Behind the Bastards – "It Could Happen Here Weekly 198"

Date: September 6, 2025
Host: Garrison Davis with Mia Wong, Robert Evans, and guests
Theme: The Resurgence and Evolution of Liberal Conspiracy Theories (“BlueAnon”), Their Parallels with QAnon, and the Real-World Impact of Federal Occupations

Episode Overview

This episode is a multipart deep-dive into the flourishing of liberal (or “BlueAnon”) conspiracy theories in contemporary American politics, exploring their evolution, tactics, and social effects, with a special focus on recent trends after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and the 2024 election. The hosts draw structural parallels between the conspiratorial mindsets of the right (QAnon) and a growing number of liberals, track the rise of liberal “resistance” social media accounts like Alt National Park Service, and examine the real-world consequences of federal actions in cities like Chicago. The episode blends political critique with interviews from on-the-ground reporters, offering both sociopolitical analysis and stories from affected communities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. BlueAnon: Defining Liberal Conspiracy Theories

Timestamps: [03:09]–[32:25]

• Origin and Spread:

  • The term “BlueAnon” came about as a tongue-in-cheek label for conspiracy thinking among liberals—from Russiagate and allegations of secret Russian collusion, to more recent beliefs around election fraud and staged political events ([04:07]–[09:59]).
  • Historically, conspiracy culture was less partisan, but became heavily right-wing post-Obama, with QAnon as a prime example.

• Cultural Shifts and Motivations:

  • As consensus reality in America broke down, especially during and after Trump’s first term, liberals became increasingly susceptible to the allure of conspiracism:

    “Liberals and the left were almost destined to become more conspiratorial in this current moment.”
    – Garrison Davis [08:53]

  • The hosts analyze why conspiracy narratives are so compelling, quoting the CCRU’s point that belief is more emotionally gripping than disbelief ([10:03]).

• Examples of BlueAnon Thinking:

  • Russiagate: Exaggeration of Russian influence narrative despite inconclusive proof.
  • George Floyd Uprising: Liberals needing to believe police station burnings were false flags, rather than grassroots anger ([17:09]–[20:36]).
  • 2024 Election: Post-loss, a surge in theories emerged—ranging from vote tampering, Starlink satellites changing results, to Elon Musk hacking voting machines ([32:25]–[41:24]).
  • Trump Assassination Attempt: Explosive spread of claims the shooting was fake or staged to bolster his political standing, with viral posts and inauthentic accounts amplifying the “inside job” narrative ([22:45]–[31:16]).
  • Coded Messaging: Liberal “resistance” accounts mimicking Q-style cryptic posts, most notably the Alt National Park Service.

• Notable Quote:

  “The logical of QAnon has perforated almost every aspect of American politics. On Blue Sky there is this conspiratorial mantra gaining traction among liberals: ‘He wasn’t shot. He didn’t win. He’s on the list.’”
  – Garrison Davis [15:06]

II. Case Study: Alt National Park Service & Liberal QAnon Mimicry

Timestamps: [59:44]–[88:15]

• Introduction to Alt National Park Service ("Alt NPS"):

  • Claims to be resistance-in-government, originally gaining traction during Trump’s Park Service cuts. Grew popularity through cryptic number postings—a direct echo of QAnon posting—and by reposting news without attribution ([62:04]–[66:27]).

• Interview with Jack (Alt Watcher):

  • Jack documents Alt NPS for their misleading engagement tactics, unclear identity, and PR maneuvering:

    “What’s unique about Alt NPS is that they are trying to make money on convincing people that this is real… That you are part of a shadow resistance against Trump…”
    – Jack (Alt Watcher) [68:57]

  • Describes Alt NPS as an “engagement farm” that exploits people’s need for hope ([69:52]–[75:38]), fueling a “tragedy” for those desperate for reassurance.

• Conspiratorial Dynamics and Pushback:

  • Alt NPS uses vague defenses and technical-sounding nonsense (e.g., cell site simulators) to bat away criticism.
  • Account’s followers are quick to label skeptics as infiltrators or “MAGA spies,” further deepening echo-chamber dynamics ([72:40]–[73:55]).

• Ethical Dimensions:

  • Both Garrison and Jack stress empathy for followers:

    “I always want to make sure to treat the followers… with respect, treat them with empathy, talk to them like a person. And that's how I've managed to get a few people to get out.”
    – Jack (Alt Watcher) [87:31]

III. Real-World Spotlight: DHS & Border Patrol Occupation of Chicago

Timestamps: [95:23]–[137:33]
Host: Mia Wong, with guest Raven (journalist from Unraveled, Chicago)

• Backdrop:

  • While news focuses on Trump’s National Guard threats, actual local fear centers on DHS/ICE/Border Patrol deployments to Chicago, modeled after LA's crackdowns ([97:14]–[100:25]).
  • Local officials are largely powerless to stop these federal operations. National Guard theater distracts from the more dangerous Federal agencies executing detentions and raids.

• Community Resistance & Challenges:

  • Protests and rapid response have had some success curbing immigration court arrests downtown, but suburbs face more risk due to less coverage and organizing ([103:09]–[108:04]).
  • Outlying towns (Waukegan, North Chicago, etc.) with large immigrant communities have little protection and are likely targets.
  • Concerns about mass detentions, inadequate facilities, and overnight hotel detainment are rising due to planned ramp-ups ([110:50]–[115:16]).
  • Politicians’ tepid defense (“make sure you protest peacefully within the law”) is critiqued as toothless and even dangerous if it leads to handing protesters over to the police ([124:45]–[127:39]).

