Podcast Summary: Bannon’s War Room – Episode 5005

Title: "New Information Drops On Possible Targeted Attack At Brown; Failure Of Republican Leadership"
Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Notable Guests: Mike Davis, Julie Kelly, Jack Posobiec

Overview

This episode of Bannon’s War Room focuses on several pressing national issues:

• The dignified transfer of two fallen Iowa National Guard members after an ISIS attack in Syria
• Explosive, unsolved developments in the Ella Cook shooting at Brown University, with speculation of a targeted attack
• Fierce criticism of federal prosecutorial efforts against Trump by Jack Smith and Fani Willis
• The resignation of FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino
• Ongoing failures in Republican leadership and exposure of corruption in the justice system

The tone is urgent and combative, marked by frustration with government institutions and calls for more transparency and accountability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dignified Transfer of Iowa Soldiers Killed in Syria

• [00:00–04:25] Opening with a solemn recounting of the transfer of two fallen Iowa National Guard soldiers, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and Sgt. Edgar Torres Tovar, killed in a December 13th attack, along with interpreter Ayad Mansour Saqat.
  • Bannon highlights the lack of concrete information about U.S. retaliation against ISIS and the continuing threat they pose globally.
  • Quote: “It's a terrible sacrifice for all these families.” — David [02:30]
• Bannon decries the recent sense that the country is coming “out of control,” referencing the attacks abroad and at home.

2. Brown University Shooting: Was Ella Cook Targeted?

• [16:34–23:57] An extensive segment explores new, unconfirmed reports that conservative student Ella Cook was deliberately targeted in a campus shooting.
  • Jack Posobiec, citing a source with familial ties to one of the wounded, says Cook was “the main target” (17:00–18:46).
  • Conflicting public statements from local authorities and witnesses, with Bannon and Jack urging federal authorities to clarify whether the attack was ideologically motivated.
  • Quote: “This was in fact targeted, that the assailant came in and fired multiple rounds directly at Ella Cook.” — Jack Posobiec [17:00]
  • Criticism of official communications, likening them to the “Keystone Kops.” Jack grades the investigation an “absolute F” in public safety communication.
  • Concern about an ongoing threat to student safety and other potential ideological attacks on conservatives.
  • Bannon: “If there's a scintilla, a possibility that Ella Cook was targeted because she's a young conservative. We need to know that. We must know that.” [23:57]

3. Jack Smith, Fani Willis, and Legal Attacks on Trump

• [07:39–13:28], [30:05–39:00] Mike Davis and Julie Kelly harshly criticize federal special prosecutor Jack Smith and Georgia DA Fani Willis for “lawfare” against Trump and his supporters.
  • Smith accused of prosecutorial misconduct, conducting an illegal raid, and weaponizing federal agencies.
  • Quote: “Jack Smith could go testify and say...he had all the evidence to take down Trump. He didn’t. To the contrary, there is very strong evidence he participated in a blatant criminal conspiracy against rights.” — Mike Davis [09:12]
  • Willis depicted as “corrupt,” with personal impropriety and self-enrichment cited (“Big Fannie...was defiant...She paid [her boyfriend] $700,000 in Fulton County funds...took these lavish trips.”—Davis [27:04]).
  • Both prosecutors are painted as arrogant, unaccountable, and shielded by a failed GOP opposition.
  • Julie Kelly on Smith: “Everything about him embodies the corrupt, reckless, dangerous nature of this Department of Justice.” [38:00]
  • Commentary that the Republican-led House investigations are slow, lacking sharpness, and allow officials like Smith and Willis to “feel smug” and untouchable.

4. Collapse of Institutional Trust & Demand for Accountability

• [04:25], [32:52–34:27], [39:21–42:08] The War Room emphasizes a theme of failed institutions: from local police obfuscation in the Cook shooting, to DOJ/FBI “corruption,” to congressional inaction.
  • Urgent calls for criminal and political consequences for both Jack Smith and Fani Willis.
  • Repeated condemnation of Republican congressional “leadership” for not acting with sufficient speed or resolve to hold prosecutors and judges accountable for perceived overreach or misconduct.
  • Quote: “These people now feel insulated. They feel like they’re going to get away with it. And there’s a very good reason why—because this Republican leadership has been a failure so far.” — Julie Kelly [41:34]
  • Expressions of frustration about slow progress on criminal referrals, impeachment proceedings, and a warning that further midterm losses are likely if this continues.

5. Resignation of Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino

• [24:30–26:34] News breaks live about Dan Bongino’s resignation as FBI Deputy Director.
  • Mike Davis and Jack Posobiec praise Bongino for his short but intentional stint, emphasizing his reform intent and that he “left a lot of money on the table to go do this government service.” [25:43]
  • Davis frames Bongino’s exit as planned and strategically necessary for continuing to fight for conservative causes from outside government.

6. Presidential Address: Messaging for a Nation in Crisis

• [32:52, 42:08, 47:40] In anticipation of the president’s address, guests advise a forceful public statement:
  • Acknowledge the loss of service members and national security threats
  • Demand accountability and decisive justice reform
  • Offer hope and unity, particularly around election security and restoring institutional integrity
  • Quote: “We've got to get our shipping prices down. It affects every consumer thing we buy from groceries to products...So I hope he gives us a great message here of hope.” — Mike Lindell [47:40]
  • Concerns voiced regarding the public’s waning trust and urgency for concrete action in the limited time before upcoming elections.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Brown investigation: “It's an absolute F. And there's no way in the military we would say this was unsat.” – Jack Posobiec [23:09]
• On Jack Smith: “Jack Smith could go testify...he had all the goods to take down Trump. He didn’t.” – Mike Davis [09:12]
• On Fani Willis: “She was telling the Georgia senators that their questions were so called 'dumbass.' Big Fanie is a train wreck. She's always been a train wreck.” – Mike Davis [27:04]
• On Republican leadership: “They feel insulated. They feel like they're going to get away with it. And there's a very good reason why—because this Republican leadership has been a failure so far.” – Julie Kelly [41:34]

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Honoring fallen Iowa soldiers, Syria attack | 00:00 – 04:25 | | Developing story: Was Ella Cook targeted at Brown? | 16:34 – 23:57 | | Criticism & accusations against Jack Smith | 07:39 – 13:28 | | Commentary on Fani Willis and DOJ corruption | 30:05 – 39:21 | | Dan Bongino resignation discussion | 24:30 – 26:34 | | Calls for Republican accountability | 39:21 – 42:08 | | Presidential address: What should be said? | 47:40 – 50:10 |

Tone and Language

High-tempo, impassioned, unapologetically partisan. Frequent use of sharp, even caustic language in describing political opponents or bureaucratic failures. Speakers blend news analysis, advocacy, and rallying cries for action, mirroring the fiery "war room" motif.

Summary

This War Room episode served as an impassioned critique of American leadership and institutional transparency, focusing on the fallout from military losses, the chilling prospect of ideological violence on campus, and the ongoing political-legal battles surrounding Trump. Guests and hosts called on officials for immediate, honest communication and drastic measures, warning that further inaction and perceived weakness will have severe political consequences.