American Sunrise Early Edition - January 12th, 2026

Summary

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Podcast Summary: American Sunrise Early Edition – January 12th, 2026

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Hosts: Allison Hahns, Brian Glenn
Featuring: Dr. Zudi Jasser, Banoche Zand, Emily Finn, David Zier, David Brody
Date: January 12, 2026
Theme: A deep dive into international unrest—with a sharp focus on mass protests and regime instability in Iran—as well as domestic turbulence in American cities over immigration enforcement and law enforcement responses, capped by key analysis and notable on-the-ground stories.

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Episode Overview

This episode explores three interconnected flashpoints: The unraveling of Iran’s Islamic regime amid unprecedented nationwide protests; intensifying anti-ICE protests and public confrontations in American cities like Minneapolis and Portland; and the evolving U.S. administration’s hardline global strategy, particularly regarding international hotspots and security priorities such as Greenland. The show balances urgent updates with on-the-ground reporting and expert commentary, all through the lens of American values and bold political stances.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Crisis in Iran: Regime on the Brink

[02:41, 04:10, 05:52]

• Unprecedented Protests: For the third consecutive week, all 31 Iranian provinces are racked by anti-regime protests, with hundreds dead, thousands detained, a devastated economy (72% inflation), and a blackout on external communications. The regime’s brutal crackdown is described as a sign of unraveling control.
• International Context: Trump administration signals a decisive break from placating “dictators,” indicating a willingness to use U.S. leverage—military options included—against failing regimes.
• Expert Analysis:
  • Dr. Zudi Jasser (05:52–12:23) outlines the history of Iranian dissent, citing the Green Revolution (2009), Mahsa Amini protests (2019–2022), and the alignment of economic, military, and social factors as a "sonic boom of revolutions."
  • Essential points: No more “enemy abroad” distractions for the regime; economic collapse; some clerics defecting; borders potentially being "sealed" by Israel and/or Western actors.

“This is a once in a millennium…shift in the power structure of Islam from the theocrats and the establishment across the planet to the people…towards Western ideas that we've seen in the Middle East and the Muslim world now for over a thousand years.”
— Dr. Zudi Jasser [09:45]

• Impact on U.S.: Jasser argues that regime change is the best "anti-nuclear" assurance (no Armageddon risk), and would cripple Russian and Chinese influence in the region.

2. Inside the Iranian Revolution: Historian’s Perspective

[20:23–28:28]

• Historical Context:
  • Guest Banoche Zand emphasizes the Western amnesia regarding Iran’s ongoing resistance since 1979, highlighting the repression and atrocities against the Iranian people.
  • Zand gives a moving personal account of her father's persecution and death under the regime.
  • She clarifies that while the regime's economic failures are grave, the uprising is fundamentally about liberty, human rights, and relentless, generation-spanning oppression.
• Protest Evolution: Zand explains how protests, once scattered by social class and issue, coalesced into a unified nationwide movement after 2009. The expectation: This is not a new revolution, but the crescendo of a 47-year struggle.
• On U.S. Policy:
  • Zand urges more tangible support—protection or intervention to shield protesters from lethal violence:

    “The Iranian people can't do it all on their own. Unfortunately, we have tried for decades…” [26:48]

  • She calls for U.S. credibility: “...the White House [must] stand by its word and … deliver.”

3. American Turmoil: Policing, Masculinity, and Public Backlash

[13:55–17:34]

• Portland Police Chief Bob Day’s Viral Breakdown:
  • The chief’s tearful press conference about violence involving illegal immigrants sparks debate among the hosts on law enforcement credibility, with Brian Glenn calling for “tough cops” and questioning modern cultural attitudes toward masculinity.
  • Allison Hahns links leadership perception to broader questions:

    “If that's my police chief weeping at the press conference ... that does not give me the confidence...”

  • The conversation veers into social commentary around masculinity, femininity, and protest culture, with references to shifting gender roles and the perception of “toxic masculinity.”

4. Anti-ICE Protests: Chaos, Credibility, and Street Realities

[32:41–40:55]

• On-the-Ground in Minneapolis:
  • Reporter David Zier recounts his frontline experiences at heated anti-ICE protests—being harassed, called names, and witnessing violent outbursts. He paints a picture of organized, aggressive activism:

  “Operation Deflect Somali fraud is in full effect. It was like the zombie apocalypse… mob rule… we were stalked like lions on the Serengeti…” [34:36]

  • Zier laments absent police protection, the growth of unrest, and “complicity” of city officials.
  • Hosts speculate on the movement’s trajectory: Will it collapse under its own extremism, or topple political dominoes, especially as warmer months bring larger crowds? Both Zier and Glenn emphasize a need for focused messaging from authorities—targeting actual criminals, not law-abiding immigrants.

5. U.S. Hardline Foreign Policy: Greenland and Beyond

[00:06, 03:36]

• The episode highlights Trump’s renewed emphasis on Greenland as a “national security imperative.” This is contextualized within a bigger foreign policy strategy: pushback against China/Russia ambitions in the Arctic, and a more “methodical game plan” on multiple global fronts.
• Hosts interpret the strategy as “America back in command.”

