
Episode 4198: Where We Stand With Trump's Nominees ...
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Host or Commentator 1
I want to talk to you, though, about Russell Vogt. Okay. He wants to be the head of omb, Right. Office of Management, basically, and Budget. This is not a position that is high profile. It's not coveted. It's not sexy or cool. However, this guy has made it abundantly clear he wants to shrink the federal government and give the president a lot more direct control over federal funding. Given what this guy wants to do and is clearly broadcasted, should we be paying a lot more attention to him?
Commentator 2
Of course we should. Right. I mean, and how is it like.
Host or Commentator 1
OMB director is not somebody that people like. What's he up to today? But shouldn't.
Commentator 2
I don't know. Peter Orszag made it pretty sexy back. Back in the day.
Host or Commentator 1
I mean, only a former investment banker.
Commentator 2
Lazar, would say that.
Commentator 3
You see that? Peter.
Commentator 2
All right, Peter. Shout out to Peter. Look, I mean, how is he going to, How's. How's he going to work with the great Elon Musk, who's also focused on. And what if, you know, Vivek becomes senator of Ohio? Is Doge going down the tubes at this point?
Host or Commentator 1
Is Russell Volcano if the vet goes and becomes a senator in Ohio, that's just Elon Musk realizing, oh, Elon's going.
Commentator 2
To do it all now.
Host or Commentator 1
Yes. Because nobody wants to be a co head of anything. There can never be two bosses. You were a banker.
Commentator 2
Goldman Sachs used to have co heads.
Host or Commentator 1
One wins in the end.
Commentator 3
I will say that this Russ Vaughan thing you're mentioning, this OMB thing, this is like the actual point of where the people we Talked about, Project 2025, like the really real changes that they want to make are coming through this guy. This is the people that want, you know, they want to reschedule. That's what they call it, federal employees and fire them for not being loyal enough. Like, if we start to see some of the ability, some of the things that Trump has promised actually start to happen deep inside the government, it will happen through guys like all of that.
Commentator 2
There are people that funded project 2025. They have a vested interest in making sure that everything in those 900 and some odd pages gets implemented. And the OMB, for people who've been in government and for political junkies, OMB is an incredibly important position because line by line, budget item by budget item, things are going to get funded or defunded. And that's where we have to focus a lot of our attention.
Host or Commentator 1
Let's just say Donald Trump gets all of these people through, many of which might not be qualified for the jobs, then they're going to have these enormous jobs with that they're not qualified for. And beneath them are government employees who have been in these roles for decades and decades and decades. And it'll be abundantly clear of all of these administration officials can do their jobs.
Commentator 2
Well, frankly, I think this is what, you know, Vivek and Elon want to clear out. I think Trump wants to clear out those decades long employees who might thwart Pete Hegseth from doing whatever the heck he wants to do or Pam Bondi from doing whatever the heck she wants to do that she's really not qualified.
Host or Commentator 1
Easier said than done.
Commentator 2
Yeah, but I know, I know it's easier said than done, but they're going to make a lot of noise about trying to get rid of these people. They're the ultimate disruptors. They want to disrupt everything. That's what they think.
Host or Commentator 1
They're mandating everything. And wait until they say we want to cut Medicare and we want to cut Medicaid and we want to cut.
Commentator 2
They're going to get their heads handed to them when they do that.
Host or Commentator 1
And all the, and all those Congress people have to go back to their home district and they're going to say pound salt, Vivek. That ain't happening.
Commentator 3
The President has said Jack Smith should go to jail. Will you investigate Jack Smith, Senator?
Senator or Legal Expert
I haven't seen the file, I haven't seen the investigation, I haven't looked at anything. It would be irresponsible of me to make a commitment regarding anything without. You're, you're a long practicing attorney without looking at a file.
Commentator 3
So you would need a factual, you would need a factual predicate to open an investigation of Jack Smith.
Senator or Legal Expert
Is that not a summary by you sitting here? Yes, sir.
Commentator 3
And not a summary by the President either, right?
Senator or Legal Expert
Absolutely.
Commentator 3
So a summary by the President or his desire to investigate Jack Smith would not be enough for you to open an investigation of Jack Smith, is that right?
Senator or Legal Expert
I will look at the facts and evidence in any case. You know, you know.
Commentator 3
And 72% sitting here today, Senator.
Senator or Legal Expert
70, please.
Commentator 3
I only have seven.
Senator or Legal Expert
Department of justice sitting here today.
Commentator 3
Sitting here today, are you aware of any factual predicate to investigate Jack Smith sitting here today? Yes or no, Senator?
Senator or Legal Expert
I will look at the facts and the circumstances.
Commentator 3
You can't answer that question. You're not a part of the department yet. There's no worry about divulging law enforcement sensitive information. So just tell us.
Senator or Legal Expert
I'm sitting with a nominee.
Commentator 3
Are you aware of a factual predicate to investigate Jack Smith. Yes or no?
Senator or Legal Expert
Senator, what I'm hearing on the news.
Commentator 3
Are you aware of a do I know?
Senator or Legal Expert
I have not.
Commentator 3
You seem reluctant to answer a simple question.
Stephen K. Bannon
This is the primal scream of a dying regime. Pray for our enemies.
Commentator 3
Because we're going medieval on these people. I got a free shot. All these networks lying about the people, the people. People have had a belly full of it.
Stephen K. Bannon
I know you don't like hearing that. I know you try to do everything.
Commentator 3
In the world to stop that, but you're not going to stop it. It's going to happen. And where do people like that go to share the big lie? MAGA Media I wish in my soul I wish that any of these people had a conscience.
Stephen K. Bannon
Ask yourself, what is my task and.
