Pod Force One – Episode Summary

Guest: General Michael Flynn
Host: Miranda Devine (New York Post)
Date: January 7, 2026
Episode Title: General Michael Flynn, Russiagate's Patient Zero, Talks “Black Budgets,” Deep State Overreach and the Trump Counter Revolution

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid and revealing discussion with retired General Michael Flynn, President Trump’s former National Security Advisor and author of "Pardon of Innocence." The conversation delves into Flynn’s firsthand experiences at the heart of the Russiagate scandal, the internal workings and political shifts of the US intelligence agencies, the phenomenon of “black budgets,” and what he sees as the larger “Marxist revolution” underway in America. Flynn reflects on the efforts to hold former intelligence officials accountable, his own ordeal with the FBI, the resilience of the “deep state,” and the significance of the Trump “counter revolution” in the 2024 election. The episode closes with personal insights into Flynn’s life philosophy, leadership, and passion for surfing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background and Cast of Characters

• Flynn outlines the power dynamics during his service as Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) director (2012–2014), working under Obama with contemporaries John Brennan (CIA), James Comey (FBI), and James Clapper (DNI).
• He recounts being twice appointed by Barack Obama, describing the process of appointments at the 3- and 4-star general level, which is deeply political even if nominally non-partisan.
  "They want the right people around them, so when they need to make political decisions that are not necessarily honest, they have the right people." — Flynn [10:57]

2. Flynn’s Relationship with Intelligence Leaders

• On John Brennan:
  • Votes for a Communist candidate in the 70s, failed CIA “operator” training, built a career as an analyst, rose through politically motivated sponsorships (notably George Tenet, Obama).
  • Instrumental in politicizing the intelligence bureaucracy.
    "Brennan is a guy who wanted to be a spy but failed out of the Farm... what he did have was a political skillset and ambition." — Flynn [4:32]
• On James Comey:
  • Described as deeply arrogant, “the Cardinal,” acting with a sense of superiority.
• On it being a “cast of...hoodlums”:
  “So keep that picture in mind, because those three, I call them soldiers, they’re not really commanders...you gotta have soldiers who’ll be loyal to a fault to you.” — Flynn [20:09]

3. Obama White House and Bureaucratic Overhaul

• Obama, assisted by Brennan, Susan Rice, Eric Holder, and others, systematically restructured the internal intelligence and justice bureaucracies.
• Focus: Transforming America’s system toward a more socialist or Marxist model via personnel and cultural shifts within government.
• "Obama said he basically wanted to fundamentally transform America. And so what did that mean? Well, what that meant was he saw America as more of a socialist system..." — Flynn [18:11]

4. Contradicting the Narrative: ISIS and Al Qaeda’s Rise

• Flynn describes the infamous open Congressional testimony where he contradicted the Obama administration’s narrative that “Al Qaeda was on the run.”
  “So, is Al Qaeda on the run? Yes, yes, yes, no. And I said, they were all over… The rise of ISIS was staggering, stunning.” — Flynn [16:18]
• Claims his truthful assessment led to White House pushback and his eventual downfall.

5. Russiagate, the Coup, and Entrapment

• Details the events culminating in his ousting as National Security Advisor:
  • The "entrapment" was orchestrated in a January 5, 2017 Oval Office meeting led by Obama, involving Comey, Biden, Susan Rice, and others.
  • FBI agents Peter Stzrok and Joe Bianca were dispatched to interview Flynn on false pretenses.
    "Comey sends two guys, Peter Strock and Joe Bianca...it was based on a plan hatched in the Oval Office led by Barack Obama." — Flynn [25:58]
  • Flynn describes being targeted partly as a warning to Trump and partly because of his drive for accountability and reform within the intelligence community.
  • Media complicit in “kill shot” stories, e.g., David Ignatius’ Washington Post article based on leaks (“call it the kill shot.” — Flynn [32:13]).
• Flynn asserts he was pressured to plead guilty to protect his son, who was threatened with prosecution, despite no actual evidence of wrongdoing.
  "My weakness was my son. They threatened to basically indict him. I said—for what?" — Flynn [34:57]

6. Intelligence Community Manipulation and 'Black Budgets'

• Fewer than half the US intelligence agencies participated in the hasty "Trump-Russia" assessment, which was handpicked and rushed by Brennan.
  "Brennan picked the analytic team. He influenced the analysis and the outcome." — Flynn [47:46]
• Describes the significance of “black budgets”—vast, mostly unaccountable funding streams justified by Cold War-era threats, now used, he claims, to perpetuate agency power rather than meet present security needs. "The black budget is something only a very few people in government are even aware of...it’s probably close to $1 trillion." — Flynn [50:01]
• Suggests US intelligence has become “so rogue” that even the president may not be briefed on all programs.

