WarRoom Battleground EP 767: It’s Time For Fiscal Republicans To Fight
Hosted by Stephen K. Bannon | Released: May 14, 2025 | WarRoom.org

Introduction and Overview

In Episode 767 of WarRoom Battleground, host Stephen K. Bannon delves into pressing fiscal issues facing the United States, emphasizing the urgent need for Fiscal Republicans to take decisive action. The episode features insightful discussions with key political figures Eli Crane, Spencer Morrison, Tim Burchett, and Oscar Blue Ramirez, addressing the national debt, trade relations with China, legislative challenges, and the escalating cartel violence in Mexico.

1. Debt Ceiling and Federal Deficit

Guest: Congressman Eli Crane
Topics Covered:

• Current Debt Situation: The national debt is projected to reach $40 trillion by midterm elections in November 2026, potentially soaring to $69 trillion within a decade if current fiscal policies persist.
• Deficit Projections: The fiscal year anticipates a deficit nearing $2 trillion, inherited from Biden's administration.
• Political Obstacles: Crane highlights the lack of fiscal conservatives willing to make tough decisions, attributing the slow progress to congressional members prioritizing personal and donor interests over national fiscal health.

Notable Quote:

• Eli Crane [04:32]: “Their priorities are to elevate themselves in the political arena, make sure that their donors get taken care of and make sure that they don't make any moves that put them in political hot water.”

2. Fiscal Responsibility and Legislative Challenges

Guests: Eli Crane & Steve Bannon
Topics Covered:

• One Bill vs. Two Bill Approach: Crane advocates for splitting the fiscal legislation into two separate bills to prevent political factions from derailing the entire package. He explains that consolidating into a single "big beautiful bill" would likely incorporate unwanted elements, making passage through Congress more complicated.
• Leadership Role: The discussion underscores the necessity for presidential leadership to prioritize fiscal responsibility, suggesting that only the President can exert the necessary political force to achieve budget balance and enforce stringent fiscal measures.

Notable Quotes:

• Eli Crane [07:06]: “I knew it was going to turn into... an omnibus like CRS, and it's just going to have some great things in it, but it's also going to be loaded with a lot of things that... more conservative constituents in this country don't support.”
• Steve Bannon [16:49]: “What are you? Why can't we get a wake-up call here and say, hey, we have to get back in the room and make some real cuts here before we really take on the tax cuts?”

3. Trade Deal with China and Tariffs

Guest: Spencer Morrison
Topics Covered:

• Current Trade Dynamics: The U.S. has reduced tariffs on Chinese goods to 30%, down from the initial 20%, with certain products like automobiles being exempted. However, Morrison points out that the overall structure still imposes significant tariffs on various goods.
• Economic Disparities: He emphasizes that American labor is more efficient, yet Chinese goods remain cheaper due to subsidies on raw materials and energy, which undermine fair competition.
• Intellectual Property Theft: Morrison highlights China's persistent theft of American intellectual property, estimating losses at a minimum of $250 billion annually, and criticizes the lack of effective enforcement mechanisms in U.S. courts.

Notable Quotes:

• Spencer Morrison [25:02]: “China's a mafia state.”
• Spencer Morrison [50:05]: “The Chinese are running a second Opium War. The first Opium War was horrible. What the Brits did with the opium into China... but the Chinese are quite smart. They took it and they're running it on us.”

4. Influence of the Chinese Communist Party in American Institutions

Guests: Spencer Morrison & Tim Burchett
Topics Covered:

• Economic Infiltration: Morrison discusses how China leverages trade deficits to acquire American assets, including farmland, real estate, and corporate shares, thereby increasing their influence over the U.S. economy and technology sectors.
• Political Compromise: Tim Burchett accuses American lawmakers and lobbyists of being compromised by Chinese interests, suggesting that Chinese influence permeates various levels of government and corporate sectors.
• Legislative Stagnation: The conversation touches on the challenges of passing meaningful legislation to counteract Chinese economic strategies, attributing obstacles to entrenched political interests and inadequate leadership.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Burchett [33:36]: “Everything we do, we don't is built around that, is built around the Communist Chinese. We're chasing these dollars.”
• Spencer Morrison [50:19]: “Where do they go to get the book?”

5. Cartel Wars and Border Security

Guest: Oscar Blue Ramirez
Topics Covered:

• Escalating Violence: Ramirez reports a surge in cartel-related violence, including the assassination of political candidates, attributing the increase to disruption caused by stringent border policies under the Trump administration.
• Impact of Border Security Measures: He acknowledges the temporary success in dismantling fentanyl and methamphetamine labs and arresting aggressors but warns of potential backlash from cartels seeking to regain control.
• Military Involvement: Ramirez discusses the complexities of deploying military forces in Mexico, noting constitutional restrictions and the Mexican government's resistance to foreign military intervention.

Notable Quotes:

• Oscar Blue Ramirez [44:20]: “This is not just a problem of just Kim Pinks and drug lords. This is the problem of the real cartel... they have the million-dollar accounts and... they know where our military people are and what our capabilities are.”
• Oscar Blue Ramirez [46:39]: “This is the real cartel, the ones that need to get exposed and the one that needs to be eliminated.”

6. Concluding Remarks

Steve Bannon wraps up the episode by reiterating the critical issues discussed, emphasizing the need for unified action among Fiscal Republicans to address the national debt, counteract Chinese economic strategies, and secure national borders against cartel violence. He encourages listeners to stay engaged through social media and upcoming episodes, promising continued coverage of these pivotal topics.

Notable Closing Quote:

• Steve Bannon [50:58]: “We love you, Congressman. We'll get you back on here. Thank you, sir.”

Additional Highlights

• Eli Crane's Debt Cap Warning:
  Eli Crane [12:56]: “We have $17 trillion left in debt cap before we can no longer sell our bonds... if you guys extend the Trump tax cuts... that number goes down to $12 trillion.”

• Spencer Morrison on Trade Deficit:
  Spencer Morrison [50:30]: “The trade deficit, by the way, $25 trillion, 18 trillion alone is CCP.”

Closing Thoughts

Episode 767 of WarRoom Battleground underscores the urgent need for Fiscal Republicans to prioritize national fiscal health, address foreign economic threats, and secure the nation's borders. Through candid discussions and expert insights, the episode calls for decisive leadership and collective action to navigate the complex challenges facing the United States.