Bannon’s War Room – Episode 5139 Detailed Summary

Date: February 12, 2026
Main Theme:
The episode focuses on breaking news and analysis related to the recent end of the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota (“Operation Metro Surge”), a highly controversial judicial order to return deported Venezuelan nationals (labelled as gang members) to the US, heated congressional hearings on border enforcement and police conduct, as well as surprising revelations about job numbers supposedly inflated by the Biden administration and a discussion of the positive economic turnaround under President Trump.

1. Operation Metro Surge Winds Down in Minnesota

Main Points:

• Conclusion of Metro Surge:
  Tom Homan (Border Czar) announces the wrap-up of “Operation Metro Surge”—the federal crackdown on illegal immigration in Minnesota, particularly Minneapolis.
• Prioritization of Removals:
  Homan reiterates that while all illegal immigrants are targeted for deportation, priority is given to those with criminal records:

  “The rapists, the murders, the child molesters. That's the right thing to do. But I'll say it again. President Trump made a promise of mass deportation and that's what this country is going to get.”
  (Tom Homan, 00:45)

• Federal Agents Redeployed:
  While some security teams/QRFs may remain, most immigration officers will be redeployed elsewhere.
• Local Leaders React:
  Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz frame the federal withdrawal as a victory for local resistance, celebrating the “bravery” of Minneapolis residents.

  “They thought they could break us. But a love for our neighbors and a resolve to endure can outlast an occupation.”
  (Mayor Frey, via Julie Kelly, 01:13-01:46)

• Nationwide Movement:
  The sustained protests in Minnesota are seen as an inspiration for activists across the country.

Memorable Quote:

“Minnesotans never wavered … and for that I will be forever grateful.”
(Gov. Tim Walz & Neil McCabe, 01:55-02:00)

[00:00–03:35]

2. The “Endangerment Finding” Repealed: Major EPA Deregulation

• EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin proclaims the termination of the Obama-era “endangerment finding,” which previously acted as a regulatory instrument for auto emissions standards, stating this deregulatory move will save over $1.3 trillion and lower car prices.

  “We are officially terminating the so-called endangerment finding...You’re going to get a better car ... for a lot less money.”
  (Stephen K. Bannon relaying Zeldin’s announcement, 03:44-04:45)

3. Federal Force Escalation & Political Motives

Discussion:

• Federal Agency as Election Leverage:
  Neil McCabe argues that Trump’s use of ICE, rather than the military, was a calculated move to engage in “repressive and violent tactics” both for immigration enforcement and as a “dress rehearsal for what might happen at the polls in November.”

  “Trump realized that the military might be just too professional for him to carry out what he wants ... ICE is the way to go if you want to exercise these kind of repressive and violent tactics.”
  (Neil McCabe, 04:45–07:20)

• Chilling Effect:
  The heavy-handed tactics left “a residue of fear” among citizens, especially after high-profile incidents of violence during the crackdown.
• Thanks to Local Officials:
  Homan offers thanks to state and city officials for supporting efforts seen as necessary to restore law and order.

[04:45–08:22]

4. Judicial Intervention: Judge Orders Illegals Returned to U.S.

Main Points:

• Judge Boasberg’s Order:
  D.C. Chief Judge Jeb Boasberg has ordered the U.S. government to fly previously deported Venezuelans (subject to the “Alien Enemies Act” and accused of gang affiliations) back to America to pursue further legal/habeas claims—at taxpayer expense.
  • Some deportees are now in Venezuela, some in “third party countries.”
  • The ACLU cannot even account reliably for all 137 men.

  “Jeb Bosberg ordered the government to pay for these men to be flown back to the United States. Meaning, of course, you and me and everyone else pays for their transport back here.”
  (Julie Kelly, 13:40)

• Remote Hearings:
  For those in Venezuela, Boasberg wants “remote habeas hearings,” raising logistical, jurisdictional, and credibility concerns.
• Republican Protest:
  Both Bannon and Julie Kelly call for impeachment proceedings against Boasberg, citing political bias and overreach.
• Higher Courts Overruling:
  Julie Kelly notes that appellate courts increasingly reverse district judges obstructing Trump’s immigration agenda; she claims even migrants now see “the writing on the wall” and are abandoning legal petitions.

Notable Moment:

“This is madness overall ... wanting to return suspected gang members ... who came here during the Biden regime and he wants them back on U.S. Soil.”
(Julie Kelly, 16:55–20:11)

[11:05–22:50]

5. Congressional Hearing: Police Conduct and ICE Enforcement

Main Points:

• Hearing Dynamics:
  Strong Republican-Democrat tension in hearings about ICE and police conduct.
  • Bernie Moreno and Ron Johnson aggressively press officials on due process and treatment of both suspects and ICE officers.
• Due Process Debate:
  Marino interrupts a video review (showing a fatal police shooting) to underscore the importance of 5th and 14th amendment protections, even for controversial cases.

  “For us to make certain that we keep that in mind as we ask these conclusive questions...they deserve [due process].”
  (Bernie Moreno, 23:24–24:28)

• Lack of Cooperation:
  ICE Director Tony Lyons reports zero cooperation with local authorities, undermining federal immigration enforcement in sanctuary jurisdictions.
• Aftermath:
  Bannon and guests reflect on the futility of negotiation or compromise with “sanctuary” mayors/judges, seeing only entrenched opposition.

