Bannon’s War Room Battleground EP 864: "Dems Lose Out In The Schumer Shutdown; We Need More Indictments"
Date: October 6, 2025
Host: Stephen K. Bannon
Guests: Roger Kimball, Dr. Bradley Thayer, Ben Harnwell
Overview
This episode of War Room delves into the repercussions of the so-called "Schumer Shutdown," analyzes the evolving strategy and energy of Trump’s second term, calls for deeper accountability and more indictments of former political and bureaucratic elites, and explores unfolding crises in Western Europe, including the political turmoil in France. The conversation features rigorous critiques of the administrative and deep state, debates over the urgency of reform, and the international implications of both U.S. and European instability.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump 2.0: A More Purposeful and Aggressive Administration
Host Steve Bannon introduces the theme with a forceful monologue stressing the resolve of the MAGA base to upend what he calls the “dying regime” of establishment power:
"This is the primal scream of a dying regime. Pray for our enemies because we're going to medieval on these people." (02:56)
He notes a rejuvenated President Trump is focusing intently on foreign and domestic peace—specifically citing efforts related to the Middle East, Ukraine, and dealing with a purported “insurrection” at home.
Trump’s Strategic Shift
Roger Kimball argues that Trump’s second term is radically different from his first, both in energy and in focus:
"Not only is the jib cut differently, but the spinnaker has been deployed and we have the wind behind us... It is like night and day between Trump 1.0 and Trump 2.0." (04:50)
Kimball highlights executive orders targeting "diversity, equity and inclusion" initiatives and claims a new determination to see such orders executed fully.
Deconstructing the Admin and Deep State
Bannon and Kimball discuss efforts to sideline organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and ADL, characterizing them as corrupt, divisive, and projectionist:
"The Southern Poverty Law Center—so-called—there is no more divisive institution in this country." (09:19)
Bannon calls for direct legal action:
"People should start gearing up big civil suits against these, bankrupt them, go after their donors... unless you get to the roots of it and pull out the roots and put the fear of God into the people actually finance this." (10:09)
Indictments and Accountability
Kimball asserts that aggressive pursuit of former administration officials is necessary:
"We need more indictments, it would be nice to see some people actually held to account for their assault on the Constitution and the office of the presidency." (17:46)
He singles out James Comey as "right in the center of the biggest political scandal in our history" (14:32), and floats the possibility of indicting Hillary Clinton.
2. State of Play: Challenges to the Deep State and GOP Realism
Russ Vought, lauded for working on downsizing federal bureaucracy, is seen by Bannon as not going far enough:
"The intersectionality of intelligence, law enforcement, national security, the arms makers... that form the deep state. Are you comfortable right now that we're... actually taking that apart, like it has to be taken apart?" (13:20)
Kimball contends progress is real but incremental:
"If you compare what's going on right now to what was going on in 2017, I think... it's like day and night. We're doing a lot today. We could do more." (13:50)
Bannon warns time is short ahead of the next midterm:
"Don't give me 24 years. That's emancipatory fantasy. Let's deal with reality." (11:22)
3. Strategy and Accomplishments: Historical and Cultural Reawakening
Rebuilding American Spirit
Dr. Bradley Thayer frames the current administration’s greatest accomplishment as a cultural one:
"The greatest accomplishment of what President Trump is doing in the second term is restoring the American spirit... reawakening of a renaissance of Western civilization." (22:53)
He compares the struggle against the “deep state” to excavating the legendary city of Troy, revealing only the early layers have yet been removed:
"We've just gone through, however, the first layer or the second layer of really the nine layers of Troy... we've got so many to do." (21:19)
Lack of Hill Support
Thayer laments Congressional inaction:
"None of this is essentially institutionalized. Right. Congress hasn't done anything of note in the president's agenda... they're just waiting them out." (21:54)
4. Military: National Rejuvenation Through the Armed Forces
Commemorating the Navy’s 250th Anniversary
Thayer emphasizes the symbolic and practical resurgence of military pride under Trump:
"The best of what America is was on display yesterday... the US Navy is a product of America and American greatness." (31:31)
He underscores the military’s inspiring power for Americans and deterrent value to allies and adversaries:
"It educates Americans, it sends messages to friends and foes that the Americans do indeed... have a very big stick." (33:22)
Recruitment, morale, and American security are up, according to Thayer, with the military functioning as both a reflection and pillar of American society.
