ICE deports a bunch of criminals
🗺️ Who exactly did ICE arrest · Casada/Cothren trial update · Federal budget effect on TN · Land preservation bill · Bulletproof all-star · This week in streaming · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone.
The Daily Wire got some more information on the ICE operation in Nashville. According to DHS, ICE has detained 196 illegal immigrants since May 3. Of the arrestees, 95 already had criminal convictions or pending charges, and 31 had illegally reentered the U.S. after deportation—a felony. So, that’s the crew Metro has thrown its weight behind.
Additionally, reports are circulating about restaurants and businesses closing. Fox17 vaguely reported that “at least two” honky tonks on Broadway have closed amidst rumors that ICE is targeting businesses in the area. The Plaza Mariachi parking lot is empty. I’ve heard about landscaping crews not showing up for work and housekeepers going on strike.
“Went to drink margaritas with my friends but the restaurant had to close because they got a heads up that ICE was down the street,” wrote one Nashville Bluesky user. “We have to fight this s**t. We're not free til we're all free.” This man must really like his overpriced margaritas.
All of the commentary coming from those opposed to the enforcement of federal immigration laws floats above the reality of who is being targeted like someone dumped out a bottle of perfume to try and disguise the smell of rotting garbage. Aside from the consistent refusal to distinguish between illegal and legal aliens (see this op-ed from a retired THP officer, for example), the majority of even the most vocal opponents say they support the deportation or arrest of those who have committed crimes.
Whatever the case, as the deportations pick up, this year, Governor Lee signed into law a bill that makes it illegal for individuals or non-profits to harbor or hide, or aid in harboring or hiding, an illegal immigrant in Tennessee.
Onward, Davis.
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🖋️ Edited by Megan Podsiedlik.
⚖️ Casada/Cothren Update The jury has begun deliberations following yesterday’s closing arguments in the federal trial of former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his former aide, Cade Cothren. The two face 19 federal counts and up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, theft, and money laundering related to an alleged scheme involving Cothren’s political consulting firm, Phoenix Solutions.
The proceedings failed to meet their anticipated climax, given that Speaker Cameron Sexton never took the stand to testify. According to the Banner, Glen Casada’s attorney, Ed Yarbrough, captivated the jury during his concise, 45-minute closing argument. All straight talk and no frills, he painted a picture of political rivalry between Sexton and Casada, hoping to sow seeds of reasonable doubt regarding the grounds on which the investigation came to fruition: “They’ve taken these payments and twisted them to fit a federal statute.”
Cade Cothren’s attorney, Cynthia Sherwood, also categorized the investigation as a political witch hunt and walked the jury through a lengthy presentation, which included a PowerPoint. According to the Tennessean, Sherwood emphasized that concealing Cothren’s involvement in Phoenix Solutions was not illegal, no lawmakers were harmed by his hidden identity, and the consulting firm’s clients got what they paid for.
U.S. Attorney Blake Ellison recapped the federal case for the jury on behalf of the prosecution. According to NewsChannel 5, John Taddei, a trial lawyer for the U.S. Justice Department, fielded the defense’s closing arguments by offering the prosecution’s final rebuttal. The media outlet reported that “Taddei said Speaker Cameron Sexton was not called because he didn't have much to add and his decisions were largely handled by staffers instead of himself directly.”
It’s worth noting that the agent who led the FBI investigation into the political corruption case, Special Agent Brent Hayden, was never called upon as a witness by the prosecution, the defense called no witnesses, and both Casada and Cothren declined to testify in their own defense. The two men pleaded “not guilty” and await the jury’s verdict.
💸 How The Federal Budget May Affect TN This month, Tennessee’s Sycamore Institute took a closer look at how President Trump’s “skinny budget” and Congressional budget reconciliation could affect the Volunteer State. According to the nonpartisan think tank, Trump’s proposed budget for FY 2026 recommends “cutting non-defense discretionary spending by 23 percent and boosting defense spending by 13 percent.” The largest cuts are to “Departments of Health & Human Services, Interior, Labor, Housing & Urban Development, and State, the Small Business Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Science Foundation.”
