Bannon’s War Room: Episode 5166

"Is The Admin Blocking AI Restrictions In Florida; Getting The Deportations Number Up"

Host: Steve Bannon | Guests: Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell (Daily Signal), Mike Howell, Natalie Winters, Tony Lyons
Date: February 24, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Bannon’s War Room delves into two major themes: the Biden administration’s alleged efforts to block state-level artificial intelligence (AI) restrictions—specifically in Florida—and the push to increase deportation numbers under a potential Trump second term. Host Steve Bannon leads in-depth conversations with reporters and activists, highlighting high-stakes developments around tech regulation, immigration enforcement, and broader “America First” coalition mobilization ahead of President Trump’s State of the Union address.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Political Climate and State of the Union (00:37–06:00)

• Bannon sets the stage for President Trump’s State of the Union, noting:
  • A “circus” atmosphere around the event, with an unprecedented number of Democratic senators boycotting.
  • Expectations of heckling and a lack of decorum from remaining Democrats.
• Reflection on Trump’s unique position—his connection to the Angel Moms (families of victims of crimes by undocumented immigrants)—which shaped the 2016 campaign and the party’s stance on immigration.
  • “If Trump had not won in 16, we have lost the country.” (Bannon, 05:19)
• The lasting impact of grassroots movements and outsider figures on party direction.

2. Artificial Intelligence Regulation Battle: Florida vs. The White House

(with Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell, 08:38–20:16)

The Central Question

• Is the Biden administration actively working to derail state-led AI protections in Florida, especially measures championed by Governor Ron DeSantis?

Florida’s AI Bill of Rights

• Mitchell reports that:
  • The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is preparing a national AI framework.
  • State-level bills, especially those with “child safety and transparency requirements,” make the national framework harder for the administration to control.
  • The administration has directly lobbied Florida’s House Speaker Daniel Perez to oppose the bill, and so far the bill faces major obstacles in the Florida House, even as it sails through the Senate.
    • "The White House has called the Florida speaker of the House... and encouraged him to oppose this Florida AI Bill of Rights." (Mitchell, 11:14)
• The bill’s provisions include:
  • Banning explicit AI-generated content featuring minors
  • Implementing parental controls on AI interactions with children
  • Restricting AI (especially Chinese-made) in government offices
  • Preventing AI from acting as therapists/counselors online

National vs. State Power, Accelerationism Concerns

• Bannon and Mitchell discuss:
  • Advisors around Trump (David Sacks and others) who oppose “slowing down” AI development, favoring a competition-oriented approach (“accelerationism”) to outpace China.
  • Tension: State actions (like Florida’s) may “raise the bar” for federal regulation, putting the White House and Trump-aligned advisors at odds with state conservatives.
• Discontent over lack of clarity and transparency from the White House on the national regulatory process:
  • "I haven't heard a timeline on it. We had that executive order... but I don't think we've seen anything yet." (Mitchell, 18:19)

Political Stakes

• DeSantis described as “hedgehog” on AI—focused and unmoving, but facing White House pushback even as a powerful GOP governor.
  • "He doesn’t lose a lot in the Florida House or Senate when he wants... That’s what’s so amazing about this story." (Bannon, 18:59)
• Expectation that DeSantis will continue to press for state-level AI restrictions.

3. Mass Deportation Coalition: Strategy and Obstacles

(with Mike Howell, 20:38–32:12)

Mass Deportation as Campaign Promise

• Howell explains the aim: “the biggest deportation operation in American history”—a direct response to growing illegal immigration and pressures from "moneyed interests" like the National Realtors Association:
  • "If you keep deporting our illegal labor, we will turn South Texas blue." (Howell, relaying a reported realtor’s threat, 21:31)

Phase Two Deportation Strategy

• Breakdown of the Trump administration’s first-term focus on deporting criminal aliens, which had limited impact due to lack of cooperation from “sanctuary cities” and Democratic jurisdictions.
  • Now, the coalition is pushing to expand removal operations to “millions,” not just those with additional criminal convictions.
    • "You cannot sit around and have an immigration policy that waits for an illegal alien to kill or rape or burglarize or rob someone.” (Howell, 24:00)
• Self-deportation policies: driving undocumented migrants to “leave on their own” by tightening banking, insurance, and work opportunities.
  • "People will self deport when they're worried about getting actually deported." (Howell, 26:46)

Mobilizing Grassroots Support

• The Mass Deportation Coalition is growing: state-level groups and College Republicans joining.
• Leadership and expertise from figures like Erik Prince and former CBP head Mark Morgan, with a playbook for ramping up removals to at least 1 million in the coming year.

