Pod Force One / NY POSTcast EXTRA BONUS CONTENT

Episode Title: NY POSTcast - Fmr. FBI Director Comey Indicted for Perjury, Trump Warns Radical Left, Sec of War's Mystery Meeting
Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Caitlin Becker
Guest: Ryan King (Post Politics Reporter)

Episode Overview

In this bonus episode from the New York Postcast, host Caitlin Becker delivers hard-hitting updates on breaking political and national news. Major topics include the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, President Trump’s latest confrontation with the ‘radical left,’ a mysterious high-level military meeting called by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and the looming threat of a federal government shutdown. The episode also investigates campus extremism and finishes with an unusual local story involving a rogue squirrel.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Comey Indicted for Perjury (00:00–03:38)

• Indictment Details:
  • Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by a federal grand jury for making false statements to Congress (regarding the 2016 Trump-Russia collusion investigation) and obstruction of justice.
  • The indictment lands just days ahead of the five-year statute of limitations expiring for his 2020 testimony.
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi responded on X, stating:
    • “No one is above the law. Today's indictment reflects the Department of Justice's commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people.” [01:17]
• Context:
  • This is the most significant charge so far tied to the long-running investigation into Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia.

2. President Trump’s Warning to the Left (00:18–00:49)

• President Trump blames the 'radical left' for recent violence and issues a stark warning:
  • "The right is a lot tougher than the left. But the right's not doing this. They're not doing it. And they better not get them energized because it won't be good for the left. And I don't want to see that happen either. I'm the president of all the people." [00:36]

3. Dallas ICE Facility Shooting Update (03:39–05:32)

• Shooter Joshua John left notes referencing ICE agents as "human trafficking" participants, expressing anti-government hate.
• "Hopefully this will give ICE agents real terror to think, is there a sniper with armor piercing rounds on that roof?" [04:48]
• Shooter's online activity included 17,000+ hours of gaming (first-person shooters) and searches for videos related to political violence.
• Despite the apparent motives, shooter’s family denies he was driven by radical leftist views.

4. Mystery Secretary of War Meeting (05:33–06:36)

• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has urgently summoned the entire top military brass to Quantico without explanation—an "extremely rare" and potentially risky move.
• Analysts speculate on possible motives: national security threat, mass personnel changes, or doctrinal shifts.
• The Department of Defense is reportedly shifting its focus from the Indo-Pacific to Western Hemisphere defense, per Trump administration direction.
• Strategic personnel cuts: Hegseth aims to reduce general officers by 20%.

5. Government Shutdown Looms (06:37–11:47)

• Reporter Ryan King gives an update on shutdown negotiations:
  • "Right now basically there is supposed to be a meeting between Democratic leaders and President Trump, but Trump canceled that meeting...and since then, it doesn't appear that there's been any significant communication between any of the leaders on the two sides." [06:42]
  • Significant risk of shutdown as neither side is willing to yield, especially over Republican-Democrat disputes on healthcare concessions.
• Impacts of Shutdown:
  • Nonessential federal workers face furlough or unpaid work; crucial services (e.g., Social Security, Medicare) will continue, but public-facing agencies (parks, courts, food inspections) will close.
  • Past shutdowns have left extensive operational backlogs, e.g. court delays and disruptions in services.
• Administration’s firings plan:
  • Russ Vought (OMB Director) issued a memo to agency heads to prepare mass and possibly permanent reductions in force should the shutdown occur:
    • “...he's making it seem like these people are going to be permanently fired." [10:13]
    • Democrats argue this is an intimidation tactic for leverage in budget talks.
    • The impact could destabilize federal operations and damage the economy.

6. Campus Extremism: The John Brown Club (11:49–12:44)

• Far-left “gun club” with links to political violence, the John Brown Club, is recruiting at Georgetown with provocative flyers referencing the Charlie Kirk assassination:
  • "Hey, fascist, catch." [11:54]
• Club described as armed and militant, attending left-wing events to ‘protect’ protesters.
• Noted by Center for Counterextremism as a far-left group with a history rooted in violent abolitionist John Brown.

7. Lighthearted Close: “Attack Squirrel” in San Francisco (12:45–End)

• Residents on edge over a rogue squirrel attacking and injuring at least 5 people—one neighbor declares:
  • “She almost killed me,” after being bitten on the face. [13:08]
• Animal experts believe it may have lost its fear of humans after being raised or fed by people.
• Host humorously notes the escalation from “killer wasps” to “killer squirrels,” ending on a light and personal note.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump’s warning to the left:
  "They better not get them energized because it won't be good for the left. And I don't want to see that happen either. I'm the president of all the people." [00:36]
• Pam Bondi on Comey indictment:
  “No one is above the law. Today's indictment reflects the Department of Justice's commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people.” [01:17]
• Ryan King on negotiation breakdown:
  "Right now, it's going to come down to whether or not any of the two sides blink." [08:02]
• On permanent firings during shutdown:
  “...he's making it seem like these people are going to be permanently fired.” [10:13]
• On the “attack squirrel”:
  “She almost killed me,” recounted victim Isabel Campoy [13:08]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:00–03:38 – Comey Indictment
• 00:36–00:49 – Trump’s Address on Political Violence
• 03:39–05:32 – Dallas ICE Shooting Developments
• 05:33–06:36 – Secretive Military Meeting
• 06:37–11:47 – Government Shutdown Negotiations (with Ryan King)
• 11:49–12:44 – Far-Left Gun Club at Georgetown
• 12:45–End – “Attack Squirrel” Story & Closing Comments

Tone & Style Notes

• Caitlin Becker’s delivery is dry, witty, and candid, especially in reactions to unusual or darkly humorous stories.
• The episode maintains a clear focus on accountability, security, and political tension, with moments of levity at the end.

Summary Takeaways

This episode provides a fast-paced and unfiltered update on shifting political power, security challenges, and social unrest in the U.S. The indictment of a former FBI director, sharp partisan divides threatening a government shutdown, and unusual stories from both the nation’s capital and beyond are all explored with insight and occasional irony, giving listeners a comprehensive snapshot of American current events.