Bannon’s War Room – Episode 5047: J6 Anthem Of The Free Press Conference

Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Key Guests/Speakers: Ben Berkwam (Real America’s Voice News), Robert Morse, Micki Witthoeft, Enrique Tarrio, Shane Jenkins, Sarah McAbee (Stand in the Gap), and others

Episode Overview

This special episode of Bannon’s War Room commemorates the fifth anniversary of January 6th with a live press conference, focusing on the narratives of those involved in and affected by the Capitol events. The episode centers on the ongoing quest for "justice" as seen by many January 6th participants and their supporters, featuring calls for accountability, stories from individuals directly impacted, and recurring themes of media bias and government overreach. The segment also highlights a new documentary, "Sleeping Giant," and the new "Anthem of the Free" song dedicated to J6ers.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Historic Speech & the GOP Plan

• Stephen K. Bannon opens with a reflection on the significance of a recent speech by Donald Trump to the House Republican conference, calling it a "historic" moment that was entirely off-the-cuff and reminiscent of "Roosevelt's fireside chats," but even more direct and personal.
  • “Never in the history of this country, never in the history of the world have you had a leader... sit there for an hour and 50 minutes, not use one line out of the prepared remarks..." [00:01]
• Mentions a 10-page House Freedom Caucus memo about codifying executive orders for Trump’s presumed second term.

2. Framing of January 6th and the “Real Coup” Narrative

• Ben Berkwam, taking the stage at the J6 press conference, emphasizes the belief that justice has not been served for America or Trump. The event frames the 2020 election as "stolen" and accuses establishment and media forces of orchestrating a "coup."
  • “We still haven't gotten justice for America. We still haven't gotten justice for President Trump, for the coup, the real coup that happened against President TRUMP the four years leading up to the stolen election of 2020.” [03:02]

3. Testimonies from January 6th Participants and Families

• Robert Morse (presidentially pardoned J6er, former history teacher & military veteran):

  • Argues the media lied about protester intentions, claiming peaceful intent and targeting by mainstream narratives.
  • Insists that the “truth will set us free” and demands accountability for both law enforcement actions and the broader political context.
  • “We're here to fix history, set the record straight, and we're going to make America great again, whether they like it or not.” [04:42]
  • Explicitly names officers Michael Byrd (Ashley Babbitt’s shooter) and Lila Morris (implicated in Roseanne Boyland’s death), demanding their prosecution.

• Micki Witthoeft (mother of Ashley Babbitt):

  • Details her ongoing activism and quest for justice for her daughter, highlighting perceived police misconduct.
  • Points to a lack of accountability for the officer who shot Babbitt, arguing he was unjustly rewarded.
  • “He would have been fired, not promoted. He's been protected. He's been honored. He's got raises. He's benefited both professionally and financially from the death of my daughter.” [06:54]
  • Calls to “free Tina Peters,” presented as a political prisoner.

4. The Role and Fate of J6 Groups (Proud Boys, Oath Keepers)

• Ben Berkwam continues:

  • Describes his previous activism and confrontations with left-wing groups, crediting the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers for providing protection.
  • “They stood in the gap on behalf of the Patriots of America. And for that, they were charged with the highest amounts of time they got...” [08:57]
  • Introduces Enrique Tarrio (former Proud Boys leader).

• Enrique Tarrio:

  • Demands retribution—defined as nonviolent accountability—for the harsh sentences and untreated grievances of J6ers.
  • Lists names of those still incarcerated/excluded from pardons: Joe Biggs, Ethan Nordean, Zachary Rehl, Dominic Pezzola.
  • Thanks Donald Trump for pardons but presses Trump appointees (e.g., Attorney General Pam Bondi) for further action.
  • “Without accountability, there is no justice and we will not rest.” [12:43]

5. Stand in the Gap Initiative

• Shane Jenkins (J6er, Executive Director, Stand in the Gap):

