AMERICA'S VOICE LIVE WITH STEVE GRUBER - MARCH 12TH, 2026

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Real America’s Voice – America’s Voice Live with Steve Gruber (March 12, 2026)

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode of "America’s Voice Live" with Steve Gruber delivers extensive, real-time coverage of a tumultuous day marked by multiple alleged terrorist attacks in the United States. The main theme centers on concerns over domestic terrorism, a prolonged Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, and the ongoing U.S. military campaign against Iran. Featuring live updates, immediate analysis, and conversations with lawmakers, law enforcement experts, and counterterrorism specialists, the show dissects issues of national security, border policy, and political rhetoric.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Breaking News: Multiple Terror Attacks (01:46–03:26, 16:53–17:47, 25:28–26:43)

• Old Dominion University Shooting (Norfolk, VA):

  • Two ROTC members critically injured; shooter killed at the scene.
  • Suspect reported to have connections to ISIS/ISIL. (25:28–25:52)

• Temple Israel Attack (West Bloomfield, MI):

  • A pickup truck, reportedly packed with explosives, rammed into the synagogue.
  • Security guards engaged; the suspect was shot and killed.
  • Large law enforcement presence including local police, FBI, and ATF.
  • Building housed early childhood education; children evacuated. (01:46–03:26, 16:53–17:47)

• Other Noted Incidents:

  • Attempted bombing near Gracie Mansion, NYC, involving two suspects described as Islamist immigrants. (18:23–18:43)
  • Austin, TX bar shooting by a man wearing a "Property of Allah" sweatshirt.
  • Ongoing reports of bomb threats, including at a Walmart in Houghton Lake, MI. (42:52–43:12)

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2. The DHS Shutdown and Political Deadlock (01:46–06:23, 07:24–08:54)

• Impact of Shutdown:

  • 27th day of the DHS shutdown; hundreds of TSA workers unpaid or quitting amid spring break travel surge.
  • National security is at risk as terrorism concerns rise and airport security strains.
  • Coast Guard operations and cybersecurity also affected.

• Blame Assigned to Democrats:

  • Gruber and guests (Rep. Ralph Norman) describe Democrats as blocking funding over policy demands, accusing them of playing “power at any cost.”

  • Claims Democrats are “openly anti-Semitic” and disinterested in American or victim safety. (04:52–06:23)

    “They’re now a totally socialistic band of people that hate the country. They don’t want America to succeed.”
    — Rep. Ralph Norman (03:57)

    “It’s not shocking, you know, it’s the fact that they’re doing it is shocking. But during the last shutdown of 43 days...they don’t care what they do. Power at any cost is what they’re after.”
    — Rep. Ralph Norman (03:57)

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3. Border Security and Terrorism Concerns (04:52–05:54, 27:04–27:58)

• Border Security Failures:

  • Claims that the open border over the past four years has allowed as many as 20 million illegal entrants, with “many” being unknown threats.
  • Specific reference to Venezuela issuing passports to individuals linked with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. (27:04–27:58)

• Immediate Need for DHS:

  • “This is a time that we need DHS more than ever,” Gruber asserted.
  • Loss of life due to the shutdown is declared as the “blood on the hands of the Democratic Party.” (05:13–05:54)

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4. Blame on Anti-Semitic Political Rhetoric (05:54–07:24, 34:53–36:23)

• Direct Criticism of Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, and AOC:

  • Gruber and guests argue that democratic leaders’ rhetoric fuels hatred and violence.

  • Reference to Omar’s 9/11 comments as symptomatic of a dangerous attitude.

    “Their language and the rhetoric which is just flaming the radical left who are trying to disarm this country and dismantle it, not to mention the lunatics that are willing to kill people.”
    — Rep. Ralph Norman (06:23)

    “These folks are not interested in the security of the American public. And in fact, by their rhetoric they are taking the side of the enemy ... there is no other explanation for it.”
    — Bassem Youssef, retired FBI counterterror expert (36:23)

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5. Second Amendment, Self-Defense, and Security (07:24–07:58, 29:58–30:22)

• Concerns Over Disarmament:

  • Discussion that Democratic efforts to restrict gun rights would make places like Temple Israel unable to defend themselves.

  • Security at the synagogue directly credited for preventing greater tragedy.