6. Breaking News Segment: NASA Astronauts Ordered Home

[30:00–32:41]

• For the first time, NASA calls back the entire International Space Station crew early due to a medical emergency, with details scarce and privacy maintained.
• The coverage underscores the rarity and “safety first” approach of NASA, keeping listeners up-to-date on major non-political current events.

7. Closing Segment: MAGA’s Future and U.S. Political Fractures

[42:54–46:21]

• Analyst David Brody opines that recent U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear sites emboldened Iranian protesters, and muses on the internal struggles defining “MAGA” in U.S. politics.

“There is an internal fight… kind of going on within MAGA as to what the future of MAGA will be.”
— David Brody [45:26]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dr. Zudi Jasser on the stakes in Iran:

  "This is…a once in a millennium shift…the greatest sign for movement towards peace and liberty…now for over a thousand years." [09:45]

• Banoche Zand on Western amnesia:

  “…It’s a natural Western amnesia where the processes of never-ending protests and desperation…is concerned. Everybody’s making it seem like it’s just economic. It’s the farthest thing from only economic.” [24:35]

• Portland policing and masculinity debate:

  “I want tough cops. I want tough sheriffs. I want people that when the criminals look at, they say, that's a badass guy.”
  — Brian Glenn [15:45]

• Street Reality from David Zier:

  “Operation Deflect Somali fraud is in full effect. It was like the zombie apocalypse. Total mob rule… we were stalked like lions on the Serengeti for two hours straight.” [34:36]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Iran Crisis and Dr. Jasser Analysis: 05:52–12:23
• Banoche Zand’s Historical Context & Call for Action: 20:23–28:28
• Portland Chief Debate & Masculinity/Judgment: 13:55–17:34
• Anti-ICE Minneapolis Protests (David Zier): 32:41–40:55
• NASA ISS Emergency Return: 30:00–32:41
• MAGA’s Internal Schism (David Brody): 42:54–46:21

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Flow & Tone

The episode is urgent, animated, and heavily opinionated—mixing hard news, live reporting, expert and personal testimony, and spirited debate. The tone is conversational but combative, reflecting both deep concern for unfolding crises and an unapologetically partisan, populist perspective centered on law and order, U.S. global leadership, and traditional values.

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Summary prepared for listeners seeking both the narrative arc of the show and direct exposure to its vivid personalities and political perspectives.

Transcript

[Banoche Zand]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

[Allison Hahns]

It's 7 o' clock in the east, 4am in the west. Coming up right now on this early edition of American Sunrise. Extreme unrest. Iran is on the brink. Mass protests sweeping all 31 provinces, all economy in free fall, and a regime struggling to hold control. Is this the moment Tehran finally breaks? Plus, extreme anti ice protests spreading nationwide from Minneapolis to major cities across the country as federal law enforcement faces open defiance for doing its job. What started as a single incident has become a national test of authority, enforcement and the rule of law. And later, extreme strategy. The president is also doubling down on Greenland, calling it a national security imperative. As China and Russia eye the Arctic. Europe pushing back. Trump not blinking. What this signals about America's red lines in a rapidly shifting world. Three fronts, one strategy. America back in command. This early edition of American Sunrise starts right now.

[Brian Glenn]

Welcome to American Sunrise Early Edition, the show where faith, freedom and the values that built this nation take center stage. You people and others like you built this country. Join us as we break down the stories that matter. F A F o.

[David Zier]

If you don't know, now, you know.

[Brian Glenn]

American Sunrise Early Edition on real America's voice starts now.

[Allison Hahns]

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to American Sunrise EARLY Edition. I'm Alison Hahns. We are live from West Palm Beach. It is so great to have you with us this morning. Let's bring in my co host, Brian Glenn. Brian, good morning to you.

[Brian Glenn]

Good morning, Allison. Did you have a good weekend?

[Allison Hahns]

I had a wonderful weekend, although I didn't get much sleep because as you know, the two of us love news. We love news even when we're not here. It's a 247 job. And with everything that's going on in Iran, which is absolutely extraordinary to witness, and of course, everything in Minneapolis, I can't say that I was, I was resting.

[Brian Glenn]

Yeah, I agree. It's the news cycle as of lately is pretty heavy, so that's understandable. Yeah.

[Allison Hahns]

Yes, I would, I would agree. Well, you know what, Brian, let's get to the latest on Iran this morning so we can set the table here. Iran's Foreign Minister Clinton claims the situation has come under total control in the nationwide protests. The foreign minister also alleges nationwide protests turned violent and bloody. To give an excuse for Trump to intervene, Iran has summoned the British ambassador over protesters twice taking down the Iranian flag at their embassy in London. Now, Trump's message to the world. He's saying he's done with dictators, he's done propping up regimes, and he is done Pretending America has no leverage from Iran to Cuba, Venezuela, Greenland. This feels like a methodical game plan. What are you, Brian, what do you think that the White House is trying to accomplish at this point?

[Brian Glenn]

Well, you know, I think about what life was like this time last year and some of the things that we were dealing with, and I didn't have any of these, if perhaps escalations with Iran may be on my bingo card. But you look at the Greenland, the conversation for Greenland, and then of course, you fast forward to what happened in Minneapolis and the deportation. We knew, Allison, that once we started to have this deportations start that something like this could happen. But, man, does President Trump not have a lot on his plate.

