Podcast Summary: Deadline: White House

Episode: “I will not be cowed by this president”
Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Nicolle Wallace

Overview

This episode of Deadline: White House, hosted by Nicolle Wallace, deeply examines the escalating threats faced by members of Congress after six Democratic lawmakers released a video reminding U.S. military service members that they are bound by oath to follow only lawful orders. Wallace, joined by Democratic Congressmen Chris d’Aluzio and Jamie Raskin, as well as retired DC police officer Michael Fanone and historian-filmmaker Ken Burns, discusses the increasing culture of political violence, Donald Trump’s authoritarian impulses, and the larger historical context of defending democracy against autocracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lawmakers Under Threat for Upholding Constitutional Principle

• Context: Six Democratic lawmakers, many with military or national security backgrounds, reminded service members that unlawful orders must not be followed. Donald Trump responded by accusing them of sedition—“punishable by death”—leading to a cascade of threats.

• Congressman Jason Crow (paraphrased by Wallace):
  “Fear is contagious, but so is courage. So I will not be cowed by this president.” (00:49)

• Congressman Chris d’Aluzio’s Experience:

  • Following Trump’s comments, threats increased, causing security upgrades for his offices and home.
  • “My district offices today received bomb threats... Those cops are wasting their time putting resources toward responding to these bomb threats instead of patrolling our communities...” (03:09)

• Senator Alyssa Slotkin’s Experience:

  • Described immediate flooding of threats post-Trump remarks and being placed under 24/7 security.
  • “If [the] president is saying you should be hanged, then we shouldn’t be surprised when folks on the ground are going to follow suit and say even worse.” (02:28)

2. The Principle Behind the Lawmakers’ Video

• Host Nicolle Wallace queries d’Aluzio:
  The video was intended to reiterate a foundational military and constitutional concept—not a partisan statement.

• d’Aluzio:
  “Our troops... must comply with lawful orders. No one can force anyone in the military to follow illegal ones... Our oath to the Constitution comes first, and no one can force you to follow illegal orders.” (04:16–05:21)

3. Trump’s Authoritarian Tendencies—Past and Present

• Jamie Raskin’s January 6 Insights:

  • Trump refused bipartisan pleas to intervene during Capitol violence and later accused the six lawmakers of sedition for upholding the law.
  • “He sat on his hands for more than three hours... Real sedition, real insurrection doesn’t trouble him.” (07:37)

• Presidential Responsibility:
  “The president’s core job is to take care that the laws are faithfully executed—not frustrated and not defeated.” — Jamie Raskin (08:57)

4. The Impact of Trump’s Language and Pardons

• On Incitement:
  Wallace and Raskin discuss how Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric precipitates violence, referencing both past (January 6) and present rising threats.

• Michael Fanone (retired DC Police, attacked on Jan 6):

  • Details personal experience with violence incited by Trump and supported by subsequent pardons.
  • “Donald Trump advocates for the use of political violence... He pardoned the people that assaulted the police officers.” (23:28, 24:40)

• Outrage over Pardons:
  Fanone highlights the case of a pardoned January 6 rioter (Andrew Johnson) now facing child sex abuse charges, tying it to the “dangerous company” welcomed into political discourse.

  • “These were people that are predisposed to violence... violent white supremacists. And that is who Donald Trump has invited into our political discourse.” (27:24)

5. The Historical Context—Ken Burns and the American Revolution

• Ken Burns:

  • Discusses his new “American Revolution” documentary, emphasizing the enduring relevance of founding ideas in confronting modern threats to democracy.
  • Quote (Thomas Jefferson, voiced by Jeff Daniels):
    “I will not believe our labors are lost... the flames kindled on the 4th of July 1776 have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism.” (30:48)
  • “It’s a choice to stay in the light.” — Nicolle Wallace (33:09)
  • “Democracy requires an incredible devotion to the now, to what’s going on...” — Ken Burns (34:00)

• Historical Parallels:
  Burns draws direct lines from the founders’ anxieties about demagogues and legislative abdication to current events.

  • “They were trying to reverse engineer for an authoritarian the whole time.” (35:16)
  • “The Constitution is suggesting this... it’s still the shortest Constitution on earth...” (39:14–41:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Fear is contagious, but so is courage. So I will not be cowed by this president.” — Rep. Jason Crow (00:49, cited by Wallace)

• “This isn’t about me... It’s about our democracy and whether we are going to have a president who respects the rule of law.” — Rep. Chris d’Aluzio (03:09)

• “He sat on his hands for more than three hours... Real sedition, real insurrection doesn’t trouble him.” — Rep. Jamie Raskin (07:37)

• “Donald Trump advocates for... violence to achieve his political ends.” — Michael Fanone (23:28)

• “These were people that are predisposed to violence... violent white supremacists. And that is who Donald Trump has invited into our political discourse.” — Michael Fanone (27:24)

• “It’s a choice to stay in the light.” — Nicolle Wallace (33:09)

• “The president works for the American people. The American people don’t work for the president.” — Rep. Jamie Raskin (11:54)

• “The flames kindled on the 4th of July 1776 have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism.” — Thomas Jefferson, quoted by Ken Burns, voiced by Jeff Daniels (30:48)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:49] Jason Crow: “Fear is contagious... I will not be cowed by this president.”
• [02:28] Alyssa Slotkin: On threats and immediate changes to security posture.
• [03:09] Chris d’Aluzio: Describing bomb threat and the broader significance.
• [04:16] d’Aluzio: Purpose of the video to the military.
• [07:37] Jamie Raskin: Trump’s inaction on January 6 and the charge of sedition.
• [12:09] Trump’s infamous nonchalance about “hang Mike Pence” chants, shown via Jonathan Karl interview.
• [13:34] d’Aluzio: The necessity for bipartisan condemnation of political violence.
• [23:28] Michael Fanone: Trump’s incitement of violence and pardons.
• [27:24] Fanone: Nature of Jan 6 participants and pardoned individuals.
• [30:48] Ken Burns segment: Jefferson on the persistence of liberty.
• [33:09] Wallace/Burns: “It’s a choice to stay in the light.”
• [35:16] Burns: Founders anticipated threats from authoritarians.
• [41:20] Burns: The foundational design and enduring nature of the US Constitution.

Episode Flow & Tone

The episode is serious, urgent, and reflective, reflecting the mood of national alarm at surging political violence, direct threats against lawmakers, and the apparent normalization of anti-democratic rhetoric by the sitting president. Personal testimonies from at-risk lawmakers and frontline responders underscore an atmosphere of real and present danger. Ken Burns’ contribution provides historical perspective, reminding listeners of both the fragility and the resilience of American democracy. Despite the gravity, the tone remains hopeful, emphasizing courage, unity, and the power of ideas.

Why Listen?

This episode is essential for anyone concerned about US democracy, rising authoritarianism, and the real consequences of political violence in today’s America. It balances immediate political analysis with historical reflection, offering both stark warnings and reminders of the ideas and courage needed to face down threats to the republic.