Part Of The Problem – “Pam Bondi Strikes Again”

Host: Dave Smith
Co-host: Robbie “The Fire” Bernstein
Date: February 17, 2026

EPISODE OVERVIEW

In this episode, Dave Smith and Robbie Bernstein dive deep into two major topics dominating headlines: the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein files saga and the U.S. administration's pivot toward new hostilities with Iran. They critique how the government, media figures, and prominent pundits have spun recent developments, and candidly analyze the state of libertarian and anti-establishment commentary in the Trump era. The episode’s tone is critical, irreverent, and heavily skeptical of official narratives.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Pam Bondi’s “Valentine’s Day Letter” and the Epstein Files

• Dave and Robbie dissect the fallout from AG Pam Bondi’s announcement that all Epstein files have now been released. They argue the administration is obfuscating by declaring transparency while refusing to provide millions of additional documents.
• Conservative commentators’ responses: Dave explicitly names Alex Jones and others who, he says, rushed to declare “vindication for Trump” and full transparency without verifying facts.
  • Quote:
    “Alex Jones…immediately posted… 'Kaboom. Just in AG Pam Bondi just unleashed…the full Epstein files… Powerful Dems like Bill Clinton mentioned 1193 times. And others busted while fake smears against Trump called out as BS. Vindication for Trump.' …now he falls in line just because the AG says something?” (06:21)
• Discrepancies in the official narrative:
  • The claim that all files have been released is false; Bondi’s statement merely indicates that no further files will be released, not that none remain.
  • There remain claims about 200,000 pages being “privileged,” in addition to extensive redactions.
  • Robbie calls it “political malpractice” and says the move will undermine trust for years, regardless of party.
    • Quote:
      “Just repeating the same thing...they all just went, that's it. All the files are out. All unredacted, all blah, blah, blah… No, none of it's real.” (09:38)

2. Media, Pundits, and the Trump Cult

• Criticism of Trump apologists and right-wing pundits: Dave accuses many high-profile commentators of acting out of tribal loyalty rather than skepticism.
  • Quote:
    “It is a fair critique of some people that you guys are in a cult... Why would you go down with it?” (05:59)
• Alex Jones’ retraction: Although Jones eventually corrected his claims, Dave argues that’s not sufficient and illustrates the echo-chamber problem plaguing alternative media.
• Political fallout: Nothing could “vindicate” Trump, Dave argues, because even with no direct criminal evidence, Trump tried to cover up the scandal. (08:49)

3. What’s Actually in the Files?

• Redactions and strategic take-downs: Documents were released and then removed; Robbie notes this means even Congress may now be blocked from seeing the unredacted versions.
  • Quote:
    “Congress is allowed to go and see unredacted files. Right? But now they can't see those files anymore.” (21:29)
• The enduring power of the story: They predict the files (like the WikiLeaks dumps) will provide endless fodder for journalism and speculation for years:
  • Quote:
    “This story will live on for…years. There are millions of documents. It’s going to be years of people reporting on this.” (25:40)

4. Discussion on Child Abuse and the Term ‘Pedophile’

• Debate with journalist Michael Tracey: Dave addresses criticisms by Tracey, arguing semantics (whether something is a “giant child sex trafficking ring” or simply “a scandal involving minors”) are irrelevant to the monstrous nature of the crimes.
  • Quote:
    “Sometimes you have a set of facts so crazy it's actually much more reasonable to speculate about what might be here than to go, ‘You can't prove one outlandish claim, therefore none of this matters.’” (34:31)
• Morality and legal lines: Both express disgust at attempts to downplay the severity of Epstein’s actions based on age distinctions.
  • Quote:
    “It's a pretty big deal to some of us. So we're gonna just lump that all in.” (49:47)

5. Epstein, Intelligence, and The Deep State

• Detailed breakdown of suspicious connections between Epstein, intelligence agencies, and U.S. government officials.
  • Clairvoyant retelling of how William Barr’s father gave Epstein his first teaching job, and decades later, William Barr (then Attorney General) oversaw key moments in the Epstein investigation.
  • Quote:
    “What are the odds of all of that happening and there not being something more to the story?” (31:31)