[Allison Hahns]

Well, we have the fafo, and I think that that is certainly the policy that is going into effect. And it's just been absolutely extraordinary. Of course, amid the turbulence and uncertainty, we ground this morning in God's word, a promise that still holds. This verse is from Exodus 33:14. The Lord replied, I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest. Everything will be fine for you. Turning now from the good Book to a moment that may define a generation, this morning, the Islamic Republic of Iran is unraveling. For a third straight week, anti regime protests have swept all 31 provinces and the response has turned brutal. Security forces have opened fire. The streets are flooded with fear. Hundreds are dead and thousands disappeared into detention. The regime has gone dark, shutting down the Internet, cutting communications and sealing the country from the outside world. This is what a government does when it is losing control. And here in Washington, President Trump is now reviewing next steps, weighing options as the regime's grip weakens by the hour. Joining us now is Dr. Zudi Jasser, United States Navy veteran, founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy and author of A Battle for the soul of Islam. Dr. Jasser, thank you so much for joining us this morning. We appreciate it.

[Dr. Zudi Jasser]

It's good to be with you, Allison. Thanks for having me.

[Allison Hahns]

Absolutely. Well, Dr. Jasser, are we watching the moment when fear breaks and a regime begins to fall?

[Dr. Zudi Jasser]

There's no doubt, Dino, if you look at how we got here, 2009, initial revolution, the green revolution that the Obama administration intentionally ignored. 2017, there was smoldering revolutions across Iran in which the mullahs and their Islamic schools were targeted by citizens and demonstrated against. Then 2019, we began to have the women life and liberty revolution with Mahsa Emani, who was killed and ultimately awoke the women's movements. And now it's sort of a sonic boom. Of revolutions where all 31 provinces, as you mentioned, are involved. And you have the alignment of all of the factors necessary for the end of this regime, which is economic struggles where over 50% inflation and, and the, the currency is completely devalued and lost. The forces are beginning, some of them are beginning to take off the uniform now. Most of them have not. We see clerics putting videos out, might be lying to save their hide, but at the end of the day, some clerics putting videos out saying they disagree and want to separate from the regime. Foreign adversaries are no longer available for sort of that Machiavellian enemy abroad where Israel now has completely contained Iran, America's end of the nuclear weaponry that they were trying to develop. So Israel, I'm sorry, Iran domestically and around them is now sealed. And this is the, this is the beginning of the end of the regime, if not soon. The end.

[Allison Hahns]

Well, Dr. Shasser, I just want to follow up on that because we're looking at these incredible videos coming out of Iran. I mean, have you ever seen protests like this where people are willing to go out on the streets and risk their lives? I mean, we've had protests in the past, but this just seems different.

[Dr. Zudi Jasser]

It does for Iran. It's an all, all encompassing demonstration that has now paralyzed for whatever the economy was was on the edge. It is now completely paralyzed. And the key will be if they continue to keep it up. Which is why we need to get exposure of video and international attention to what's happening. This is why they've locked down comms, whether it's by phone, Internet, etc. Because they don't want the world to see it and they're going to start using. If you look across the Middle east in 2011, when you had the Arab awakenings country to country, a similar example on the Sunni side was in Egypt when the Muslim Brotherhood took over. You had demonstrations against them with millions that went to the street in Egypt and they tried to put it down by weapons. And this is what they're going to try to do in Syria with demonstrations week after week. 2,500 3,000 a week were being killed in Syria. And ultimately what allowed that to continue for a decade was the fact that the regime was getting weapons from Russia, from China, from Iran, etc. If Iran can't get weapons, if Iran, if the Iranian regime cannot get money to feed and to pay its soldiers at the irgc, it won't last but a matter of days to weeks. If they get weapons and money to feed and to Pay their soldiers of the irgc. This could continue for weeks with basically demonstrators being killed because they don't have weapons. Remember, the people have no weapons to fight.

[Brian Glenn]

Yeah, this actually brings up the next question. What do the Iranian people still need to do to finally topple these moolahs? I mean, what's that final thing that they might need?

[Dr. Zudi Jasser]

Yeah, I think ultimately sealing the border, making sure that there's no financing, no weapons coming in from the outside. There needs to be basically a continued paralysis of the economy. If you look, Assad for years never went anywhere and then finally he was done. Why? Because Israel sealed the border of Syria, Russia stopped feeding the regime and he wasn't able to pay his officers for a month. And in November 24th he was done. So this is going to be the same thing in Iran. The people need to keep it up, stay to the streets, know that the world supports them, is praying for them. And I can tell you this isn't just about change in Iran. As a Muslim who's been fighting against radical Islam, theocratic Islam, this is a once in a millennium, not even generation or century, once in a millennium shift in the power structure of Islam from the theocrats and the establishment across the planet to the people, to secular movement to the separation of mosque and state, which is one of the greatest signs for movement towards peace and liberty, towards Western ideas that we've seen in the Middle east and the Muslim world now for over a thousand years.

[Allison Hahns]

Unbelievable. Now if there is the toppling of the regime there, how does that affect us here in the United States?

