Bannon’s War Room: Episode 4210 – Releasing The J6 Hostages
Release Date: January 21, 2025
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Duration: Approximately 52 minutes
Guests: Tom Fitton, Ben Berkwam, Mickey Babbitt, John Solomon, Julie Kelly, and others
Introduction
In Episode 4210 of Bannon’s War Room, host Stephen K. Bannon delves into the contentious and ongoing efforts to release individuals imprisoned in connection with the January 6th (J6) Capitol events. The episode features robust discussions with prominent guests, including Tom Fitton of Judicial Watch, Ben Berkwam from Condemned USA, Mickey Babbitt (wife of Ashley Babbitt, who was fatally shot during the Capitol riot), investigative journalist John Solomon, and reporter Julie Kelly.
Pardons and the Department of Justice (DOJ)
Timestamp: [00:02 – 11:44]
The episode opens with a heated exchange between Steve Bannon and Tom Fitton regarding the state of the current administration and its handling of legal actions against supporters of former President Donald Trump. Tom Fitton highlights the saturation of lawsuits against President Trump, emphasizing the administration's persistent legal challenges across various executive orders.
- Tom Fitton: “The resistance is both internal to President Trump and what he's trying to accomplish, and it's also external. Now he's firing thousands of people, dismissing thousands of people.” [00:49]
Bannon and Fitton discuss the mass workforce within the federal system, noting the vast number of individuals (approx. 10 million) who have access to sensitive information, raising concerns about potential actions against Trump’s allies.
- Stephen K. Bannon: “President Trump is equivalent of being the army command in Saigon in 1966. You don't know who your friends are and who your enemies are.” [06:00]
The conversation shifts to President Trump's use of executive orders (EOs) and pardons, with Bannon praising specific EOs like the one targeting birthright citizenship and expressing skepticism about the legality and specificity of Biden’s pardons related to the J6 committee.
- Stephen K. Bannon: “The pardons are unconstitutional, they lack specificity, and they should be considered nullity under the Constitution.” [07:43]
The J6 Committee and Political Ramifications
Timestamp: [11:44 – 19:34]
Bannon and Fitton explore the implications of the J6 committee's actions and the broader political fallout. They argue that the committee overstepped its bounds, lacking adequate representation for the minority party and compromising the adversarial legal process.
- Tom Fitton: “The J6 committee has got to be made an example. We can never allow that to happen again.” [08:30]
They discuss the necessity of re-evaluating the committee's legitimacy and advocate for holding key figures accountable, including leveraging executive powers to challenge the committee's actions.
Ashley Babbitt’s Case and Judicial Watch’s Role
Timestamp: [16:42 – 27:04]
The episode features in-depth discussions about the tragic death of Ashley Babbitt, a U.S. Air Force veteran who was fatally shot during the Capitol breach. Mickey Babbitt shares her family's struggle and emphasizes the need for justice and accountability.
- Mickey Babbitt: “Ashley’s here to share it with us in spirit... Judicial Watch are amazing watchdogs for our government.” [22:42]
Tom Fitton commends the efforts of Judicial Watch and highlights ongoing legal battles aimed at holding responsible parties, including federal officials, accountable for Ashley’s death and similar incidents.
On-the-Ground Updates: Prisoner Releases and Activism
Timestamp: [28:20 – 48:51]
Guests Ben Berkwam and others provide live updates from outside the D.C. jail, discussing the slow and obstructive process of releasing J6 hostages despite presidential pardons. They report on specific cases, detailing the hardships faced by prisoners awaiting release and the bureaucratic delays hindering their freedom.
- Ben Berkwam: “We have a hearing, for instance, like scheduled the end of the month. If I were President Trump, respectfully, I'd shut this case down on terms favorable to her family.” [26:20]
Mickey Babbitt elaborates on the inhumane treatment of prisoners, criticizing the judicial system's bias and the prolonged injustices faced by those wrongfully incarcerated.
