Podcast Summary: WarRoom Battleground EP 867

Date: October 9, 2025
Host: Steve Bannon (WarRoom.org)
Key Guests: Dave Brat, Ben Harnwell, Mark Elias, Middle East and Legal Analysts, Donald Trump (audio)

Episode Overview

This episode of "WarRoom Battleground" focuses on two central topics: the proclaimed breakthrough peace in the Middle East, led by Donald Trump, and a critical analysis of recent directives from Pope Leo XIV (Francis 2.0), particularly in the context of U.S. mass deportations and the Catholic Church's role in American political strife. The episode weaves together deep dives into U.S. executive power, the limits of presidential authority, reactions from domestic and international actors, and the fracturing role of the Catholic hierarchy in global and American affairs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mideast Peace Deal and Trump's Role

• Trump’s Announcement

  • Trump claims a “momentous breakthrough” has been achieved, ending the Gaza war and claiming future “lasting peace” in the Middle East, with all remaining hostages to be released imminently ([00:10]).
    • Quote: “We ended the war in Gaza and really on a much bigger basis, created peace.” — Donald Trump [00:12]
  • Trump to visit Egypt for a formal signing and possibly Israel to address the Knesset ([01:00], [15:28]).

• Reactions from Israel, Gaza, and International Community

  • Analysts emphasize this “phase one” feels different due to Trump’s direct involvement and pressure on Israel, including Netanyahu, and forging a new Arab coalition ([01:25]-[01:55]).
    • Quote: “They really have put all their faith in him more than any of the other deals.” — Legal Analyst [01:28]

• Middle East Expert Analysis

  • Trump uniquely pressured Netanyahu, recognizing his weakened position and orchestrating a corner that led to negotiations ([09:42]).
    • Quote: “It was Netanyahu that outmaneuvered himself… the only ally he has in America is Trump himself.” — Middle East Expert [09:44]

• Bannon’s Framing

  • Emphasizes the shift: U.S. (including many conservatives) no longer offer unwavering support for Greater Israel doctrine; sees a move toward a two-state solution, with emerging security roles for Turkey and Qatar ([15:28]).
    • Quote: “The hardest core supporters of Israel always fought against a two-state solution. You're going to get a two-state solution out of this.” — Steve Bannon [15:41]

• Religious and Philosophical Angle

  • Dave Brat contextualizes the peace process in Christian theology, highlighting the necessity for peace, not war, citing biblical texts and urging religious communities to rally for peace ([12:56]-[13:57]).
    • Quote: "We're supposed to aim for peace. So the warmonger class is not happy with this. But Trump has been trying to achieve peace...” — Dave Brat [13:16]

2. Executive Power and Domestic Policy: Deportations & Executive Action

• Legal Analysis of Trump’s Use of Article II Powers

  • Ongoing legal battles around President’s discretion to deploy federal forces, particularly under Title 10 — whether a president can declare a “rebellion” and federalize the National Guard to enforce immigration laws ([03:40]-[06:29]).
    • Quote: “…most expansive understanding of executive power of any president in our lifetime, if not in modern US history.” — Sam [06:29]

• Critique of Government Response and DOJ Norms

  • Mark Elias and others lament the normalization of political interference in DOJ and the lack of internal resistance to Trump’s directives ([02:11]-[03:40]).
    • Quote: “Authoritarians don’t just rule by the handful of people at the top. They rule through the compliant, go along, get along of a whole lot of other people.” — Mark Elias [02:11]
    • Quote: “They are not going to challenge him on anything that matters.” — Mark Elias [08:22]

• Republican Party Dynamics

  • Discussion on the enduring dominance of Trump over GOP, inability (or unwillingness) for party members to challenge him, referencing historical lack of dissent ([08:21]-[08:22]).

