Podcast Summary: Deadline: White House Episode: “What world leader talks like this?” Host: Nicolle Wallace, MSNBC Release Date: July 9, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled “What world leader talks like this?”, Nicolle Wallace delves into the escalating politicization within the Trump administration, focusing on recent developments that suggest misuse of intelligence and national security apparatus for political vendettas. The discussion prominently features former CIA Director John Brennan, offering his perspective on the ongoing investigations and the broader implications for American democracy.
Investigation into John Brennan and Jim Comey
Timestamp: [01:05] - [07:42]
Wallace opens the discussion by highlighting newly reported efforts by the Trump administration to politicize intelligence agencies. She references a Justice Department (DOJ) investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director Jim Comey. Despite the lack of clarity on the specific allegations, the investigations seem to stem from a long-standing campaign by Trump to undermine the credibility of intelligence assessments related to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Notable Quote:
"Officials have opened criminal investigations into both former CIA Director John Brennan and former director of the FBI Jim Comey."
— John Brennan [01:05]
Tradecraft Review and Discrepancies
Timestamp: [10:34] - [22:12]
The conversation shifts to the CIA's "Tradecraft Review" of the 2016 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) on Russian interference. While the CIA note criticizes the process's rushed timeline and limited interagency review, it upholds the conclusion that Russia interfered to aid Trump's campaign. Contrarily, CIA Director John Ratcliffe publicly accused Brennan and Comey of manipulating intelligence, a claim not supported by the Tradecraft Review.
Notable Quotes:
"The note takes issue with some significant aspects of how the intelligence assessment on election interference was drafted..."
— John Brennan [03:00]
"All the world can now see the truth. Brennan, Clapper and Comey manipulated intelligence..."
— John Ratcliffe [06:00]
Previous Investigations and Findings
Timestamp: [12:19] - [22:32]
Wallace references previous investigations, including John Durham's probe, which found no wrongdoing by Brennan and Comey, and the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report led by Marco Rubio, which validated the intelligence community's findings on Russian interference. These investigations collectively undermine Ratcliffe's allegations, emphasizing the robustness of the original ICA.
Notable Quote:
"Every witness interviewed by the committee stated that he or she saw no attempt, no attempt to pressure or politicize the findings."
— Marco Rubio [12:19]
Interview with John Brennan
Timestamp: [07:42] - [23:26]
John Brennan joins the podcast to address the allegations against him. He defends the integrity of the 2016 ICA, emphasizing the exhaustive and bipartisan review processes it underwent. Brennan expresses concern over the attempts to politicize intelligence, describing them as “sad and tragic” examples of declining respect for democratic principles.
Notable Quote:
"The assessment has stood the test of time and again."
— John Brennan [09:00]
Brennan on the Tradecraft Review:
"It was a challenging time, but also one, I think that the people who actually worked this showed the best of what the intelligence community and what CIA is made of."
— John Brennan [08:50]
Politicization of the FBI and DOJ
Timestamp: [26:42] - [66:36]
The episode transitions to discussing the broader implications of politicizing federal agencies. Nicole Wallace introduces Michael Feinberg, a former FBI agent who resigned amid retaliation for his friendship with Pete Strzok, a Trump critic. Feinberg's resignation letter highlights a toxic work environment where personal relationships influenced professional advancement.
Notable Quote:
"The only supposed sin was a long-standing friendship with an individual who appeared on Kash Patel's enemies list."
— Michael Feinberg [54:39]
Wallace and Feinberg discuss the diversion of FBI resources from critical areas like counterterrorism to immigration enforcement, citing significant opportunity costs and jeopardizing national security.
Feinberg on the FBI Environment:
"There is a culture of fear that anybody's career, whether you are a senior executive or a probationary employee, can end at any moment for a spurious political reason."
— Michael Feinberg [58:19]
Shift of FBI Resources to Immigration Enforcement
Timestamp: [58:19] - [69:16]
Nicole Wallace critiques the Trump administration's decision to reallocate FBI personnel to immigration-related tasks. This shift, she argues, undermines the agency's ability to address pressing threats like terrorism and cyberattacks. She underscores the long-term negative impacts of such resource reallocation on national security.
Notable Quote:
"The FBI hasn't had a budget or personnel increase in quite some time. If agents are being pulled to work immigration, that means they're not working counterterrorism."
— Nicole Wallace [58:19]
Trump’s Trade War Policies and Impact
Timestamp: [41:29] - [49:20]
Wallace and guest analysts discuss President Trump's approach to trade negotiations, characterized by inefficiency and lack of strategic planning. The administration's failure to secure the promised 90 trade deals in 90 days resulted in delayed tariffs and economic uncertainty, affecting both international relations and domestic markets.
Notable Quote:
"It's completely ignorant of the geopolitical realities of any of these countries. The strategy is nonexistent."
— Alex Wagner [43:00]
Threats to Foreign Leaders and Trump's Rhetoric
Timestamp: [80:41] - [85:58]
The podcast examines alarming audio recordings of Donald Trump threatening to bomb Moscow and Beijing should Russian or Chinese leaders invade Ukraine or Taiwan, respectively. Experts express concern over the implications of such rhetoric for global stability and U.S. foreign relations.
Notable Quote:
"If you go into Ukraine, we're going to bomb this out of Moscow. I have no choice."
— Donald Trump [80:41]
Alex Wagner on Trump's Rhetoric:
"This is the most dangerous part of having Donald Trump as commander in chief."
— Alex Wagner [82:48]
Conclusion
Throughout the episode, Nicolle Wallace underscores the dangers of an administration that leverages federal agencies for political gains, undermining democratic institutions and national security. The discussions with John Brennan and Michael Feinberg highlight personal and professional repercussions of such politicization, emphasizing the urgent need for nonpartisan leadership and adherence to ethical standards within government institutions.
Disclaimer: The above summary is based on the provided transcript and aims to capture the key discussions and insights from the podcast episode “What world leader talks like this?” hosted by Nicolle Wallace on July 9, 2025.