Podcast Summary: Hold These Truths with Dan Crenshaw

Episode: SITREP 25: The Government Is Open, the Epstein Files Will Be Released, and the Media's Lies About Me in Mexico

Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Dan Crenshaw

Episode Overview

In this episode, Congressman Dan Crenshaw delivers the 25th "Situation Report (SITREP)"—a detailed roundup of the week's most pressing national and international stories. Crenshaw discusses the reopening of the government after a historic shutdown, the imminent release of the Epstein files, a significant fraud scandal in Minnesota, U.S. policy moves in Venezuela and Ukraine, and directly addresses recent media allegations against him. He also highlights new U.S.–U.K. trade deals and changes to TSA identification policy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown: What Really Happened

Timestamps: 00:36–04:00

• Crenshaw gives his account of the 43-day government shutdown, arguing that Democratic leaders, notably Chuck Schumer, falsely spun the story and ultimately accepted the same terms initially offered by Republicans.
• Key Quote:

  "Democrats flat out lied to the American people about how the shutdown started, who prolonged it and why it dragged on for more than 40 days." (01:09)

• He explains the legislative sequence, focusing on how Senate Democrats' rejection of a "clean continuing resolution" triggered the impasse.
• Crenshaw stresses the human toll, citing furloughed workers and economic disruptions.

2. Release of the Epstein Files

Timestamps: 04:01–07:21

• Crenshaw celebrates the bipartisan decision to release all Justice Department records related to Jeffrey Epstein, noting the overwhelming public demand for transparency.
• Details what will be released: interview transcripts, internal emails, flight logs, and items from Epstein properties. Some information will remain redacted for victim privacy and ongoing investigations.
• Key Quote:

  "The people want it, so we do. It is a representative democracy after all." (04:34)

• Highlights early fallout:
  • Rep. Stacy Plaskett named for texting Epstein during hearings.
  • Larry Summers steps back from Harvard teaching due to email exchanges with Epstein.

3. Tragedy in D.C.: Shooting of National Guard Members

Timestamps: 07:21–08:41

• Reports on the shooting outside a D.C. Metro station, which left one National Guard member dead and another critically wounded.
• Suspect: an Afghan national admitted in 2021 under Operation Allies; authorities are still investigating motive.
• Emphasizes the heroism of the Guards and the impact of their patrolling in D.C.
• Key Quote:

  "She was a hero, just like all these National Guardsmen here. I've seen it personally. Them patrolling the streets has made a huge difference in D.C. even the liberal mayor admits it." (08:08)

4. Minnesota: $1 Billion Pandemic Fraud Scandal

Timestamps: 08:41–10:41

• Crenshaw outlines the major fraud schemes under Governor Tim Walz, connecting the stolen funds (over $1 billion) to fake nonprofits and highlighting concerns about money potentially funding terrorist organizations abroad.
• Explains "hawala" networks as an informal, hard-to-trace system for money transfers.
• Blames lack of oversight by the state government and notes 59 convictions so far.

5. U.S. Military Posture in Venezuela and Cartel Crackdown

Timestamps: 10:41–12:20

• The U.S. has struck dozens of narco-trafficking boats off Venezuela; President Trump warns global airspace over Venezuela is closed.
• Crenshaw frames this as real military leverage: carrier groups, subs, and reconnaissance are disrupting the Maduro regime's drug operations.
• Recaps Trump's direct, tough message to Venezuela’s leader.

6. Update on Ukraine and Diplomacy with Russia

Timestamps: 12:21–14:33

• High-level negotiations held in Florida with Ukrainian envoys; U.S. position is Ukraine must secure peace and prevent future invasions.
• Recognizes Ukrainian adaptation, especially in drone warfare:

  "We should all be very impressed with how the Ukrainians have adapted to this war...at the forefront of drone warfare, for instance." (13:57)

• Describes the evolving diplomatic window, with pressure mounting for a possible ceasefire.
• Warns of the risk of a "frozen conflict" if diplomacy fails.

7. Media "Lies" about Crenshaw in Mexico

Timestamps: 14:34–17:45

• Crenshaw rebuts recent media stories about an "alcohol-related incident" in Mexico, clarifying that a simple post-meeting tequila toast was blown out of proportion.
• Insists that relations with Mexican defense officials matter more than appearances interpreted by "staffers who don't speak Spanish."
• Critiques the media for sensationalist headlines and misunderstanding normal diplomatic protocols.
• Hints at misinformation or possible forgery of supposed CIA cables cited in reporting.
• Notable Quote:

  "Now, do I apologize for this? Not at all. Not at all. Because my job is to have a good relationship with the Mexican generals. Because my job is to destroy the cartels." (16:30)
  "Even just the headline alone...is exactly why you can't trust media. You have to read beyond the headline." (17:45)

8. Trade and Travel Updates

Timestamps: 18:22–19:18

• Announces a new U.S.–U.K. zero-tariff deal on pharmaceuticals and medical tech, with the U.K. committing to pay higher prices for U.S. medicines.
• New TSA rules: starting February, travelers without Real ID will pay a $45 fee and must show the receipt at checkpoints for verification.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Bottom line, a month of economic damage and government disruption, all just to end up exactly where we started. All thanks to Chuck Schumer." (03:45)
• "Voting for transparency here, I think was the right thing to do." (05:20)
• "Remind everyone who Jeffrey Epstein is, if you really need to be reminded. He was a wealthy financier and convicted sex offender...How is it possible there weren’t more people involved here?" (04:54)
• "This comes alongside something we haven’t seen in years, which is real military leverage in the Caribbean." (11:37)
• "Ukraine...they are at the forefront of drone warfare, for instance." (13:57)
• "My job is to destroy the cartels. And we can’t do that without a good relationship with the Mexican generals." (16:31)
• "My real crime is not giving you a good story about Mexico." (17:41)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:36 – Breakdown of government shutdown causes and resolution
• 04:01 – Congressional moves to release all Epstein files, explanation of redactions
• 07:21 – D.C. Guard shooting, details on victims and suspect
• 08:41 – Minnesota pandemic fraud, ties to Somali diaspora, hawala explanation
• 10:41 – U.S. strikes on Venezuelan narco-trafficking, Trump’s warnings
• 12:21 – Ukraine–Russia diplomatic push, U.S. support and European involvement
• 14:34 – Media allegations against Crenshaw, his rebuttal and media criticism
• 18:22 – U.S.–U.K. pharma trade deal; new TSA Real ID fees

Conclusion

In this SITREP, Dan Crenshaw offers sharp, opinionated, and detailed takes on a range of headline-grabbing issues: government fiscal wrangling, the push for transparency in high-profile criminal cases, major public safety tragedies, large-scale government fraud, aggressive anti-cartel and anti-trafficking operations, transatlantic diplomacy, and media accountability. The tone is direct, unapologetic, and sometimes combative, with a focus on "arming listeners with facts" as Crenshaw sees them—filtered through a Republican and national security lens.