[Dr. Zudi Jasser]

Well, I think this is, you know, one of the things we've said in the national security realm and I've testified to Congress many times, is that ultimately the best anti nuclear program that could ever exist is the end of the regime. Because right now, if they had nuclear weapons, it would not be far fetched that these guys think that that's the end of the world. At the end of times they would have tried to use them to create Armageddon. So thank God, number one, they don't have it. Number two, it will tip the the influence of Russia and China in the Middle east, unbelievably putting them on defense versus offense because Iran was their cash cow, their oil cow and they were able to have a place in the region. It will completely disassemble Iran's influence in Iraq, which we lost. Obama handed that to Iran and then Syria already was lost. And part of the reason the regime is weakening because they lost the ability to get those resources so it will bring back even better than we had in the 20th century thanks to Trump, President Trump's resolve sort of realigning that where we were on the Sunni side and the Russians were on the Shia side, there is no more Shia side with the Hezbollah, Hamas, you know, the irgc, terror organizations now no longer having the primary funder of terror in the planet go away.

[Allison Hahns]

Dr. Zudi Jasser, thank you so much for being here this morning. We appreciate you.

[Dr. Zudi Jasser]

Anytime. Thanks for having me.

[Allison Hahns]

Thank you. Up next, the Portland chief of police is being mocked online and going viral after breaking down in tears over illegals and law and order. That story is next as AMERICAN SUNRISE continues. Good morning. We're looking at a beautiful shot of Philadelphia. Thank you so much for waking up with us. Welcome back to AMERICAN SUNRISE EARLY edition. I'm Alison Hans. Let's bring my co anchor Brian Glenn right back in. Hey there, Brian. How you doing this morning?

[Brian Glenn]

You know, Allison, I was reading some stats before our earlier guests. Food was up 72% from year to year.

[Allison Hahns]

That's in Iran.

[Brian Glenn]

In Iran. And the currency is almost worthless. So the people are just fed up. And once you learn kind of what they're fighting and how bad that regime is there, it makes sense. Absolutely. And it makes us look like we complained over 18% inflation on Joe Biden and 19%. Imagine a loaf of bread being just absolutely unaffordable. So it's just crazy times.

[Allison Hahns]

Something extraordinary to witness out there on the streets of Iran. Just absolutely amazing. Well, turning now to a moment that's going viral, now we're back home and raising some serious questions about priorities. Back in Minneapolis, in Portland now Portland Police Chief Bob Day is being mocked online after breaking down in tears. This is unbelievable. While confirming that two illegal immigrants shot during a federal encounter had suspected ties to the violent Venezuelan gang Trende Aragua. The emotion, not the admission, is what's sparking the backlash. Check it out.

[Brian Glenn]

It saddens me that we even have to qualify these remarks because I understand, or at least have attempted to understand through your voices, your concern, your fear.

[David Zier]

Your anger.

[Dr. Zudi Jasser]

This information in no way is meant to disparage or to condone.

[Brian Glenn]

Or support or agree with any of.

[David Zier]

The actions that occurred yesterday.

[Allison Hahns]

Well, it's a stunning display and a window into how far some leaders are willing to look the other way. Now, Brian, I'm not trying to be insensitive here because this is a terrible situation, but if that's my police chief weeping at the press conference, conference taking its hanky out, dabbing his Eyes. That does not give me the confidence as a citizen of Portland that this is someone who's going to lead and protect and serve. Your thoughts?

[Brian Glenn]

I want tough cops. I want tough sheriffs. I want people that when the criminals look at, they say, that's a badass guy. I don't want to cross that guy. Did he cry when Lake and Riley was murdered, raped and assaulted? Did he cry when these other people that we've seen that we've lost in the hands of these criminal gangs, did they cry then? Look, but what else do you expect coming out of a very liberal city like Portland?

[Allison Hahns]

Yeah, but it's not only like a liberal city like Portland. I think it's a larger question of masculinity in general. Masculinity?

[David Brody]

Yes.

[Allison Hahns]

Okay, yes. Masculinity in general. And I love, you know, tough, strong women, but I also love strong, tough men. And I think that roles are being reversed or tamped down at least.

[Brian Glenn]

Well, what's interesting, I read a study that as women became feminists and they're very strong, they tend to gravitate towards weak men. So I see a lot of the protesters at these events seem to be very weak men because they are married or associated with very liberal white women. There is a correlation there. So we have completely just tossed out masculinity in something that's almost toxic. Now. It's, you know, don't be a toxic male. Don't be strong. And I love independent women. Oh, yeah, trust me, I love strong independent women.

[Allison Hahns]

Oh, I think you do.

[Brian Glenn]

I think I do. But I also love strong men as well. And I think that police chief, God bless that community because. Yeah, yeah, I like to know what the crime stats are in his city.

[Allison Hahns]

Well, we have a lot of liberal white women out there showing up at a lot of these protests. And we have some great video with David Zier out in Minneapolis. We'll be bringing that to you later. Him confronting, or actually rather they were confronting him. He was a total gentleman. Stay with us because we're bringing that up. It's going to be awesome. Well, coming up when we come back, Iran's moment of truth. Why the next few hours could shape the future of the regime. That's next as American Sunrise continues. Stay with us.

