Guests - Gerry Scimeca, Betsy Smith, Sergio Arellano
Winn Tucson: Law Enforcement, Immigration Enforcement, Economic Impacts, and Arizona Republican Unity
Host Kathleen Winn opened the broadcast by diving straight into the intersection of immigration enforcement, public safety, consumer costs, and broader economic stability — issues she argued affect everyday Americans far beyond political headlines.
ICE Enforcement and Its Real Costs to Consumers and Communities
Gerard Scimeca, Chairman and General Counsel of Consumer Action for a Strong Economy (CASE), joined Winn to explain why immigration enforcement matters economically.
Scimeca emphasized that stable commerce and secure jobs require law and order. "In order to have a viable economy, in order to have a stable economy and regular commerce, where people feel secure in their jobs and secure in their purchases, you can't have rampant crime in the streets, you can't have lawlessness," he said.
He pointed to historical examples, including the urban decay following 1960s–70s riots in cities like Detroit and New York, and credited Rudy Giuliani's broken-windows policing for revitalizing New York. Scimeca argued that unchecked lawlessness correlates with poverty — a connection backed by UN and federal studies.
The conversation turned to property damage during protests targeting ICE agents. Scimeca noted that when protesters damage hotels or other private property, insurance companies bear the cost — and those costs get passed on to consumers through higher premiums. "The lawlessness of these people is economically... always on the burden of the victim," he said.
Winn and Scimeca discussed selective outrage: while some activists protest ICE actions, they remain silent on issues like over 500,000 missing illegal immigrant children or American citizens killed by illegal immigrants. Scimeca highlighted cases where countries emptied prisons and sent criminals to the U.S., exacerbating public safety risks.
Both agreed that enforcing existing immigration laws protects wages and job opportunities for American workers. Scimeca cited an Arkansas meatpacking plant raid where, after the removal of illegal workers paid under the table, American applicants lined up for jobs the next day — driving wages upward.
Healthcare, Insurance, and Economic Policy Under the Current Administration
Scimeca, representing CASE's free-market perspective, criticized government interference that raises prices and reduces choices. He described Obamacare as a "debacle" that failed to make care affordable.
He praised efforts to lower prescription drug costs but blamed pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and insurance companies for keeping rebates and blocking transparency about cheaper generics. "The insurance companies have all gobbled them up," he said.
Scimeca supported bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. — including drug production currently reliant on China — and noted that Americans subsidize lower drug prices abroad through higher domestic costs. He endorsed tariffs as a negotiating tool to level the playing field and attract investment, citing trillions in foreign commitments to build factories in the U.S.
Winn and Scimeca agreed that border security enables disruption of fentanyl trafficking, labor trafficking, and sex trafficking networks, all of which harm the economy.
Law Enforcement Under Attack: Protests, Misinformation, and Political Rhetoric
Retired Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association and co-host of "Smith & Winn," joined the program to discuss escalating threats to law enforcement.
Smith described protesters attacking ICE agents — and sometimes Border Patrol agents unrelated to ICE operations — as part of a broader "war on law enforcement." She referenced viral videos of porch pirates turning aggressive when caught and compared current protests to historical obstruction of federal law.
She criticized Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Gov. Tim Walz for allegedly encouraging interference with ICE. "If you had somebody saying there was a standoff somewhere with a SWAT team and hostages, they would get arrested," she said.
Smith addressed the case of Alex Preddy (a male nurse killed during a protest), noting left-leaning media used AI to alter images and framed him as a Second Amendment hero. She stressed that peacefully protesting does not include laying hands on officers or drawing firearms. "You can't lay hands on a cop who's doing his job," she said.
She highlighted selective outrage: hundreds or thousands of American citizens killed by illegal immigrants, plus missing children, receive far less attention than protester deaths.
Winn and Smith condemned Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes for suggesting residents could use deadly force against masked, unmarked law enforcement under stand-your-ground laws. Both called the statement reckless and dangerous to officers statewide. "She's the top cop... and that's who you want at the top saying take shots at them if you're confused," Winn said.
New Leadership at Pima County GOP: Unity and 2026 Strategy
Sergio Arellano, newly elected chair of the Pima County Republican Party (and recent candidate for Arizona GOP chair), closed the program.
Arellano, a combat veteran, former Army infantryman, and former outreach director for Arizona's mortgage settlement program, emphasized unity after a divisive internal process. "We're done with the division. We're done with the fighting," he said.
He highlighted Republican policies benefiting everyday Arizonans — no tax on tips, no tax on food, public safety, school choice — and contrasted them with Democratic vetoes and spending.
Arellano stressed reaching Latino communities through Spanish-language media to counter narratives blaming Republicans for violence. "On the Latino media, there's nobody to stand up and push back and say, hey, you know, all the violence you see out there is being prompted by these liberals," he said.
He committed to delivering Pima County for Republicans in 2026, collaborating with rural counties, growing precinct committee membership, and using platforms like X and Instagram to reach younger voters.
Winn congratulated Arellano and pledged support, noting the importance of midterm turnout and election integrity. She urged listeners to register to vote, support upcoming ballot measures, and attend candidate events.
The broadcast wrapped with encouragement to stay engaged, protect the rule of law, and work toward restoring economic opportunity and public safety in Arizona.