Bannon's War Room: Episode 5062
"Diego Garcia: The Footprint Of Freedom"
Date: January 12, 2026
Host: Steve Bannon
Key Guests: Cleo Pascal, Mark Mitchell, Mark Hanger, Jenny Story, Oscar Blue Ramirez, Mike Lindell
Overview
This episode dives into urgent international and domestic developments, with a heavy focus on:
- Unrest and protest in Iran and U.S. policy
- President Trump’s new economic sanctions on Iran and their global ramifications
- The crisis around Diego Garcia—its strategic implications and U.S.-British politics
- Federal corruption, the surge in fraud exposure (notably in Minnesota), and the rise of “brutal” government reform proposals
- The ongoing war against drug cartels in Mexico
- The battle against the “Islamification”/Sharia law in Texas
- The undercurrents steering the Republican voter base favoring Trump’s strongman tactics
The panel provides polling data, strategic analysis, and on-the-ground reporting, tying it all to the 2026 political landscape and global power plays.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Iran Protest Movement & U.S. Support
[00:00–02:58]
- Protests in Iran are at a scale unseen since 2009, spreading from economic to political grievances.
- U.S. involvement discussed; effectiveness hinges on unifying Iranian opposition and potential technical/cyber support from the U.S.
- Dispute over legitimacy and popularity of opposition leaders. Mark Mitchell asserts:
- “There is hardly any support within Iran for a restoration of the monarchy, particularly under Pahlavi… The major opposition leader globally is Mariam Rajavi…” (02:14 – Mark Mitchell)
2. Trump vs. Federal Reserve and Powell
[01:10–02:00]
- Ongoing friction between President Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
- Powell’s unprecedented video response to Trump’s criticism signals “pressure campaign” to lower interest rates.
- Bannon and team frame criticism as Trump exercising “First Amendment rights”—not as criminal action.
3. Domestic Crackdown and Federal Skepticism
[02:58–04:55]
- Oscar Blue Ramirez draws comparison between Trump’s stance on “liberal” America and the use of “federal agents to make the populations…suffer.”
- Bannon characterizes this era as:
- “The primal scream of a dying regime… Pray for our enemies because we’re going medieval on these people.” (03:49 – Steve Bannon)
- Audience is admonished to “save my country”:
- “If that answer is to save my country, this country will be saved.” (04:58 – Steve Bannon)
4. New Trump Economic Sanctions on Iran
[06:00–07:00]
- Trump announces a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran, escalating economic warfare.
- Potential direct impact on Chinese-Iranian oil trade and military posturing in the region.
- “A brilliant move to say if you’re going to do business with the regime…” (06:42 – Steve Bannon)
5. Polling, MAGA Base, and Calls for “Brutal Reform”
[10:42–15:00]
- Mark Hanger (pollster) details the American public’s increasing support for Trump’s aggressive, “dictator-like” tactics as solutions to corruption.
- “Numbers are getting better when he acts like a dictator…” (13:08)
- Deep anger over government waste and fraud (esp. in Minnesota). 75%+ now “angry at [the] level of waste, fraud and abuse in America.”
- “Americans fundamentally care most about fairness.” (20:06 – Mark Hanger)
- Trump’s surging popularity tied directly to “chainsawing” the federal government.
6. Diego Garcia: Strategic Island at Risk
[25:01–35:41]
- Cleo Pascal reports from the Honolulu Defense Forum, sounding the alarm over UK plans to cede Diego Garcia to Mauritius—risking indirect Chinese control and undermining U.S. strategic interests.
- “It is a piece of American power projection… that can range Africa, Middle East, the approaches to the Indian Ocean from the Pacific. It is unbelievably important.” (26:57 – Cleo Pascal)
- Legal and treaty pitfalls in transferring Diego Garcia. If Mauritius gains sovereignty, the U.S. base could be jeopardized due to nuclear restrictions and questionable lease terms.
- “There are at least two time bombs sitting inside this agreement that makes no economic sense.” (33:12 – Cleo Pascal)
- The Chagossians appeal to Trump for intervention, promising: “We will name an island after you.”
7. Mexico: Drug Cartels and U.S.-Mexico Dynamics
[36:21–41:48]
- Oscar Blue Ramirez highlights how cartel power is entwined with Mexican politics.
- Trump threatens “kinetic warfare” if Mexico doesn’t shut down cartel operations.
- Ramirez on organized crime:
- “The real cartel is the one that is wearing the suit and the tie, Steve.” (38:24 – Oscar Blue Ramirez)
- Mexican government’s token militarization viewed as a smokescreen.
8. Texas: Islamification, Sharia Law, & Political Mobilization
[44:55–50:51]
- Jenny Story provides testimony on the “spiritual” mobilization to combat creeping Sharia law in Texas, spurring War Room Texas initiative and broader movement support.
- “I literally went to bed that night going, there’s no way… And I was woken up, and literally it was God speaking to me. And he said, just say yes, do not fear. I will bring you a coalition.” (47:36 – Jenny Story)
- The upcoming Texas March 3rd primary will feature a ballot proposition to ban Sharia law in the state.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the Iranian protests vs. monarchy:
“This is a self-created delusion by people around the pretender to the throne. There is hardly any support within Iran for a restoration of the monarchy, particularly under Pahlavi.”
— Mark Mitchell, 02:14 -
On federal crackdown:
“Pray for our enemies because we’re going medieval on these people… It’s going to happen.”
— Steve Bannon, 03:49 -
On Trump acting like a strongman:
“Numbers are getting better when he acts like a dictator.”
— Mark Hanger, 13:08 -
On Diego Garcia’s military importance:
“It can reload the nuclear subs… port carrier groups… space force operations.”
— Cleo Pascal, 26:57 -
On the cartel-government nexus:
“The real cartel is the one that is wearing the suit and the tie, Steve.”
— Oscar Blue Ramirez, 38:24 -
On faith in political organizing:
“God said, just say yes, do not fear. I will bring you a coalition.”
— Jenny Story, 47:36
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [00:00–02:58] – Iran protests; U.S. position and opposition leadership
- [06:00–07:00] – Trump announces 25% tariffs on Iran-linked trade
- [10:42–15:00] – Mark Hanger on polling: Trump’s “dictator” approach and fraud anger
- [25:01–35:41] – Cleo Pascal on Diego Garcia and the U.S.-UK-Mauritius deal
- [36:21–41:48] – Oscar Blue Ramirez on cartels and Mexican politics
- [44:55–50:51] – Jenny Story on Texas “Islamification” and grassroots rallying
Flow and Tone
- Fierce, urgent, and battle-focused.
- Bannon and guests openly advocate for aggressive, systemic action, frequently referencing the “war” framing—whether against bureaucratic waste, foreign adversaries, cartels, or perceived internal threats.
- Guest analysis is often blunt, with calls for strongman action (“go medieval,” “use Insurrection Act,” “mass deportations”).
- Faith and spirituality invoked as motivators for conservative organizing.
Conclusion
This episode paints a picture of a nation and world in crisis, with the War Room community rallying for hardline responses both abroad (Iran, Diego Garcia, Mexico) and at home (fraud, “Islamification” in Texas). The dynamic is one of “brutal” reforms, unapologetic political warfare, and mobilization of the “silent majority.” Throughout, guests argue that only bold, sometimes extralegal actions can preserve American interests.