Commentator 3
What is my purpose? If that answer is to save my country, this country will be safe. War ROOM here's your host, Stephen K. Banner. Okay, welcome Thursday 16th January, your overlord 2025 Days of Thunder have the preamble has started and magnificent performance so far. Don't you agree audience? You have done an amazing job of contacting people and making sure everybody the sense on point to get these confirmations done. But I have to tell you, I think the flood the zone strategy and I think the way that the staff from Susie to the outside people like Mike Davis and others that prep people and got them ready, you have to say it's very, very impressive. Incredibly impressive. Hegseth was great. Pam Bondi yesterday they put her through the ringer. Just incredible. We could have played Pam Bondi's stuff for hours. We just gave the highlight with shift. There's more hopefully play throughout the next couple hours. Marco Rubio boys. Marco Rubio made a transition from just a flat out neoliberal neocon. He wrote a book on populism a couple of years ago and that was an America first. Not just simply America first but America first with also a heavy emphasis on taking down the Chinese Communist Party. Just fantastic. We want to start there. And Stephanie Rolle for the first time kind of disappointed me saying like OMB is a non event and nobody knows about it. Well, if you're on the inside or if you're the Warren Posse audience. OMB is absolutely central. Russ Vote is central and Russ was fantastic yesterday in actually everything we have to have happen. Great piece in the Hill today. I've got it up on Getter. Remember Getter's totally free. Just download it. Totally free. This is where I put up all my information since I'm banned on Twitter. I guess they've formally come back and said I can join, but I have not. When I say formally join, a couple weeks ago, they did it after being banned for many years because of Dr. Fauci and Chris Wray in the election of 2020. Things I'm proud of Pam Bunny saw the angle of Attack yesterday on Bondi. They came at her and it's interesting, I kind of call it the Cash Patel pregame. I don't know where half the questions either about cash or things related to cash and government gangsters still, if you want to know. And cash is going to come up, I don't think next week, but the week after. They're obviously, they have focused on now, I think that Cash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard, if they're going to get anyone, they're going to focus on those and they would want Cash the most since they're most concerned about the FBI. But if you want to see. If you haven't read the book and we make it. I think we make the book actually more accessible in the film. The film is. The only person we have in the film is Cash. As he walks you through government gangsters and he walks you through his punch list of the deep state. It's quite revealing. I think you go to war room film. War room film. Is that correct? War room film. It might be War rooms one or the other. Got the film up there. I produced before going into prison. Very proud of the film. Tremendous feedback on it. But go check it out, share it with people because Cash is going to be a big one. You saw yesterday with Pam and Pam Bondi. In fact. Can we pull the clip? Pull the clip about her. In the election of 2020, they came at her every other speaker. See, they're not there to be informed. They're not there really to kind of go through your philosophy. I mean, Pam has been a prosecutor. Prosecutor. Pam has been a ran. She was Attorney General of Florida, which I believe is the third biggest attorney general office, only back in California and Texas. So this is a massive operation with hundreds of lawyers doing everything from criminal prosecutions to commercial in real estate, getting involved in commercial and real estate enforcement of the law, and also disputes. So she has broad experience. They didn't want. They didn't. No Democrat. It's one of the reasons we focus on Democrats here when we do these confirmation hearings. We want you to see what the opposition's doing. And we're really proud of the fact of how we've juggled this last couple of days with The Real Americans voice team. It's not that easy to kind of cut in and out and try to get the best bits. Today we're going to have Pam and I think Pam's starting here momentarily. Pam's Day 2. Think how tough it is for it to be Attorney General, which I would argue is the most important is the first among equals of cabinet positions because it's involved in everything. The job of the Attorney General. I don't know how they get to breathe. They are involved in everything. They're involved massively in immigration, massively in the, not just changing the laws, but the deportations, the securing of the border. They're involved obviously in everything in national security, law enforcement, all of it. So pam, it's a 20 hour a day, seven day a week job, but she's got a ton of energy and just represented her way there. What I also like, it's unaffected. She doesn't come with that kind of Washington, you know, the veneer these people get here after they've been here decade after decade. I mean, she's coming. It'syou're getting. That's Florida right there, right? That's University of Florida. Yesterday you could have had, if we had not gone fixed bayonets with Pete Hegseth, you could have had Ron DeSantis, you would have had three Floridians. And I don't know if I don't think DeSantis went to university of Florida. I think he's a transplant afterwards. But you had three Floridians, you would have state, defense and Attorney General off in Florida. That's pretty, not pretty impressive. Florida, pretty impressive. But Pam and the University of Florida between Marco Rubio and Pam Bondi represented, represented well. Pam was under intense pressure. She starts back up today at 10:15. Then I think Lee Zeldin is going to go here in a few minutes. Epa, we do want to go. I'd love to get his opening statement. As you know, EPA is absolutely central to the deconstruction of the administrative state. Lee, who's really been a specialist in, I think in foreign affairs, he's done a lot on the EPA side. I think it's a great pick. Number one. I think he's a great pick because Lee is tough as boot leather and you're going to need to be over there. He will be under siege from the inside. Always remember we had Rob Bluey on the other day from the Daily Signal and they had done this poll that showed that 50% of the apparatus, 50% of the bureaucrats 50% of the senior executives said not only were they not going to go along, not only were they not just going to slow walk things, they were going to be actively have active resistance, active resistance to the, to President Trump's policies. One of the ones that will be central, that is epa. EPA is like omb. These ones are maybe not the glamour positions or what they call the power, you know, the power departments, which is Treasury, State, Defense or kind of the big three, Attorney General, the big four. Right. Maybe throw DHS in there now. But omb, I tell people all the time omb, I think outside of chief of staff of the White House, OMB is probably the most important part of the executive because everything comes to omb. And this is where Doge is going to be housed over the eob. They'll be next to the OMB offices. Russ vote yesterday was magnificent. The Hill newspaper has an article and Grace, if you can put it's on my getter but Grace, I would like to put it out for everybody. And Carly Bonet, if you do it over at your telegram at Midnight Rider, I appreciate it. Also Elizabeth at our telegram, everybody. It's an article on the Hill this morning that's quite perceptive. It says in the hearing with Russ vote yesterday you could understand and see where these vicious and tough budget fights are going to come, that everything's going to be framed in that. The House Freedom Caucus has just come out with a proposal. It looks pretty good on one level. I'm not terribly happy with it on another level, but we'll talk about it in a minute. Scott Bessant's at 10:30. They're going to come at Scott Bessant hard. They're going to come at him hard on trade and tariffs, maybe the External Revenue Service, the way that President Trump is reorganating, rethinking through about where the cash comes from to run this government, all of it. They're going to come after Bessen hard. They're going to come up to Lee Zeldenhard. So it's going to be Pam Bondi, the last shot they get to her. The confirmation hearings, Day three Our team has represented so well. I'm so proud of the I'm so proud of what's happened and I'm so proud of the transition for just getting a great job and just representing. A couple have been bumped. I think it's smart to bump them until you're ready. Don't go until you're ready. When you're ready. Like Rubio Hegseth, Pam Bondi, you're on point. Radcliffe. Magnificent short commercial break. Back in a moment.
