Podcast Summary: Real America’s Voice – American Sunrise Early Edition

Episode: December 18, 2025
Host: Jake Novak
Guests: Mitch Rochelle (Macroeconomist), Emily Finch, Gerard Felitti (Lawfare Project), David Brody

Overview

This episode of American Sunrise Early Edition delivers a fast-paced survey of national political and cultural stories through the lens of “faith, freedom, and American values.” Host Jake Novak and various guests break down President Trump’s recent economic address, debates over immigration and border policy, shakeups in the job market, controversies in ongoing criminal investigations, and the decline of traditional cultural institutions—including the Oscars and the U.S. military’s approach to chaplaincy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Economic Speech: Tying Economics to Immigration

(Main segment from 04:52–10:16, 42:01–44:40)

• Jake Novak recaps Trump’s address, highlighting the President’s focus on both economic progress and the economic “damages” caused by “the surge in illegal immigration under Joe Biden.”
• Trump’s speech repeatedly associated rising costs and insecurity in the U.S. with lax border policy.
  • Quote (Trump, as introduced by Novak):

    “They flooded your cities and towns with illegal aliens... caused a horrible situation all over the globe... but now you have a president who fights for the law abiding, hardworking people..." [06:15]

• Novak and guest Mitch Rochelle critique long-standing economic arguments for cheap immigrant labor, pointing to new government spending on benefits for immigrants as evidence that the old consensus is being reconsidered.
  • Quote (Mitch Rochelle):

    “Some of the left-leaning talking heads... said the cornerstone of our economy is illegal undocumented workers... But the President's right... what are you doing about it? How are you going to make my life better is what's going to matter in November.” [07:24]

2. The State of the U.S. Economy: Tax Refunds, Inflation, and Hiring

(10:16–13:41)

• Scott Bessant, Treasury Secretary, recently announced bigger tax refunds are coming, due to new laws—not just over-withholding.
• Rochelle notes the danger of simply injecting more money into the economy:
  • Potential for increased inflation, especially if supply chain issues remain unaddressed.
  • Economist warns that fixes to the supply side will take years (e.g., new industrial plants coming online).

3. Labor Market Realities: "No Hire, No Fire"

(13:41–16:34)

• Novak calls the job market a “no hire, no fire economy”—few layoffs, but little new hiring.
• Government jobs data is maligned as outdated and unreliable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is criticized for using obsolete methods.
  • Quote (Mitch Rochelle):

    “They literally call HR managers... leaving voicemails for people who don't work there anymore... wondering why they're not getting accurate data...” [13:41]

• College graduates in 2024 and 2025 are struggling to find opportunities. Overhiring and subsequent attrition are blamed.

4. Brown University Shooting: Allegations of Police and University Incompetence

(46:52–49:45)

• Jake Novak expresses outrage over lack of investigatory progress: survivors still haven’t been questioned, and campus cameras have gone missing or been withheld.
• Politicians like Sheldon Whitehouse are accused of shaming those asking legitimate questions:
  • Quote (Sen. Whitehouse, as played by Jake):

    “From a law enforcement perspective, I ask anyone who sees this to just shut up... we will find out, give it some time.” [47:04]

• Gerard Felitti points out the university took down personal web pages of a key person of interest before their name was even public.
  • Quote (Felitti):

    “This investigation is making the Keystone Cops look like consummate professionals... Why isn’t the university or police coming out and saying affirmatively, 'He’s not involved’?” [48:21]

• Broader claim: universities are “recruiting students with violent or radical pasts,” putting others at risk.

5. Border Policy & Presidential Authority

(44:13–45:43, 52:45–53:08)

• Trump’s claim: sealing the border didn’t require Congressional action, just willpower.
  • Quote (Trump, via Novak):

    “For the past seven months, zero illegal aliens have been allowed into our country—a feat which everyone said was impossible... We didn’t need legislation, we just needed a new president.” [44:13]

• Felitti underscores that U.S. law already granted the president the power to seal the border, and challenges have instead targeted individual deportations, not the principle.
• Recent legal victory: DC Appeals Court rules President can deploy National Guard in the capital, giving further power to address crime.
  • Quote (Felitti):

    “He has the authority to call out the National Guard—every time this has been taken up on appeal, he has won... this win is very powerful because it does give him the tools...” [52:45]

6. DOJ and FBI—Weaponization Debate

(49:45–51:58)

• Discussion of internal FBI memos doubting cause for Mar-a-Lago raid, but DOJ ordered it anyway.
• Felitti warns that this politicizes justice and could open criminal investigations into those responsible for ordering actions without probable cause.

