about widespread government waste. He told NPR that the federal government was not “rife with waste, fraud and abuse,” saying he was “pretty surprised, actually, at how efficient the government was.” While acknowledging waste exists, he characterized fraud as minimal and said abuse appeared “relatively nonexistent.”
He was fired after talking about Gumroad’s open-source transition — during which he discussed his DOGE experience — in an interview published on Fast Company. He said his access was revoked on May 9 without notification and that he only learned of his dismissal through an email stating his credentials were invalid.
Andrew Yang and Elon Musk for a third party?
Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang has reportedly reached out to Elon Musk with a proposal to collaborate on building a third political party following the billionaire’s fiery feud with President Donald Trump.
Catch up
Yang’s outreach follows Musk’s public breakup with Trump over federal spending legislation that would increase the deficit by $2.5 trillion. Musk, who worked with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on spending cuts, opposed the legislation and polled his X followers about forming a new political party. The survey received 5.3 million votes, with 80.4% supporting the idea. Musk then suggested naming it the “America Party.”
Yang, who leads the Forward Party — formed after his exit in the 2021 New York City mayoral Democratic primary — moved to connect with Musk following the poll, noting that Musk had endorsed his presidential bid as they both supported Universal Basic Income policies.
Common ground
In a recent interview with Politico, Yang revealed that he has reached out to Musk and that “some mutual friends” are also looking to connect them. However, he has yet to hear back from the Tesla chief.
Yang went on to stress that independents represent the U.S.’ fastest growing political movement, with voters feeling unrepresented by either major party. He emphasized common ground with Musk. “There are a number of things that I think Elon shares in common with a lot of other folks I talk to who want to see some kind of middle ground or balance,” he said. But his direct pitch to Musk was more pointed: “Elon, the political class will never get serious about putting America on a path to sustainability, and you’ve seen it up close. Help us build it.”
Looking ahead
Yang says the Forward Party has gained thousands of new followers in the last 24 hours since Musk’s poll appeared. He believes sufficient resources could produce thousands of locally elected officials within one cycle by targeting more than 500,000 local positions nationwide.
He also envisions creating a fulcrum in the U.S. Senate through what he calls a “Legislator Liberation Fund” to buy out current legislators from their party contracts.
NIH scientists publish declaration criticizing Trump’s deep cuts in public health research
Scientists at the National Institutes of Health released a rare internal protest letter known as the “Bethesda Declaration” on Monday to publicly condemn the Trump administration’s sweeping cuts to biomedical research. The declaration, signed by 92 current and former NIH staff members and endorsed anonymously by 250 others, accuses NIH leadership of political interference, abrupt grant terminations and undermining the agency’s core mission of safeguarding public health.
Scientists allege political interference
The declaration outlines a sharp critique of budget reductions and administrative decisions that scientists say have crippled the agency’s research capabilities. Among the most significant allegations are the abrupt termination of more than 2,100 research grants, valued between $9.5 billion and $12 billion. These grants included clinical trials and long-term projects deemed essential for public health innovation. Contracts worth an additional $2.6 billion were reportedly suspended without warning, forcing several trials to stop mid-course — including tuberculosis treatment studies in Haiti — raising ethical concerns about participant safety.
The letter, distributed to NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and multiple congressional oversight committees, claims the agency is abandoning its commitment to evidence-based research. It accuses leadership of placing political pressure over scientific integrity.
“The life-and-death nature of our work demands that changes be thoughtful and vetted,” the declaration states. “We are compelled to speak up when our leadership prioritizes political momentum over human safety and faithful stewardship of public resources. Many have raised these concerns to NIH leadership, yet we remain pressured to implement harmful measures. Today, we come directly to you.”
Growing unrest within the agency
The public release of the letter comes amid broader tensions within federal science agencies under the Trump administration. The NIH is facing proposed budget cuts of up to 40% for fiscal year 2026 — equating to an $18 billion reduction — while the Department of Health and Human Services is reportedly moving ahead with plans to cut tens of thousands of jobs across agencies including the CDC and FDA. These developments have fueled widespread concern about the country’s ability to respond to future health emergencies and maintain global leadership in science.
The declaration details what it calls a “culture of fear and suppression,” in which staff feel unable to question politically driven decisions without risking their careers. The authors argue that halting clinical trials at 80% completion represents not only a loss of scientific opportunity but also a profound waste of taxpayer money. “Ending a $5 million research study when it is 80% complete does not save $1 million — it wastes $4 million,” the letter states.
