WarRoom Battleground Ep. 920 Summary
Title: Reparations For J6; Fired From The Symphony Due To DEI
Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Steve Bannon (WarRoom.org)
Overview
This episode of WarRoom Battleground centers on two major themes: the aftermath of January 6th (“J6”) and the ongoing push for accountability, reparations, and pardons for J6 defendants; and the impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within classical music, as told through the experiences of a fired symphonic clarinetist. Guests include Enrique Tarrio (former Proud Boys leader and recently pardoned J6 defendant), journalist Julie Kelly, and clarinetist James Immerman. Oscar Blue Ramirez provides a special report on political turmoil in Venezuela.
Main Segments & Key Discussion Points
1. Five Years After January 6 – Reflections and Calls for Accountability
[00:00–09:00]
- Segment opens with voices and names of J6 defendants, followed by a commemorative anthem dedicated to those impacted by J6.
- Steve Bannon, Enrique Tarrio, and Julie Kelly discuss the significance of the five-year anniversary, calling it “Patriots Day.”
- Enrique Tarrio recounts his experience receiving a 22-year prison sentence despite not being present at the Capitol (served 3 years, mostly in solitary, moving 40 times).
- Bannon lauds Tarrio’s mother:
“She was totally apolitical ... only when J6 happened, she realized how rigged the system is,” (Bannon, 03:36)
- Tarrio:
“She wasn’t pro-Trump ... but, yeah, she’s full MAGA now. Ultra MAGA.” (04:09)
- Bannon lauds Tarrio’s mother:
- Discussion about the extreme conditions in federal “medium” security prisons (“gladiator schools”), and the psychological toll of “diesel therapy.”
- Bannon:
“Diesel therapy ... is to break people psychologically.” (17:40)
- Tarrio:
“I did 40. Do you have any idea who in the Bureau of Prisons ordered that?” (18:19)
- Bannon:
2. Julie Kelly on DOJ Conduct and Demands for Justice
[06:31–13:56]
- Julie Kelly (journalist/author): Reflects on reporting J6 court cases, the DOJ’s actions, and the fallout for defendants’ families.
- Asserts that the effort to suppress MAGA and Trump with J6 “backfired spectacularly.”
- Warns of MAGA frustrations paralleling “Russiagate”—knowing the culprits but seeing no consequence:
“We know who did it, we know the crimes ... they’re all going to get away with it.” (10:35)
- Describes Jack Smith’s congressional deposition, alleging Smith lied under oath about the Trump investigation and that prosecution teams tampered with evidence.
- “Jack Smith actively sought to be involved in the Trump investigation ... He’s a snake. He’s a dirtbag. His investigators were caught doctoring evidence.” (15:30–15:50)
- Raises the need for true accountability: impeach judges, prosecute DOJ wrongdoers, and offers examples of FBI overreach (e.g., indictment against an innocent woman based on flimsy evidence).
3. Demands for Pardons, Reparations, and MAGA Base Frustrations
[13:25–22:30]
- Tarrio discusses his priorities for President Trump:
- Thanks/praise for Trump’s support and pardon:
“The first thing is I tell him I love him for giving me my life back.” (20:54)
- Calls for reparations/compensation for J6ers:
“I hate using this word ... but ... the only way ... is with some type of compensation through lawsuits, torts, whatever.” (20:59)
- Focus on cleaning out the DOJ:
“So simple to go into somebody’s office in the DOJ and be like, 'You’re fired.'” (18:54)
- Thanks/praise for Trump’s support and pardon:
- Bannon insists the White House must make J6 justice and pardons a top priority, crediting Julie Kelly’s reporting for informing Trump’s decisions on commutations/pardons.
- Julie Kelly and Bannon criticize congressional Republicans for not holding hearings or pushing accountability, calling their inaction “weakness” and “lack of accountability.”
“If we didn’t have Julie Kelly ... we wouldn’t have anything.” (25:49)
4. The DEI Crisis in Classical Music – James Immerman’s Ordeal
[33:58–43:10]
- Guest: James Immerman, professional clarinetist, describes being fired twice from major symphony orchestras in Nashville and Knoxville.
