Podcast Summary:

Podcast: Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
Episode: O'Reilly Update Morning Edition, August 26, 2025
Host: Mike Slater (guest host for Bill O’Reilly)
Date: August 26, 2025

Episode Overview

Guest host Mike Slater steps in for Bill O'Reilly to discuss the significance of the American flag in light of a new executive order. The episode centers around the story of William Harvey Carney, a Civil War hero whose actions personify respect for the flag and the nation. Slater reflects on patriotism, sacrifice, and the meaning of American symbols at a moment of heightened political and cultural debate over flag desecration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Presidential Executive Order on Flag Desecration

• Slater opens by referencing a significant policy move from the President:
  "The president yesterday signed an executive order that says you can't burn the flag... this administration will prosecute anyone who incites violence or otherwise violates our laws while desecrating this symbol of our country to the fullest extent permissible under any available authority." [01:02]
• The announcement comes amidst national conversations about patriotism, protest, and legal rights.

2. The Story of William Harvey Carney

• Slater introduces Carney as “the ultimate flag story” and describes his acts of heroism:

  • Carney was a Black American soldier, born into slavery.
  • Served in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, a prominent Union regiment.
  • During the Battle of Fort Wagner in Charleston, SC, the color guard (flag bearer) was killed, and the flag fell during a chaotic retreat.
  • Carney risked his life, suffering multiple gunshot wounds (right arm, right leg, chest, and nearly struck in the head), to retrieve the flag.
  • Despite severe injuries, he managed to save the flag and bring it back safely.

  Memorable quotes:

  • “William went back into the battlefield to go get the flag… he was shot in his right arm, his right leg, his chest and a bullet whizzed by his head. But he got the flag.” [02:00]
  • Upon returning: “Bleeding and barely able to move, he handed the flag over to his men and he said, ‘Boys, I only did my duty. The old flag never touched the ground.’” [02:39]
  • Emphasis: Carney's heroism is a lens through which to reflect on contemporary symbolism and policy.

3. Reflection on Patriotism and Legacy

• Carney’s actions are framed as a testament to the values embodied by the flag and the sacrifices made for the country.
• Slater underscores that Carney had been born a slave—heightening the impact of his loyalty and courage:
  • “Forgot to mention that William was born a slave.” [02:50]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the New Executive Order:
  “The president yesterday signed an executive order that says you can’t burn the flag.” [01:02]
• William Carney’s Heroism:
  “But William went back into the battlefield to go get the flag… he was shot in his right arm, his right leg, his chest and a bullet whizzed by his head. But he got the flag.” [02:00]
• Carney’s Enduring Statement:
  “Boys, I only did my duty. The old flag never touched the ground.” [02:39]

Timestamps

• [01:02] — Announcement of executive order against flag desecration
• [01:37] — Introduction to the story of William Harvey Carney
• [01:53–02:39] — Carney’s bravery and his famous words
• [02:50] — Emphasis on Carney’s background as a former slave

Conclusion

Mike Slater, substituting for Bill O’Reilly, uses the day’s news—a presidential executive order protecting the flag—to spotlight the story of William Harvey Carney. The narrative interweaves national policy, historical heroism, and the ongoing meaning of American symbols, offering a stirring call to reflect on the sacrifices made for the nation and the deeper values behind patriotic acts.