Pod Force One — Episode Summary

Podcast: Pod Force One
Host: Miranda Devine (New York Post)
Guest: Senator Ron Johnson (Wisconsin)
Episode: Deep State Stonewall: Ron Johnson Presses for Answers on Trump Shooting & 9/11 Mysteries
Date: December 3, 2025

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode features a candid and detailed conversation between host Miranda Devine and Senator Ron Johnson, diving into contentious subjects such as government transparency, the Hunter Biden investigation, the politicization of federal agencies, the Trump assassination attempt, ongoing 9/11 mysteries, and problems surrounding COVID-19 vaccine policies. Johnson shares insider perspectives on political stonewalling, "deep state" resistance, whistleblowers, and his commitment to accountability—despite personal and professional obstacles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Hunter Biden Investigation and Media Complicity

• Senate Probe Origins

  • Johnson describes his reluctance to become an investigator, but as then-Chairman of Homeland Security, he felt duty-bound to investigate high-profile cases, including Hillary Clinton's emails and later, Hunter Biden's Ukraine dealings.
  • [02:12] "I didn't come to the Senate to investigate... But through serendipity, I became Chairman of Homeland Security..." — Ron Johnson

• Media and Political Pushback

  • Both parties and the media attacked the investigation, branding it “Russian disinformation.” Democrats set the narrative, which major outlets amplified.
  • [01:53] "They literally called it Russian disinformation, accused us of soliciting and disseminating Russian disinformation." — Ron Johnson

• Subpoena Roadblocks and Internal GOP Resistance

  • Not all Republicans backed the probe; Senator Mitt Romney and others accused Johnson of a "witch hunt" and refused support for crucial subpoenas.
  • [08:22] "Senator Romney accused me of misusing committee funds for this political witch hunt." — Ron Johnson

• The Laptop Handover

  • Johnson discusses receiving Hunter Biden’s laptop offer from repairman John Paul Mac Isaac but not accepting it directly to avoid potential legal entanglements, instead notifying the FBI.
  • [11:13] "He [Mac Isaac] contacted our offices. He wanted to turn that computer over to us." — Ron Johnson

2. FBI Surveillance and Political Weaponization

• FBI Review of Congressional Phone Records

  • Johnson details how the FBI obtained call records of eight senators and a House GOP member post-January 6, allegedly “legally,” but in Johnson's view, this “should shock every American.”
  • [13:54] "The fact that they rounded up phone records... it should shock every American." — Ron Johnson

• Politicized Law Enforcement

  • He points to the Russian collusion investigation, calling the Steele dossier a deliberate “dirty trick” and implicating Obama, Biden, CIA, and FBI leaders in perpetuating false narratives.
  • [17:33] "These people have done more damage to our body politic... and it continues." — Ron Johnson

3. The Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

• Lack of Transparency on Thomas Crooks

  • Johnson expresses frustration that, over a year later, little is known about Thomas Crooks—the would-be assassin—including his motives, social media, and why he was cremated without autopsy.
  • [20:59] "Here we are a year later, I haven't heard a peep... Why hasn't America unlocked this information?" — Ron Johnson

• Deep State Obstacles

  • Johnson describes bureaucratic inertia hampering congressional oversight—even under a Trump administration—and the persistence of partisan civil servants.
  • [22:40] "It's a pervasive deep state. It's a really deep, deep state... It's populated by partisan leftists." — Ron Johnson

• FBI & DOJ Stonewalling

  • The Senator says he still hasn't obtained vital information, as requests are slow-walked, documents heavily redacted, and agencies overwhelmed post-Biden administration.
  • [25:36] "They're playing the same old games. They're slow walking; same thing Bobby Kennedy went through at HHS..." — Ron Johnson

4. 9/11 Mysteries & Building 7

• Reopening Questions About WTC 7

  • Johnson was drawn into the 9/11 issue after meeting with victim-family groups; he emphasizes that many legitimate questions—especially about WTC 7’s collapse—remain suppressed and unanswered.
  • [29:39] "There's something that's not been explained. But we're also getting creamed in the comments section: how could you guys not know about this?" — Ron Johnson

• Calls for a New Nonpartisan Investigation

  • He supports appointing a commission of physicists and engineers—not politicians—to review the evidence and answer remaining scientific and forensic questions.
  • [33:01] "Bring in physicists and structural engineers... You don't need politicians..." — Ron Johnson