Political and legal response
Bhattacharya, a Trump appointee and co-author of the 2020 Great Barrington Declaration, responded by calling the letter “productive” but said it misrepresented the agency’s strategic direction. He defended the consolidation of programs and reallocation of funds, arguing that reforms were necessary to modernize NIH operations and align them with national priorities.
Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) has called for hearings to examine the impact of NIH cuts and the agency’s management practices. Bhattacharya is scheduled to testify before a Senate committee later this week and the letter’s revelations are expected to feature prominently in questioning.
Scientists unite
The Bethesda Declaration has also drawn support from the broader scientific community, with over 40 scientists from outside the NIH, including 21 Nobel laureates, signing a separate letter supporting the declaration. In addition, more than 500 individuals signed the letter Monday morning after the document was made public.
In March, more than 1,900 scientists signed another open letter warning that deep federal cuts would cripple the nation’s research infrastructure, accelerate brain drain and compromise future public health responses. Legal challenges have already succeeded in blocking certain HHS initiatives — including a broad freeze on grants — suggesting that further pushback may come through the courts.
Asian performers make history at 2025 Tony Awards
Three Asian and Asian American performers won major acting honors at the 78th annual Tony Awards, held June 8 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City — the highest number of AAPI acting wins in a single year.
Why it matters: This marks the first time three acting categories were won by Asian performers, according to the Theatre Development Fund. Past Asian and Asian American Tony winners also include B.D. Wong for “M. Butterfly” (1988), Lea Salonga for “Miss Saigon” (1991), Ruthie Ann Miles for “The King and I” (2015) and Michael Aronov for “Oslo” (2017).
Historic first: Filipino American Darren Criss won best leading actor in a musical for “Maybe Happy Ending,” becoming the first Asian American to receive that award. In his speech, he dedicated his win to his wife Mia, calling her “the real hero” of his career. "To allow this crazy upheaval in our life, to make this logistically possible and for bearing the brunt of raising two tiny friends under three, so that I could raise a singing robot at the Belasco Theatre eight times a week."
Making an impact: Chinese American Francis Jue took home best featured actor in a play for “Yellow Face.” He is the second Asian American male to win a Tony in an acting category, following Wong’s win. “To those who don’t feel seen and those who are feeling targeted during these authoritarian times, I see you,” Jue said in his speech.
Taking the lead: Filipina American Nicole Scherzinger earned best leading actress in a musical for “Sunset Boulevard,” becoming the second Asian American woman to do so — after Salonga won. “Growing up I always felt like I didn't belong, but you all have made me feel like I belong and I have come home at last,” Scherzinger said in tears.
Groundbreaking win: Marco Paguia won best orchestrations for “Buena Vista Social Club,” a technical first for a Filipino in that category. After winning, he told BroadwayWorld he was excited to see Broadway embrace Cuban music and culture.
Other AAPI nominees: This year’s ceremony also featured Daniel Dae Kim, who was nominated for best leading actor in a play for “Yellow Face,” Conrad Ricamora for “Oh, Mary!” and Tala Ashe for “English.”
Manny Pacquiao fights back tears as he enters Boxing Hall of Fame
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao delivered an emotional speech as he was enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday in Canastota, New York, marking a historic milestone in a career that has spanned over two decades.
Why it matters: Pacquiao is the only boxer to win world titles across eight weight divisions — a feat that remains unmatched in the history of the sport. The 46-year-old’s rise from poverty in General Santos City, Philippines, to global superstardom has made him a national hero and an enduring symbol of perseverance.
Driving the news: Pacquiao was inducted alongside fellow fighters Vinny Paz and Michael Nunn as part of the Hall’s Class of 2025. He joins three other Filipinos in the Hall’s history: Pancho Villa, the first Asian world champion; Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, a revered super featherweight champion and Lope Sarreal, a prominent boxing promoter.
Life of hunger: During his remarks, Pacquiao grew visibly emotional as he reflected on his unlikely journey. “I came from nothing. Just a small boy from the streets of General Santos City. No shoes. No food. No chance,” he said. “Just a dream in my heart. I know hunger. I know pain. I know what it means to be counted out.”
The details: Over his career, Pacquiao compiled a record of 68 wins, 8 losses and 2 draws, with 39 of those wins via knockout. His championships spanned from flyweight to light middleweight, defeating elite opponents including Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Márquez. Beyond the ring, he served as a senator in the Philippines and ran for president in 2022, though he lost that bid.
What’s next: Pacquiao isn't hanging up the gloves and is set to return to the ring on July 19 in Las Vegas against WBC interim welterweight champion Mario Barrios. If victorious, Pacquiao could add a 10th world title to his resume nearly three years after his last professional bout.