Morning Joe — September 29, 2025

Main Theme: This episode delivers in-depth analysis and breaking coverage of a deadly attack at a Michigan church, heightened concerns about politicization of the Justice Department, the growing epidemic of gun violence, the escalation of military involvement in domestic affairs, and troubling behavior at the Ryder Cup. The hosts and their guests provide perspectives from inside Washington, the field, and the world of sports journalism.

Top Story: Michigan Church Shooting and Aftermath

Segment: 05:15 – 12:42

• Incident Reported:
  At least four dead, eight wounded after Thomas Jacob Sanford (40) rammed his pickup (decorated with American flags) into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, MI, opened fire on worshippers, and set the building ablaze with gasoline. Several improvised devices were found at the scene. Sanford, an Iraq War Marine veteran, was killed in a shootout with police. Investigators still searching for a motive; FBI considers it an act of targeted violence.

• Community Reaction:
  President Trump immediately called it “horrendous” and “yet another targeted attack on Christians in the US” on social media. Joe Scarborough broadens perspective:

  "Targeting, sadly ... has been against Christians, Jews, Muslims, school children — mass shootings, mass killings. We have no idea what the motives of this vet were." (07:03)

• Eyewitness and Law Enforcement Insight:
  MSNBC’s Mark Santiago reports live as first responders still comb rubble. Sheriff Christopher Swanson describes chaos and heroism:

  "You plan for it, you train for it, and there it is, live ... a dad turned to me ... panic. He said, 'Sheriff, I can’t find my son.' ... That's the aftermath that happens ... there’s people who cannot find their family members and panic sets in." (10:07)

• Wider Pattern of Violence:
  Joe and Mika highlight an additional mass shooting in North Carolina:

  • Three dead, five injured at a crowded waterfront bar; shooter was a Marine vet with anti-LGBTQ writings, possibly PTSD.
  • Gun violence cited as a nationwide, bipartisan crisis.

Context & Commentary: The Epidemic of Gun Violence

Segment: 12:42 – 14:36

• Pattern Recognition:
  Attacks are happening in churches, synagogues (Tree of Life, Pittsburgh), mosques, schools (Nashville, Texas).
  Joe Scarborough:

  “It’s just so deeply disturbing that people can’t even worship anymore ... it is so deeply disturbing that people can’t even worship anymore ... it’s just an absolute epidemic of gun violence that’s even affecting people in churches.” (11:32)

• Societal Factors:
  David Ignatius emphasizes:

  “It’s a nation awash in guns ... mental illness or hatred ... it’s too easy for them to act upon it.” (14:36)
  Calls for calm, patience, and forgiveness; urges leadership and de-escalation.

Political Deep Dive: Justice Department and Political Prosecutions

Segment: 01:03 – 21:27

• Panel Reacts to Trump’s Claims of DOJ Weaponization:
  Joe Scarborough rebuts Trump’s narrative that prior weaponization “pales in comparison” to recent events. Quotes right-leaning sources (National Review, Andy McCarthy, WSJ) labeling the Comey indictment as dangerous politicization:

  “Those two things you just heard off the top — lies, all of them, lies. Everything about it, false.” (01:40)
  “When you see people like the Vice President ... saying they’re based on law — it’s just, it’s ridiculous. They know they’re lying.” (16:57)

• Comey Indictment Scorned Across the Spectrum:
  National Review calls it “deeply flawed,” and Andy McCarthy says it should be thrown out. Notable quote:

  “The vindictive indictment ... so ill-conceived, and so incompetently drafted ... should be able to get it thrown out.” — Scarborough reading McCarthy (17:30)

• Discussion of Broader Ramifications:
  Jonathan Lemire notes unprecedented direct presidential influence over prosecutions, career attorneys sidelined, and the erosion of DOJ independence:

  “I think there is a sense among the attorneys I talk to that a line has been crossed ... people ... worry now they are working in a politicized agency.” (19:16)

The Expanded Targets: Christopher Wray and the FBI

Segment: 23:35 – 28:25

• Trump’s Focus Shifts to Christopher Wray:
  President hints at investigation into his own FBI appointee, motivated by unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about FBI agents being undercover on Jan 6th.

  “Trump ... accused the former bureau chief of inappropriate behavior ... referencing a report ... there were more than 250 plainclothes officers in the crowds during the January 6th insurrection ... This report has not been confirmed by NBC News and there is simply no evidence.” — David Ignatius (23:45)

• FBI & DOJ Pushback to Conspiracy Claims:
  Correspondent Ken Delaney debunks:

  “When Trump said this, I had sources inside the FBI messaging me ... there were some FBI informants, not agents, who were in the crowd ... none of them went into the Capitol, and there were certainly no undercover agents involved. This is a conspiracy theory that just won’t die.” (25:59)
  With DOJ and intelligence resources consumed by self-defensive posturing, Delaney warns of risk to national security.

• Pattern of Retaliatory Actions:
  Trump attacks Lisa Monaco, threatens Microsoft contracts, broadens definition of political enemies.