5. COVID-19 Vaccine Controversies

• Early Skepticism and Data Concerns

  • Johnson was critical of the public health response, suppression of early treatments, and the rapid rollout of mRNA vaccines. Citing Dr. Michael Yeaden (ex-Pfizer), he underscores risks overlooked or denied by officials.
  • [36:27] "There’s a long list of things we don’t put in injectables because they’re toxic to the body... My colleagues are designing a genetic therapy..." — Ron Johnson

• Vaccine Injury and Lack of Accountability

  • He says vaccine injuries are ignored, that the VAERS system is heavily underreporting, and that the definition of “vaccine” was misappropriated to include gene therapies.
  • [39:00] "No, it was a... It's gene therapy. A vaccine is either attenuated virus or killed virus... They lied to us." — Ron Johnson

• Congress, Medical Establishment, and Whistleblower Suppression

  • Johnson argues the system punishes dissent, driving both journalists and scientists into silence or exile.
  • [42:08] "Because anybody that questions the dogma... they destroy. I mean, they utterly... They destroyed him. He ended up dying in an insane asylum." — Ron Johnson

6. Personal Ethos & Political Motivation

• Why Johnson Perseveres

  • He attributes his investigative tenacity to his business background, faith, and Midwest values, not a desire to build a political career.
  • [44:50] "I'm not a politician. I'm a citizen legislator. I didn't do this until I was 55 years old. Probably the most unique quality is I'd rather be home." — Ron Johnson

• Partnership with Senator Grassley

  • Johnson credits effective oversight to strong, committed staff and collaboration, not typical in D.C.'s legislative-focused workforce.
  • [48:57] "It's good staff work. They always say, your investigation. I always go, no, your investigation..." — Ron Johnson

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On “Russian Disinfo” Attacks
  [01:53] "They didn’t just downplay—it was way more than just not reporting on it—they literally called it Russian disinformation." — Ron Johnson

• On Congressional Subpoenas
  [08:38] "I could not have gotten a subpoena on the Bidens. They blew up our friendly subpoena to Andrei Telushenko, who wanted to willingly turn over records..." — Ron Johnson

• On Deep State Entrenchment
  [22:40] "It's a pervasive deep state... It's populated primarily by partisan leftists... So there's a pretty big void in a lot of these agencies in terms of loyal personnel." — Ron Johnson

• On 9/11 Suppression
  [30:12] "It’s because it’s been suppressed. That in and of itself is suspicious. Most of America never heard of World Trade Center 7..." — Ron Johnson

• On COVID Vaccine Policy
  [39:00] "No, it was a... it's gene therapy. A vaccine is either attenuated virus or killed virus. They knew it would never stay in the arm and they lied to us." — Ron Johnson

• On Staff and Investigative Work
  [48:57] "It’s good staff work. They always say, your investigation. I always go, no, your investigation." — Ron Johnson

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | | --------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | | 00:19 | Miranda admires Johnson’s early Hunter Biden work | | 01:53 | Media and politicians characterizing the probe as disinfo | | 06:24 | FBI obtained Hunter’s laptop—authentication details | | 08:22 | Romney & other GOP resistance to subpoenas | | 13:54 | FBI obtaining phone records from senators | | 20:55 | Frustration with lack of info on Thomas Crooks/Trump shot | | 27:14 | Discussion around 9/11 and WTC 7 mysteries | | 35:21 | Early skepticism about mRNA vaccines | | 39:00 | Difference between vaccines and gene therapy | | 44:50 | Johnson on not being a 'career politician' |

Tone and Language

Throughout the episode, Miranda Devine and Ron Johnson maintain a tone mixing incredulity, urgency, and Midwestern frankness. Johnson is detailed, reflective, and occasionally exasperated but steadfast in his commitment to uncovering uncomfortable truths and pushing past institutional resistance.

Conclusion

Senator Ron Johnson gives an unflinching account of his experiences challenging the establishment on politically-sensitive investigations, lamenting the persistence of politicized bureaucracies and a culture of suppression—whether it's the media, intelligence agencies, or public health officials. He argues that progress depends on transparency, whistleblowers, and citizen-legislators unafraid to be "mosquitoes in a nudist colony" (21:25). Johnson's grounded, methodical approach, shaped by his business and Midwest roots, sets him apart as an outsider committed to uncomfortable but necessary oversight in a "swamp" resistant to change.