Stephen K. Bannon
Big victory on the 5th of November. Now the work can finally start on the big issues facing the country. One of the biggest is the national debt and the deficits that drive it. Hey, you think the country's broke? The country is broke. We're just printing money to keep this house of cards going. The strategy remains the same for you. You got to diversify, diversify your savings. That's why buy gold from Birch Gold. So many things are out of your control, out of the President's control. It's important to have a safe haven for your savings. Birch Gold Group, my gold company, will help you convert an IRA or 401k into an IRA into physical gold. Let me repeat that. Convert your IRA or 401k into an IRA in physical gold. And the best news, it doesn't cost you a penny. Text band into 989-898. Get your free info kit. Plus right now through Black Friday, you receive a free 1 ounce Silver Eagle for every $5,000 you purchase. Let me repeat that. A free 1 ounce Silver Eagle for every 5,000 purchase. Protect your savings with Birch Gold. Text Bannon to 989-898 and claim your eligibility for your free silver today.
Commentator 3
Or to say today under oath without reservation, that Donald Trump lost the presidential contest to Joe Biden in 2020.
Senator or Legal Expert
Ranking member Durbin President Biden is the President of the United States. He was duly sworn in and he is the President of the United States. There was a peaceful transition of power. President Trump left office and was overwhelmingly elected in 2024.
Commentator 3
Do you have any doubts that Joe Biden had the majority of votes, electoral votes, necessary to be elected president in 2020?
Senator or Legal Expert
You know, Senator, all I can tell you as a prosecutor is from my firsthand experience, and I accept the results. I accept, of course, that Joe Biden is President of the United States. But what I can tell you is what I saw firsthand when I went to Pennsylvania as an advocate for the campaign. I was an advocate for the campaign and I was on the ground in Pennsylvania, and I saw many things there. But do I accept the results? Of course I do. Do I agree with what happened? And I saw so much. No one from either side of the aisle should want there to be any issues with election integrity in our country. We should all want our elections to be free and fair and the rules and the laws to be followed.
Commentator 3
I think that question deserved a yes or no. And I think the length of your answer is an indication that you weren't prepared to answer. Yes. Okay, Dick Durbin, I'll give you a yes or no. Wait for it. No, Biden is not. Was totally illegitimate. You know, this. This is why they make such a big deal about it. They want Pam Bondi. They want an official response from maga. Is Pam Bondi. Let's jump. We're going to jump to Lee Zeldin right now. Let's do it. We're going to come back.
Scott Bessant
Epa, let's hit it on both sides of the aisle to tackle the most pressing issues facing our country. I humbly sit before you. Nominated to serve as the 17th administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the American people made their voices heard in November, giving President Trump a mandate to lead our nation to prosperity. I'm grateful that the President elect is giving me the opportunity to lead the EPA at this critical time. Our mission is simple but essential to protect human health and the environment. We must do everything in our power to harness the greatness of American innovation with the greatness of American conservation and environmental stewardship. We must ensure we are protecting the environment while also protecting our economy. Throughout my life, I've been privileged to hold such titles as Congressman and State Senator and Lieutenant Colonel Butts. None has meant more to me than husband, son and father. While one of my identical twin daughters, Arianna, is now back at college. I'm excited to be joined here today by my wife, Diana, and our daughter, Mikayla, as well as my mother, Meryl. The American people need leaders who can find common ground to solve the urgent issues we face. I want my daughters, your loved ones, and every child across our country to thrive in a world with clean air, clean water, and boundless opportunity. If confirmed, I pledge to enthusiastically uphold the EPA's mission. I will foster a collaborative culture within the agency, supporting career staff who have dedicated themselves to this mission. I strongly believe we have a moral responsibility to be good stewards of our environment for generations to come. It's been so motivating to see the tremendous talent stepping up to serve in the epa. I couldn't be more excited to partner with our EPA team nationwide to exceptionally serve the American public. I had the honor of working with many of you when I represented New York's 1st congressional district. My district on the eastern end of Long island was unique in that it was almost completely surrounded by water. My constituents took environmental issues very seriously, and I developed a record in Congress fighting hard and with great success, advancing their local priorities. I worked across party lines to preserve the Long Island Sound and Plum Island. I supported key legislation that became historic bipartisan success stories.
