Bannon’s War Room: Episode 5017 – The Take Down Of John Brennan; Freeing Tina Peters

Date: December 23, 2025
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Main Guests: John Solomon, John Case, Peter Navarro, Mike Davis

Overview

In this episode, Stephen K. Bannon delivers a packed agenda focused on two major narratives: the reported criminal grand jury investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan, and the ongoing legal and moral campaign to "free" Tina Peters, labeled here as "the number one political prisoner in the world." The show also covers economic updates, the impact of Trump administration policies, and the looming issue of artificial intelligence regulation.

The tone is combative, urgent, and celebratory, with Bannon and his guests framing recent developments as vindications of the MAGA movement’s worldview and a dramatic turning point in legal and political battles.

Key Segments & Insights

1. The Criminal Investigation of John Brennan

[00:53–11:06, 32:17–36:09]

Guest: John Solomon (JustTheNews.com)

• Major Development: John Solomon reports that John Brennan is officially a target in a federal grand jury probe in Florida—potentially facing indictment over his role in advancing the discredited Steele Dossier and misleading Congress about Russian interference disclosures.
• Venue Strategy: Brennan's lawyers allege "forum shopping" to place the trial in Miami. They're seeking to move the case to Washington, D.C. or Northern Virginia, likely for a more sympathetic jury.
• Evidence and Urgency: Brennan’s legal team is focusing on legal process issues, not substantive defense against the claims he lied to Congress.
• Notable Quote:
  • "For the first time, we have written evidence from one of the targets of that investigation, the former CIA director John Brennan, that these cases have been consolidated...[and] sent to Miami."
    — John Solomon [01:19]
• Legal Strategy: John Solomon speculates prosecutors might start with simple perjury charges to pressure Brennan into cooperation and potentially "roll up" other figures related to the "grand conspiracy."
• Context: Reference is made to previous warnings from the FBI to the Justice Department about the Mar-a-Lago raid lacking probable cause. This is presented as evidence of a broader "weaponization" conspiracy.

Memorable Moment:

• Solomon expresses that in 40 years covering DOJ/FBI he’s rarely seen a defensive letter to a judge like the one sent by Brennan’s team—a sign of panic:

  "I've very seldom seen a letter like this at any time in my 40 years covering the Justice Department and the FBI."
  — John Solomon [04:07]

2. The Campaign to Free Tina Peters

[12:12–21:47, 16:33–21:47]

Guest: John Case (Attorney for Tina Peters)

• Summary: Tina Peters, former Colorado elections official, is portrayed as a "political prisoner" serving a nine-year sentence. Her defense argues she acted as a whistleblower in preserving election records—thus immune from prosecution and eligible for a presidential pardon.
• Legal Approach: Filing a motion to assert Trump’s constitutional authority to pardon Peters and argue her immunity due to federal duties.
• Prison Conditions: Peters is reportedly held in sweltering, improperly maintained conditions intended for higher-security prisoners, not minimum-security/first-offense, with allegations of punitive treatment for speech and inadequate medical care.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “She’s in prison because of her speech. She criticized the voting system and the judge said you get nine years.”
    — John Case [13:11]
  • "Indoor air temperatures must be at least 61 degrees… the temperature in Tina’s unit yesterday morning was 96.3 degrees…”
    — John Case [17:08]
• Political Framing: Governor Polis is depicted as intransigent, using Peters’ incarceration as a campaign posture for the left.

Call to Action:

• Supporters are told to visit tinapeters.us for advocacy and fundraising.

3. Economic Updates & Trump Administration Policy

[22:06–28:23, 28:33–32:17]

Guest: Dr. Peter Navarro

• Strong Economy: Bannon and Navarro tout the Q3 GDP numbers (4.3%) and robust consumer spending as proof of Trump’s successful economic stewardship.
• Media Reaction: They note even typically critical media, like Morning Joe, are forced to acknowledge the economic numbers.
• Policy Highlights: Navarro points to the "big beautiful bill," huge tax refunds pending, and resurgence in manufacturing/spending.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "It’s the same drill… but it’s on steroids."
    — Peter Navarro [25:03]
  • "We've got the tax cut big beautiful bill coming now. What does that mean? You got 100% expensing. That's huge."
    — Peter Navarro [25:03]
• Inflation & Investment: Lower oil prices and tariff-driven policy are referenced as drivers for economic recovery.

