Pod Force One: "Chuck Grassley Exposes Democrat Plot to Take Down Trump"
Date: August 27, 2025
Host: Miranda Devine (New York Post)
Guest: Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Episode Overview
In this episode, Miranda Devine sits down with Senator Chuck Grassley, the longest-serving Republican senator and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The conversation centers on Grassley’s perspective regarding the treatment of Donald Trump by Democrats and the Justice Department; transparency and oversight within government agencies (especially the FBI and DOJ); bipartisan divides; whistleblowers; the decline of civil discourse in American politics and academia; and Grassley’s personal journey from Iowa farm boy to political mainstay. The discussion is characterized by candid reflections, notable anecdotes from decades in the Senate, and specific accounts of investigations into the FBI, Hillary Clinton, Hunter Biden, and Trump-era controversies.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Kavanaugh Hearings and Senate Dynamics
[00:35–04:31]
- Grassley recalls the turbulent Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court hearings.
- Democrats attempted to adjourn, consuming hours with objections and accusations.
- Grassley allowed them to speak rather than force a showdown.
“I've come to the conclusion after a lot of years in the United States Senate that it's easier to let people talk. It takes longer to shut them up.” (Grassley, 01:06)
- He describes multiple, largely unsubstantiated, personal accusations brought against Kavanaugh, overseen by his committee, which ultimately led to perjury referrals to the DOJ—but saw no resulting prosecutions.
- Grassley expresses frustration about the lack of accountability for those who lied under oath.
- On deterrence:
“In this town, if heads don’t roll, nothing changes.” (Grassley, 04:05)
- On deterrence:
2. Government Transparency and the “Plot” Against Trump
[04:31–10:26]
- Grassley asserts that attempts to remove Trump date back to before his first term, recounting Democratic overconfidence in removing Trump by September 2017.
- He credits the second Trump administration for greater cooperation and transparency than past administrations, but says full accountability remains elusive.
- He sees his role as exposing the mistreatment and constant opposition Trump faced—from the Russia probe to impeachments to criminal prosecutions.
- Grassley dismisses personal interest in prosecutions, focusing on making wrongdoing public so,
“the world knows how Trump’s been treated since...the very minute he came down the elevator.” (Grassley, 07:54)
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He concludes Trump is seen as a threat because he endangers the status quo and the comfort of career politicians.
“He knows where the skeletons are buried in which closet. He knows whose forces to deal with. Most importantly, he knows what he didn’t do right the first term, and he’s not going to make that same mistake again.” (Grassley, 09:23)
3. Contrasting FBI Investigations: Trump vs. Clinton
[10:26–13:41]
- Grassley details how the FBI aggressively pursued Trump, while downplaying and covering up Hillary Clinton's email scandal.
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He points to recently declassified records showing the FBI neglected evidence against Clinton, and claims this was an intentional political move.
“In the case of the Clinton emails, it was using the power of government to cover up with the idea that we got to get Clinton elected. We can't let Trump get elected.” (Grassley, 11:27)
- Grassley recalls his interaction with then-FBI Director Comey, whom he characterizes as trying to curry favor and being easy to mislead people.
“I think he’s going to take this dumb farmer from Iowa and show him who runs the FBI.” (Grassley, 12:54)
4. Grassley’s Values: Roots, Farming, and Public Service
[14:23–17:16]
- He credits his rural upbringing, family values, and events like the Great Depression and WWII for shaping his work ethic and worldview.
- Discusses the challenges facing family farmers and critiques new agricultural reforms advocated by RFK Jr., expressing skepticism but openness to dialogue.
- Emphasizes the role and productivity of private, family-owned farms.
“The family farm operation with private ownership of land is the most productive you can have.” (Grassley, 16:47)
5. Bipartisanship and Partisanship in Congress
[21:32–25:59]
- Grassley is rated consistently among the most bipartisan senators but calls out excessive partisanship driven by media coverage of conflict.
-
He explains that the Senate’s structure (e.g., the 60-vote rule) necessitates bipartisanship.
“There’s too much partisanship...but not as much as the people of this country think there is.” (Grassley, 24:06)
- Argues that current partisan divides in Congress reflect the polarization of the American electorate.
6. Decline of Civil Discourse & University Culture
[25:59–27:32]
- Laments the loss of respect for divergent views in academia and links this to broader cultural polarization.
- Advocates for environments—like earlier university experiences—where diverse viewpoints can be aired without hostility.
7. Grassley’s Oversight Philosophy and Whistleblowers
[29:05–37:33]
- Describes historic scandals from Watergate to Russiagate, arguing current cover-ups are more severe because they originate from within government.
- Cites the obstruction by FBI Director Wray, who dodged oversight by leaving hearings early and failing to answer letters, exemplifying what he sees as a culture of evasion.
- Outlines his reliance on whistleblowers, who often come forward after being ignored internally, and his reputation as a champion for them.