"Thank goodness we have so many men and women who are willing to serve... to ensure the United States is safe and secure." (35:49)
5. European Crisis: France, Ukraine, and the Cost of Empire
Fall of the French Government
Ben Harnwell, reporting from Europe, highlights the instability in France:
"Today a government that came in 28 days ago fell after 14 hours of naming their new cabinet. Why? Debt and deficits, also the Islamization of French society." (37:18)
He explains why France’s financial and political crises are symptoms of structural decadence:
"France isn't an imperial power anymore... it's now really much been overrun by its former colonies." (42:23)
Harnwell also notes attempts at welfare reform (raising the retirement age) by Macron but suggests the French populace resists sacrifice—especially in light of spending on Ukraine.
Growing European Populism
Harnwell observes that opposition to Ukraine war funding is reshaping European politics:
"In the Czech Republic... Andre Babish is the new Prime Minister. Important because he won on an anti Ukraine platform... Now you have three countries that are quite openly agitating against continuing to finance this war in Ukraine." (44:41)
He predicts Marine Le Pen, if allowed to run, is on track for a sweeping presidential win after repeated establishment failures and legal blockades.
Notable Quotes and Moments
- Bannon (02:56): "This is the primal scream of a dying regime. Pray for our enemies because we're going to medieval on these people."
- Kimball (04:50): "The spinnaker has been deployed and we have the wind behind us... It is like night and day between Trump 1.0 and Trump 2.0."
- Kimball (09:19): "There is no more divisive institution in this country than the so-called Southern Poverty Law Center."
- Bannon (10:09): "People should start gearing up big civil suits against these... Not just the people work at ADL. Rosenblatt and that crowd, they're all corrupt and a bunch of Marxists..."
- Kimball (14:32): "[Comey] is right in the center of the biggest political scandal in our history."
- Thayer (22:53): "...restoring the American spirit, which entails a reawakening of a renaissance of Western civilization, is so important..."
- Harnwell (37:18): "[In France,] debt and deficits, also the Islamization of French society... this is about deficits at 7% of GDP. They can't finance it because they ain't the prime reserve currency."
- Harnwell (44:41): "Andre Babish is the new Prime Minister [of Czechia]... Important because he won on an anti Ukraine platform..."
- Bannon (49:08): "These two shows are incredible. You break a lot of news on there. Ben Harnwell, thank you so much for joining us..."
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 02:56 – Bannon’s opening salvo and Trump’s renewed energy.
- 04:50–09:42 – Roger Kimball analyzes the radical shift in Trump’s approach.
- 09:42–13:50 – Deep State critiques, urgency of reform, indictments called for.
- 14:32–17:46 – Discussion of Comey’s indictment and the need for further accountability.
- 19:48–25:07 – Dr. Thayer on the American spirit and executive approach in 2.0.
- 31:31–36:15 – Thayer on the symbolic and real power of the U.S. Navy at 250.
- 37:18–47:18 – Ben Harnwell on French political collapse, European populism, and Ukraine war impact.
Social Media and Further Reading
- Roger Kimball: @RogerKimball on X/Twitter, Substack launching soon.
- Dr. Bradley Thayer: @BradThayer on X/Twitter, Getter, and Truth Social.
- Ben Harnwell: @Harnwell on Getter.
Tone and Takeaway
The episode blends aggrieved populism with policy analysis and international commentary, maintaining a combative, urgent tone throughout. Speakers repeatedly stress the scale of bureaucratic and political opposition to their agenda, the time pressure on enacting deeper reforms, and draw broad links between American and European political chaos as symptoms of elite and institutional failure.