[Brian Glenn]

All right, welcome back. A live look at Chicago. Moved by there a couple weeks ago. Great city. All right, welcome back. Before we dive in, let's get a quick word from our sponsor, Artillery Tea Company, the only America first veteran owned tea brand. Their mission is simple, maximize flavor with whole leaf blends and chemical free tea bags. No junk, just real tea. And here's a tactical advantage. Each bag brews twice. Just go to artillerytco.com and use the promo code RAV for 10% off your first order. That's artillerytco.com premium tea. Mission driven. Brood for the brave. You got that, Allison? It's brood for the brave. I'll bring Beck, Allison, because she's brave and she joins me back.

[Allison Hahns]

Thank you. I tried to be getting up at this hour is pretty brave for this lady.

[Brian Glenn]

No, you're brave.

[Allison Hahns]

Well, thank you, Brian. Moving on, Iran is teetering on the edge this morning as the regime moves to crush mass protests that have spread across the country. More than 500 people are confirmed dead with reports of protesters shot at police point blank range and morgues now overflowing as Ayatollah Ali Khamenei orders a full crackdown despite warnings from the United States. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is weighing next steps, including preliminary military options as officials consider how to respond to what could be the bloodiest moment of the regime's final chapter. Joining us right now is Banoche Zand, a journalist and analyst covering Iran. Thank you so much for being here this morning. We appreciate you.

[Banoche Zand]

Thank you.

[Allison Hahns]

Okay, so what are your contacts inside Iran telling you that we aren't necessarily seeing on state TV or social media at this point?

[Banoche Zand]

Well, first of all, there's no telephone or Internet. So as of the last 60 hours, it's been very 60, 70 hours. It's been very spotty. So it comes and goes. And it's that's their style. They throttled the Internet. But I want to bring up something that is very important to me and it should be to everybody on the planet who is watching Iran. This is not this didn't start in 2009. You know, this has been going on since 1979. Western memory unfortunately doesn't go past a certain number of decades or years. But for the ones of us who have been suffering for 47 years, this has been going on for 47 years, as I just mentioned, since 1979. The 1999 student uprising where a number of university students were killed, where several of our students whose photographs appeared on the Economist publication from Britain, who went to prison, some of whom were executed, these are historical moments that is very disappointing for us who have spent 47 years of blood, sweat and tears lost our loved ones. My own 80 year old father, who was a journalist and a public intellectual in Iran, spent 17 years in and out of prison under torture and interrogation and was finally thrown out of the balcony of his sixth floor apartment where he was under house arrest at age 80. And then the regime claimed that it was suicide. Now, we've been going through this for nearly five decades. The forces of that regime are deployed in this country on an individual basis. They're not like an army in the sense that you would think an army would attack the country. They carry out terrorist attacks. That's the reason why they are known as the, the biggest sponsors of state terrorism. So let's, let's put things into context and let, let's look at this in terms of the proper historical timeline and as far as we're concerned, the way that people are chanting in Iran and it rhymes, when they chanted in Farsi, they say this is the last battle, Pahlavi, which is the name of our king, Pahlavi will return. So that's the context of how people really should be looking at what's going on in Iran. This is the nth protest that people have had. Every protest has tumbled into a new phase. So in 2009, what you actually saw, and this is the thing that people are always getting wrong when they describe it, is that 2009 was the year where all the factions came together. So if throughout the decades, workers were protesting, teachers were protesting, pensioners were protesting, university students were protesting, every faction came together in 2009 and since then it has been a gestalt, a whole, an entire community, an entire society of all of the various echelons of society getting together and protesting. So now this is what we're looking at here. The culmination of 15 years of a well rounded series of protests of people from all guilds and all echelons of society coming together. And the 2022 Mahsa Amini protest should have been a reminder of the 2009 murder of Neda Arasotan, who was brutally shot in the middle of the street in Tehran and who's the, whose blood poor was pouring out of her eyes and her mouth. So this is not the first time. It's unfortunately however, become a natural Western amnesia where the processes of the series of, of of never ending protests and desperation of people in Iran is concerned. Everybody's making it seem like it's just economic. It's the farthest thing from only economic. They kill people for absolutely no reason. They are brutal dictators and this has been going on for 47 years. It's not just because the 72% inflation, it's because people don't have electricity. They don't have water. They have absolutely no freedom to wear what they want. Their children are dragged away in the middle of the night to be taken to prison and tortured and then executed without the knowledge of the family. So please don't just make it just about some economic hardship. This isn't economic hardship or Biden issue to say.

[Brian Glenn]

Let me stop you right there. Let me stop you right there just for a second.

[Banoche Zand]

Of 90 million people.

[Brian Glenn]

I understand. Let me ask you, how does this end? How does this end? As an American, we watch this play on our TV screens. Where does this end? Because the protests have become a revolution. Are we at the end of the revolution or the beginning of the revolution and the end of the protest?

[Banoche Zand]

The revolution has been going on, as I said, for 47 years. This never ended.

[Brian Glenn]

But what happens? When do we finally. Yeah, when do we finally move to a new era in Iran?

