Podcast Summary: American Sunrise Early Edition - December 10, 2025

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: Jake Novak
Guests: Colonel Rob Manus (Ret.), Dr. Jessica Berge, Aaron Boxer, David Brody
Date: December 10, 2025
Episode Theme: In-depth analysis of current events shaping American politics, security, education, and media narratives—all through a filter of accountability, American values, and skepticism of mainstream narratives.

Episode Overview

This episode of American Sunrise Early Edition explores pressing national issues, including a record-high defense budget, the role of government bureaucrats vs. elected officials, President Trump’s new economic messaging, immigration hysteria in schools, controversial election integrity prosecutions, and media-driven fear campaigns. Host Jake Novak and expert guests engage in candid, robust discussions on American accountability, the dangers of unchecked bureaucracy, and challenges facing everyday citizens.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Expansive Defense Budget and National Priorities

[02:43-06:10]

• Congress's defense budget has ballooned to $901 billion, surpassing the previous administration's request.
• Shipbuilding as a priority: Ret. Col. Rob Manus argues for rebuilding the U.S. maritime shipbuilding industry to deter China and refocus from endless foreign entanglements.
• Budget inefficiency: Only $20 billion in proposed cuts overlap, many unreviewed and not fully codified.
• Continued support for Ukraine: $400 billion earmarked for Ukraine, yet a shift in security focus toward the Pacific and confronting the Chinese Communist Party.

"We really would like to get that reviewed and get those cuts codified and see even more of them so that we don’t have to have a trillion dollar plus defense bill."
— Col. Rob Manus [04:01]

2. Demonization of U.S. Service Members & Media Narratives

[06:10-09:35]

• Critique of politicians: Manus criticizes “the seditious six” for demoralizing active servicemembers, comparing backlash to that faced by Vietnam-era troops.
• Dangerous messaging: He singles out Senator Mark Kelly, accusing him of sowing doubt and risking morale among military personnel.
• Call for accountability: Advocates invoking the Uniform Code of Military Justice to manage internal dissent and misinformation at high levels.

"…it is the first time since the Vietnam War that senior elected officials have actually taken up the spear to throw at the chests of active duty Reserve Guard forces… This is aimed at them squarely."
— Col. Rob Manus [07:35]

3. The Power of Unelected Bureaucracy vs. Democratic Accountability

[09:35-15:38]

• SCOTUS spotlight: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s comments on agency leadership incite concern that professional bureaucrats, not elected officials, wield too much unchecked power.
• Historical comparison: Novak references Lincoln’s military decisions, arguing that democracy demands elected leaders’ direct influence—even in specialized agencies or the military.
• Bureaucratic entrenchment: Manus blames decades of bureaucratic expansion for policy inertia, unaccountable governance, and eroded public trust, warning of existential risks if trends persist.

"Not we, but our children are in grave danger of being smashed on battlefields in faraway places because we have idiots like that Supreme Court justice that… I am rarely shocked by anything, but I was shocked…" — Col. Rob Manus [11:58]

"Never in the history of humanity has having no accountability led to good outcomes. Accountability is what this country was about. And that's what we get when we have elected leaders."
— Jake Novak [15:39]

4. President Trump’s “Affordability Tour” & Economic Messaging

[18:14-20:22]

• Campaign focus: Trump inaugurates his “Making America Affordable Again” pitch, targeting inflation and cost-of-living anxiety in Pennsylvania swing counties.
• Analysis of message effectiveness: Novak suggests Trump show more empathy and forward vision, while guest Dr. Jessica Berge predicts the focus on wallet issues will resonate with the MAGA base and mainstream voters alike.
• Policy proposals: Discussion includes ideas like expanding housing, school, and hospital construction on federal lands to boost affordability.

"Affordability is at the front of the minds of voters... It's going to be a big focus on the campaign trail ahead of the midterms."
— Dr. Jessica Berge [19:18]

5. Immigration Hysteria and Media Manipulation in Schools

[33:29-44:09]

• False ICE rumors: Jake Novak and Aaron Boxer call out North Carolina officials for spreading misinformation that ICE is targeting schoolchildren, causing unwarranted fear and absenteeism.
• Media complicity: Mainstream media criticized for publishing self-contradictory, sensationalized stories that fuel anxiety.
• Impact on children: The use of children as rhetorical “human shields” is condemned—compared to tactics used by extremist groups internationally.
• Broader pattern: Parallels drawn with climate alarmism and fear-based educational messaging resulting in youth anxiety (e.g., Greta Thunberg).

"There’s probably nothing I find more detestable than when adults deliberately frighten children, even if the threat is real… It is never the right thing to do to overly scare a child."
— Jake Novak [34:08]

"You have the school officials with the mainstream media repeating that enforcement is terrifying and dangerous… They're running together a political campaign inside the classroom."
— Aaron Boxer [38:53]

6. The Tina Peters Case and State vs. Federal Accountability

[47:06-51:06]

• Background: Tina Peters, a Colorado whistleblower convicted for handling state records to expose alleged election irregularities, has her nine-year sentence upheld.
• Limits of executive power: Discussion over whether a president can pardon state-level crimes (consensus: it's untested and unlikely).
• Outcry for action: Tina’s plight framed as politically motivated, with calls for continued media attention and activism.

"For someone to serve nine years in prison for showing us evidence of that is just simply outrageous."
— Jake Novak [48:40]

"The blue state of Colorado is holding her up as basically an example. They want to show the United States… that they're not going to tolerate her type of shenanigans, which is ridiculous."
— David Brody [48:40]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On shipbuilding and U.S. defense priorities:
  "Shipbuilding should be the number one priority... if the United States is going to be able to deter China and we can extricate ourselves from these endless war policies..."
  — Col. Rob Manus [05:14]

• On bureaucratic overreach:
  "The bureaucracy and the executive branch… is in control of this country."
  — Col. Rob Manus [14:11]

• On the ICE-in-schools myth:
  "Adults going out of their way to frighten children is the opposite of what nature intended. We are here to make our children feel safe..."
  — Jake Novak [34:08]

• On partisan use of children:
  "This is human shielding. Chilled child, human shielding on a rhetorical basis. And yes, I am comparing this strategy to, to Hamas strategy..."
  — Jake Novak [39:58]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Speaker(s) | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|---------------| | Defense budget & Shipbuilding priorities | Jake Novak, Manus | 02:43-06:10 | | Politicians demonizing US troops | Novak, Manus | 06:10-09:35 | | Bureaucracy vs. democracy (SCOTUS debate) | Novak, Manus | 09:35-15:39 | | Trump’s affordability tour & economic pitch | Novak, Dr. Berge | 18:14-20:22 | | Immigration, ICE rumors, & media manipulation in schools| Novak, Boxer | 33:29-44:09 | | Tina Peters case & limits of presidential pardons | Novak, Brody | 47:06-51:06 |

Tone & Style

• Direct, passionate, and skeptical. The host and guests are unapologetically critical of establishment narratives and place a premium on American values, patriotism, and personal accountability.
• Conversational yet pointed. Guests are given space to elaborate, often drawing from personal experience and deep policy knowledge.
• Occasional humor and banter lighten the atmosphere amid serious topics.

Summary Usefulness

This summary provides a comprehensive, timestamped guide to the major stories and spirited commentary offered in the December 10, 2025 episode of American Sunrise Early Edition. It highlights the program’s recurring themes of holding power accountable, the dangers of media-fueled public fear, and the need for common sense in governance and society. Ideal for listeners who missed the episode or want a breakdown of central debates and policy discussions.