Commentator 3
It's good. It's interesting. You know, he's tossing out there as bona fides is a good guy. Lee Zeldin is a good guy. The engine room informs me the engine room informs me that RFK is at the top of the scalp list. They want. I think if you took it, I'd actually beg to differ. I think Cash is number one, I think RFK is number two, and number three is Tulsi. Although they're kind of jammed two and three. The RFK may get some Democrats. That's the reason I think it's going to be a tough scalp. There are a couple, three Republicans that have a real problem with him, including Judas Pence. Judas Pence put out a thing last night that from his group saying they posed Robert F. Kennedy. We want all the president's picks to get across the goal line because the president wants his team. He's going to get his team momentarily. Pam Bondi. So Lee Zeldinstead were going to get to Lee when they started getting some zingers in there. It is very important for them to crush the epa, the head of the epa, because the EPA is central in kind of getting away from a lot of this environmental badness you see out in California. What's the result of that? You do that year after year after year after year. And hey, ideas have consequences, folks. Was that terrible in Appalachia? We're going to try to. I'm working with Ben Burkholm, trying to put together a working group with those folks already making calls to people that are going to be in charge here in a couple of days to make sure that we set that right. It's disgusting what's happened there, Colleen. Completely forgotten. And if you're back east now, it is bitter cold down there. I think they said it's going to get to six degrees tonight or six degrees last night. Those people are suffering and we've got to come to their aid. And yes, the personal commitments people are making is absolutely extraordinary, as usual with this audience and with the MAGA movement overall and the American people. But this should not be just on private charity. It can't be on private charity. We have funds. We have, you know, you pay your taxes to make sure that they're in times of emergency. Right? It's called the, you know, fema. It's called emergency for a reason and for some reason it's abandoned. I happen to think it's politics and Biden. Right. This regime The Daily Mail, in fact, had yesterday. And if Grace could be so good, because I'm going at 9,000 miles an hour. If Grace could pull that. I'm not so sure I even put it up yesterday. I think we just got the. The page didn't have time, but the Daily Mail actually went through and talked about what we've been talking about, how Biden's been trying to thwart President Trump at every level, including this, orders of succession, the spending of the money, how the money's financed, things they're doing at the border. They have been united in trying to make this the most difficult transition ever. President Trump is very upfront about that. I think what they're doing in Ukraine, obviously, President Trump. President Trump got this deal done in Gaza. Now, you should know it looks like the ceasefire is already kind of coming apart a little bit. I think, you know, from the Frank Gaffneys of the world, the different folks we have in the Victory coalition and the guys, men and women that come on the show and talk about it, they're not happy about it. They think it's a complete capitulation to Hamas. They think the pressure was put on Netanyahu was not appropriate. But, hey, they're huge supporters of President Trump. President Trump wanted a ceasefire. He wanted things to calm down before he came to office, and it looks like he tried to get it. I think Witkoff was very involved in that. Witkoff, I think, was in Qatar and went to see Bibi and kind of laid down the law. This is what it's got to be. But as we see it right now, I think that's coming a little unwound. Same with this Ukraine situation. Obviously, our advice in the war room from Ben Harnwell and everybody, is that you have to come out, I think, on day one and lay down the law. Otherwise, Kagan and these guys are showing you they're going to try to trap President Trump. What they're saying of is traps everywhere. Traps in finance. And you're going to see that with Scott Bessant today. You saw yesterday with Russ Vote in Russ Vote, they're trying to trap him the entire time about spending, about cutting programs, about entitlements, all of it. All they're doing is laying traps. They're not there to be helpful. They're not. This is not supportive. This is not like a transition where somebody won. You come in and say, okay, we lost, you won. How can we be helpful? It's not. It's not like that at all. It's the exact Opposite in the Biden exec. The executive branch in Biden has been the. Has been the worst of the worst. Just absolutely terrible. Today is. I don't think so. Pam, Bonnie's up for round two. Heard yesterday was. And she's going to get confirmed. She was, I think, magnificent given the pressure she's under with Gates leaving. Obviously, Gaetz has a different House style, much more aggressive, much more about the investigations. The TV rights for a Gaetz confirmation at the Justice Department would have been, you know, top five viewing for the year. Pam has a very different style, but it was fantastic. I think she answered all the questions and she answered them in appropriate ways. She didn't take the bait. She didn't take the bait. And that's hard when you're sitting up there hour after hour and they're just pounding you and you're at that table alone because you really are. It just shows you. It shows you. She did with a lot of class, a lot of style and kind of steel toughness. Steel magnolia, right. Not going to flinch. Not going to let shifty Schiff get on her. Not going to let. She was barraged just like it was not as nasty as Hexas. Hexis took on a personal animosity, but particularly the female Democrat senators. They were kind of harridans that day. Just after him, after him. I thought it was a terrible look for them. That's what Pete's getting through. I think it's one of the reasons Joni Ernst said, hey, I'm all in. We've got Scott Besant. Besant. They've come up with this thing about his taxes. They're going to hammer him on that. Look, he's like everybody, they're aggressive on their taxes. Right. And he's going to get pummeled by the Democrats on that. It's all phony. It's all made up. They're going to come after him hard on tax and tariffs, all of it. So that'll be interesting. Lee Zeldin. They're going to get into the question. It's going to be brutal. We're going to cut back and forth from the wisdom of yours truly. I'll put this in context the entire time and what we saw. We got tremendous feedback from the audience. We're only one to do this. We think it's important. It's important for the cadre and the war room posse to understand the angle of attack that the Senate's going to take. Senate is obviously, obviously a major player, particularly in going forward. And you See the Democrats and they're coming out their true, true colors. Birch Gold is our sponsor. Really thank the team at Birchgold. If you want to get in back of Russ Vogt and the dilemma he's got and you know, working through this budget, working through the spending cuts. Modern monetary theory, the idea that broke the world. Now the Birch girl guys are telling me by record numbers you're signing up and getting this. I want more. I want everybody. The millions that watch and listen get it is free. Birchgold.com Bannon the End of the Dollar Empire 6 free installment Modern monetary theory Back in a moment.