“If everybody looked after them, things would be different in the federal government if more people were asking questions like I do.” (Grassley, 35:03)
8. Hunter Biden, the Burisma Affair, and Whistleblower Retaliation
[37:33–41:13]
- Details his persistent investigations (with Sen. Ron Johnson) into Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings, starting before Biden’s presidential run and before the infamous laptop surfaced.
- Describes how whistleblowers provided evidence buried by the FBI—especially the FD-1023 form implicating the Bidens in corruption—but releasing it was fraught due to risks whistleblowers faced.
- Relates how he and Johnson were ambushed by a sham briefing designed by Democratic leaders to discredit their investigation as “Russian disinformation.”
“But now that we know three or four years later, everything we said was accurate and...even more information's coming out on it almost all the time.” (Grassley, 42:47)
9. Personal Reflections on Joe Biden
[43:00–45:22]
- Grassley recalls working amicably with Joe Biden in the Senate but claims he did not perceive Biden as corrupt or incompetent then.
- He expresses surprise and disappointment at how Biden’s presidency unfolded and suspects significant staff control.
“Considering the fact that he doesn't look like he was running it, at least in recent two or three years, I think he'll never get out in history as a very effective senator or a very effective president.” (Grassley, 45:05)
10. Presidential Pardons and Accountability
[45:22–47:19]
- Critiques Joe Biden’s pardons of Hunter Biden, Anthony Fauci, and Mark Milley as politically motivated.
- On possible prosecutions of officials like Comey and Brennan:
“I’m going to let the process plays out. I’m not a judge and I’m not a jury.” (Grassley, 47:13)
11. Secrets of Success and Longevity
[47:19–50:25]
- Grassley’s advice:
- Always tell the truth.
- Know your subject matter.
- For senators: Hire outstanding, independent staff (“mini Senators”).
- Attributes his longevity to regular exercise—he switched from competitive running to frequent walking as he aged.
12. Reflections on the Presidency
[50:25–51:05]
- On term limits: Believes elections serve as natural term limits.
- Favorite presidents:
- Most effective: Ronald Reagan (and possibly Trump, in the future).
- Most personable and friendly: George W. Bush.
“Reagan was the best president I ever served under. Maybe someday I’ll say Trump’s the best...But right now I can say Reagan. But the friendliest and the one I liked the most was George W. Bush.” (Grassley, 50:48)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Senate hearings:
"It’s easier to let people talk. It takes longer to shut them up." (Grassley, 01:06)
-
On ongoing efforts against Trump:
"I want to make sure that the public knows how Trump was mistreated...since the very minute he came down the elevator." (Grassley, 07:54)
-
On partisan divides:
"If the country, if the people of this country vote in a partisan way...wouldn't that be reflected in the Congress of the United States?" (Grassley, 25:02)
-
On family farms:
"The family farm operation with private ownership of land is the most productive you can have." (Grassley, 16:47)
-
On defending whistleblowers:
“If everybody looked after them, things would be different in the federal government if more people were asking questions like I do.” (Grassley, 35:03)
-
On university discourse:
“The whole definition of a university ought to be where controversy runs rampant…we’re going to learn from each other.” (Grassley, 25:59)
-
On his time with Biden:
“I had a pretty good relationship with him for 28 years that we served together…But what I’ve learned by what everybody else has said going on and what you observed on tv, you know, that lot changed since he left the United States Senate.” (Grassley, 43:30–44:50)
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On accountability:
"If heads don’t roll, nothing changes." (Grassley, 04:05)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- The Kavanaugh Hearing & Senate Decorum: 00:35–04:31
- Transparency and Trump’s Treatment by Democrats: 04:31–10:26
- FBI, Clinton, and Double Standards: 10:26–13:41
- Personal Values and Farming: 14:23–17:16
- Bipartisanship and Congressional Partisanship: 21:32–25:59
- Declining University Discourse: 25:59–27:32
- Past and Present Government Scandals: 29:05–37:33
- Whistleblowers and Hunter Biden: 37:33–41:13
- Personal Relationship and Perspective on Biden: 43:00–45:22
- Pardons and Accountability: 45:22–47:19
- Personal Success and Longevity: 47:19–50:25
- Presidents: Reagan, Trump, and Bush: 50:25–51:05
Episode in Brief
Miranda Devine’s conversation with Senator Grassley offers an insider’s perspective on two decades of historic political controversy—from the Kavanaugh hearings to the second Trump presidency—and posits a narrative in which bureaucratic inertia, partisan maneuvering, and media bias resulted in a concerted effort to undermine Donald Trump and conceal Democratic misdeeds. Grassley’s passionate defense of transparency, institutional oversight, and everyday American values intertwines with stories from a life dedicated to public service, culminating in calls for renewed honesty, accountability, and civil exchange in American government and society.