4. Artificial Intelligence Regulation and the Tech Industry

[36:09–40:57]

Guest: Mike Davis

• Emerging Threat: Bannon frames AI as a top concern for voters, citing polling: “the next biggest issue” after the economy, with bipartisan concern about unregulated technology and its impact on children and communities.
• Policy Win Claim: The podcast team claims success in blocking “AI amnesty” for the tech industry, ensuring states can regulate on core issues (the “four Cs”: children, conservatives, creators, and communities).
• Notable Quote:
  • "President Trump should thank us... for saving him from making a very bad decision by following the Tech Bros’ advice and doing AI amnesty..."
    — Mike Davis [38:01]
• Strategic Framing: Tech industry depicted as out-of-touch with average Americans, seeking deregulation, but now forced to accept limits due to grassroots pressure.

5. Dominion, Smartmatic, and Election Security

[33:51–35:35]

Guest: Mike Davis

• CFIUS Review: Push for Trump administration to declassify past CFIUS reviews between Smartmatic and Sequoia, raising alarms about foreign involvement in U.S. voting infrastructure.
• Action Item: Bannon queries which officials have declassification authority, promising to mobilize his audience (“War Room Posse”) based on Davis's guidance.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The weaponization investigation has moved from other grand juries... to Miami now…”
  — John Solomon [01:19]

• “She’s in prison because of her speech... the judge said you get nine years.”
  — John Case [13:11]

• “I’ve very seldom seen a letter like this at any time in my 40 years covering the Justice Department and the FBI.”
  — John Solomon [04:07]

• “President Trump should thank us for saving him from making a very bad decision by following The Tech Bros’ advice and doing AI amnesty…”
  — Mike Davis [38:01]

• “It’s the same drill… but it’s on steroids.”
  — Peter Navarro [25:03]

• “Support Tina Peters, go to tinapeters.us”
  — John Case [21:22]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:53 – Episode start, introduction of John Solomon/John Brennan case
• 01:19 – Details of Brennan investigation, venue shopping, legal strategy
• 04:07 – Solomon notes rarity and urgency of defense’s letter to judge
• 06:17 – Grand jury timing, possible conspiracy charges
• 08:47 – Venue preferences, attempts to move trial to D.C.
• 11:06 – Solomon signs off
• 12:12 – Tina Peters segment, legal maneuvers, prison conditions
• 13:11 – Case on Peters’ sentencing over speech
• 17:08 – Details of Peters’ prison conditions
• 21:22 – Call to support Tina Peters
• 22:06 – Transition to economic segment, Dr. Peter Navarro
• 24:15 – Economic figures, retail spending, implications for Trump agenda
• 25:03 – Navarro on economic policy and outcomes
• 28:33 – Analysis of shipbuilding policy, economic “animal spirits”
• 32:17 – Mike Davis on grand jury updates, CFIUS, Dominion
• 36:09 – AI regulation, Tech Bros, four C’s, legislative wins
• 40:57 – Final calls for audience action, sign-off for guests

Conclusion

This episode serves as a rallying cry for the War Room audience, celebrating supposed legal momentum against "deep state" figures and denouncing political and judicial opponents as corrupt. The episode aims both to inform and energize the audience for further political combat in the legal, electoral, and cultural arenas—presenting the MAGA movement as both vindicated on past controversies (Russiagate, election validity, economic policy) and beset by entrenched enemies domestically and globally.

For more information

• John Solomon: justthenews.com
• Tina Peters legal campaign: tinapeters.us
• Article III Project/Mike Davis: article3project.org