Risks to National Security & Institutional Integrity

Segment: 28:25 – 35:13

• Warnings from Panelists:
  • Scarborough: Investigations targeting perceived political enemies distract from real threats (China, Russia, Iran, terror groups).
  • Delaney: "When they’re focusing on all of these things that don't go anywhere ... they’re not focusing on the really important stuff, the threats that are aimed at our country." (30:24)
  • John Heilemann: Alarm at “deprofessionalization” and budget cuts at FBI, ATF, while ICE's budget has tripled.

    “All of those agencies ... are losing resources in Trump’s budget ... being shifted over to ICE ... What does that tell you about where Donald Trump’s priorities are and what the risks are to the country?” (33:08)

Crisis of Military Use in Domestic Affairs

Segment: 35:41 – 43:41

• Oregon Sues Over National Guard Deployment:
  Portland, Oregon files suit to stop President Trump from deploying the National Guard to curb alleged protests. State insists protests are minor, no arrests for weeks, and deployment is unnecessary and political.

• Undermining Military Morale and Legality:
  Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling calls out use of National Guard as “political props”:

  “This is crazy. I’m not a lawn maintenance team spreading mulch and raking up leaves ... Oregon National Guard is a unique organization ... when federalized ... they’re going to be asked to do some things ... could potentially be illegal.” (38:05)

• Violation of Legal Norms:
  Jonathan Lemire highlights abuse of Posse Comitatus Act:

  “This is what is not supposed to happen in America ... the law makes clear that law enforcement functions are not appropriate or legal for the military.” (40:12)
  “Even the Supreme Court, even the people that want to help Trump the most ... can’t find a way there ... unless they want to completely violate the Constitution.” (40:57)

• Wider Social and Political Concerns:
  Rev. Al Sharpton and others warn against normalizing troops patrolling American cities, especially when local officials oppose it and there’s no evident need.

Military Leadership—The “Warrior Ethos” Event

Segment: 45:20 – 48:59

• Pentagon Gathers Top Brass at Quantico:
  President Trump/Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth convene generals and admirals for “warrior spirit” talks.

  • Hertling:

    “The warrior ethos is just one part of the professional triad ... started out as warrior ethos and became all about 'getting the horses into the stable and whipping them into shape.' That’s insulting and condescending ... to individuals with 30 and 40 years of service.” (46:37)

  • Concern over optics, disruption, security, and appropriateness of political motivations behind such gatherings.

Ryder Cup: Golf’s Triumph Marred by Fan Abuse

Segment: 04:00, 51:25 – 60:42

• Europe Triumphs, US Fans Shame Tournament:
  Europe wins Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, but victory overshadowed by American fans’ abusive behavior, including heckling and beer thrown at Rory McIlroy’s wife.

  • Joe Scarborough:

    " Several times, people shouted at Rory McIlroy as he lined up to swing or putt ... wife gets beer thrown at her ... it's just a disgrace." (53:41)

  • Mike Lupica:

    "... enough dopes in that crowd turned the whole thing into stupid ... Shane Lowry ... described the level of abuse directed at Rory's wife as being astonishing, strange. Bethpage Black — Bethpage black eye for this country's crowd." (54:36)

  • Discussion of lackluster condemnation by US golf officials, with Justin Thomas praised for trying to calm crowds.

  • Both Lupica and Scarborough celebrate the sportsmanship and emotional investment of players, especially Scottie Scheffler and the European team.

    "Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it ... that's why it shouldn't be shamed by a bunch of yahoos in the crowd." — Mike Lupica (59:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Politicizing the DOJ:
  “We’re just not in the kind of orderly rule of law system that we expect rightly living in the United States. ... People ... may begin to stand up and push back. I hope so.” — Jonathan Lemire (19:16)

• On Mass Shootings and Faith:
  “It is so deeply disturbing that people can’t even worship anymore ... It’s just an absolute epidemic of gun violence.” — Joe Scarborough (11:32)

• On Military’s Mission:
  “I'm not a lawn maintenance team spreading mulch and raking up leaves. ... This is crazy. This is not what I signed up for.” — Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (38:05)

• On Ryder Cup Fans:
  “We ought to be talking about ... one of the great moments ... what we're talking about is a weekend when enough dopes in that crowd turned the whole thing into stupid.” — Mike Lupica (54:36)
  “Maybe if the PGA condemned it, maybe if more players, maybe if the captain of the US Team condemned it, instead of saying 'oh, they're just being rowdy.'” — Joe Scarborough (56:03)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [05:15] Michigan church attack coverage
• [08:38] Mark Santiago reporting live from the scene
• [10:07] Sheriff Swanson on loss and heroism
• [13:39] North Carolina mass shooting report
• [16:57] Joe Scarborough dismantles Comey indictment
• [19:16] Jonathan Lemire on the politicized DOJ
• [23:45] Trump's threats against Christopher Wray dissected
• [25:59] Ken Delaney debunks Jan 6 FBI myths
• [28:25] National security risks of politicization
• [35:41] Military and domestic intervention discussion
• [38:05] Lt. Gen. Hertling on morale and legality
• [45:20] Concerns over “warrior ethos” Quantico convening
• [51:25] Ryder Cup recap and fan behavior outrage

This episode offers a sweeping look at national crisis — from the heartbreak of mass shootings to cracks showing in American institutions under political pressure, to the social and moral consequences even evident in the world of professional sports. The hosts and their guests stress the need for unity, credible leadership, and a return to decency in both governance and society.