The Ask for Trump’s State of the Union

• “Go pedal to the metal and get the numbers through the roof. Put both illegals on notice…expect millions of deportations…We want the Trump administration to go to phase two.” (Howell, 30:02)
• Contrast with “industry-friendly amnesty bills” and the need for grassroots strength.

4. Tech’s Role in the Border Crisis: The CBP One App

(with Natalie Winters, 32:38–41:46)

Investigative Exposé

• Winters examines CBP One, the app used to facilitate illegal entry under the Biden administration, tracing its biometric verification component to a British company (iProve) with deep government and defense ties.
  • "It’s a company... basically staffed by foreign nationals, all of British origin…a lot of them having former government experience, including...Ministry of Defense.” (Winters, 33:30)
• Questions national security implications, given the technology’s foreign ties and contracts.
• “The real enemy” framing: Winters urges Trump and the GOP to identify the broader “globalist” apparatus enabling mass migration, not just focus on the current administration.

Call for Accountability

• Demands for tangible action and accountability, not just “strongly worded letters.”
  • “I would settle for one, you know, actual criminal charge, actual prison sentence…actual accountability, not just more talking points.” (Winters, 39:25)

5. Public Health, Chronic Disease, and the State of the Nation

(with Tony Lyons, 42:07–51:50)

The Make America Healthy Again Movement

• Lyons describes a nationwide campaign and book tour aiming to end America’s chronic disease epidemic and confront the power of Big Pharma, Big Ag, and the food industry.
  • “We’ve become the sickest country on the planet, you know, of any of the industrialized countries in every area.” (Lyons, 42:50)
• Two highlighted books:
  • Gavin de Becker's Forbidden Facts: exposes institutional deception around public health.
  • Jan Jekielek’s Kill to Order: investigation into Chinese government human rights abuses, including organ trafficking.

Event Promotion

• Announcement of a major Texas event with Secretary Kennedy: “the beginning of a national tour…1000, 2000, 3000 people…to tell the American people that they've been lied to.”

Political Implications

• Bannon underscores that health, food supply, and corporate power are central issues for the 2026 and 2028 elections.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Unique Appeal:
  “That’s the power of Trump. That’s what people relate to. Most of these people, the vast majority…were Hispanic American citizens. The kids had been killed…The political elites of both parties…didn’t want to address it.” (Bannon, 07:07)
• On White House Interference in State AI Laws:
  “The White House has called the Florida speaker of the House…to oppose this Florida AI Bill of Rights.” (Mitchell, 11:14)
• On Accelerationism in AI:
  “Things that would use to take two months are now taking two hours. This is accelerating at an accelerating rate.” (Bannon, 12:40)
• On Immigration Policy Failures:
  “You cannot sit around and have an immigration policy that waits for an illegal alien to kill or rape or burglarize…That’s a dumb immigration policy.” (Howell, 23:45)
• On CBP One App & Foreign Tech:
  “This company…provided the biometric software…which I think is really curious, given its foreign ties…a national security threat from the start.” (Winters, 33:38)
• On Coalition Action:
  “I care about the actions. He [Trump] needs to go after these groups…Going after ActBlue, going after left wing foundations that finance them.” (Winters, 40:30)
• On Chronic Disease:
  “You can’t have a powerful country, you can’t have a great country unless you have a healthy country.” (Lyons, 42:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump & Angel Moms, Trump’s Rise: 00:37–08:38
• AI Restrictions and Florida Showdown: 08:38–20:16
• Deportation Numbers and Coalition Building: 20:38–32:12
• CBP One, Big Tech, and Border Security: 32:38–41:46
• Make America Healthy Again Movement: 42:07–51:50

Final Notes

This episode provides a comprehensive look at the intersection of federal and state policy fights over technology and immigration, anchored in MAGA movement narratives of sovereignty, security, and populist action. It delivers calls to grassroots activism while anticipating President Trump’s addresses as a defining moment for the current political cycle.