- Details conflicts over DEI pressures, a “Jussie Smollett type narrative” by a former colleague, and being terminated after a blind audition due to controversy over his previous firing.
- Explains orchestras’ shift from all-white, all-male to gender balance through blind auditions, while noting continuing pressure to diversify for race.
“If you’re like me, if you’re white, male and Christian and Catholic and Republican and straight ... it’s a nightmare.” (37:19)
- Asserts that DEI is undermining musical meritocracy and leading to industry decline.
- Suing the Knoxville Symphony for damages; supports opposition to DEI through legal channels and public awareness.
- Bannon questions decline of true meritocracy under “woke” pressures, pointing to funding implications for orchestras receiving federal money.
5. Venezuela and Geopolitical Tensions – Oscar Blue Ramirez’s Report
[43:20–51:33]
- Oscar Blue Ramirez reports on Venezuela’s oppressive government, armed “collective groups,” and the call for removal of key regime figures.
- Warns of the consolidation of power between the Venezuelan government, criminal cartels, and foreign interests (China, Russia, Iran).
- Recommends U.S. policymakers prioritize extraction/removal of leaders enabling violence and criminal networks.
- Notes increasing use of Iranian-made drones for local repression.
“This is the guy ... arming collectives to oppress the population ... he needs to be extracted immediately.” (44:32)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On DOJ overreach and J6 prosecutions:
“This is an unprecedented attack on the constitutional rights of thousands of American citizens. We cannot just let this go with a bunch of letters and hearings ... If that’s as far as we get, what’s the point?”
— Julie Kelly (12:58) -
On diesel therapy and psychological warfare in prisons:
“A diesel therapy in the Bureau of Prisons is done for the worst hard court prisoners ... you did 40.”
— Steve Bannon (17:50) -
On DEI undermining merit in classical music:
“If we don’t have the best players in these jobs, we’re going to go bankrupt as an industry.”
— James Immerman (34:47) -
On the real reason for lack of diversity in classical music:
“They see a white dominant profession, and they say ... there must be racism somewhere.”
— James Immerman (38:10) -
On calls to action for Trump:
“I tell him I love him for giving me my life back ... focus on getting some type of compensation ... a lot of these J6ers need to get their lives back together.”
— Enrique Tarrio (20:54–21:00)
Additional Segment Timestamps
- [09:31–13:25]: Julie Kelly on barriers to accountability, details of Jack Smith’s testimony, and specific examples of alleged DOJ malfeasance.
- [23:37–25:10]: Reflections on the lack of congressional hearings for J6ers and pointed criticism of legislative “gutlessness.”
- [34:29–37:44]: Immerman details DEI conflicts at the Nashville Symphony, firings, and his legal fight.
- [43:20–46:32]: On Venezuelan paramilitary “collective groups” and links to international actors.
- [49:32–50:26]: Recommendations for U.S. policy makers regarding Venezuelan regime change.
Social Media Handles
- Enrique Tarrio: X (Twitter): @Noble1
- Julie Kelly: Substack and X @julie_kelly2
- James Immerman: X @JamesImmermann
- Oscar Blue Ramirez: X: @OscarBlueRamirez and OscarBlueRamirez.com
Tone & Language
The conversation is emotionally charged and combative, with strong language against government bodies, legal institutions, and “woke” cultural elements. The prioritization is on storytelling, anecdotal accounts, and advocacy for aggressive accountability and “reparations” for those seen as victims of J6 prosecution.
Summary for New Listeners
If you haven’t listened, this episode offers a sweeping critique of the U.S. legal and political response to January 6th, highlighting grievances of those prosecuted, demands for restoration, and a sense of urgency for justice from both the base and right-wing activists. It then connects the battle against progressivism to cultural domains like classical music, suggesting a broad front against perceived “woke” overreach. Guest reporters close out with updates from international hotspots, underlining the WarRoom’s focus on interlinking domestic and foreign threats.