WarRoom Battleground EP 683: It’s Not A Natural Disaster. It’s Political FAILURE

Release Date: January 9, 2025

Hosts: Stephen K. Bannon and Natalie Winters
Podcast: Bannon`s War Room by WarRoom.org
Description: WAR ROOM: Pandemic is the first and most comprehensive program to bring the most up-to-date information on the news of the day. Stephen K. Bannon brings medical experts, politicians, business leaders, and those on the front lines for a comprehensive look at the latest news from all sectors, providing insider insights.

1. Introduction: The Decline of the Current Regime

The episode opens with Steve Bannon delivering a vehement critique of the existing political establishment. He characterizes the current situation as a "primal scream of a dying regime," emphasizing the erosion of trust in mainstream media and governmental institutions.

"This is the primal scream of a dying regime...the people have had a belly full of it."
[00:03] Steve Bannon

Bannon underscores the sentiment that mainstream networks are disconnecting from the populace, fostering widespread distrust and unrest.

2. Immigration Crisis: A Political Catastrophe

Natalie Winters introduces the segment by discussing an interview with PJ Lechleitner, the outgoing acting ICE director. Lechleitner voices frustrations about the administration's handling of immigration, suggesting that President Biden delayed necessary actions to address the border crisis effectively.

"The administration should have taken that action earlier. And I think the career people in DHS would have liked that."
[01:33] Natalie Winters

The discussion highlights a significant drop in immigrant crossings following executive actions in June, pointing to the impact of delayed policies.

3. California Wildfires: Root Causes and Government Response

The conversation pivots to the devastating wildfires in California, particularly in Los Angeles. Natalie Winters draws parallels between the mismanagement of immigration and the current disaster response, attributing both to intentional political incompetence by Democratic leaders.

"What you are seeing now, it's not merely a natural disaster. It is a complete and utter political failure completely at the hands of Democrats."
[04:56] Natalie Winters

Wildfires are critiqued not just as environmental issues but as indicators of systemic political failures, including inadequate resource allocation and poor leadership.

4. Critique of Democratic Leadership and DEI Policies

The hosts launch a scathing critique against Democratic officials like Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom, accusing them of prioritizing progressive agendas over effective governance. They argue that policies like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) hinder operational efficiency, especially in critical services like firefighting.

"You cannot defeat fires with DEI, with wokeness, with progressivism."
[22:50] Natalie Winters

Bass is particularly targeted for her associations with communist figures and perceived incompetence in managing fire department budgets, leading to under-resourced firefighting efforts.

5. Guest Insights: Jeremy Kaufman on Insurance and Market Realities

Jeremy Kaufman, a regular guest on the War Room, delves into the financial ramifications of the wildfires, specifically focusing on insurance practices in California.

"California has a law that says you can only use historical data to price your insurance, so you can't use future projections. So what they did is they just dropped a bunch of their customers."
[20:46] Jeremy Kaufman

Kaufman explains that insurance companies are withdrawing coverage from high-risk areas like the Pacific Palisades because they cannot adjust premiums to reflect the increasing risk, exacerbated by inadequate forest management and natural disaster preparedness.

6. Investigative Reporting: Savannah Hernandez on the Ground in Los Angeles

Savannah Hernandez, an investigative reporter, provides firsthand accounts from residents affected by the wildfires. Her interviews reveal a populace frustrated with the lack of timely and effective response from firefighting authorities.

"I spoke to a firefighter yesterday who... they have not been able to pull water out of [fire hydrants]. We don't have the ability or the manpower, quite frankly, to put out these fires."
[36:49] Savannah Hernandez

Residents express anger towards leadership, blaming systemic failures for the severity of the fires. Hernandez also touches on the role of homelessness and illegal immigration in exacerbating the disaster, suggesting that unattended encampments are sources of arson.

"We're seeing these historic fires because... the fire hydrants have run out of water."
[37:11] Savannah Hernandez

7. The Overlooked Role of Policy Failures

The episode emphasizes that the wildfires are not just environmental catastrophes but are emblematic of broader policy failures. Natalie Winters and Bannon argue that neglecting infrastructure, inadequate emergency preparedness, and misguided political priorities have culminated in the current crisis.

"The stunning parallel with immigration is the lack of resources being allocated where they are desperately needed."
[19:26] Natalie Winters

They assert that Democratic leadership's focus on progressive social policies has led to the depletion of funds and resources necessary for effective disaster response.

8. Final Remarks: A Call to Action

In the concluding segments, the hosts reiterate their stance that the current political direction under Democratic leadership is leading to national instability and crises. They advocate for a return to conservative governance as the solution to these multifaceted challenges.

"Hope is not a plan. My Patriot Supply is a plan."
[27:01] Steve Bannon

Bannon warns of potential future governmental overreach and encourages listeners to prepare for possible economic instability, positioning themselves as a resource for emergency preparedness.

Conclusion: Political Failures Exposed

EP 683 of WarRoom Battleground meticulously dissects the intertwined crises of immigration and wildfires in California, presenting them as symptoms of deep-seated political incompetence. Through passionate discussion and insightful guest contributions, the hosts argue that these disasters are not natural but orchestrated or exacerbated by deliberate policy failures. The episode calls for a radical shift in leadership and policy direction to restore order and efficacy in governance.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "This is the primal scream of a dying regime...the people have had a belly full of it."
  [00:03] Steve Bannon

• "The administration should have taken that action earlier. And I think the career people in DHS would have liked that."
  [01:33] Natalie Winters

• "What you are seeing now, it's not merely a natural disaster. It is a complete and utter political failure completely at the hands of Democrats."
  [04:56] Natalie Winters

• "You cannot defeat fires with DEI, with wokeness, with progressivism."
  [22:50] Natalie Winters

• "California has a law that says you can only use historical data to price your insurance, so you can't use future projections. So what they did is they just dropped a bunch of their customers."
  [20:46] Jeremy Kaufman

• "I spoke to a firefighter yesterday who... they have not been able to pull water out of [fire hydrants]. We don't have the ability or the manpower, quite frankly, to put out these fires."
  [36:49] Savannah Hernandez

• "Hope is not a plan. My Patriot Supply is a plan."
  [27:01] Steve Bannon

Key Takeaways:

• The hosts argue that the ongoing immigration crisis and California wildfires are direct consequences of Democratic policy failures.
• Guest speakers provide insights into the systemic issues within immigration enforcement and disaster preparedness.
• There is a strong emphasis on the detrimental impact of DEI and progressive policies on governmental efficacy.
• The episode calls for conservative solutions and heightened public awareness to counteract perceived governmental overreach and incompetence.

For Listeners Interested in Further Exploration:

• Jeremy Kaufman discusses insurance market dynamics related to wildfires.
• Savannah Hernandez provides on-the-ground reporting from wildfire-affected areas in California.
• Follow guests on their respective social media platforms for more insights and updates.

This summary encapsulates the critical discussions and viewpoints presented in WarRoom Battleground EP 683. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the episode's content for those who have not listened to it.