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Commentator 3
Okay, the Birch also Birchgold. You can, if you got a phone, you can text Bannon B A N o N at 989-898. Make sure you do that today. Check it out. Get all the free information. Times of turbulence, the Hill article, the Hill, the newspaper article. You're going to see this in Scott Besant today. As I've said, we've kind of narrowed the range of alternatives for President Trump. Just reality. This is what the Biden regime has left him. President Trump, let's go back to the three lines of work and the three ways he's going to attack it. Right? You have the three lines of work is number one, the ending of the kinetic war you saw. Just saying. President Trump's masterstroke in Israel. I realize a lot of our colleagues and contributors are not happy. They think it's a surrender. They didn't remove Hamas from Judea, Samaria or Judea and Samaria. They didn't take care of all the combat battalions in southern Gaza. The war's not over. I happen to think even if you come to a ceasefire, there's going to be things going to be reunited. It's going to be back up within 90 days. But President Trump wanted to cease fire, wanted the hostages returned. He wanted that done before he got in office because I think he's sending a signal. He's got other things he has to focus on. He doesn't want to shoot anymore there. Not saying that's not going to happen because I don't know if this ceasefire will hold. The biggest, most important he's got to do now on the Third World War kinetic front is Ukraine. And I'm a huge advocate for the president to step up and to say on Monday and to lay out a framework and to really tell the Ukrainians, you know, we're going to get on with this because we're not going to be around forever. We're not going to support this. We're not going to send troops on a security, you know, on a security mission. They're looking for security guarantees. You keep seeing this phrase security guarantee. When you hear security guarantee read American troops. I know they're saying now it's going to be NATO, it's going to be U.K. look, those guys won't put in the money and security guarantee. They want our unlimited cash for weapons and for arms and for rebuilding and they want, they want our troops. Well, people just have to look out to California. We don't have the money to rebuild the world. That's gone. And that is the framing yesterday in the OMB hearing with Russ Vogt. Russ is very upfront and there's got to be some tough choices made. And they came after him nonstop and he really came across, I think, fantastic. But the frame now is everything. We can't afford it. Right. We're essentially, I don't know if we're going concern as far as the financing of this because you have an economic plan, an economic plan for the country and that's quite frankly, you want to be as, as close to hands off as possible and just let self organize around capitalism. Yes, you do have to have some sort of, you know, regulatory apparatus. I happen to think now that you have to, the regulatory apparatus got to step in and start to break up this big tech situation. And when Biden last night talks about oligarchs, they created them. Let's not have Them erase history and talk about this now, you know, now spending is a big deal for them. Now these oligarchs are a big deal for them. It wasn't a big deal when they were doing it. They're the ones that initiate this massive over the top spending. And people warned them about it. This show warned them about it. People we had on the show, like Scott Besant. Does that name sound familiar? Oh, yeah. He's gonna be Secretary of Treasury. Like Russ Vogt. Does that name sound familiar? Yeah. He's gonna be director of omb. Peter Navarro, does that name sound familiar? Oh, yeah. Senior counselor for trade manufacturing. I get it. We brought those people on for a reason. They understand President Trump's economic philosophy and they can implement that. But you have two things. You have both economics and finance. They're not the same. Economics are kind of the doing of things, right? The economy, economics, the goods and services, production, distribution, marketing, the animal spirits, unleashing the entrepreneurial spirit of the American people. The other, finances. How we're actually going to pay for this? How are you going to finance it? It's going to be equity, it's going to be debt. This government, how's it going to be done? Where are the sources of revenues, where the sources of proceeds and where the uses of proceeds? One thing I ask you all the time is look around. $36 trillion. Where to go? Huh? Where to go? Where's your 36. Where's the 36 trillion, $36 trillion, where to go? Ask yourself. Look around. That's the, that's the uses of proceeds, which has to get to be. We have to really start to rethink that because we're spending a lot too much on operations and not enough on investment or infrastructure. The sources of proceeds. And this is where President Trump the masterstroke is to think about it. Well, hang on for a second. Why is it all internal revenue? Internal revenue is just a mindset we got into at the beginning of the 20th century when we went away from tariffs and went away from more of the what's called the American system that was developed and laid out by Alexander Hamilton. Remember, we have three I say sacred documents that came from divine providence at the beginning, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, but also the report on manufactures. The report on manufacturers from Alexander Hamilton at the very beginning is inspired. If you look there, that's as sophisticated as you could possibly get about how to build an industrial economy out of a wilderness. That brother had vision. And this is why I say Hamilton with all his flaws, remember He's a quite imperfect instrument. You heard that before. He's a quite imperfect instrument. But man, what a genius. The American system up until for the first 140 years, we financed it all from the outside. President Trump with the External Revenue Service saying, hey, I realize, but all the burden for this apparatus, and this apparatus provides so many benefits, not just to the people in the United States, but throughout the world. Like the American military commitment. Why is it only the United States and pesos, yes, allies throw some in on their specific reason, but the way I think President Trump looks at this is that, hey, it's a premium seating at a football game or a baseball game or a basketball game. The United States behind the golden door is the greatest, most lucrative market in the world. Why is that? Because of you. Remember, you're the full faith and credit of the United States government. It's not the sec, it's not the Federal Reserve, it's not the US treasury, it's not Congress, it's you, the people. It's on your shoulders and now it's really on your shoulders. One of the reasons inflation is not going to go away is the refinancing of this massive debt. We're just adding deficits onto it all the time. But I think Scott Besson's got, I think it's $7 trillion of government securities got to refinance. They come in at higher rates. And right now, as we told you, the ten year Treasury, I think things backed off a little bit yesterday, but in England they kind of got the bond. Vigilantes are in revolt. The guilt is blowing up because they