Bannon’s War Room - Episode 5086: Make Gaza Great Again; Jack Smith Hearing

Date: January 22, 2026
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Notable Guests: Donald Trump (recorded), Board of Peace Representative, Political Analyst, Jack Smith, Jamie Raskin, Ben Berkwam, John Yep

Episode Overview

This packed episode of Bannon’s War Room centers on significant, fast-developing stories:

• The international launch of the “Board of Peace” and a new vision for Gaza, spearheaded by Donald Trump and international allies.
• Analysis and critique of Trump’s Greenland-NATO framework and a deeper look at transactional American diplomacy.
• The intensely watched Congressional hearing with Special Counsel Jack Smith regarding prosecutions of Donald Trump and rule-of-law.
• Border and immigration enforcement struggles, especially the call for mass deportations, with updates from conservative activist Ben Berkwam and “Catholics for Catholics”.

The War Room tackles these intertwined themes, underscoring the global reach and domestic consequences of the MAGA agenda in 2026.

1. “Board of Peace” and Gaza Rebuilding

Theme: Trump and allies announce a sweeping plan to demilitarize, govern, and rebuild Gaza—framed as a model for global peacebuilding.

Key Segments & Insights

• Trump’s Announcement at Davos (00:00–05:03)

  • Trump details the Board of Peace, shaping it as “one of the most consequential bodies ever created,” with himself as chairman and boasting “incredible young people leading it from within.”
  • Highlights the board’s “unanimous” Gaza plan adoption by the UN Security Council, lauds a record humanitarian aid delivery, and claims all living hostages have been released.
  • Touches on the emotional work of returning the deceased and the drive to ensure “Gaza is demilitarized, properly governed, and beautifully rebuilt.”
  • Board of Peace declared an “official international organization,” with Bahrain and Morocco’s signatures as inaugural members.
  • Quote – Donald Trump (02:00): “We are committed to ensuring Gaza is demilitarized, properly governed, and beautifully rebuilt. It’s going to be a great plan.”

• Skeptical Analysis by Bannon and Political Analyst (05:03–07:34)

  • Bannon likens Trump’s peace initiative to a mafia shakedown: “This is not actually a promise not to use force. It is instead using force as an implied threat” (05:15).
  • Political Analyst warns US actions are eroding alliances, especially with NATO, and criticizes Trump’s approach as isolating America.

• Board of Peace Representative on Gaza’s Future (07:34–11:08)

  • Reveals concrete steps: Gaza split into zones, phased city-building, aiming for “100% full employment” and open dissemination of best international practices (education, healthcare).
  • Emphasizes demilitarization as the absolute prerequisite: “If Hamas does not demilitarize, that will be what holds back Gaza and the people of Gaza from achieving their aspiration.” (09:44)
  • Appeals to the private sector and the media for constructive involvement and a period of calm.
  • Quote – Board of Peace Rep (10:40): “Our goal here is peace between Israel and the Palestinian people. Everyone wants to live peacefully, everyone wants to live with dignity. Let's put our efforts towards promoting those who are doing the work to build this up.”

• Bannon Recaps MAGA Foreign Policy and New Gaza (12:15–15:00)

  • Praises the Gaza project as a reality-defying, high-finance two-state solution—“a Palestinian state that’s going to be well-financed, super modern with the Turks as security.”
  • Says critics of a two-state solution are now “silent” given this development. Dismisses NATO’s value and hails the U.S.’s bold global posture.

2. Greenland, NATO, and Geopolitical Chess

Theme: Examining Trump’s strategic goals with Greenland amidst tense U.S.–NATO relations.

Key Insights

• Trump’s “Greenland deal” involves land transfers, mineral rights, and missile defense deployments to block Russian influence. Bannon derides NATO’s reliability, emphasizing MAGA’s pursuit of U.S. security and resource dominance.
• Quote – Bannon (14:20): “You have a Palestinian state that’s going to be well-financed, super modern with the Turks as security… What they've brought together so far is, quite frankly, awe-inspiring.”

3. The Jack Smith Hearing: Rule of Law vs. Political Retribution

Theme: The Congressional hearing puts Special Counsel Jack Smith under partisan scrutiny about prosecuting Donald Trump.

Key Segments & Insights

• Jim Jordan’s Opening Statement (17:03–27:42)

  • Chronicles perceived injustices—spying on Trump’s 2016 campaign, “fake dossier,” Democrat-led impeachments, and what he characterizes as prosecutorial abuses in the Trump investigations.
  • Focuses on Smith’s use of phone records, lack of proper protocol, and “rushed” legal moves before the 2024 election.
  • Quote – Jim Jordan (19:00): “The end result of Trump’s policies is that the United States is not going to have allies anymore, either in Asia or in Europe.”
  • Claims Smith’s actions are “all about politics... to get President Trump,” asserting the left controls media, tech, academia, but “doesn’t control we the people.”

