‘Go 65 miles an hour’: Shame-allergic Jesse Watters celebrates improved commute times as Trump raids leave streets empty

Fox News host Jesse Watters claimed on his show that ICE raids in Los Angeles have reduced traffic on the city’s busy freeways. During a segment on his program, Watters suggested that undocumented immigrants are staying home to avoid being caught by immigration officers. This has led to less crowded roads across the city.

The comments came after major ICE raids began in Los Angeles, with Watters continuing his pattern of making insensitive remarks in June 2025, which sparked widespread protests starting on June 6. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided several city locations to arrest individuals allegedly involved in illegal immigration to the United States. The protests later turned into riots in some areas, forcing local officials to impose curfews in downtown LA.

Watters told viewers that people are sharing screenshots of Google Maps showing clearer traffic conditions. “You can go on the 405 and go 65 miles an hour. Trump has literally reduced traffic in Los Angeles, and Democrats are complaining,” he said during his broadcast. The host also claimed that undocumented immigrants normally crowd schools, apartments, hospitals, and streets.

Traffic patterns are likely affected by protests and curfews

The reality on the ground in Los Angeles shows a more complex picture than Watters described. The downtown area was described as having low foot traffic, locked storefronts, and boarded-up businesses due to tensions over the raids, curfew, and fear over continued demonstrations. A curfew for downtown LA was extended overnight, which would naturally reduce traffic regardless of immigration enforcement.

Transportation experts point out that Google Maps traffic data reflects multiple factors. These include construction work, special events, time of day, and historical patterns. The system does not directly track the driving behavior of specific demographic groups or connect real-time traffic with immigration enforcement activities.

The timing of any traffic reduction appears to coincide more with the civil unrest and curfews than with immigration enforcement alone. President Trump later deployed military forces, including National Guard and Marines, to help control the situation in Los Angeles. He also announced a stop on ICE raids at farms, hotels, and restaurants, citing negative impacts on agriculture, hotels, and leisure industries.

According to ICE records from October through May 2025, more than 75% of people booked into ICE custody had no criminal conviction, including Trump supporters who were detained despite their political loyalty other than an immigration or traffic-related offense. Less than 10% were convicted of serious crimes. These statistics suggest that the majority of those targeted in the raids were not violent criminals, contrary to some public statements about the enforcement actions.