Federalist Radio Hour

Episode: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Stories That Shaped 2025
Date: December 30, 2025
Host: Matt Kittle
Guests: Joy Pullman (Executive Editor), Jordan Boyd (Staff Writer/Producer), Joshua Mornington (“Bonesy”, Editor)

Episode Overview

In this year-end roundtable, host Matt Kittle and key Federalist contributors Joy Pullman, Jordan Boyd, and Joshua Mornington break down 2025’s most consequential, surprising, and troubling stories. From political shifts to deep-state intrigue, shocking violence, and the challenges ahead for conservatism, the panel delivers candid reflections, critical analysis, and sharp skepticism about the direction America is headed as 2026 looms.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Most Impactful Stories of 2025

Segment begins ~[02:48]

• Joy Pullman highlights the “first hundred days of the Trump administration,” unprecedented border enforcement, and ongoing government corruption (“Arctic Frost” operation and fallout from “Spygate”).
  • "Having a closed border to illegal immigration for the first time really almost in my lifetime is really consequential..." ([03:45])
• Matt Kittle notes the significance of possible accountability for deep-state actors and the Federalist’s award-winning reporting.
  • "We have the potential of holding deep staters accountable. And I think that was part of the big story that came out..." ([05:01])
• Jordan Boyd brings up President Trump’s early pardons of pro-lifers targeted by the Biden DOJ, arguing it “set the tone” for his second term—and comments on the continuing struggle to fix America’s “two-tiered system of justice.”
  • "That, along with the J6 pardon, set the tone for what this Trump administration came in here to do..." ([06:35])
• Joshua Mornington considers the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the growing threat of left-wing political violence as the defining story, referencing not only Kirk’s murder but the assassination attempt on Trump and an array of associated attacks (including church shootings and bombings).
  • “What that means about the state of our country, what it means for the future of the conservative movement…” ([10:36])

2. The Gathering Storm: Political Violence and Ideological Rhetoric

Segment begins ~[13:25]

• Panelists discuss whether political violence will worsen ahead of the midterms.
  • Mornington: “The movement and the ideology foster violence, encourage violence. The media continue to accuse many on the right, even Charlie Kirk after his death, of racism, of being Nazis...” ([14:15])
• Joy Pullman on “fascistizing” opponents:
  • “It cheapens the terms... it legitimizes acts of terror and violence either from the state... or from vigilante sort of terrorists in the streets…” ([15:45])

3. Faith, Meaning, and the Conservative Cause

Segment begins ~[18:54]

• Kittle observes a spiritual awakening after Kirk’s assassination:
  “…this turning away from the flesh and toward the spirit. A lot of people saw this watershed moment and said there is an emptiness here. And I want to fill it with the right things. I'm turning to God.” ([19:00])
• Boyd points to the surge in searching for meaning, saying:
  • “It's more increasingly evident now than ever that there's a spiritual war going on here. There is good and evil…” ([20:30])

4. The Young Men Dilemma, Population Decline, and “Doge”

Segment begins ~[24:41]

• Mornington comments on the year’s “most interesting story”: the transformation among young men toward conservatism after years of marginalization. He notes a problematic disconnect between the attitudes of young men and young women, especially on family, marriage, and children.
  • “…young men have become more conservative... the US hitting an all new low in fertility rate really makes that a pressing question.” ([24:41])
• The novelty and real impact of “Doge”—the Department of Government Efficiency, with Elon Musk at the helm—is debated.
  • Pullman: “There are absolutely have been some on the ground successes, but I also think Congress really failed to live up to all of the energy and excitement that Doges were generated…” ([30:30])

5. Judicial “Coup” and Lack of Accountability

Segment begins ~[35:21]

• Kittle: The panel agrees activism in the judiciary has reached “coup” proportions, with Trump “kept from governing.”
  • Boyd: “It all goes one way, which should tell you everything you need to know about it… It's a symptom of a country that is getting sicker.” ([36:39])
  • Kittle: Republicans in Congress squandered their opportunity—“...conservatives had a window of opportunity and the Republicans in Congress basically said, well, we'll just watch what's going on outside the window. We won't do anything with that opportunity.” ([35:21])

