American Sunrise Early Edition – January 14, 2026

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: Alison Hans (A) & Brian Glenn (C)
Notable Guests: Dustin Grage (Townhall.com), Gerard Ferlitti (Welfare Project), Dr. Rebecca Grant (IRIS Independent Research), Thomas Corbett Dillon (Political Commentator), Emily Finn (American Sunrise contributor), David Brody (American Sunrise host)
Air Date: January 14, 2026

Episode Overview

The January 14th, 2026 episode of "American Sunrise Early Edition" delivers a fast-paced analysis of current events through a conservative, populist lens, with particular focus on accountability for high-profile political figures, domestic unrest related to immigration policy, growing anti-regime protests in Iran, and controversial moves in American diplomacy and government oversight. Alison Hans and Brian Glenn take listeners through these primary storylines with support from expert guests and lively exchanges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Clintons & the Epstein Inquiry (03:08–05:00, 15:19–20:48)

• Context: Bill and Hillary Clinton face potential contempt of Congress charges for refusing to testify in the House Oversight Committee’s Epstein network investigation.
• Discussion:
  • The hosts express little surprise at the Clintons’ avoidance, calling for equal legal standards as applied to Republican figures like Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro.
  • The segment features Gerard Ferlitti, legal expert, who explains that contempt charges are likely though an actual "perp walk" is improbable.
  • The Clintons’ behavior is characterized as a decades-long disregard for the law.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "Congressional subpoenas aren’t optional. These are mandatory." – Gerard Ferlitti (16:46)
  • "Clintons have positioned themselves as above the law since the 1990s. They just don’t think it applies to them." – Gerard Ferlitti (19:41)
• Tone: Frustration at political double standards; skepticism about true accountability.

2. Unrest in Minneapolis & Immigration Fraud (05:04–12:48, 33:46–40:32)

• Context: Protests erupt in Minneapolis after an ICE agent shoots a woman who allegedly attacked with her car. Broader scrutiny is placed on Minnesota’s Somali community and alleged widespread welfare fraud.
• Discussion:
  • Guest Dustin Grage details fraud across 14 high-risk welfare programs, estimated at over $9 billion, and the impact of Trump's decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis.
  • Hosts debate “Minnesota nice” vs. “suicidal empathy,” questioning when native Minnesotans will push back.
  • Later, Thomas Corbett Dillon discusses Democrats’ response to these protests, the tendency to defend lawbreakers, and the GOP’s need to be more assertive.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "We’ve opened up the cookie jar to everyone... they’ve taken all the cookies." – Brian Glenn (15:04)
  • "I call it suicidal empathy. People are openly choosing to actually go out of their way to fund their own destruction." – Dustin Grage (10:34)
  • "Imagine if under Joe Biden... right wing people had got in their cars and started blocking the feds... there would be repercussions. For some reason, we are letting these crazy left wing people smash their cars into ICE." – Thomas Corbett Dillon (34:48)
• Tone: Alarm over government fraud and perceived leniency toward some protest movements vs. others.

3. Iran: Protests, Regime Resistance & U.S. Response (22:34–28:23)

• Context: Mass anti-government protests continue across Iran, with President Trump promising support for the protestors and warning of possible military action.
• Discussion:
  • Dr. Rebecca Grant speaks on the scope of the protests despite restricted communications, high casualties, and the regime’s use of the Revolutionary Guard and Basij forces.
  • The hosts underscore the delicacy of U.S. military options, ongoing planning, and the significance for broader Middle East policy.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "Every report now is saying that we're looking at hundreds of thousands in these protests and very high casualties." – Dr. Rebecca Grant (23:24)
  • "Trump's decision is sort of, what can he do that will hurt Iran's leadership... and still aid what the protesters are trying to do? It's a very delicate balance." – Dr. Rebecca Grant (25:03)
• Tone: Cautious support for U.S. involvement; recognition of complex humanitarian and strategic factors.

4. Greenland Diplomacy & U.S. Foreign Ambitions (00:07, 27:30)

• Context: Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Danish officials as the U.S. weighs options to acquire Greenland—ranging from purchase to military force.
• Discussion:
  • Dr. Grant mentions Greenland alongside Venezuela and Iran as examples of President Trump restoring "American leadership" and "doing international housekeeping."
• Notable Quotes:
  • "Greenland, Venezuela, Iran... it's all linked to setting us up for the next ten years." – Dr. Rebecca Grant (27:30)

5. Federal Reserve Chair Subpoena Controversy (30:10–33:38)

• Context: DOJ subpoenas Fed Chair Jerome Powell; Trump denies involvement, distancing himself from accusations of political interference.
• Discussion:
  • Emily Finn contextualizes a long-running Trump–Powell feud, noting Powell’s statement about the central bank’s independence.
  • Brian Glenn highlights the outsized power of the Fed chair and public confusion about the Federal Reserve’s role.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our assessment of what will serve the public..." – Jerome Powell, read by Emily Finn (30:49)
• Tone: Sarcastic regarding Powell’s authority; emphasizes the importance of public understanding of the Fed.

6. MAGA Abroad: “Make Iran Great Again?” (42:54–46:17)

• Context: President Trump’s “Make Iran Great Again” (MIGA) remark triggers heated commentary about American priorities and branding.
• Discussion:
  • David Brody lampoons Trump’s “world peace president” aspirations, questioning the dilution of the MAGA message.
  • Alison Hans counters that sometimes international engagement is necessary to further American interests.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "He’s fallen in love with being the peace president, the world peace president. Guys, I’m sorry, that’s not what MAGA signed up for." – David Brody (43:35)
• Tone: Half-humorous, half-serious critique of Trump’s foreign policy branding.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16:46 | Gerard Ferlitti| "Congressional subpoenas aren’t optional. These are mandatory." | | 19:41 | Gerard Ferlitti| "Clintons have positioned themselves as above the law since the 1990s."| | 10:34 | Dustin Grage | "I like to call it suicidal empathy." | | 34:48 | Thomas C. Dillon| "Imagine if under Joe Biden... right wing people had got in their cars and started blocking the feds." | | 23:24 | Dr. Rebecca Grant| "Every report now is saying that we're looking at hundreds of thousands in these protests and very high casualties."| | 25:03 | Dr. Rebecca Grant| "Trump's decision is... a delicate balance." | | 30:49 | Emily Finn (reading Powell)| "The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates..."| | 43:35 | David Brody | "He’s fallen in love with being the peace president... that’s not what MAGA signed up for."|

Important Segment Timestamps

• Bill & Hillary Clinton, Epstein Investigation: 03:08–05:00, 15:19–20:48
• Minneapolis Protests & Somali Welfare Fraud: 05:04–12:48, 33:46–40:32
• Iran Protests & U.S. Policy: 22:34–28:23
• Greenland Diplomacy: 00:07, 27:30
• Federal Reserve Controversy: 30:10–33:38
• MAGA Branding Abroad / “Make Iran Great Again”: 42:54–46:17

Episode Flow & Takeaways

The episode blends hardline critique of Democratic figures and policies with concern over government corruption, law enforcement, and the future of American global leadership. The hosts and guests issue calls for accountability, more assertive Republican action, and vigilance against what they see as dangerous political and societal trends. Despite deep skepticism that elites like the Clintons will face consequences, the episode offers the certainty that these issues will remain front and center into the 2026 election cycle.

Listeners not only get a recap of the news but are invited into spirited debates and candid opinions emblematic of Real America’s Voice’s “honest views.”