  • Describes his sentencing and pardon, advocates for the families of those who died and the few still unpardoned.
  • Reveals neglect and mistreatment in jail, such as the terminal cancer case of Bart Shively.
  • “We are going to continue to be here January 6th after January six... We want accountability for 2020. We want accountability for Covid.” [14:19]

• Sarah McAbee (COO, Stand in the Gap):

  • Emphasizes the ongoing persecution and the personal/family toll.
  • Argues the official narrative about police deaths is "fake news."
  • “The fight is far from over... What's going on today as the UN Select Committee meets again to push their narrative that five police officers died that day is false. It is fake news.” [16:02]

6. Calls to Action & Closing Messages

• Ben Berkwam wraps up:

  • Announces a new documentary, Sleeping Giant, and the "Anthem of the Free" song, calling for proceeds to support J6 families.
  • Urges continued activism and vigilance against both mainstream media and institutional narratives.
  • “The mainstream media was complicit in this. It's time for the mainstream media to do their job, or else we're going to do their job for them.” [19:15]

• Group closing: A musical and spoken tribute, reiterating their gratitude to Trump for pardons and reinforcing themes of "justice" and "unity."

  • “Thank you Donald Trump for pardoning us and giving us a second chance on life.” [21:04]
  • “Blessed by God, pardoned by Trump.” [21:02]
  • “Their stories will be told. We stand as one united in this fight for liberty. Justice for our voices. Ring the kingdom of free.” [20:35–20:44]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Trump’s Unscripted Speech

• Stephen K. Bannon:
  “You just don't see this. Even if you take Putin... This is right off the top of the head, just extraordinary.” [01:00]

On the Justice Narrative

• Ben Berkwam:
  “Our job is to tell the story. It's their stories that we want to tell.” [03:02]

On Media Misinformation & Law Enforcement Accountability

• Robert Morse:
  “The only name that needs to be repeated more than Ashley Babbitt's name is Michael Byrd, her murderer, who's walking free to this day.” [05:35]

• Micki Witthoeft:
  “My daughter was shot by a police officer who had a disciplinary record that dates back decades. And in any other police force, he would have been fired, not promoted.” [06:54]

On Political Prisoners & Remaining J6 Issues

• Shane Jenkins:
  “They sent the head of the Joint Terrorism Task Force to my house. They labeled me a tier one anti government extremist. I went to protest and was attacked by police at the Capitol.” [14:19]

• Sarah McAbee:
  “When your loved one is kidnapped by your own federal government or thrown into jail and you can't see them for two years, while you have to pick up the baton for your family, for your kids…” [16:02]

On the Legacy and Ongoing Activism

• Sarah McAbee:
  “It's about the next 250 years and generations to come.” [18:50]

Key Timestamps

• 00:01 – Bannon’s opening remarks on Trump’s historic speech
• 03:02 – Ben Berkwam introduces the J6 press conference and narrative
• 04:42 – Robert Morse: “fix history,” calls for accountability
• 06:54 – Micki Witthoeft: remembrance and demands for justice for Ashley Babbitt
• 08:57 – Ben Berkwam’s activism backstory and introduction of Tarrio
• 10:38 – Enrique Tarrio: calls for “retribution” (accountability), listing names of unpardoned
• 14:19 – Shane Jenkins, Stand in the Gap: mistreatment in custody, call for broader accountability
• 16:02 – Sarah McAbee: contemporary persecution and counter-narratives to official reports
• 19:15 – Final calls to action: documentary, anthem, media challenge

Summary

The episode is a highly charged, commemorative press event centered on the narratives of January 6th participants and families. Speakers frame themselves as targets of injustice and political persecution, call for renewed accountability (particularly of law enforcement and government officials), and attempt to refocus the story around their lived experiences rather than official or mainstream media accounts. The episode also directs listeners to new activist media projects and maintains a consistent tone of grievance, gratitude toward Trump, and resolve for ongoing activism.

Listeners seeking the perspective of J6 defendants and their supporters—especially their claims of media distortion, injustice, and the need for ongoing accountability—will find this episode both direct and impassioned.