7. The Decline of the Oscars and Old Hollywood Institutions

(21:19–24:57)

• Oscars to move entirely to YouTube by 2029; symbol of the waning influence of legacy cultural events.
• Novak and Emily Finch lament the politicization and mediocrity of today's movies and ceremonies.
  • Quote (Novak):

    “I haven’t watched it in years... started with all the climate change browbeating... I couldn’t take it anymore...” [24:22]

  • Quote (Finch):

    “I miss the days when it was 'I thank my mom, my dad, and my faith.' Bring that back—maybe people will start to tune in again.” [25:11]

8. Markets, Business, and Tech Highlights

(30:14–39:39)

• Stock market remains strong, evidenced by a successful Medline IPO (+41%).
• Oracle's AI plans face investor skepticism, leading to broader AI market jitters.
• Budget airlines Spirit and Frontier discuss merger amid service woes; earlier JetBlue/Spirit merger was blocked by Biden administration.
• Auto sector news: Some GM plants close for an extended time (might mean new engines or powertrains in the works); Jeep EVs face multiple recalls for critical safety defects.
• California targets Tesla for “misleading” self-driving advertising—Novak mocks the priorities.

9. Religion, the Military Chaplaincy, and "Woke" Agendas

(56:30–60:56)

• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announces a rollback of "wokeism" in Department of Defense chaplaincy and streamlining religious codes.
  • Quote (Hegseth, as played in episode):

    “Our chaplains are chaplains, not emotional support officers... They are there to minister to the flock.”

• David Brody and Novak discuss the historical mission of military chaplains—to serve those who seek faith, not to indoctrinate with political or new-age causes.
  • Quote (Brody):

    “When George Washington was around... the chaplains were there to minister to those who wanted to be ministered to... We’ve gotten far, far away from the original intention.” [59:04]

  • Novak draws a parallel to the Hanukkah story, warning against trying to fuse passing fads (like climate change activism) with religious practice.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They literally call HR managers... leaving voicemails for people who don't work there anymore... wondering why they're not getting accurate data.” – Mitch Rochelle [13:41]
• “I am really, really angry about what’s going on at Brown University—what looks to me, and I think everybody who has a brain, to be deliberate incompetence...” – Jake Novak [46:52]
• “From a law enforcement perspective, I ask anyone who sees this to just shut up... we will find out; give it some time.” – Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (played by Novak) [47:04]
• “This investigation is making the Keystone Cops look like consummate professionals...” – Gerard Felitti [48:21]
• “These training materials have no place in the war department. Our chaplains are chaplains, not emotional support officers...” – Pete Hegseth, as quoted [56:30]
• “You need to believe in climate change... I mean, it’s just sick.” – Jake Novak on “woke” chaplaincy [59:04]
• “I miss the days when it was 'I thank my mom, my dad, and my faith.' Bring that back—maybe people will start to tune in again.” – Emily Finch [25:11]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump’s Economic Speech & Immigration: 04:52–10:16, 42:01–44:40
• Labor Market & Job Stats Critique: 13:41–16:34
• Brown University Shooting & Police Response: 46:52–49:45
• DOJ/FBI Actions Over Mar-a-Lago Raid: 49:45–51:58
• Oscars & Pop Culture Segment (with Emily Finch): 21:19–24:57
• Tech, Market, and Business Recap: 30:14–39:39
• Military Chaplaincy & Faith in the Armed Forces: 56:30–60:56

Tone

The tone is energetic, polemical, and often combative—bluntly critical of institutions perceived as incompetent or ideologically driven (from the Biden administration to university bureaucracies to Hollywood and the military bureaucracy). There’s humor and teasing between the host and guests, plus ongoing appeals to values of “faith, freedom, and American traditions.”

For Those Who Missed It

• This episode is a whirlwind survey of issues swirling around the intersection of policy, culture, and faith—from the kitchen table (tax refunds, jobs) to national security and public integrity (college shootings, border policy) to cultural touchstones (Oscars, sport, streaming).
• The through-line is a skeptical take on mainstream narratives and a call for accountability—from public officials and cultural leaders to the federal bureaucracy.
• The tonal balance: urgent and moralistic, but with moments of levity and direct exchanges with guests.