don't believe the business model of what the Brits are putting forward. And Starmer and the Labour Party is already, I think they're in the high 20s of popularity. They were not, they were not ready for, for, they were not ready for short time. We have somebody ready to go. We're producing this on the fly. They're starting up now. Let me know when he gives his opening statement. Okay, we got Scott Besson, right? Pam hasn't, hasn't shown up yet. Pam, running a little late, let me tell you. If Lee Zeldin's getting attacked by a Democrat, we'll jump in there. We're going to try to juggle today and do all of this. The Freedom Caucus, along those lines. The Freedom Caucus has put forward a proposal. The proposal, it basically says they need offsets, but they've offered up a two year relief on the debt ceiling. Have you ever heard the debt ceiling? Have we ever mentioned that on the show maybe a couple, three times. I think the bid and the ask. I'm just saying, I think the ask is going to be. I think the ask is going to be four years. No cap. I don't know. Just saying he's going to want exactly what, exactly what Biden got by McCarthy when McCarthy got turfed out by that, the Freedom Caucus. I got to do this in memory. It's not in front of me now, and I can't pull up my phone. But two years, $4 trillion. Two years, $4 trillion. So that's telling you something right there. I mean, that's two. Hey, don't want to say we called it, but we called it. $2 trillion deficits, the next two years, they're asking for increase in the. This is the Freedom Caucus. These are the biggest budget hawks out there. I think that's right. Can my producer get it from Grace and send it back to me? So it's the top of my feed. They just put out a statement and they want to have offsets, offsets against all the. So let me, let me just step back for a second. And how do I do this? Give a slight reality check here. I said this at the political thing the other day. When they come up with these budgets and all this stuff and they're talking about we got more conservative WINS. And remember McCarthy, we have more conservative wins than we've ever had. His people, some of his people around him called me up and said, you're missing the point. These are more conservative wins than we ever had. Johnson, his favorite phrase. Remember that debacle on the, on the 1500 page cr. We've got more conservative. When I got so many conservative wins. When they use the phrase conservative wins, they're selling you smoke and mirrors. As soon as that phrase crosses their lips, just shut down and go, no, screw you. I don't want to hear it. Because they're trying to sell you more spending. Now on the Freedom Caucus, when they talk about a debt ceiling lift, and these are the most conservative guys, President Trump's not going to say, okay, two years for trillion. He's just not going to do it. I don't think he's just not going to do it. He's not going to want to. He's not going to want a constraint, I don't think. But they're offering up two years of $4 trillion. That means $2 trillion. Just simple math. That means $2 trillion deficit the first two years. That implies something. Number one, where's Doge and I want to get back to just process in critical paths, audiences up to speed so you're smart, so that you've got the information, you're going to be engaged in this fight. The CR kicked down to March. March is the government runs out of money again almost halfway through the fiscal year. Don't have a budget, don't have an appropriations that we promised and committed that we're going to do. But for whatever reason, we don't have it. But March 20th is a date. Note to self, March 20th is 60 days from Monday. So two months President Trump has. And we want single subject appropriations bills to go through it, you know, chapter and verse. Also the DOGE guys have to merge in that the Doge cuts can only come from an appropriations process. Other than that, it's just an exercise in writing a white paper. It's another commission. And these commissions go nowhere if Doge is to have impact. And that's why it's an advisor to guess what, omb, right in that they can really put in the deconstruction of the administrative state what they want to do. Okay, now they promised $2 trillion. And their promise, when they made the $2 trillion cut, it was on the six and a half trillion dollars of annual federal spending. It wasn't a 10 year. They may not realize at the time, but they were talking $2 trillion. In President Trump's mind, that was 2 trillion out of 6 1/2. So my question is, where's the beef? We want Doge to work in the biggest way possible. That's the way you deconstruct the administrative state. You put a, a brilliant team of very smart people that are entrepreneurs outside the system. They can look at it new and it's not going to come from waste, fraud and abuse. Let me just. That's a fantasy. When somebody says waste, fraud and abuse, they're also selling you something. Is there waste? Absolutely. Is it duplication? Yes. Is there abuse? Yes, all of that. But that is on the margin. It's on the margin. The problem is you're doing too much. You're doing too much with people. And even cutting bodies is not you got to cut programs. It's programs and billets. Programs and billets. Programs and billets. That's what you have to be focused on before you get to the entitlements. That's a different kettle of fish. You got to get there eventually, but you have to have buy in by the American people. Maybe not for Medicaid, that's a different topic. But for Medicare and Social Security. If you're going to make any change at all, the American people have to buy into this. The only way they're going to buy into it is see the political class actually do their job. Talked about doing their jobs. We need you at the ramparts. The reason we're winning on the confirmations, number one, they're prepared, they're warriors and they're ready to go. But you've had their back. Not just Hexeth everybody. It's been magnificent. So we need you at the ramparts to need you at the ramparts. We can't have you have angst or anxiety or be your focus be taken off. That will happen if somebody gets into your title and takes out a massive second mortgage, like 100,000 bucks and you got to pay it off, you get no cash, you got to pay it off. That kind of is more than a speed bump. That is a, that is a existential threat to you. Hometitleock.com Bannon you get 30 days free. Natalie Dominguez is over there. They get massive information. Talk to one of their reps. Go there today. Hometitlelock.com Bannon you ever think, how can.
Stephen K. Bannon
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Commentator 3
Of their debt relief strategists for free.
Stephen K. Bannon
You have nothing to lose except your debt. Go to donewithdebt.com that is done with debt.com. do it today. Action. Action. Action.
Commentator 3
Secretary I described.
Stephen K. Bannon
That's why we have the hearing to get his views.
Commentator 3
Thank you, Senator Crapo. Thank you very much, Senator Wyden. And today we are honored to have our good friend and colleague and now the new Budget Committee Chairman, Senator Lindsey Graham, to help introduce the nominee. Welcome, Senator Graham, from the state of. The great state of South Carolina. I want to thank you for joining us today. And I'll turn it over to you to introduce Mr. Besant.
