Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin exposed the radical agenda of a local Fox producer who shamelessly attacked his vital “grimy” Border Patrol ride-along segment. Melugin’s report, which followed brave agents on a dramatic Home Depot raid in California, led to several crucial arrests, underscoring the critical work of our border security.
Melugin, embedded with agents in Sacramento on Thursday, had his crew filming as the raid unfolded, resulting in 11 arrests, including a U.S. citizen. His impactful reporting was later featured on anchor Bret Baier’s Special Report, bringing much-needed truth to the American people.
However, in a shocking display of anti-law enforcement sentiment, FOX40 producer Jodi Bacon took to X to criticize Fox News for allowing the journalist to “ride along,” labeling the segment as “grimy” and outrageously claiming those arrested were “targeted for NO reason.” This is the kind of dangerous rhetoric that undermines our nation’s security.
SOOOO grimy…of COURSE Border Patrol had a FOX reporter ride along with them.
To be targeted for NO reason is awful. This country deserves better. https://t.co/F3Y8KyhUWY
— Jodi Bacon (@jodibaconbits) July 17, 2025
Melugin, swiftly hit back, calling out the local producer for her irresponsible criticism, jabbing: “[y]ou thought it would be appropriate to post this?” His response highlighted the hypocrisy of those who criticize law enforcement from the comfort of their desks.
You’re a producer for @FOX40? You are in charge of coverage of this event for your Sacramento TV station and you thought it would be appropriate to post this? https://t.co/PVeFgNOay3
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) July 18, 2025
Predictably, Bacon offered no response, unable to defend her baseless accusations against dedicated Border Patrol agents.
Even FOX40’s own reporting revealed the chaotic nature of the raid, yet California Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom still questioned the legitimate jurisdiction of Border Patrol, which operates under Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This is a clear attempt to obstruct federal law enforcement and protect those who violate our laws.
“Are they actually supposed to be in our communities out here picking up people?” she absurdly asked. The answer is a resounding YES, when those individuals are here illegally and pose a threat to our communities.
The outlet also quoted Sacramento-based immigration attorney Arturo Benavidez who ludicrously argued Border Patrol agents are not permitted to detain individuals solely because of their “race” and demanded “probable cause.” This is a dangerous misrepresentation of the law, designed to tie the hands of our brave agents.
ICE officials, speaking to FOX40, confirmed their involvement in processing some of those detained, emphasizing that the operation was precisely targeted, not random, and that some individuals had previously been deported. This proves the necessity and legality of the operation.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office issued a statement that epitomizes the radical left’s stance: Border Patrol “should do their jobs — at the border — instead of continuing their tirade statewide of illegal racial profiling and illegal arrests.” This is a direct attack on federal authority and a clear signal that Newsom prioritizes illegal aliens over the safety and security of American citizens.
Despite the constant pushback from radical California officials who seek to undermine federal immigration enforcement, Border Patrol in Sacramento successfully arrested 11 illegal migrants during a tense, but necessary, raid at a Home Depot parking lot on Thursday. Among them was a dangerous individual with 67 prior jail bookings in California since 1986 and a prior fentanyl trafficking conviction – a clear example of the criminal element our agents are fighting to remove.
Fox News was on scene as these illegal migrants scattered in all directions when federal agents moved in to make arrests in the so-called sanctuary city, exposing the chaos and danger that unchecked illegal immigration brings.
This triggered multiple foot chases and several physical encounters between masked agents and fleeing migrants, highlighting the risks our law enforcement officers face daily.
In one foot pursuit, agents chased a man who they say slashed the tire of a law enforcement vehicle. The man, attempting to evade justice, falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen.
Agents, demonstrating incredible restraint and professionalism, eventually maced the man in the face before arresting him and taking him into custody. His wife, in a display of defiance, shouted at agents throughout the incident, insisting he is a U.S. citizen, further complicating the agents’ vital work.
Border Patrol agents were forced to drive the damaged vehicle away on its rims, a testament to the challenges they overcome.
Gregory Bovino, U.S. Border Patrol chief for the El Centro Sector, delivered a powerful message, asserting that his agency will continue prioritizing the removal of criminal illegal immigrants, regardless of political obstruction.
“There is no sanctuary city, Sacramento is not a sanctuary city, the state of California is not a sanctuary state, there is no sanctuary anywhere,” Bovino declared. “We’ll be here, you’ll probably see us in many other locations as well. We’re here to stay, we’re not going anywhere. We’re going to effect this mission and secure the homeland.” This is the strong leadership America needs.
The menace with 67 prior jail bookings is Mexican national Javier Dimas-Alcantara, an aggravated felon whose convictions and charges span decades. His extensive criminal history includes multiple instances of transporting and selling narcotics or controlled substances, felony burglary, possession of a controlled narcotic with intent to sell, carrying a loaded firearm in public, and multiple felony-level marijuana possession charges for sale. He’s also been arrested for illegal entry, revocation of probation due to reoffending, multiple instances of providing false identification to law enforcement, and numerous cases of narcotic possession and being under the influence of a controlled substance. This is precisely the type of dangerous individual that sanctuary policies protect, putting our communities at risk.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin rightly slammed the defenders of sanctuary policies, exposing their dangerous agenda.
“Dimas has been convicted of a myriad of offenses — you would not want this man to be your neighbor and yet politicians like [California Gov.] Gavin Newsom defend criminals who terrorize American communities and demonize law enforcement who defend those same communities,” McLaughlin stated, hitting the nail on the head.
“He and every other sanctuary politician should be thanking CBP for getting this scum out of American communities instead of obstructing federal law enforcement at every possible turn.”
McLaughlin emphasized that the Trump administration has been given a clear mandate by the American people to get violent illegal aliens off our streets and out of our country, a mandate that true patriots fully support.
The other apprehended migrants included a previously deported Guatemalan aggravated felon and a previously deported Mexican migrant with a prior arrest for driving without a license, further proving the necessity of these operations.
Another detainee is a Guatemalan migrant who had a voluntary return removal in 2009 with prior arrests for trespassing and failure to provide ID, demonstrating a pattern of disregard for our laws.
Their names have not been released yet, but their criminal histories speak volumes about the threats we face at our open borders.