As for the budget resolutions passed by the House and Senate, the legislative bodies are miles apart when it comes to spending: “The House plan would increase the deficit by about $3.3 trillion while the Senate’s would increase it by about $5.7 trillion.” Congress is considering changes that could affect TennCare (Medicaid), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) as part of reconciliation.
When looking at Sycamore’s data regarding federal fiscal year 2024, Davidson County received over $56.6 billion of the nearly $110.2 billion in federal funds sent to the state. Medicare ($31.1 billion), state government ($20 billion), and individuals ($2.6 billion) landed the majority of the funds in Nashville. City government secured around $161.6 million, nonprofits $728.6 million, for-profits $873.1 million, and small businesses $156.4 million.
🌾 Lee’s Signature Seals Preservation Funds Yesterday, Governor Bill Lee proudly signed the Farmland Preservation Act into law. Last year, similar legislation died in the Senate Ag Committee. This time around, the General Assembly passed the bill despite pushback from those wary of the proposal’s inclusion of nonprofits as easement holders and fear of it being a land grab in disguise. As the legislation made its way through the House and Senate, proponents reiterated that the funding, and its attached preservation agreement, is merely an option that farmers can voluntarily take advantage of.
“Agriculture is the top driver of Tennessee’s economy, and our farmers play an important role in our state’s success,” said Governor Lee in a press release. “As Tennessee experiences unprecedented economic growth and job creation, the Farmland Preservation Act ensures that family farms can be preserved well into the future. I thank the General Assembly for their partnership in supporting rural communities so that all Tennesseans can thrive.”
DEVELOPMENT
- Nashville lands coveted Michelin-starred sushi concept (NBJ)
- Former East Nashville Portland Brew site listed for sale (Post)
- Germantown site set for redevelopment sells for $13M (Post)
- Upscale restaurant slated for Peabody Union (Post)
✹ BULLETPROOF ALL-STAR OF THE DAY
Nashville Rescue Mission employee Cedrick Wilson told 29-year-old Tadarius Milan Hunt to leave the "day room" of the mission on Monday morning so that he could clean up. Hunt became combative in response to the request, resulting in the mission calling MNPD, who came by in a patrol car, searched him, and let him go.
Moments later, after MNPD had left, Hunt re-entered the mission and opened fire on Wilson, hitting him 11 times in the chest and legs. MNPD pursued Hunt to the Division Street bridge in The Gulch, where Hunt met his end in a very public shootout, but not before grazing MNPD officer Clayton Lewis. Cedrick Wilson managed to survive the ordeal somehow, garnering him the distinction of today's Bulletproof All-Star. (More Info)
✹ THIS WEEK IN STREAMING (May 13th)
Heart Eyes (Netflix) When a serial killer who targets couples on Valentine’s Day moves to Seattle, a couple of ad agency all-stars with striking chemistry must try to survive the night while breaking away from their Gen Z social awkwardness. It’s an utterly ingenious mashup romcom-slasher flick that deserved Scream-level grosses upon its release in February.
MobLand (Paramount+) British gangster flick legend Guy Ritchie moves to the small screen for this sprawling mafia epic that features Tom Hardy as a fixer for Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren’s crime dynasty. The closest to The Sopranos or The Wire that TV has seen in years.
Wild Things (Criterion) Back in 1998, this erotic thriller about a guidance counselor (Matt Dillon) overcoming rape allegations was a hard “R” good time that showed off Neve Campbell and Denise Richards’s ingénue prowess. Now, it's proven itself an evergreen interrogation of media sensationalism and elite privilege as gutting as it is entertaining.
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🪕 The MilBillies @ The Station Inn, 8p, $20, Info
🎸 Paul Simon @ Ryman Auditorium, 8p, $144+, Info
🎙️ Samara Joy @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 7:30p, $43+, Info
🎸 Jeff Tuohy's Hudson Delta - Live @ The Underdog, 7p, $10, Info
🎸 Honky Tonk Tuesday @ Eastside Bowl, 8p, $10, Info
+ two-step lessons @ 7p, The Cowpokes @ 8p
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Megan Podsiedlik (Nashville), Jerod Hollyfield (Crowd Corner), Camelia Brennan (Local Noise), and Davis Hunt (everything else).