Nightly Scroll with Hayley — Episode 199: “Dan Bongino Is Leaving The FBI”

Host: Hayley Caronia
Date: December 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Hayley Caronia brings her signature, sharp-edged conservative analysis to a jam-packed news cycle, leading with the breaking story of Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino’s resignation. Hayley takes on a variety of hot-button issues, including political reactions to terrorism, progressive use of biblical rhetoric, crime policy, updates on headline-grabbing crimes, and the early 2028 presidential election gossip. Her style remains frank, satirical, and deeply skeptical of progressive talking points.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Breaking News: Dan Bongino Resigns from FBI

[00:00–02:49]

• Hayley opens the episode with the bombshell that Deputy Director of the FBI, Dan Bongino, has announced his departure, effective January.
• She reads Bongino’s public statement from X, highlighting his gratitude to President Trump and others.
• President Trump confirmed the news, indicating Bongino may return to his show, but remained vague on next steps.

Notable Quote:

“If anything happens after Dan leaves office, you will hear that from him. So not to leave you with a cliffhanger here, but we’re going to install a iconic Dan Bongino hold. And you will not hear it from me. You will hear it from him.”
—Hayley, [01:16]

2. Democrats on Terror Threats: "Trump is Worse Than Jihad"

[02:49–07:58]

• Hayley features a viral interview where Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz evades a question about the relative dangers of Islamophobia and jihad, instead framing Trump as the bigger threat.
• Hayley and guest Leland Vitter express exasperation over Democrats’ repeated pivot to blaming Trump, even in discussions about radical Islamic terror.
• Hayley argues that Democrats equate acknowledging jihad as a threat to Islamophobia and default to "threat to democracy" as their rhetorical crutch.

Notable Quotes:

“That is one of the easiest questions on planet Earth to answer. … But she refuses to answer the question. And then she whips out a trusty third option, which Democrats usually do, and that is blame Trump.”
—Hayley, [04:25]

"President Trump is trying to preserve American culture, while Democrats in this country do their darndest to replace American culture with any other culture but our own."
—Hayley, [05:13]

3. Bible & Borders: Policing, Christianity, and Immigration

[07:58–12:52]

• Hayley critiques the Minneapolis police chief for using Christian imagery around Christmas (Mary and Joseph as outsiders) to justify compassionate policies for illegal immigrants.
• She then plays a clip of Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, who claims Christians failing to support immigrants and the poor constitute a “cancer on the body of Christ.”
• Hayley argues law enforcement shouldn’t invoke Christianity to excuse breaking the law, and mocks progressive use of faith: “Isn’t it so funny how it’s okay for Democrats and liberals to invoke the Bible when it’s convenient for them?”

Notable Quotes:

“To hear a police chief use the Bible to justify federal crimes or civil offenses or infractions, that is blasphemy.”
—Hayley, [09:35]

“No Christian I know would champion the mistreatment or the bullying of a human being. But enforcing the law is not mistreatment.”
—Hayley, [11:53]

“They think they can use the Bible as a political weapon, claiming that … they are holier than thou all while they encourage crime and fraud. Make it make sense. You can’t.”
—Hayley, [12:03]

4. NYC Crime: Will Free Buses Stop Assaults?

[12:52–19:33]

• Hayley reviews comments by NYC mayor-elect Zoram Namdani, who claims that making bus rides free will reduce crime, especially assaults on drivers.
• Presented with statistical claims (50% of assaults happen during fare collection), Hayley sarcastically deconstructs the logic, arguing that simply redefining or eliminating crimes (e.g., no farebox equals no fare evasion) doesn’t mean less crime.

Notable Quotes:

“If you eliminate the farebox, there’s going to be more crime. Now there’s no financial deterrent for criminals. That means mentally ill and homeless people can shank you for free.”
—Hayley, [13:27]

“Making crimes, not crimes anymore does not eliminate crime. I know that—everyone watching the show knows that—but apparently voters in New York, they think, ‘Wow, this is pretty cool!’”
—Hayley, [14:54]

5. Election 2028 Buzz: AOC vs. JD Vance (and Rubio)

[19:33–28:37]

• Hayley breaks down a new poll showing AOC narrowly leading JD Vance in a hypothetical 2028 matchup (51%–49%), but notes the margin is within statistical error.
• Analysis of polling data: AOC leads among women, minorities, and college-educated; Vance favored among men and whites.
• Hayley expresses skepticism that 8% of 2024 Trump voters would back AOC.
• Discussion shifts to Marco Rubio, noting his comment that he would not run if Vance did, and reminiscing about the 2016 primary.

Notable Quotes:

“I almost don’t believe … 8% of people who … voted for Donald Trump would vote for AOC? There’s, like, no way.”
—Hayley, [21:11]

"Once Trump became Trump and then it was little Marco and all that stuff, he kind of went by the wayside. But I think he’s wonderful and I would love to see him as president."
—Hayley, [25:46]

6. Vanity Fair Photo Shoot: Cabinet Gossip

[28:37–30:57]

• Hayley recounts a Vanity Fair article on Trump’s potential Cabinet, featuring jokes between Vance and the photographer about making other candidates “look worse.”
• She jokes about unflattering portraiture and the (faux) inside track between the VP and the press.

Notable Quote:

“I think that this photographer was really taking Vance’s joke seriously and he was thinking, I will get a thousand dollars … because he did make everyone else look worse.”
—Hayley, [29:51]

7. Brown University Shooting Suspect & Person of Interest

[30:57–37:32]

• Hayley covers updates on the Brown University shooting investigation: police release CCTV images of a “new person of interest.”
• She highlights the difficulty in identifying the individual due to poor-quality footage and muses, somewhat controversially, about the possible gender identity of the subject.
• Hayley admits her own limitations, “I’m of no help,” and encourages anyone in Providence with information to come forward.