[Banoche Zand]

When the people are able to get rid of this regime and when the White House stands by its word and says that when it's going to go in eight days ago is when Donald Trump said that if they hurt a hair on a single protester's head. The fact is, is that the numbers that we're getting of the people who have been shot on the street is above 2000. So the fact is, is that right now, the Iranian people can't do it all on them on their own. Unfortunately, we have tried for decades, again, as I'm. As I will tell you. But that, but this is the fact that we are a people who don't carry guns. We don't carry Molotov cops. It's only now that people are beginning to do things like that. They need help. They don't need boots on the ground for the long term, because we have a crown prince who has organized the structure of an interim government that is ready to slip in and hit the ground running and pick up from where. Where it needs. Where it was left off. So it has absolutely nothing to. With American boots on the ground, NATO, this, that it's, it's just the people of Iran.

[Allison Hahns]

Thank you.

[Banoche Zand]

And we've been saying this for 47 years, that a country whose people and the nation who hates the regime and the dictatorship that's in, that's basically invaded, it is, needs to go by the people. And that's what we're doing. We just need a little help with protection against the bullets.

[Allison Hahns]

Understood. Banav Shay, thank you so very much.

[Brian Glenn]

Thank you. Banache.

[Allison Hahns]

We really appreciate you coming in and giving your perspective. And we've learned so much this morning. Really, really appreciative.

[Banoche Zand]

Thank you.

[Allison Hahns]

Coming up, an emergency above Earth. Astronauts told to come home. Now the NASA decision rarely made. That's coming up next.

[Brian Glenn]

Welcome to American Sunrise Early Edition. The show where faith, freedom and the values that built this nation take center stage.

[Allison Hahns]

Welcome back to American Sunrise Early Edition. I'm Allison Hans. Happy to bring back in my co host Brian Glenn. Okay Brian, what does the President and the White House have on the schedule today?

[Brian Glenn]

That is a great question. Coming up today at 10:30 he is meeting with the Secretary of State, followed up by 1:30 meeting with the Archbishop Coakley. 3:30 There is what the House described as a signing time. And then finally at 4 o' clock the CEO of Tunnel Two Towers Foundation. All of that is in the Oval Office. And we'll bring it to you if it opens up to the, to the media right here in real America's voice.

[Allison Hahns]

Fantastic. Sounds great. Okay. A rare and unprecedented move from NASA this morning. For the first time in the International Space Station's 25 year history, NASA is ordering an early return of a full crew after a medical emergency in orbit. Officials say a Crew 11 astronaut experienced a health issue aboard the International Space Station. The astronaut is now stable but the decision was made to bring everyone home within days. NASA calling it a safety first decision and stressing this is quote about protecting life above all else. Joining us now to break this down is Emily Finn. Good morning Emily.

[Emily Finn]

Good morning Allison. Thank you so much for having me.

[Allison Hahns]

Of course this is being described as an evacuation from orbit. I mean how extraordinary is this and are we learning more about what actually happened to the astronaut?

[Emily Finn]

Well Alison, I'll tell you, I have so many questions, okay. Like I want to know what's going on. I've been trying to go like full FBI mode trying to investigate and find out some answers to because medical issue that's so broad. I definitely want to know. But they're still being very tight lipped about the details of what's going on up there in space. I was able to find a LinkedIn post from Mike Finke. He is the commander of the International Space Station. He's with some of the astronauts, with the crew of astronauts that is going to be coming home a little bit early in his post he said first and foremost we are all okay. Everyone on board is stable, safe and well cared for. This seems like it's a abundance of caution kind of decision that they ended up making here. Alison. But really interesting the first time as you said in their 25 year history that something like this has happened. So they were supposed to be coming home around February 20th, but they will be coming home Wednesday at 5pm is when they'll be returning back to Earth.

[Allison Hahns]

Okay, so this isn't just like someone having a cold up there and you know, you can't go for like the nyquil and like fix those.

[Emily Finn]

No, no. And like I said, tight lipped, you know, definitely keeping the privacy of the astronauts and their medical conditions, you know, definitely private. But we'll find out eventually what's going on and hopefully everyone is going to, going to remain safe Now, Emily, all.

[Brian Glenn]

They need is a wellness emergency kit. That's all they need.

[Emily Finn]

That's all they need.

[Brian Glenn]

Let's just be honest.

[Emily Finn]

Send them up to space. Someone call Elon Musk, get the rocket fired up.

[Brian Glenn]

I mean anything from a tick bite to diarrhea to Covid. I mean, I think they could probably handle it all. We certainly wish them a safe return back here.

[Emily Finn]

They even protect from alien bites too. Brian.

[Brian Glenn]

Emily.

[Allison Hahns]

Thank you, Brian. Thank you. Okay, changing gears now. Over the weekend, anti ice protests erupted in dozens of major cities from federal buildings to state capitals with crowds, clashes and a heavy law enforcement presence. David Zier, host of Breaking Point here on Real America's voice was on the ground at one of these protests when the rhetoric turned personal and the harassment turned openly hostile. Take a look.

[David Zier]

This is what we're dealing with on the ground all over. That's right. Actually, I'm very respectful and you're not respectful at all in any way. I just want to ask, do you believe in illegal immigration? Do you think US taxpayers should be funding housing for illegals and medical care?

[Banoche Zand]

Man, he is so intelligent, this man. He's got nothing to say. He's got nothing to say.

[David Zier]

I got a lot to say.

