Podcast Summary

Bannon’s War Room — Episode 5089

Date: January 23, 2026
Host: Steve Bannon
Key Guests: Julie Kelly, Jack Posobiec, Christina Hawkins, Ben Berkwam

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the fallout from the congressional testimony of Special Counsel Jack Smith regarding the prosecution of Donald Trump and the January 6th riot, ongoing claims of election misconduct, and the politicized judicial landscape. Among the broader topics are accusations of corruption within the judiciary, debate about the events of January 6, and coverage of the March for Life rally with a focus on pro-life activism and current legislative priorities for the movement. Special guests provide insight and commentary from both within the Capitol and at the March for Life in DC.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jack Smith’s Testimony and Congressional Hearing

(00:00-15:00, 31:49-34:15)

• Steve Bannon frames the congressional hearing as an exposure of flaws and corruption within the 2020 election investigations and prosecutions.
• Democratic committee members confront Jack Smith on the investigation into Trump’s involvement in the 2020 election and January 6th riots, quoting past testimony and asserting Trump’s culpability.
• Nicole Wallace and other committee members express gratitude to Smith, warning against Republican attempts to "rewrite history".

Notable Quotes:

• “Trump says you’re a criminal and you belong in prison. He says, you belong in prison not because you did anything wrong… but because you did everything right.” — Democratic Committee Member (00:18)
• “Our view of the evidence was that he caused it and that he exploited it and that it was foreseeable to him.” — Nicole Wallace recounting committee findings on Trump and Jan 6 (01:23)
• Bannon: “Anybody who says that Donald Trump thought he won that election, that is just plain not true. No way. Unless he’s the best actor in the history of… this building.” (02:30)

2. Jack Smith’s Credibility and Allegations of Perjury

(11:05-15:00, 31:49-34:15)

• Julie Kelly claims Jack Smith perjured himself during testimony, especially regarding the Trump classified documents case. She argues evidence underpinning some charges never existed and alleges his assertions cannot be proven.
• Bannon and Kelly discuss the need for further investigation and potential indictments of Smith for alleged misconduct.

Notable Quotes:

• “Jack Smith also claiming last month and today the classified documents… were found in boxes in a ballroom and bathroom at Mar-a-Lago. That is not true.” — Julie Kelly (12:39)
• “I think the American people saw exactly what sort of a low life, lying dirtbag the president and his team had to deal with for two years.” — Julie Kelly (21:35)

3. January 6th Security Failures, Accountability, and Judicial Injustice

(16:31-28:24)

• Discussion around Harry Dunn’s admission that Capitol Police were unprepared for January 6, and the suppression of testimony and evidence that might have cast law enforcement or the government in a different light.
• Kelly alleges police initiated violence and that officers including Harry Dunn lied under oath. She urges for congressional investigation into these officers' testimonies.
• Both host and guest argue that defendants from Jan 6 trials were unable to make self-defense arguments due to judges' rulings, labeling this a systemic denial of due process and calling for the impeachment of several judges.

Notable Quotes:

• “This was a police riot. It was started by Capitol Police and thugs like Mike Finone.” — Julie Kelly (18:52)
• “They sent men and women to prison, some for many years... and they did not allow them to put on a defense.” — Steve Bannon (23:17)
• Kelly explains the "cover-up" tactics, including restricting Capitol security video and deplatforming Parler to suppress evidence of police actions that day.

4. Political and Media Reaction to Testimony

(08:30-11:05)

• Bannon and Kelly note the somber tone of establishment media such as MSNBC and CNN after the hearing, arguing the left’s narrative appears shaken.
• Bannon criticizes select committee hearings as performative and insufficient, pressing for criminal consequences for perceived government misconduct.

5. Immigration, Border Policy, and Mass Deportations

(34:18-43:00)

• In the latter part of the episode, Bannon pivots to immigration, calling for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, a moratorium on "legal immigration scams", and reallocation of jobs to American citizens.
• He criticizes corporate interests for benefiting from lax immigration enforcement, advocating for a decade-long shutdown of all immigration programs.

Notable Quotes:

• “Let me repeat this, they’re all going to go back to their point of origination, mass deportations.” — Steve Bannon (36:52)

6. Ben Berkwam Reports from Baltimore: Sanctuary City Tensions

(40:56-43:34)

• Ben Berkwam describes being ejected from a Baltimore "peace committee" event, arguing the left is intolerant and projecting, and accuses organizers of preparing for conflict instead of dialogue.
• Bannon and Berkwam suggest sanctuary policies shield dangerous individuals at the expense of citizens.

7. March for Life — Coverage and Pro-life Advocacy

(45:39-51:55)

• Jack Posobiec reports live from the March for Life, joined by Students for Life president Christina Hawkins.
• Discussion covers the movement’s post-Roe v. Wade strategy, focusing on defunding Planned Parenthood, banning chemical abortion pills, supporting pregnant students, and highlighting the continued legislative fight.
• The role of Charlie Kirk as a fallen advocate is honored, with activism aiming to mobilize Gen Z within the pro-life movement.

Notable Quotes:

• “Charlie is a martyr for our faith, for our beliefs, our worldview. And this generation, particularly Gen Z, looked so much up to Charlie…” — Christina Hawkins (47:11)
• “We have to stop funding our political enemies, the Planned Parenthood. Number one. Two, we have to stop chemical abortion pills. They are the leading cause of abortion right now in America.” — Christina Hawkins (48:26)
• “This is a crowd that we’re here allowed to proclaim that Christ is king.” — Jack Posobiec (51:39)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jack Smith testimony—accusations and perspectives: 00:00-05:56
• Smith’s social media and political context: 03:22-06:54
• Julie Kelly’s analysis and claims about Smith’s perjury: 11:05-15:00, 31:49-34:15
• Discussion of Jan 6, law enforcement, & trial injustices: 16:31-28:24
• Border, immigration, and deportation talk: 34:18-43:00
• Baltimore sanctuary city conflict (Berkwam’s report): 40:56-43:34
• March for Life coverage (Posobiec, Hawkins): 45:39-51:55

Tone & Language

• The tone is highly combative and partisan, reflecting frustration with the DOJ and judiciary and a sense of urgency for political action.
• Frequent rhetorical challenges to the legitimacy of Democratic or establishment narratives.
• Reverence and militancy in coverage of pro-life activism.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “He was a rubber stamp for the Biden DOJ… now hopefully what is happening in southern Florida will be aggressive and fruitful.” — Julie Kelly (31:49)
• “If we don’t quit, we win. They can’t take. We’re an anti-fragile resilient movement.” — Steve Bannon (51:55)

Additional Resources/Links

• Julie Kelly: Declassified with Julie Kelly (Substack), X: @julie_kelly2 (33:55)
• Students for Life: studentsforlife.org (50:44)
• Jack Posobiec Live Coverage: X: @JackPosobiec (51:39)
• Ben Berkwam's full Baltimore segment: To be shared on War Room channels (43:34)

This summary captures the fervent and pointed discussions of the episode, with emphasis on political controversy, judicial accountability, Jan 6th narratives, and live pro-life activism, offering timestamps for main segments and direct quotes from the principal voices.