Senator Lindsey Graham
Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member to all my colleagues, and there are only a hundred of us, we know each other pretty well. This is my first appearance in the Finance Committee, probably last. Y'all work on complicated stuff, and I'm glad you like this stuff. Seems kind of boring to me, but it's important what you do. And I respect the intellect of the people on this committee because our economy needs the best minds that we can find on the Finance Committee. And we need a Secretary of treasury that knows what he's doing, has the trust of the President, and loves his country. Your ship came in with this guy. So Scott Bessette's from South Carolina. He's academically gifted and real world tested. He went to Yale, so nobody's perfect. When he told me that, I said, I don't know about that. But anyway, he's really, really smart. And this is a complicated area. Now, why am I here? Because Trump won. I wouldn't be here if Trump hadn't won. Trump won because more people voted for him and he had to pick people to form his Cabinet. And when he talked about the Secretary of Treasury, I'm not the normal person you would go to ask about because this is not so much my portfolio. But when he mentions God, I said, oh, my God, home run. From my point of view, I mean, you talk about somebody who's academically gifted, understands the world. Scott, like any Republican president would pick. Scott. I mean, he really understands the president and what the president wants to do and reason. I vote for almost everybody, for every president, as I believe, colleagues, that every president deserves a Cabinet that they know and trust and can rely upon. If I had to vote for people based on agreeing with them, I wouldn't vote for anybody y'all picked. That's not the standard for me. I vote for people who I disagree with because I think they're qualified. So I would just ask the committee to think for a minute. Is this man qualified? Does he have the background and the intelligence and the character to serve President Trump and our nation's Secretary of Treasury? I think by any reasonable test of qualifications, he excels beyond the bare minimum to the highest level of excellence. But that's just my opinion. So my goal here today is to you a little bit about him. You've heard from the chairman about his success in the financial world, about his academic qualifications. He was born in Little River, South Carolina. Why do they call it Little River? Because it's little and it's a river. It's in Horry County. How many of you heard of Myrtle Beach? Most of you. Well, this is somewhere between Conway and Myrtle Beach. At nine years old, his first job was to set up beach chairs and umbrellas in North Myrtle Beach. And apparently you did well there because North Myrtle beach is thriving. He went to North Myrtle Beach High School and he was voted Most likely to succeed succeed in 1980. And we have a high school classmate of his. What did they see in him? The same thing. I see someone who really is talented and works hard and just a good person. The type people that you think are going to succeed, but you hope succeed. So he lives in Charleston in a really nice place. Going from Little river to Charleston is about a two and a half hour drive. But it's a real change since I represent South Carolina. I like them both very much. He's married. John, his husband's right behind me. They have two kids, Carolina and Cole, and they're absolutely adorable. And from a South Carolina point of view, we're really proud of Scott. I was over the top, happy when President Trump picked him, because I know him. I know where he came from. The rich and powerful don't live in Little River. This is truly the American dream. This man has been successful at everything he's ever tried to do. He's worked really hard. And why did President Trump pick him? Because he believes that President Trump's economic agenda is good for this country and he wants to help President Trump be successful. And here's what Scott said. I think it's the melding of economic policy with national security. Economic policy and national security are now indispensable. And Donald Trump understands that. So I'm here to tell you folks I agree with that. If we don't have energy independence, we're less safe. If we don't get our debt in order, we're less safe. I am known around here as kind of a national security guy, but I do understand economic policy matters. If you want to clean up the environment, a carbon fee seems to be a good way to do it to punish China and end it for bad carbon practices. Call it a tariff, call it whatever you want to do. So President Trump won. I'm here today because he won. I'm here today because Scott lives in South Carolina. I'm here today to tell you if you use qualifications as your test. This is the easiest vote you'll ever take. If your goal is to play like the election didn't happen, then I guess you'll vote no. That's just where we're headed in the Senate. When you lose an election, you get up and dust yourself off and you get ready for the next one. But I was honored when he asked me to introduce him because I know this man and America will be in good hands if he's our Secretary of Treasury. He deserves this job. He's qualified for this job. And President Trump, thank you for picking him. On behalf of all of us in South Carolina, we're extremely proud of you and we wish you well.
Stephen K. Bannon
I want to warn you of a huge change that could be coming to our money in our bank accounts. First, think back to 9 11, shortly after the government pushed through the Patriot Act. This gave the government power to spy on innocent Americans by monitoring our phone and email and tracking our movement across the Internet. Now Jim Rickards, editor of the independent financial newsletter, Strategic Intelligence and New York Times best selling author, is warning about a coming event that could elevate this governmental surveillance to a terrifying new level. In fact, some of the guests I've had on the War Room believe that the government will soon expand their powers to track our every move. If we say the wrong things on social media, donate to the wrong causes, buy firearms, or even vote maga, the government may be able to shut us out of our bank accounts. I can't say for sure if this will happen, but it's an interesting and dire warning. Fortunately, Jim Rickards, an American patriot and friend of mine, has made it his mission to educate us on what he believes is coming and how to protect yourself from the possibility of programmable money. Watch Jim's warning video now before it's censored like I've been in the past. Go to rickardswarroom.com that's rickardswarroom.com now to.
Commentator 3
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Commentator 3
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Bannon's War Room: Episode 4198 - Where We Stand With Trump's Nominees
Release Date: January 16, 2025
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Source: WarRoom.org
In Episode 4198 of "Bannon's War Room," host Stephen K. Bannon delves into the progress and challenges surrounding President Donald Trump's key nominees for pivotal government positions. The episode offers in-depth discussions with medical experts, politicians, and business leaders, providing listeners with comprehensive insights into the current political landscape and the strategic maneuvers within the administration.
Russell Vogt emerges as a central figure for the Trump administration's agenda to streamline federal operations. Despite OMB's traditionally low-profile status, Vogt's clear intent to shrink the federal government and centralize budgetary control under the presidency marks him as a significant player in the administration's broader strategy.
[00:01] Host: "Russell Vogt has made it abundantly clear he wants to shrink the federal government and give the president a lot more direct control over federal funding."
[01:23] Commentator 3: "This is the actual point of where the people we talked about, Project 2025, like the really real changes that they want to make are coming through this guy."