• Jamie Raskin’s Rebuttal (31:54–41:11)

  • Lauds Smith’s bipartisan career, upholds the rule of law, criticizes Trump’s “criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election.”
  • Emphasizes that toll records were lawfully subpoenaed; holds Trump responsible for January 6th violence and secrets mishandling.
  • Quote – Jamie Raskin (33:50): “You found proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election…”

• Jack Smith Testifies (41:55–46:52)

  • Affirms nonpartisan legal motivations: “Our responsibility is to do the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons.”
  • Justifies indictments: “In the 2024 election, President Trump was charged because the evidence established that he willfully broke the law...”
  • Stresses threat posed by political retaliation against prosecutors: “To vilify and seek retribution against these people is wrong. Those dedicated public servants are the best of us…”
  • Quote – Jack Smith (43:20): “If asked whether to prosecute a former president based on the same facts today, I would do so regardless… No one should be above the law in this country, and the law required that he be held to account.”

• Bannon Comments and Hearing Pause (46:52–46:59)

  • Quick reaction before a Congressional recess for votes; Bannon signals further analysis ahead.

4. Border Crisis, “Mass Deportations” & Catholics for Catholics

Theme: Grassroots conservative demands for aggressive immigration enforcement; accountability for religious organizations and NGOs.

Key Segments & Insights

• Ben Berkwam Reports from DC “Catholics for Catholics” Event (47:36–56:10)

  • Berkwam highlights activism honoring Tom Homan, focusing on Catholic groups’ alleged enabling of illegal migration.
  • Details frustration about the slow pace of deportations. “If we don’t do the mass deportations, nothing else matters.”
  • Describes legal and civic obstacles to enforcement, with NGOs and local politicians pushing back against ICE operations.
  • Quote – Ben Berkwam (52:00): “Every time I’ve ridden with ICE...they are changing their strategy…But as the left changes their tactics, they attack... It’s mass deportations. You gotta go.”
  • John Yep of Catholics for Catholics claims the Church must take responsibility: “We as Catholics feel a responsibility...to congratulate people like Tom Homan who are doing the work to restore law and order in our country.” (53:56)

• Bannon’s Call to Action

  • Insists that without “mass deportations,” the U.S. will “not have a country.” Urges accountability for NGOs and “bad hombres,” and praises Catholic lay efforts to reform Church involvement at the border.

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump on Peace:

  • “The Board of Peace is composed of leaders, the top leaders in the world. Actually. Last October, we released a plan for the permanent end to the conflict in Gaza.” (00:56)

• Bannon Meta-Critique:

  • “Anyone who has seen a mafia movie understands that this is not actually a promise not to use force. It is instead using force as an implied threat.” (05:15)

• Board of Peace Rep:

  • “It all starts with security and it all starts with governance…We have a new government in Gaza. This government will be working with Hamas on the demilitarization…” (09:09)

• Jordan on DOJ:

  • “You can pattern an individual’s life…They know who the speaker talked to before big votes, who he talked to after…” (17:40)
  • “It was always about politics. The good news is the American people saw through it.” (27:08)

• Raskin on Trump’s Conduct:

  • “You found…that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election and to prevent the lawful transfer of power.” (33:52)

• Jack Smith:

  • “No one, no one should be above the law in this country, and the law required that he be held to account. So that is what I did.” (44:20)

• Berkwam on Deportations:

  • “If we don’t do the mass deportations, nothing else matters. The two things you gotta do: go after the deep state hard, and you have to get the mass deportations rolling.” (50:38)

• Bannon’s Bottom Line:

  • “That’s character. That’s supposed to turn this thing around. Mass deportations or we ain’t got a country. It’s that simple.” (56:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–05:03 — Trump Announces Board of Peace & Gaza Plan
• 05:03–07:34 — Panel Discussion: Peace Initiative Critique, US Global Standing
• 07:34–11:08 — Board of Peace Rep on Gaza Phased Development
• 12:15–15:00 — Bannon: Greenland, NATO, Gaza as “New Palestinian State”
• 17:03–27:42 — Jim Jordan Opening Statement (Jack Smith Hearing)
• 31:54–41:11 — Jamie Raskin Opening Statement
• 41:55–46:52 — Jack Smith Testifies
• 47:36–56:10 — Berkwam & John Yep: Catholic NGO Controversy, Mass Deportations

Episode Themes & Tone

• Urgent and combative, with Bannon and guests projecting a crusading, anti-establishment tone.
• Trump and allies position the Gaza plan as a historic peace achievement, while critics express deep skepticism of the U.S.’s use of power and motivations.
• Sharp partisan divide over prosecutions of Trump, rule of law, and the future of American democracy.
• Grassroots MAGA activism focused on immigration, border enforcement, and “restoring” core American values, with pointed calls for accountability throughout both government and civil society.

This episode captures the sweeping ambition, adversarial style, and intense ideological clashes characteristic of War Room: Pandemic in the 2026 political environment.