[Banoche Zand]

He's a big man now.

[David Zier]

I'm a Nazi.

[Banoche Zand]

What A big man.

[David Zier]

I'm very respectful. I'm very respectful. This is the mentality, this is the state of the United States right now. This is what's going on here in this country.

[Allison Hahns]

And joining us now is David Zier, the man himself. David, okay, we were talking about crazy liberal white women out there at these protests. I'm telling you, David, I saw this before anyone here at the station showed me the video. I saw this going viral on, I think it was like Instagram. I, I was laughing so hard and I'm sorry, it's a very serious moment. But David, come on. I mean, that was nuts.

[David Zier]

Operation Deflect Somali fraud is in full effect. It was like the zombie apocalypse. Total mob rule. The invasion of the body snatchers, where people single you out by the masses and all scream in unison to attack us with their handheld radios, with their stupid ice whistles. We were stalked like lions on the Serengeti for two hours straight. And you know, we had a few hundred people with eyes on us starting to shove us, calling us Nazis and fascists, blocking our path out. And they didn't even know who we were. And they were just taking orders from the leadership there. And along with Kevin Posobeck and Nick Sauter and myself and our brave camera crews and security there for us, there were no other media on the ground. There was no police presence. Shame on the Minneapolis police chief. They hate ice. They hate ice. And we should have been protected. We called the police because it got violent at the end and they never came. So this is what's going on in Minneapolis now. This is a few blocks in Powderhorn park away from where Renee Goode and George Floyd died. So these people are adamant. They don't want ICE in their neighborhoods. But you know, this is ramping up, guys. You know, next week, January 19th, they're having big protests planned. Their MLK's dream, resist Trump's nightmare. No ICE, no KKK. Free Congo, Sudan, Palestine and Venezuela firing up the black base for no reason, because this is what they do. And I just wanted to add, you know, shame on the Minneapolis school district for brainwashing a generation of children. You know, this is Steve Bannon's Generation Zero, the movie he made 15 years ago. Because they're the kids of the liberals and the hippies who are spoiled, spoiled kids brainwashing our kids. They're promoting school walkouts. Elementary school walked out the other day. 6 year olds, 8 year olds, 10 year olds marching against ice. It was really insane. And then Brandon, our cameraman were in a restaurant minding our own business. And this ring nose wildebeest came up from behind us, hip checked me and threw a whole shot a fireball in his face for no reason, calling us Nazis and fascists while our whip husband just stood by. And you know what? She stormed out of the restaurant. She shouldn't be, she shouldn't have kids. Social services should pay her a visit. She did it in front of her children and we were just minding our own business. She got triggered by the logos on our jackets. And that's it.

[Brian Glenn]

David, state of affairs. I want to say you are a badass man, because I gotta be honest with you, I saw the video of Brandon Getting that shot thrown at him. And I'm not sure I would have probably handled it the same way that you guys did, but God bless you for a lot of resistance. Now, David, from what you see on the ground, are these movements building power, or are they burning their own credibility? Because the crazier they get, I think they're losing credibility from the rest of the country that they're trying to bring on board with their tactics here.

[David Zier]

I think they're growing. I'm worried about the midterms. You know, there's a lot of regular people out there who succumb to this, right? There's a lot of people who don't want ICE in their neighborhoods. I think the administration needs to do a better job job. Because a common theme on the ground there was that ICE are not trained and they're not law enforcement people, and they're just a bunch of proud boys running around, you know, and it's not what's going on. These guys are trained, and a lot of them are cops already. And, you know, we got to be very clear about who we're rounding up. Do they have criminal records? Are they violent felons, or what kind of crimes did they commit? Because the left is spreading this narrative, and I think it's catching fire. So I'm concerned. I think this summer and now this was 10 degrees, and you had 5% of the Minneapolis population in Powderhorn park the other day, and it's 10 degrees out with the wind chill. So imagine in July, they'll have another George Floyd type situation. You know, you can't light anything on fire when there's snow on the ground. So I think they're going to ferment this all year long. Tim Waltz doesn't want the microscope on him for the Somali fraud. We spent two days with Scott Bessant on the ground there, who had a roundtable with Somali fraud in Minneapolis. It was incredible. Local people getting together, talking about all the fraud going on, and this is going to be a powder keg. I don't see it going away anytime soon.

[Allison Hahns]

And, David, obviously the police didn't come out and do anything for you. What's the latest with.

[David Zier]

There were no police.

[Allison Hahns]

Unbelievable. What's the latest with Mayor Fry?

[David Zier]

He's a jerk. You know, he's out there. You know, he's a jerk, and, you know, he doesn't care about, you know, civility and peace. You know, we were at the protest in Minneapolis where they did send in state troopers. Finally, after the hotel was surrounded with the ice war we watched people from 10ft away break the door of the hotel canopy and try to enter the hotel. You know, they're complicit, they're silent complicity going on here. They want a revolution. They want a civil war, and we can't give it to them. And, you know, we have to get some order and semblance, but we also have to be better with messaging. And, you know, again, these people are sowing division in our country because they hate it.