[22:50–27:18]

6. Economic News: Job Numbers and Trump’s Economic Record

Main Points:

• Job Numbers “Shock” MSM:
  Economist E.J. Antoni lays out how the Biden administration consistently inflated monthly job gains, with numbers systematically revised downward—culminating in an overcount of 2 million jobs across two years.

  “The Biden admin overestimated their initial job figures by well over 2 million. That’s absolutely appalling. Think of it, Steve.”
  (E.J. Antoni, 30:24–32:52)

• Data Integrity Issues:
  Antoni calls for modernization of federal labor statistics to avoid reliance on outdated data collection and error-prone methodologies.
  • “We’re still trying to do these surveys as if it was a hundred years ago ... that’s just appalling.”
• Trump’s Turnaround:
  Antoni points to a strong turnaround:
  • Manufacturing job growth after a 3-year slide.
  • Construction jobs up (linked to factory investment).
  • Federal bureaucracy shrinking to lowest numbers since 1966.
  • Private sector jobs primarily going to native-born Americans.
  • Wage growth outpacing inflation, reversing Biden-era trends.
  • Increased labor force participation, falling broad unemployment measures (U6).

Memorable Quotes:

“All of the net job growth that we saw again has gone to native born Americans ... it’s great when we look at who is getting the jobs, the kind of jobs they’re getting, where those jobs are, how much they’re getting paid. Good news on all of those fronts.”
(E.J. Antoni, 34:24–37:26)

[29:52–37:57]

7. Arizona News & Law Enforcement Critique

Main Points:

• Political Shake-Up:
  Arizona Republican primary: Karen Taylor Robeson suspends her campaign against Andy Biggs.
• Tucson Incident Analysis:
  Kevin Posobec reports live from Tucson, covering an unsolved local crime (involvement of the Guthrie family) that has drawn national media, yet criticized the lack of communication/updating from the Pima County Sheriff’s Office.

  “It’s looking mighty clean ... are these guys doing work or what ... they want to take credit for everything.”
  (Kevin Posobec, 40:04–41:17)

8. Geopolitics: CCP Purge and Weakness

Main Points:

• PLA Command Purge:
  Eva from New Federal State discusses a recent PLA (Chinese military) purge, calling it a historic inflection point and a “window of opportunity” for the West to leverage internal CCP weakness.
• Lack of Western Analysis:
  Eva critiques Western analysts for not grasping the significance, arguing elite infighting and information suppression inside China create a rare moment for US action.

  “This is the first time the top tier PLA professional military commander has been purged... the weakest point of the PLA ever before.”
  (Eva, 45:40–47:32)

Notable Quotes by Speakers and Timestamps:

• Tom Homan:

  "President Trump made a promise of mass deportation and that's what this country is going to get." (00:45)

• Julie Kelly:

  "Jeb Bosberg ordered the government to pay for these men to be flown back to the United States. Meaning you and me and everyone else pays for their transport back here." (13:40)

• Neil McCabe:

  "Trump realized that the military might be just too professional for him ... ICE is the way to go if you want to exercise these kind of repressive and violent tactics." (07:07)

• E.J. Antoni:

  "The Biden admin overestimated their initial job figures by well over 2 million. That’s absolutely appalling. Think of it, Steve." (30:24)
  "It’s great when we look at who is getting the jobs, the kind of jobs they’re getting, where those jobs are, how much they’re getting paid. Good news on all of those fronts." (34:24-37:26)

• Kevin Posobec:

  "It’s looking mighty clean ... are these guys doing work or what ... they want to take credit for everything." (40:04–41:17)

• Eva (New Federal State):

  "This is the first time the top tier PLA professional military commander has been purged... the weakest point of the PLA ever before." (45:40–47:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Operation Metro Surge and Local Response
  00:00–03:35

• EPA Deregulatory Move
  03:44–04:45

• Tactics & Political Motive of Federal Enforcement
  04:45–08:22

• Judicial Order on Venezuelan Deportees
  11:05–22:50

• Congressional Hearing: Use of Force & ICE Policy
  22:50–27:18

• Job Numbers Debate & Economic Turnaround
  29:52–37:57

• Arizona Politics & Local Law Enforcement Story
  37:59–42:47

• Analysis: Chinese Military Purge & US Leverage
  45:40–48:29

Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode is combative, urgent, and uncompromising, with a recurring narrative of systemic opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration and economic agenda from both the judiciary and Democrats. There’s a strong emphasis on “resistance” versus “law and order,” a sense of frustration with attempts at compromise, and repeated calls for bolder action (such as impeachment of “activist” judges).

The show transitions seamlessly between hard news, judicial controversy, macroeconomic revelations, and live reporting on law enforcement, always bolstered by direct quotes, pointed guest commentary, and real-time analysis.

For More:

• Julie Kelly’s Substack: “Declassified with Julie Kelly”
• Neil McCabe on social media: ReporterMcCabe
• E.J. Antoni on X (Twitter): @EJAntoni

End of Summary