- Mickey Babbitt: “They’re used to doing whatever they want to do... These men have to be held accountable.” [25:35]
Reporters John Solomon and Julie Kelly contribute by discussing the broader implications of the DOJ's actions and the need for Congress to repudiate the J6 committee's findings to open avenues for further investigations and exonerations.
Expert Opinions and Future Actions
Timestamp: [31:03 – 52:43]
John Solomon provides his perspective on the necessity for Congress to take a formal stance against the J6 committee’s findings, suggesting that repudiation would invalidate the committee's work and facilitate future legal actions.
- John Solomon: “The next logical step that's going to happen in Congress is that they repudiate the findings of the J6 committee.” [31:26]
The discussion also touches upon the personal stories of released prisoners, such as William Sarsfield, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll of prolonged detention without due process.
- William Sarsfield: “We got to stick together. Where we go one, we go all.” [41:57]
Advertisements interspersed throughout the episode promote various services aligned with the show's themes, including emergency preparedness, debt relief, and health supplements, emphasizing self-reliance and financial independence.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Timestamp: [52:43 – End]
In the concluding segments, Bannon and Fitton reinforce the necessity of continued activism and support for the released J6 hostages. They urge listeners to stay informed, support legal battles, and participate in grassroots movements aimed at ensuring justice and accountability within the federal system.
- Tom Fitton: “You can't back off any of this. Fauci, J6, Millie—all of it.” [29:32]
Julie Kelly underscores the importance of media coverage and public support in driving the exoneration efforts, calling for sustained pressure on governmental institutions to rectify injustices.
- Julie Kelly: “These people's lives have been destroyed. Families broken up, divorces, bankruptcies, outcasts.” [40:39]
The episode wraps up with final calls to action, encouraging listeners to engage with support organizations, stay vigilant against governmental overreach, and continue advocating for the rights of those unjustly imprisoned.
Notable Quotes
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Steve Bannon: “President Trump is equivalent of being the army command in Saigon in 1966. You don't know who your friends are and who your enemies are.” [06:00]
-
Tom Fitton: “The J6 committee has got to be made an example. We can never allow that to happen again.” [08:30]
-
Mickey Babbitt: “Ashley’s here to share it with us in spirit... Judicial Watch are amazing watchdogs for our government.” [22:42]
-
John Solomon: “The next logical step that's going to happen in Congress is that they repudiate the findings of the J6 committee.” [31:26]
-
William Sarsfield: “We got to stick together. Where we go one, we go all.” [41:57]
Key Takeaways
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Legal Challenges: The Trump administration faces widespread legal challenges across multiple executive orders and policies, with discussions emphasizing the need for strategic legal defenses.
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J6 Committee Scrutiny: There is significant opposition to the J6 committee's authority and findings, advocating for its dissolution and repudiation to prevent future overreach.
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Pardons Controversy: The legitimacy and implementation of pardons related to the J6 events are questioned, highlighting potential constitutional conflicts and the need for specificity.
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Justice for Ashley Babbitt: The tragic death of Ashley Babbitt serves as a focal point for discussions on police accountability and the broader fight for justice for J6 participants.
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Prisoner Release Delays: Despite presidential pardons, bureaucratic delays and systemic resistance continue to prevent the timely release of J6 hostages, necessitating continued activism and legal intervention.
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Community and Support: Emphasis on community support, legal advocacy, and grassroots movements as essential tools in combating governmental overreach and securing justice for the imprisoned.
Resources Mentioned
- For Ashley Initiative: forashley.com
- Judicial Watch: judicialwatch.org
- Condemned USA: condemnedusa.com
- John Solomon’s Reporting: news.com
- Julie Kelly’s Platforms:
- declassifiedwithjulie.com
- Real Clear Investigations
- Twitter: @Julie_Kelly
Note: The episode contains advertisements promoting products and services related to emergency preparedness, debt relief, and health supplements. These segments are standard for the podcast and align with the show's themes of self-reliance and financial independence.