• Mexican Independence Day Parades and ICE Threats:

  • Community anxiety is heightened by credible claims ICE may target cultural festivities, aiming to spread fear and discourage resistance ([118:36]–[124:45]).
  • Organizers urge “power in numbers” to reclaim safe public space.

• City’s Spirit & Call to Resistance:

  “This is a fucking flea in an ocean… These people can be ran out of cities. They can be chased out, their operations can be made impossible, they can be rendered impotent, and they can be made to retreat.”
  – Mia Wong [131:38]

IV. Current Events Roundup & The Risks of Indulging Conspiratorial Thinking

Timestamps: [141:54]–[157:01]

• Trump Health Conspiracies:

  • Over Labor Day, Trump’s absence from the public eye fueled online theories that he was dead or dying.
  • Social media evidence (road closures, altered photos) proved false; Trump emerged unharmed.
  • The hosts note liberal participation in these unsubstantiated rumors mirrors right-wing culture, blurring the line between ironic “coping” and genuine belief:

    “The instant you let [conspiratorial thinking] into your life, it starts taking more and more power because it becomes part of your ego… your coping mechanisms.”
    – Robert Evans [152:04]

• Election Conspiracies and the Consequences:

  • Citing polling, Garrison notes that 33% of Biden voters believed the Trump assassination was staged ([30:08]), and 29% of Democrats doubted Harris’ election loss was legitimate.
  • The spread of election denial, regardless of party, erodes faith in democracy and mimics right-wing behavior ([41:24]–[44:15]).

• Host Analysis on Conspiracism:

  • The danger is less the substance of any one theory and more the function—an emotional need for secret knowledge and a way to “explain” a complex, often painful reality:

    “The root of a lot of madness comes with thinking that you’re better than other people and you’re not.”
    – Robert Evans [152:38]

• Example: Russiagate vs. Genuine Russian Influence:

  • Important distinction between actual disinfo ops (which happen, and are bad) versus baseless claims that elections were “literally” stolen by hacks, with no evidence.

V. Policy & Global Recap

Timestamps: [157:35]–[188:26]

• Federal Deployment in Chicago:

  • Outlining legal maneuvering, local government reluctance, and the real focus on ICE/Border Patrol, not National Guard, echoing points from earlier extended interviews ([159:42]–[167:55]).

• Tariffs and Presidential Authority:

  • Discussion of a court ruling that Trump’s use of emergency powers to levy tariffs is unconstitutional; Supreme Court appeal pending ([182:25]–[188:21]).

• Ukraine War Updates:

  • Robert Evans provides an up-to-date summary: The war remains a grinding stalemate; Russia has made only incremental territorial gains at immense cost. Ukrainian long-range missile capabilities are affecting Russian supply and energy infrastructure, but no major breakthroughs are in sight ([172:56]–[179:46]).

• Latin American Intervention:

  • Brief mention of a US strike on a Venezuelan vessel, skepticism about official drug cartel claims, and background on organized crime group Tren de Aragua ([179:31]–[182:06]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Belief is so much stronger because disbelief is so much more boring. And I think this is why everyone has this urge to get more conspiratorial.” – Garrison Davis [10:03]
• “Alt NPS brings them so much hope. It’s what’s keeping them from falling into despair… I don’t like that their need for that is being used.” – Jack (Alt Watcher) [75:12]
• “If your logic is this person is a fed and we turn them over to the feds. Nonsensical.” – Mia Wong [127:12]
• “If you’re unwilling to see where [the right] have made smart decisions and paid off for them, then you are unable to properly counter those kinds of things... you’re going to continue getting dunked on by them endlessly.” – Robert Evans [155:54]
• “This is a fucking flea in an ocean, and a flea is relying on the waves staying calm. These people can be ran out of cities.” – Mia Wong [131:38]

Useful Timestamps

• [03:09] – Defining BlueAnon, history of conspiracy culture
• [15:06] – “He wasn’t shot. He didn’t win. He’s on the list.”: New liberal conspiracy mantra
• [22:45] – Trump assassination theories explode online
• [32:25] – BlueAnon election denial after 2024
• [59:44] – Alt National Park Service interview (Jack/Alt Watcher)
• [95:23] – On-the-ground in Chicago, real effects of federal occupation (w/ Raven)
• [141:54] – Trump health conspiracy recap
• [157:35] – Latest on federal law enforcement deployment, tariffs ruling, Ukraine war update

Tone & Language

The discussion is sharp, sarcastic, and frequently self-aware. The hosts alternate between analytical, critical, and empathetic stances—balancing caustic humor and personal reflection. They are unsparing in both their criticism of conspiratorial thinking and their compassion for those drawn into it, regardless of political alignment.

Summary for Newcomers

This episode is an incisive, timely portrait of how conspiracy thinking has become endemic across the American political spectrum—not just the far-right. It is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand the psychological, social, and political dynamics fueling today’s dangerous information environment, and how these dynamics play out both online (through “BlueAnon” conspiracy culture) and in real life (through chilling federal crackdowns in American cities like Chicago). The deep-dive into “Alt National Park Service” reveals how even well-meaning “resistance” can be co-opted for engagement and profit, while conversations with real-world activists illuminate the gravity of federal overreach and the enduring power of organized resistance.
Core message: No one is immune to propaganda, and resisting conspiratorial narratives—no matter how emotionally comforting—remains an urgent task for all political communities.