7. Deep State, Counter-Revolution, and the 2024 Election

• Asserts there is a “Marxist revolution” occurring in the US; the Trump victory in 2024 represented a “counter-revolution,” fueled by grassroots activism and alternative media.
  “It is (the counter-revolution)...There was a lot of work done by people in counties and precincts…that’s one of the things I want people to take away from this.” — Flynn [59:03, 60:05]
• Warns the “deep state” is more entrenched now than ever; Trump must focus on “house cleaning” in DOJ/FBI/intelligence community. "The unelected bureaucracy and the deep state is much more entrenched…it's far worse." — Flynn [60:30]

8. Fixing the System: Define and Confront the Enemy

• Flynn advises the first step to fixing America is clearly identifying the “enemy”—what he characterizes as a communist/Marxist movement, heavily influenced by China and aided by fellow travelers within the US bureaucratic elite.
• Warns of demographic and cultural transformation via open borders, undermining of traditional American identity, and rising influence of foreign and “radical Islamist” movements domestically.
  "We are up against a communist takeover...China is probably the principal one." — Flynn [54:11]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Russiagate Assessment & Deep State Overreach
  "The first time I saw that assessment, I was like, it's a piece of garbage." — Flynn [45:25]
  "By taking the National Security Advisor out, they could then begin their plan to undermine the presidency of the United States of America." — Flynn [43:15]

• On Personal Ordeal
  "I was never indicted...they said, if you don't do this [plead guilty], we'll go after your son." — Flynn [35:35, 36:00]

• On Bureaucratic Power and the “Black Budget”
  "The black budget is something only a very few people in government are even aware of...My guess is Trump has never been briefed on the black programs." — Flynn [49:53]

• On the 2024 Trump Win "When Trump uses the phrase 'too big to rig,' there was a lot of work done to fix things at the local level." — Flynn [59:03]

• On Life and Leadership "It's not the wave as much as how you ride it in life...don't worry about things you can't control..." — Flynn [66:20]
  "When you do take control of it, it is such a relief...you'll have a much more fulfilled life." — Flynn [66:40]

Memorable Personal Anecdote

• Surfing and Resilience
  Flynn shares stories of surfing since childhood on the East Coast, getting knocked out and pulled from the waves. He ties lessons of physical courage and resilience to his leadership philosophy.
  • "My favorite surfing ever that I’ve ever done was Hale’iwa, up in the North Shore of Hawaii…Some of the big nor’easters…at Secret Spot and Ruggles Avenue…" — Flynn [63:08]
  • "Oh my God. I’ve been knocked out…I didn’t wake up until the next day." — Flynn [63:53, 64:43]

Key Timestamps

• Russiagate Accountability Opening & Obama Era Context: [00:01] – [03:38]
• Flynn’s Relationship with Intelligence Leaders: [03:38] – [06:00]
• Rise of ISIS & Conflict with Obama Narrative: [14:27] – [18:14]
• “Deep State” and Bureaucratic Revolution: [18:14] – [24:00]
• Flynn’s Entrapment and FBI Plot: [25:39] – [31:28]
• “Kill Shot,” Media Role & Personal Toll: [32:13] – [38:05]
• Taking Out Flynn and Undermining Trump: [43:13] – [44:41]
• Rushed Russiagate Assessment Critique: [44:41] – [48:11]
• Black Budgets & Intelligence Community Power: [48:35] – [53:57]
• How to Fix It/Troubleshooting the 'Revolution': [53:57] – [58:55]
• 2024 Election & Trump as Counter-Revolution: [58:55] – [60:16]
• Current Deep State Threat & Future Outlook: [60:16] – [62:37]
• Personal Philosophy, Surfing Anecdotes & Leadership Lessons: [62:37] – [66:59]

Final Thoughts

The episode delivers a sweeping insider’s perspective on post-9/11 intelligence politics, the origins and fallout of Russiagate, and outlines a worldview in which bureaucratic "deep state" actors, foreign influences, and a compliant media threaten American democracy. Flynn, drawing from both personal ordeal and professional experience, positions the Trump presidency as an existential battle over the country’s future—and stresses the enduring importance of individual resilience, civic engagement, and personal leadership.

Recommended For:
Listeners interested in intelligence and political intrigue, government transparency, deep state theories, Trump-era Washington politics, and personal stories of resilience in public life.