6. Looking Ahead to 2026: Risks and Opportunities

Segment begins ~[39:37]

• Congressional inaction, especially on “affordability,” immigration, and the sustainability of Trump’s coalition, poses major threats to the GOP in the midterms.
  • Mornington: “Failures in these areas are really going to hurt Republicans in midterms if they can't reverse course.” ([39:37])
  • Boyd: “Americans genuinely don't care who's in office if they can't afford to live... I think that affordability crisis, we really need to get a handle on it.” ([41:53])
• Pullman links the Minneapolis Somali fraud scandal to the broader issue of government waste, misaligned priorities, and the economic pinch on average Americans.
  • “There are so many people who, whose living is subsidized by taxpayers in debt. And debt really causes inflation....” ([44:22])

7. Political Corruption and Election Integrity

Segment begins ~[49:18]

• Pullman and Kittle argue Democratic power relies on systems of fraud, especially in places like Minnesota, and lament the lack of accountability for those in power.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Joy Pullman, on leftist justification for violence:
  “All that's left to them really is power for its own sake, for the ability of them to wield it. And so they're willing to do anything to get that…” ([15:45])

• Jordan Boyd, on the Trump administration’s early action:
  “That, along with the J6 pardon, set the tone for what this Trump administration came in here to do, and that was to… try and fix this two-tiered system of justice.” ([06:35])

• Joshua Mornington, on the assassination of Charlie Kirk:
  “To see Charlie Kirk assassinated... was stunning. And I think it points to this larger theme that we've covered, which is left wing political violence…” ([10:36])

• Matt Kittle, on Congressional failings:
  “You have the left that… if they get back into power in the house in 2026, it's going to be, you know, an impeachment orgy for the next two years.” ([38:24])

• Joy Pullman, on government waste and misallocation:
  “Takes money out of the productive part of the economy and gives it to sycophants…. That’s really what’s the elephant sitting on the throat of the American taxpayer.” ([44:22])

Notable Timestamps for Segments

• [02:48] – Opening: Most impactful stories of 2025
• [06:35] – Presidential pardons and the “two-tiered justice system”
• [10:36] – The assassination of Charlie Kirk & left-wing violence
• [14:15] – Is political violence going to intensify during the midterms?
• [15:45] – The effect of “fascist” and “Nazi” rhetoric in public discourse
• [19:00] – Spiritual renewal following Kirk’s assassination
• [24:41] – Young men’s shift to conservatism & “Doge” enters the government
• [30:30] – Successes and limits of government efficiency reforms (“Doge”)
• [35:21] – Judicial activism and the “coup” against Trump
• [39:37] – Congressional inaction and midterm stakes
• [44:22] – Minneapolis Somali fraud and its economic/political implications
• [49:18] – Corruption in Minnesota; fraud as election strategy
• [51:16] – “Worst person of the year” roundtable: panelists’ picks

“Worst Person of 2025” – Panel Reflections

Segment begins ~[51:16]

• Jordan Boyd: The IVF/eugenics startup executive; the faceless “autopen” behind Biden’s administration.
• Joshua Mornington: Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Candace Owens, but most of all, perpetrators of left-wing violence.
• Joy Pullman: Charlie Kirk’s assassin; Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts (for judiciary inaction and loss of legitimacy).

Tone and Language

The tone is forthright, combative, and steeped in skepticism toward mainstream media, the left, and even the Republican establishment. There's a recurring focus on the need for accountability, spiritual grounding, and a sense of existential danger for the country’s foundational values.

Conclusion

The panel’s view of 2025 is one of instability and crisis, but also awakening—both spiritual and political. They warn 2026 will be pivotal as Americans weigh what (and who) can deliver on promises of security, affordability, and justice, while left-wing violence and establishment inertia threaten deeper dysfunction.

For Further Listening:

• [00:02:48] – Impactful story roundtable starts
• [00:10:36] – Charlie Kirk assassination discussion
• [00:35:21] – Judicial coup and accountability
• [00:39:37] – Looking forward to 2026 and midterms

Note: Ads, sponsor messages, and non-content exchanges have been excluded as requested.