Podcast Summary: The Morning Meeting – Insults Fly in Pam Bondi's Epic Showdown With House Democrats; Latest on Search for Nancy Guthrie

Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Mark Halperin, with panelists Larry and Kevin
Produced by: 2WAY

Episode Overview

This episode dives into several major news topics shaping the U.S. political landscape today:

• The fallout from Attorney General Pam Bondi’s combative testimony before House Democrats, which saw accusations of disrespect and even surveillance by the executive branch on lawmakers.
• Updates and analysis on the uncertain search for Nancy Guthrie, which has captivated media and public attention.
• The government's near-certain partial shutdown over the standoff around ICE, Homeland Security funding, and the standoff between House Democrats and the Trump administration.
• A timely discussion on tariffs and US-Canada relations, plus a preview of the upcoming State of the Union and campaign developments for the midterms.

The show’s tone is energetic, conversational, and deeply informed, with panelists frequently ribbing each other while parsing serious issues.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pam Bondi’s Testimony: A Congressional Showdown

• Main Points:

  • Attorney General Pam Bondi’s testimony before House Judiciary was marked by sharp disrespect, filibustering, name-calling, and the revelation that the Justice Department tracked lawmakers’ searches of Epstein files.
  • Democrats see Bondi’s behavior as a political gift, while the Republican base appears to have relished her combative approach.
  • Debate ensues on whether disrespect from Cabinet members to Congress is new or bipartisan, and if the executive branch “spying” on Congress is ever justifiable.
    • [03:35] Larry: “I'm not in favor of disrespect in general, but I think...it's fine if a member of the administration wants to do that. Lord, I've seen members of Democrat administrations do it to Republican questioners.”
    • [04:19] Mark: “Terrible.” Kevin and Larry both agree spying is not permissible.
  • The big question: Will this episode hurt Republicans in the midterms?
    • [34:03] Larry: “I don't know if this is going to impact the midterms because what Pam Bondi did yesterday, I think for the Republican base, they did eat it up. They liked it.”

• Notable Moments:

  • [32:16] Kevin: “Nothing really happens of this...the AG is there with an audience of one. Trump would give her high marks for her ability to spin and defend him and that's all that matters to him.”
  • [33:22] Mark cites Eric Erickson’s critique:
    • [34:03] Larry, on Bondi’s dodging Epstein questions: “If Alejandro Mayorkas was not forced to resign or fired after sitting in front of that very same committee...Pam Bondi should not be forced to resign or be fired.”

2. ICE and the Looming Government Shutdown

• Main Points:

  • ICE’s operations and shutdown drama are “on the precipice” as both parties hold firm: Democrats stand by a hard list of 10 demands on enforcement reform, Republicans refuse to waver on mass deportations.
  • Discussion of new tactics: Tom Homan, ICE Director, announces withdrawal of surge personnel from Minnesota, signaling a shift but no general retreat on deportations.
    • [18:57] Tom Homan statement: “If you are here in the country illegally, you are not exempt from our immigration laws. If we encounter you, we will take appropriate enforcement action…Record number of arrests and deportations under President Trump's first year, and we'll continue that effort.”
  • Debate: Neither side sees a clear exit, as both claim the “moral high ground” and are locked in by their bases and polling.
  • Panel doubts Congress or White House will break the standoff before enough pain is felt by TSA/airports or the public.
    • [12:12] Kevin: “As long as public opinion is still there for Democrats, see them budging.”
    • [13:39] Larry: “If the Trump administration moves...from the deportation agenda, they lose most of their base...it will be a disaster.”

• Notable Quotes:

  • [12:36] Larry: “Republicans also have strong moral beliefs...that people's lives will be saved if we apprehend and deport illegal immigrant criminals. So we're interested in saving lives, too.”
  • [14:54] Larry: “If that [polling] number is accurate, [Trump's approval on immigration] would go to 50 points underwater if he betrays his base on immigration and deportation.”

3. Savannah/Nancy Guthrie Case: Media Fervor and Public Interest

• Main Points:
  • Discussion around the missing Nancy Guthrie: Despite initial beliefs by her family, negotiators confirm there is no active ransom negotiation.
  • Panel wonders if this has genuine mass public interest or is a media elite obsession.
    • [17:53] Larry: “She stopped [the house showing] and said, so what do you think's going on with Nancy Guthrie? I mean, it's just, just out of the blue. It's, it's on the top of people's minds.”