    “They would like to disarm you and I at a point in time where our heads should be on a swivel. This won’t be the last terrorist attack.”
    — Steve Gruber (07:24)

    “Well-trained security stopped that from being a much worse situation.”
    — Steve Gruber (46:20)

• Practical Safety Advice:

  • Situational awareness: “Keep your head on a swivel,” avoid crowds, know exits, stay off cell phones in public.
    — Rick De La Torre, former CIA (28:25–30:11)
  • Trust your gut; if something feels wrong, report it.
  • Have family emergency plans for crowded events.
    — Tom Smith, retired NYPD (41:21–44:05)

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6. War Against Iran and Energy Markets (08:54–13:45, 21:25–22:56)

• Display of Support for U.S. Military Action:

  • Tenure of conflict with Iran noted; bipartisan disagreement on approach.

  • Congressman Norman and Gruber endorse the aggressive campaign as overdue to neutralize the “world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism.”

    “After 47 years, neutralizing the world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism, probably a good idea...When people openly try to undermine American policy ... it’s inexcusable.”
    — Steve Gruber (08:54)

    “...it’s the right time and the right thing to do to totally destroy them. And if it means leveling every building, this president will do it.”
    — Rep. Ralph Norman (09:54)

• Oil Prices and Economic Impact:

  • Gas prices up 50–75 cents a gallon, despite minimal U.S. reliance on Middle East oil.

  • Blame placed on oil companies for “stealing” from Americans, with expectation that President Trump will act.

    “It’s a matter of grabbing money. ...all they’re doing right now is stealing from the American people.”
    — Steve Gruber (10:50)

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7. Commentary from Featured Guests

Rep. Ralph Norman (03:26–13:45)

• Blames Democrats for terror attacks, open borders, and DHS shutdown.
• Advocates removing “the left wing lunatics” from office.
• Applauds Trump’s foreign and energy policies.

Rep.-Elect Steve Toth (17:47–23:10)

• Argues Islamic values are not compatible with the West; calls for strict immigration oversight.
• Supports death penalty for any attempted or actual domestic terrorism:

  “If you even try it, you should get the death penalty.” (21:06)

• Praises Trump’s military strategy:

  “Now we’ve got a president that wants to go in and say, look, you try this, we’re going to punch in the face … I love what Trump is doing. I think it’s brilliant.” (21:48)

Rick De La Torre, Former CIA (26:43–30:22)

• Discusses the danger of open borders and Venezuelan-issued passports to terror suspects.
• Offers actionable personal safety tips rooted in intelligence community training.

Bassem Youssef, Retired FBI Counterterrorism (31:29–38:01)

• Warns of increased tempo and coordination of attacks, possibly between Iranian and jihadi terror groups.
• Advocates for a federal death penalty as a deterrent and cost-saving measure.

Tom Smith, Retired NYPD, Joint Terrorism Task Force (40:06–45:10)

• Explains the difficulty of tracking lone-wolf attackers.
• Urges the public to observe, trust instinct, and report suspicious activity.

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “They’re now a totally socialistic band of people that hate the country. They don’t want America to succeed.”
  — Rep. Ralph Norman (03:57)

• “This is a time that we need DHS more than ever.”
  — Steve Gruber (05:13)

• “Their language and the rhetoric ... is just flaming the radical left who are trying to disarm this country and dismantle it, not to mention the lunatics that are willing to kill people.”
  — Rep. Ralph Norman (06:23)

• “If you even try [domestic terrorism], you should get the death penalty.”
  — Steve Toth (21:06)

• “Trust your gut... if something feels off, it probably is off.”
  — Rick De La Torre (28:25)

• “It’s just an absolute observation skill that everybody has. ... If something doesn’t feel right or doesn’t look right or if someone’s there that doesn’t belong, that’s what should kind of raise you up to call the authorities.”
  — Tom Smith (41:53)

• “These folks are not interested in the security of the American public. And in fact, by their rhetoric they are taking the side of the enemy.”
  — Bassem Youssef (36:23)

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Important Timestamps & Segments

• 01:46–03:26: Overview and initial reporting on terror attacks.
• 03:26–13:45: Interview with Rep. Ralph Norman.
• 17:47–23:10: Interview with Rep.-Elect Steve Toth.
• 26:43–30:22: Interview with Rick De La Torre, CIA (personal safety advice).
• 31:29–38:01: Interview with Bassem Youssef, FBI (attack coordination, death penalty).
• 40:06–45:10: Interview with Tom Smith, NYPD (investigative procedure and public advice).