6. Iran: The Next War?

• Shifting justifications for war:
  • The administration’s narrative shifts from Iranian nuclear danger to missile programs to protest crackdowns, then back again, with little internal consistency.
    • Quote:
      “You’re talking about a sustained military campaign going on for weeks… over a nuclear threat that you told me you already took care of.” (52:43)
• The danger of regime change rhetoric:
  • Dave highlights the cyclical nature of U.S. interventions, warning this war will end catastrophically as others have in the region.
  • Quote:
    “There is really no good reason to think what comes next is going to be an improvement and every reason in the world to think it’s going to be a catastrophe.” (56:21)
• Satirical take on Netanyahu:
  • “As a man of his word, I am sure that if they successfully take out this regime will be better for the Iranians and Israel will openly engage with them, maybe even let them migrate to Israel.” (58:56)

7. Mocking Mainstream and Boomer “Wisdom”

• Clip analysis: Mark Levin and Newt Gingrich:
  • Dave and Robbie lampoon Levin’s invention of “diplomacy-mongers” as an insult, and Gingrich’s argument against talking to Iran.
  • Quote:
    “Just imagine if my position was, ‘Hey, Rob, I don’t think I should murder any of my neighbors.’ And you were like, so what, do you just want to stay inside all day?” (61:42)
• Consent and legitimacy:
  • Philosophical takedown of the notion that any government’s legitimacy is real.
  • Quote:
    “The legitimate government is an oxymoron. There's no such thing… All the explanations are contradictory and incoherent.” (64:35)

MEMORABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS WITH TIMESTAMPS

• [06:21] Dave Smith (on Alex Jones):
  "Now he falls in line just because the AG says something?"
• [08:49] Dave Smith:
  "Even if all the files were released and there's no evidence that Donald Trump did anything... he still tried to cover it all up. So it kind of doesn't matter. He's not vindicated."
• [21:29] Robbie Bernstein:
  "Congress is allowed to go and see unredacted files. Right? But now they can't see those files anymore."
• [25:40] Dave Smith:
  "This story will live on for…years. There are millions of documents. It’s going to be years of people reporting on this."
• [34:31] Dave Smith:
  "Sometimes you have a set of facts so crazy it's actually much more reasonable to speculate about what might be here than to go, ‘You can't prove one outlandish claim, therefore none of this matters.’"
• [31:31] Dave Smith:
  "What are the odds of all of that happening and there not being something more to the story?"
• [52:43] Dave Smith:
  "You’re talking about a sustained military campaign going on for weeks… over a nuclear threat that you told me you already took care of."
• [56:21] Dave Smith:
  "There is really no good reason to think what comes next is going to be an improvement and every reason in the world to think it’s going to be a catastrophe."
• [61:42] Dave Smith:
  "Just imagine if my position was, ‘Hey, Rob, I don’t think I should murder any of my neighbors.’ And you were like, so what, do you just want to stay inside all day?"

IMPORTANT SEGMENTS AND TIMESTAMPS

• [03:30] – Opening on Bondi’s letter / media reaction
• [06:20] – Reading of Alex Jones' tweets
• [08:49] – "Vindication for Trump" argument dissected
• [20:49] – Practical consequences of removing documents
• [25:40] – The enduring resonance of the story (comparison to WikiLeaks)
• [31:31] – Deep dive into intelligence community ties and the "coincidence pile"
• [46:13] – Ethics of sexual consent and legal boundaries
• [52:43] – Iran war rhetoric and critique of administration
• [61:42] – Satire of diplomacy and 'isolationism'
• [64:35] – Critique of government legitimacy and "consent"

SUMMARY

This episode encapsulates Dave Smith’s signature blend of dark humor, paranoia, and moral outrage. He systematically breaks down the swirl of disinformation and self-delusion around the Epstein files and excoriates the right’s uncritical defense of the Trump administration. Robbie and Dave explore not just the practical realities (continued redactions, denied records, unaccountable government actors) but linger on the psychological and moral dimensions—why some refuse to probe further, why tribalism persists, and how societies process traumas that implicate their own ruling class.

The Epstein saga, they argue, is a lens onto the rot in American government and the failure of checks, balances, and honest media. And as the administration edges toward another Middle East war—now in Iran—Dave warns listeners that the cyclical justification for endless intervention remains, no matter who is in power.

For listeners seeking an unfiltered, thoroughly skeptical, and darkly comic analysis of American power, this episode is essential listening.