4. US-Canada Tariffs and Relations

• Main Points:
  • Listener Arjun from Ottawa asks about yesterday’s House vote striking down tariffs on Canadian goods and the upcoming USMCA renegotiations.
  • Panelists stress negotiations will be “tough,” especially with Canada’s anti-Trump stance at home. Trump likely to demand major concessions.
    • [39:31] Mark: “I think you'll see the president more eager to make a deal with Mexico than with Canada.”
    • [40:25] Larry: “Your prime minister's decision to make some kind of deal on the side with China...could only serve to exacerbate the relationship with President Trump.”

5. Midterm Strategy: Money & Messaging

• Main Points:
  • Republican ad for NC candidate Michael Whatley is parsed as an example of how GOP candidates will distance themselves from Trump without overtly attacking him; populist anti-Washington message is highlighted.
    • [29:18] Larry: "Some candidates...are going to have to have a message not necessarily full-on Trump."
    • [29:49] Kevin: "It's an okay ad…AFP has deep pockets…that's the message that they think will win in November with this delicate dance that Republicans have to play."
  • Funding advantage for Republicans discussed; Democrats face exhaustion and small-dollar drop-off.
    • [44:20] Kevin: "The candidates are raising money, but the institutions aren't there…just general exhaustion by our donors..."
    • [44:27] Larry: "The war chest is significant and it could actually save the day..."

6. State of the Union Preview with USA Facts

• Main Points:

  • Richard Coffin, USA Facts, joins to preview their State of the Union data report.
    • [48:40] Richard: "We put out a numbers based report about issues that the President is likely to talk about…not trying to fact check…just give the country a news companion."
  • Key facts about tariffs:
    • Customs duties collected have nearly doubled to ~$195B in the past year, but this is still a small budget fraction; would need to rise 9x to erase the deficit.
      • [49:43] Richard: "We brought in about $195 billion in tariffs…still a pretty small part of the overall budget."
    • Average effective tariff rate is the highest since the 1970s, now about 7.5–10%.
    • Imposing higher tariffs did not reduce the trade deficit in 2025–26; stockpiling before tariffs took effect briefly increased it.
      • [51:56] Richard: "This is…the trade deficit…the result of that was people actually imported a ton of stuff right before [tariffs], so it actually raised the deficit a little bit."

• Practical Concern:

  • Presidential speechwriters are rumored to be scrambling for a State of the Union message; will he acknowledge real-world economic frustration or tout positive stats?

7. Other Noteworthy Segments

• Election Law and the SAVE Act

  • [57:31] Listener asks why Democrats opposed SAVE Act on election ID rules. Mark, Kevin, and Larry suggest Dems are out of sync with public opinion (80% support).
  • [59:03] Larry: "To require only citizens vote is election rigging is really a new one…It's the exact same list that every single married woman with a name change has to provide when they get a job on the I-9."

• Media’s Role and Political Double Standards

  • Discussion on who gets asked about scandal, referencing Bush and the current Epstein context. Not all politicians are subject to the same scrutiny.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On deep divisions in Congress/White House
  • [12:12] Kevin: "Polling suggests…not just Democrats but independents are with them on these 10 key issues…they don't understand why, you know, you can't get a judicial warrant to go into someone's home."
• On State of the Union preparation
  • [47:15] Larry: "They're still figuring out what the speech is going to be…until the President actually puts his pen to paper…there's nothing really officially to leak out."
• On State-of-the-nation fatigue
  • [44:20] Kevin: "General exhaustion by our donors and…the fact that we had such high hopes…and only to lose the popular vote to the Republicans for the first time in a generation."
• On who will deliver the Democratic response
  • [56:24] Mark: "I think it'll be almost certainly a younger person…A lot of people in the party…want the face of the party and…the 2028 nominee to be a white man."
• Classic quip on ID for voting
  • [59:27] Mark: "Fun fact. You can use your Costco membership card."

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Pam Bondi Testimony & Fallout – [03:35] to [36:17]
• ICE/Shutdown, Political Impasse – [08:18] to [14:54]
• Nancy Guthrie Search Discussion – [15:36] to [18:08]
• Tom Homan ICE Announcement – [18:57] (clip), [21:02] panel reaction
• Tariffs, Canada, USMCA – [38:35] to [42:41]
• Midterm Ad Strategies & Republican Messaging – [28:12] to [30:18]
• Campaign Fundraising Divide – [43:08] to [45:05]
• State of the Union and USA Facts Analysis – [46:46] to [55:53]
• SAVE Act/Election Law – [57:20] to [59:38]

Conclusion

This episode offers a lively, in-depth account of the day’s top political controversies and policy dilemmas, with panelists providing context, debate, and strategic insight into the shifting dynamics of Congress, the executive branch, and the state of the 2026 campaign cycle. The team keeps the conversation brisk, candid, and often witty, making this essential listening for those following the evolving U.S. political story.