Notable Quote:

“I don’t know if this is a man or woman even. And ding, ding, ding—I think that might have something to do with it. … Most trans people, they look like they are in a transition. That is for damn sure.”
—Hayley, [34:07]

8. Chico Target Confrontation: Viral Outrage & “GiveSendGo”

[37:32–39:57]

• Follow-up on a viral video out of a Chico, CA Target in which a woman berates a Target employee (Jeannie) for wearing a Charlie Kirk shirt.
• Hayley reports that Jeannie has received over $155,000 via GiveSendGo and may be invited to Turning Point USA’s event.
• The instigator’s apparent employer, Enlo Health, and the local police have launched investigations.

9. Rob & Michelle Reiner Murders: Family Tragedy

[39:57–45:52]

• Hayley reviews the latest grim details about the murders of Rob and Michelle Reiner, allegedly by their son Nick, with details sourced from the NYT.
• She recounts the horror as described: their daughter, Romy, found their father’s body, not knowing her mother was also deceased.
• Hayley reflects soberly on the necessity of compassion, regardless of the Reiners’ political views.

Notable Quote:

“What immense loss to … I mean, losing one of your parents, I can’t imagine that. Losing two. Losing them in the same day, losing them at the hands of another family member that you know and you love … it’s unimaginable.”
—Hayley, [43:28]

• Hayley also presents Michelle Obama's recollection of the Reiners; Michelle reveals she and Barack were scheduled to dine with them on the night the bodies were discovered. Hayley is skeptical/critical of Michelle Obama’s public appearance so soon after the tragedy.

10. Merriam-Webster’s 2025 Word of the Year: "Slop"

[45:52–48:58]

• Hayley humorously runs down the new 'word of the year,' “slop,” defined as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.”
• Other highly searched terms include “gerrymander,” “conclave,” “67,” “tariff,” “performative,” and “touch grass.”
• Hayley reflects on the absurdity of some entries (“Six Seven isn’t even a word, it’s numbers!”) and explains online slang like “touch grass.”

11. Scrolling Time: Social Media & Chivalry Debate

[48:58–59:04]

• Hayley plays a viral video of a woman complaining men on the subway won’t give up seats for women.
• She asks her audience: "Why do men not get up for women on trains anymore?" and predicts (correctly) a wave of “you asked for equality” responses.
• Comments from men in her online audience suggest the decline of chivalry is due in part to feminism and concerns over backlash or even legal trouble for stepping in—referencing the case of Daniel Penny.
• Discussion covers cultural differences, mass immigration, and reports of liberal women berating men for offering courtesy.

Notable Quotes:

"I can smell the you ask for equality responses from a mile away. … But feminine women still exist and gentlemen do, too.”
—Hayley, [49:29]

“Liberal women are the problem because if a man said, hey, would you like … this seat? … I’d be polite. But I’m also not a feminist libtard, so … for me, it doesn't make sense.”
—Hayley, [53:07]

Notable Quotes/Soundbites with Timestamps

• "If anything happens after Dan leaves office, you will hear that from him. So not to leave you with a cliffhanger here, but ... you will not hear it from me. You will hear it from him." —Hayley, [01:16]
• "That is one of the easiest questions on planet Earth to answer. … But she refuses to answer the question. And then she whips out a trusty third option ... blame Trump." —Hayley, [04:25]
• "No Christian I know would champion the mistreatment or the bullying of a human being. But enforcing the law is not mistreatment." —Hayley, [11:53]
• "If you eliminate the farebox, there's going to be more crime. Now there's no financial deterrent for criminals. That means mentally ill and homeless people can shank you for free." —Hayley, [13:27]
• "I almost don't believe … 8% of people who … voted for Donald Trump would vote for AOC? There's, like, no way.” —Hayley, [21:11]
• "You know, I've had my own experiences witnessing crime on the subway. I've talked about them on this show many a times. … This doesn't eliminate crime. Making crimes, not crimes anymore does not eliminate crime.” —Hayley, [15:00]
• “What immense loss to … I mean, losing one of your parents, I can't imagine that. Losing two. Losing them in the same day, losing them at the hands of another family member … it's unimaginable.” —Hayley, [43:28]
• "I can smell the you ask for equality responses from a mile away. … But feminine women still exist and gentlemen do, too.” —Hayley, [49:29]

Tone & Format

Hayley maintains a direct, sardonic, and unapologetically conservative tone throughout, frequently peppered with personal anecdotes and reader/audience engagement. She moves seamlessly between cultural critique and news analysis, favoring punchy monologues and hot takes. When serious news arises—especially around the Reiner family tragedy—she expresses empathy and urges her audience to remember shared humanity, irrespective of politics.

Useful Timestamps

• Dan Bongino Resigns: [00:00–02:49]
• Democrats/Trump/Jihad: [02:49–07:58]
• Bible & Immigration Rhetoric: [07:58–12:52]
• NYC Bus Crime & Fare Policy: [12:52–19:33]
• AOC vs. Vance Poll & Republican 2028 Field: [19:33–28:37]
• Vanity Fair / Cabinet Photoshoot: [28:37–30:57]
• Brown University Shooting Update: [30:57–37:32]
• Target Shirt Viral Confrontation: [37:32–39:57]
• Rob & Michelle Reiner Murders: [39:57–45:52]
• Michelle Obama’s Reaction: [44:52–45:52]
• Word of the Year “Slop”: [45:52–48:58]
• Chivalry & Social Media Debate: [48:58–59:04]