In Conversation with Pastor Mike McBride on the Dangers of the Big, Beautiful Bill and the Rise of Authoritarianism

KPFA - Hard Knock Radio

On this urgent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sits down with Pastor Mike McBride of the Black Church PAC and LiveFree.org to break down the far-reaching implications of a sweeping federal bill, dubbed sarcastically by critics as the “Big Billionaire Looting Bill” or BBL Bill. As headlines focused on celebrity scandals like Diddy’s legal troubles, Pastor Mike and Davey call attention to the much more dangerous developments quietly moving through Congress.

A Trillion-Dollar Transfer to the Rich

Pastor Mike warns that this 1,000+ page bill includes one of the largest tax breaks in U.S. history—effectively transferring over $1 trillion to the wealthiest Americans. Meanwhile, $925 million is being cut from essential programs like SNAP and Medicaid, disproportionately impacting poor and working-class communities. On top of that, the bill earmarks $75 billion for ICE expansion, including:

• Hiring 10,000 new ICE agents,
• Building detention centers (like the controversial “Alcatraz” in Florida),
• Funding one million additional deportations annually,
• And allocating $15 billion toward secret federal policing units.

Attacks on Immigrant and Black Communities

The bill signals a return to over-policing and racialized targeting, especially in sanctuary cities. Pastor Mike notes the growing alignment between federal agencies and private for-profit detention centers, creating economic incentives to criminalize and detain marginalized people. A new wave of ICE enforcement is poised to hit Haitian and Black immigrant communities hardest—many of whom have lost Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Even U.S.-born citizens with criminal records could be subject to extreme legal overreach.

Digital Misinformation and Manufactured Crime Waves

Davey and Pastor Mike also expose how right-wing networks and doom-loop websites are manufacturing a crime narrative—often funded by police unions or conservative operatives—to justify harsh policing. They explain how these fear-based tactics are being used to promote authoritarian policies, all while suppressing grassroots democratic reforms.

The Call to Action

Pastor Mike calls on listeners to act fast, stressing that we may have less than 24 hours to stop this bill in Congress. He urges folks to:

• Call the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121
• Visit bit.ly/StopTheBBL
• Text ten friends and spread the word
  He emphasizes, “Freedom is a constant struggle,” quoting Angela Davis.

Final Thoughts

The interview closes with a sobering reminder: this bill isn’t just bad policy—it’s a roadmap toward a more authoritarian and unequal America. Davey D and Pastor Mike urge listeners to see past the distractions, stay organized, and stand firm in values rooted in justice, humanity, and dignity for all.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

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