• Expanding Executive Authority

  • Comparisons with historical precedents (FDR, Wilson), and the difference now being Trump’s aggressive use of every power available ([23:57]).
    • Quote: “He is clothed in immense power now. And the left, they don't like it.” — Dave Brat [23:32]

3. Pope Leo XIV (Francis 2.0) and Church-State Conflict in the U.S.

• Papal Directive Against Mass Deportations

  • Pope Leo XIV releases a formal apostolic exhortation, instructing U.S. bishops to actively oppose Trump’s mass deportations of illegal immigrants ([34:16]-[39:30]).
    • Quote: “He’s ordering, ordering the US Bishops to basically get in the way of, or stop President Trump’s… mass deportations…?” — Steve Bannon [38:56]
    • Quote: “Yep, he did that yesterday. That's exactly what he did.” — Ben Harnwell [39:30]

• Catholic Church as a "Subversive Institution"

  • Harnwell describes the church, under this Pope, as acting “effectively as an enemy of the state,” supporting seditious actions against the Trump administration ([42:04]-[44:55]).
    • Quote: “…turning the institution of the Catholic Church, especially in America, as effectively an enemy of the state, a subversive institution confronting the democratic and legal will of the state.” — Ben Harnwell [42:04]
    • Quote: “Very subtly, very smartly, [the Pope is] telling the bishops to basically engage in seditious activity…” — Steve Bannon [43:53]

• Debate Over Authority and Faithful Obligations

  • Discussion around the nature of apostolic succession, obligation of Catholics to attend Mass and tithe, and the tension between political/prudential instructions and religious obedience ([35:47]-[44:55]).
    • Quote: “The tragedy here for Catholics is that they are caught in a very difficult position… obliged to go to Mass and to support the church at the same time that the institutional church is taking political positions which are not binding on the faithful...” — Ben Harnwell [44:55]

• Catholic Social Teaching vs. National Sovereignty

  • Harnwell strongly asserts: “the so called Pope is using his authority as being recognized as a Pope to undermine the teaching that comes down from Jesus Christ that it is his job to protect and to impose in its place a set of arbitrary communist political positions.” [48:22]

4. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dave Brat on Religion & Policy

  • “We're not utopians, but let's all get our religious houses in order … you need to vote for peace and you need to vote for justice in the United States of America.” [17:39]

• Bannon on Shifting Alliances

  • “Trump told Netanyahu … you guys can't take on the world, basically implying that we can't. We're not going to fund you taking on the world…” [22:37]

• Papal Subtlety & Danger

  • “He tries to put it on. He's not as arrogant as Francis … but he's more dangerous than Francis.” — Steve Bannon on Pope Leo, [32:57]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Trump’s Peace Deal Announcement (00:10–01:10)
• Analysis: Differences in this Peace Approach (01:10–02:11)
• DOJ and Executive Power Critique (02:11–03:40)
• Federal Authority Debates: National Guard & Immigration (03:40–06:29)
• GOP & Trump Dynamics, DOJ Culture (07:58–09:06)
• Middle East Expert: Trump’s Unique Pressure on Israel (09:42–10:49)
• Bannon/Brat: Christian Ethics and Middle East Peace (12:56–17:39)
• Bannon & Brat: Article II Powers and Urban Rebellions (22:37–23:57)
• Transition: Gold and Financial Security Ads (25:57–32:56)
• Ben Harnwell: Papal Exhortation and Seditious Church-State Issues (32:56–44:55)
• Harnwell & Bannon: Obligations of Faithful and Church as “Cult”? (44:55–48:45)
• Closing: Harnwell Social Media & Resistance within the Church (48:45–51:08)

Episode Tone & Style

• Direct, combative, and polemical: The episode oscillates between analytical interviews and impassioned monologues, particularly from Bannon and Brat.
• Religious rhetoric throughout: Biblical references are used as points of authority and ethical guidance regarding political policy.
• Anti-establishment and anti-globalist: Skepticism toward international institutions (UN, papacy), fear of subversion from within (“enemy within,” “deep state”), and repeated calls for resistance and self-determination.

Conclusion

This episode interweaves international diplomacy, U.S. constitutional law, domestic unrest, and the global Catholic Church’s influence into a dense and ideologically charged tapestry. Trump’s claimed peace achievement in the Middle East is contrasted to his muscular use of presidential power at home, while the Church’s hierarchy—led by the new Pope Leo XIV—is cast as a subversive force destabilizing the nation by directly contesting administration policy and pushing mass immigration. Throughout, the guests and Bannon frame the controversies as existential conflicts pitting the will of the American people against corrupt or illegitimate elites abroad and within their own institutions.

For further insight or to follow the contributors:

• Dave Brat: @BratEconomics (Getter/X)
• Ben Harnwell: @Harnwell (Getter)
• War Room Podcast: warroom.org

Note: This summary omits advertisements and promotional content, focusing only on substantive discussion and debate.