Podcast Summary: No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen –

"Trump Forced to Make BOMBSHELL Confession"

Date: April 5, 2026
Host: Brian Tyler Cohen
Guests: Rep. Robert Garcia (House Oversight Committee), Rep. Ro Khanna (Congress)

Episode Overview

This episode of "No Lie" centers on breaking developments in US politics: Donald Trump’s controversial new defense budget proposal and the fallout from the firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi, especially as it relates to ongoing investigations into the handling of the Epstein files. Brian Tyler Cohen breaks down Trump’s budget's domestic impact, then interviews Representatives Robert Garcia and Ro Khanna on oversight and justice for Epstein survivors. The tone is urgent, critical, and rooted in progressive analysis.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Trump’s Proposed $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget

Main Issue:
Trump’s latest budget plan proposes a staggering $1.5 trillion for defense—nearly double the 2025 budget, making up 60% of global military spending.

Highlights:

• Direct contradiction to his long-standing "no new wars" promise.
• Major proposed cuts to domestic programs (e.g., EPA, housing, education, clean energy, food assistance) to fund military spending.
• Host underscores hypocrisy: Trump campaigned on an "America First" platform, yet this move deeply cuts support for Americans.

Quote:
"I'm not sure how it would be physically possible to have a less America First agenda, other than, I don't know, maybe just dropping our entire discretionary budget in unmarked bills right on top of Tehran."
— Brian Tyler Cohen [02:50]

Impact on GOP:

• Many Republicans facing tough reelection (especially in districts Trump won by less than 15 points in 2024) may suffer politically.
• Several notable retirements in the House attributed to discomfort with Trump’s direction.

Notable Trump Audio:
"Don't send any money for daycare because the United States can't take care of daycare. That has to be up to a state… we're fighting wars. We can't take care of daycare."
— Donald Trump [03:16]

2. The Pam Bondi Firing & The Epstein Investigation

Interview: Rep. Robert Garcia [07:27–17:57]

Subject:
What happens to the pending Congressional subpoena for former AG Pam Bondi after her firing—especially as she’s sought for questioning about the Epstein files cover-up.

Key Insights:

• The Subpoena Remains Valid:
  "The subpoena we put in place does not have any mention of whether...she's AG or not. The subpoena's for Pam Bondi...she legally is required to appear before the oversight committee on April 14."
  — Robert Garcia [07:44]

• Possible Contempt Charges:
  If Bondi refuses to comply, Garcia pledges to move for contempt charges, stressing the importance of her testimony given her inside knowledge.

• Republican Maneuvering:
  Republicans considering using Bondi's firing as an excuse to rescind or stall the subpoena, but Garcia believes the move would likely require a committee vote:
  "Comer cannot somehow retract the subpoena on his own...it was voted by the entire committee and done in a way that was bipartisan."
  — Garcia [09:11]

• Importance of Bondi's Testimony:
  The committee seeks answers on:

  • Cover-up of the Epstein files
  • Decision to move Ghislaine Maxwell to a lower-security prison
  • Donald Trump's direct involvement or obstruction

• Future Accountability:
  Garcia notes that Congressional subpoenas can be enforced even into subsequent Congresses and administrations, suggesting long-term legal risk for Bondi.

Memorable Moment:
Garcia directly calls out the Trump administration:
"They have played games since day one...But we’re not going to let this go until there’s actually closure, until there’s prosecutions against many of the men that did the abuse."
[14:11]

Concerns Over Replacement AGs

• Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal lawyer and now Acting AG, is implicated in the controversial handling of the Maxwell transfer.
• Garcia calls out the interconnectedness: "This is all part of the same corruption. Todd Blanche needs to be nowhere near the DOJ..."
  [15:49]

3. The Trump DOJ’s Attempt to Move Past the Epstein Scandal

Interview: Rep. Ro Khanna [19:23–31:50]

Main Issue:
Host plays a clip of Acting AG Todd Blanche asserting the Epstein scandal is "in the past" and all files have been released.

Khanna’s Response:

• Total Rejection:
  "Unless Todd Blanche releases the 3 million files, the remaining 50% of files that need to be released, and unless he starts investigations and prosecutions, he's going to face the same fate as Pam Bondi."
  — Ro Khanna [20:56]

• Trump’s Strategy:
  Khanna believes firing Bondi was meant to create a "clean slate" and end scrutiny, but it has only fueled more suspicion.

• On Compliance:
  Pam Bondi must still testify, regardless of her employment status—drawing a parallel to prior cases where former officials (e.g., Hillary Clinton) were compelled to appear.
  "If they could have Hillary Clinton, who hasn't been in office for 20 years, testify, they certainly could have Pam Bondi testify."
  — Khanna [23:00]

• No Confidence in Todd Blanche:
  "He's the one who has said, oh, this was just a bunch of men partying, as opposed to acknowledging the rape and abuse that took place...he doesn't get it."
  — Khanna [24:30]

• Path Forward:
  Khanna advocates for making the AG confirmation process about hard questions and a renewed push for releasing all Epstein files, pressing for investigations and prosecutions.

• Political Outlook:
  Khanna is optimistic that political tides are shifting away from Trump, which may eventually force compliance and accountability.

Personal Note:
Khanna highlights the survivor’s pain, mentioning a call from Virginia Giuffre’s brother ahead of her memorial, emphasizing the emotional stakes.
[26:59]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• BTC on Trump’s Hypocrisy:
  "Trump ran a campaign against forever wars...and now they're looking to cut billions...to pay for bombs in the Middle East."
  [02:04]

• Garcia on AG Subpoenas:
  "She no longer has to work for Donald Trump. So let's actually get to the truth."
  [07:44]

• Khanna on Todd Blanche’s Attitude:
  "He really thinks this is a bunch of rich and powerful people having fun...No, this was the sexual abuse of minors. This was trafficking. This was rape."
  [24:30]

• BTC's Jab at GOP:
  "For the rest of the GOP, I suppose my message is that it felt like the path of least resistance, hitching your wagon to Trump. How's it feeling right about now?"
  [06:22]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01–06:22: Breakdown of Trump’s budget and its domestic fallout; criticism of GOP enablers
• 03:16: Trump on states’ responsibility for daycare, Medicaid, Medicare
• 07:27–17:57: Interview with Rep. Robert Garcia about the Pam Bondi subpoena and Epstein investigation
• 19:23–31:50: Interview with Rep. Ro Khanna on the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files, Trump’s strategy, and Congressional oversight
• 20:21: Todd Blanche’s claim that the Epstein file issue is "behind us"
• 31:50: Khanna projects Democratic resurgence and ongoing efforts for justice

Bottom Line

This episode starkly exposes the contradictions in Trump’s "America First" rhetoric, highlighting the real-world consequences of his budget for ordinary Americans, and the systemic obstacles in achieving justice in the Epstein case. Both guests underline the importance of sustained oversight and political accountability and suggest the issue will remain at the forefront through the 2026 election cycle. The language is critical, passionate, and deeply concerned for both democratic processes and survivor justice.