Scott Bessant's nomination is highlighted as a strategic move to overhaul the nation's financial policies. With a background in both academia and real-world financial management, Bessant is positioned as a candidate capable of implementing Trump's economic vision.
[28:20] Scott Bessant: "Our mission is simple but essential to protect human health and the environment while also protecting our economy."
Lee Zeldin is presented as a tough, experienced candidate ready to dismantle what the administration views as an overreaching regulatory state. His nomination is expected to face substantial scrutiny, especially regarding environmental and economic policies.
[21:03] Scott Bessant: "I pledge to enthusiastically uphold the EPA's mission and ensure we are protecting the environment while also protecting our economy."
Vogt's confirmation hearing is portrayed as a battleground where Project 2025's objectives are vigorously defended against what the commentators describe as entrenched bureaucratic resistance.
[02:17] Host: "If Donald Trump gets all of these people through, many of which might not be qualified for the jobs, then they're going to have these enormous jobs with that they're not qualified for."
[01:05] Commentator 2: "There are people that funded Project 2025. They have a vested interest in making sure that everything in those 900 and some odd pages gets implemented."
A tense moment unfolds during the hearing when Commentator 3 confronts Senator Dick Durbin about the legitimacy of Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. Durbin maintains a stance of respecting the official results while hinting at irregularities, leading to heightened political tension.
[17:45] Commentator 3: "I think that question deserved a yes or no. ... No, Biden is not. Was totally illegitimate."
[05:26] Senator Durbin: "I accept the results. I accept, of course, that Joe Biden is President of the United States."
Pam Bondi's confirmation process is lauded for her resilience in handling intense questioning without succumbing to pressure, contrasting sharply with more confrontational nominees like Pete Hegseth.
[04:03] Commentator 3: "Pam Bondi... she answered them in appropriate ways. She didn't take the bait."
[53:57] Commentator 3: "Pam Bondi was under intense pressure... she did with a lot of class, a lot of style and kind of steel toughness."
Project 2025 is identified as the administration's blueprint for significant governmental restructuring, with the OMB playing a crucial role in executing budget cuts and reallocations to align with Trump's economic priorities.
[01:52] Commentator 3: "If we start to see some of the ability, some of the things that Trump has promised actually start to happen deep inside the government, it will happen through guys like all of that."
The episode features a strong critique of Modern Monetary Theory, emphasizing concerns over increasing government debt and deficits. Bannon argues for traditional fiscal responsibility over MMT's expansionary policies.
[28:20] Host: "Modern monetary theory, the idea that broke the world. ... It's a fantasy."
Discussion centers around the proposed debt ceiling negotiations, with the Freedom Caucus advocating for a two-year relief coupled with significant spending cuts. The administration is portrayed as resisting these constraints to maintain fiscal autonomy.
[38:17] Commentator 3: "Freedom Caucus has put forward a proposal... two years, $4 trillion."
[04:03] Host: "OMB is probably the most important part of the executive because everything comes to OMB."
Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina introduces Scott Bessant, highlighting his academic prowess and practical experience. Graham emphasizes Bessant's alignment with Trump's economic and national security policies, portraying him as an ideal candidate for Secretary of the Treasury.
[45:16] Senator Lindsey Graham: "Scott is very, really smart... He understands President Trump's economic agenda and he wants to help President Trump be successful."
[45:43] Senator Graham: "If your goal is to play like the election didn't happen, then I guess you'll vote no. That's just where we're headed in the Senate."
The episode delves into contentious debates surrounding the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. Commentators express skepticism about Biden's victory, suggesting potential investigations and highlighting ongoing political conflicts within Congress.
[16:28] Senator Durbin: "President Biden is the President of the United States... There was a peaceful transition of power."
[16:47] Commentator 3: "Do you have any doubts that Joe Biden had the majority of votes... No, Biden is not. Was totally illegitimate."
Looking ahead, Bannon and his team outline anticipated obstacles in confirming Trump's nominees, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and public support. They discuss the importance of dismantling the administrative state and anticipate aggressive tactics from Democrats aimed at undermining the administration's agenda.
[35:00] Host: "It's going to be Pam Bondi, the last shot they get to her. The confirmation hearings, Day three."
[43:46] Bannon: "One of the reasons inflation is not going to go away is the refinancing of this massive debt. We're just adding deficits onto it all the time."
[42:22] Host: "We need the cadre and the war room posse to understand the angle of attack that the Senate's going to take."
Episode 4198 of "Bannon's War Room" provides a comprehensive look at the Trump administration's efforts to solidify its influence through key nominations and policy initiatives. Through insightful discussions and strategic analysis, the episode underscores the high-stakes nature of governmental restructuring and the anticipated battles within Congress to either support or obstruct the administration's vision for America's future.
Notable Quotes:
Stephen K. Bannon ([05:01]): "This is the primal scream of a dying regime. Pray for our enemies."
Senator Lindsey Graham ([45:16]): "If your goal is to play like the election didn't happen, then I guess you'll vote no."
Scott Bessant ([28:20]): "I pledge to enthusiastically uphold the EPA's mission and ensure we are protecting the environment while also protecting our economy."
Key Takeaways:
Russell Vogt's nomination to OMB is pivotal for the administration's budgetary control and governmental downsizing efforts.
Confirmation hearings for nominees like Vogt and Bondi are under intense scrutiny, facing significant opposition from Democrats.
Economic policies under scrutiny include a strong opposition to Modern Monetary Theory and strategic criticisms of Biden's fiscal management.
Senator Lindsey Graham's support for Scott Bessant underscores the administration's focus on aligning Treasury leadership with Trump's economic goals.
Future strategies involve dismantling the administrative state and preparing for aggressive legislative battles over the debt ceiling and budget allocations.
Note: This summary intentionally excludes promotional segments and advertisements present in the transcript to maintain focus on the episode's substantive content.