[Brian Glenn]

Yeah. You know, David, over the weekend, I spent some time with a top law enforcement agent in Texas, and he told me, brian, the White House needs to refine their messaging on this and say, look, we're targeting the criminals. We're going after them. We're not going after the poor guy who's doing lawn service or doing a roofing that has a company that's been there for 10 years, paid his taxes, because that's what the American people are ultimately against us rounding up what would be considered good people that are working in the community. They want us to go after these criminals. So I do think there's a messaging issue that we need to make sure that the White House addresses.

[David Zier]

Absolutely, I agree with that. And, yeah, I was in the street with the people in the neighborhood after the paid agitators left on Thursday night, two days after the shooting, right where Renee good was shot. And the people, I had a civil. A civil dialogue with them. When they don't have the agitators around them, I was able to make some headway and talk to them and listen to what they said. But they're not educated. They don't believe in the rule of law. And, you know, but they don't want ICE Going and kicking down doors in residential neighborhoods. So there, there's got to be something that, you know, bridges the gap here.

[Allison Hahns]

Absolutely. And, and, and can we, can we.

[Brian Glenn]

Bring up the audio real quick of the. Of the badass one more time? The chance we have that we're dealing.

[Banoche Zand]

With on the ground.

[David Zier]

That's right. Actually, I'm very respectful, and you're not respectful at all in any way. I just want to ask, do you believe in illegal immigration? Do you think u. S. Taxpayers should be funding housing?

[David Brody]

Oh, my goodness.

[Allison Hahns]

Okay, we gotta go.

[Banoche Zand]

We gotta go. We gotta go.

[Allison Hahns]

David, thank you so much for joining us. Keep it up out there. You are a badass. When we come back, the situation in Iran is changing by the hour. The latest developments coming up next. Welcome back to American sunrise. We are looking at a live shot of. Are we in Chicago or are we in Chicago? I think so. Or maybe New York City. Anyway, welcome back. Thanks so much for joining us. I'm Alison Hans. Let's bring back in my co host Brian Glenn. And joining us also is American Sunrise host David Brody. Good morning, David.

[David Brody]

Hello, Alison. Hello, o'. Brien.

[Brian Glenn]

Good morning.

[Allison Hahns]

Good morning to Top of the morning. Top of the morning to you. You've been saying for a while now not to take our eyes off the unrest in Iran. You've definitely been on top of that. What's your take on the possibility of the Islamic republic falling back into modernity?

[David Brody]

Right. Well, obviously that isn't really the biggest story. The biggest story is clearly the Golden Globe Awards last night. I mean, obviously. But beyond that, Iran is the top story clearly in the world right now. Well, look, I think it's just a matter of time. It's just a matter of time. This has been going on for a couple of weeks. It starts with inflation and all the economic problems there. But let's be honest, if Trump didn't nuke the nuke sites, if you will, back in July, I'm not quite sure we're here at this point. Once again, I'm not suggesting that the economic problems in Iran wouldn't be present anyhow. Of course they would. They've been present for years and years there. But I think that strike going after the nuke sites in July, I believe, I think when the final story's told will in essence show that the Iranians over there got a little bit more chutzpah, if you will, after that, to know that America may indeed have their back. Now that raises a whole nother issue, which is, wait a minute, is this maga? I mean, once again, I feel like it's always coming down to this question. Is Venezuela maga? Is Iran Maga? Did I just say Maga? What am I, British maga? Why do people say maga? I don't get it. Anyhow, that's a separate issue. Sorry. So I don't know, I'm curious to get your guys take on this because listen, strikes inside Iran while this is going on, that doesn't feel like a bingo card MAGA situation to me. Correct me if I'm wrong. But you know, listen, I get it. I get why they do it. But I don't know, guys. I mean, we'll talk about it today.

[Brian Glenn]

I tend to agree with you to a certain extent. But now it kind of makes those strikes that we saw on those nuclear facilities a little bit more strategic because now you're Right. The Iranian people have a little bit more, you know, kick in their step now to stand up and fight. And I think we were talking in the break, if Iran seriously has a nuclear weapon, this is when they would use it, if they have one right now. So maybe those strikes made sense back in the summertime. But real quick, we've got about 45 seconds left. David, what do you think Americans should be focused on right now if we're going to talk about maga? Maga, maga, maga.

[David Brody]

What voices are going to win the day, I think is really the question when it comes to maga, that's really the bottom line question. There is an internal fight, as you know, Brian, over what is maga. Donald Trump says he came up with maga, so he'll decide what MAGA is. I'm not necessarily convinced of that. I know he came up with maga, that's fine. But that still doesn't mean that there's not an internal war, if you will, kind of going on within MAGA as to what the future of MAGA will be. And I think that's where we keep our eyes focused. And it's going to be, look, I think the J.D. vance, Marco Rubio situation, I know they're friends, but as we go to 2028, I think that's going to be the delineation line. I mean, Rubio's a version of maga. I know establishment neocon. Got it, Got it. But he is a version of MAGA, at least under Trump. And J.D. vance is obviously MAGA as well. So then where's the. I think that's kind of like a little bit of the schism, if you will.

[Allison Hahns]

Okay. The future eyes on maga. Thank you so much, David. We will see you in a few moments. American Sunrise continues. David Brody will be back in a few minutes. Have a great day. We'll see you tomorrow.

[Banoche Zand]

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