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Tone and Language

The episode maintains a distinctly urgent, partisan, and somewhat inflammatory tone—expressing frustration at political opponents, loudly praising conservative positions, and consistently emphasizing themes of vigilance, American self-reliance, and assertive policy.

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Conclusion

Listeners are presented with a day-in-the-life breakdown of how rapid developments in domestic security, terrorism, and government dysfunction intersect and provoke political, practical, and emotional responses. The critical message is to stay vigilant, politically active, and informed—while the hosts and guests advocate for hardline policies both at home and abroad.

Steve Gruber closes by promising ongoing coverage as events unfold, emphasizing the necessity of well-trained security and individual awareness for the safety of American communities.

Transcript

[Steve Gruber]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

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[America's Voice Announcer]

This is America's Voice live.

[Steve Gruber]

And welcome to America's Voice Live. I'm Steve Uruch.

[America's Voice Announcer]

The pulse of the people.

[Steve Gruber]

We need somebody that's gonna hear the

[America's Voice Announcer]

people's voice, the truth the mainstream won't touch.

[Steve Gruber]

This guy is, by definition, a globalist.

[America's Voice Announcer]

And the stories that matter.

[Steve Gruber]

Rav's own Ben Berklam.

[Bassem Youssef]

Right up over this hill cartel.

[Steve Toth]

I see him. I see him.

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I see him.

[Steve Gruber]

Breaking news right now here on Real America's Voice Filtered. These people are domestic terrorists and unapologetic. We're here to take a stand for God and country. Let's feel good.

[America's Voice Announcer]

America's Voice Live starts now.

[Steve Gruber]

Welcome to America's Voice Live. I'm Steve Gerber. Today is Thursday, the 12th of March, in the year of our Lord 2026. As always, thank you for being here today. It's a very busy day. We truly appreciate support. A packed show with a lot of breaking news. Let's jump right in. The DHS shutdown is dragged into its 27th day with Congress still deadlocked. No end in sight. Not a good day for that. Hundreds of TSA workers have quit or are working without pay as spring break travel surges and airport security strains under lengthy lines and staffing shortages. Senate Democrats don't seem to care. They continue to block DHS funding over policy demands even as terrorism concerns are rising amid the war with Iran. And national security officials warn that lapses undermine American safety. We're seeing terror attacks across the nation from the shooting earlier today at Old Dominion University, left two ROTC members critically injured and the gunman dead. And just a short time ago Right here in Michigan, not far from where I am today. Federal and state authorities responded to an apparent terror attack in a Michigan synagogue. Happened in West Bloomfield at Temple Israel just about 1 o' clock this afternoon. The suspect apparently rammed the building with a pickup truck. The Daily Mail reporting that truck is packed with explosives. It caught fire. Shots were fired from security guards on around 1 o'. Clock. Like I said, all reporting is now that the suspect is dead. Oakland County Sheriff's Office, the West Bloomfield police, Michigan State Police, the FBI and ATF all on the scene. As you can see from the pictures here, terror attacks, no funding for dhs. Join me to discuss this all is Congressman Ralph Norman of South Carolina 5. Congressman, thank you for being here today.

[Congressman Ralph Norman]

My pleasure, Steve. Glad to be with you.

[Steve Gruber]

We're seeing too much of this. I can go back to the shooting at the Austin, Texas bar here a couple of weeks ago. Now these two attacks today, both seem to be connected to terrorism. We'll wait for the final reports, but it's pretty clear a synagogue in Michigan gets attacked. Old Dominion. We're seeing reporting now the attacker was someone who has connections to isil. So all of these things connected and at the same time Democrats playing games with funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Your thoughts?

[Congressman Ralph Norman]

You know, Steve, you would think after seeing these horrific scenes, particularly the synagogue with, I mean that's a 12,000 member synagogue and has it houses early, early childhood education. To see those children running out and to see the Democrats who are holding this country hijacking this country for to disarm ICE basically is what this started out as. It shows you they're off the rails now. They're now a totally socialistic band of people that hate the country. They don't want America to succeed. And so it's not shocking, you know, it's the fact that they're doing it is shocking. But during the last shutdown of 43 days, you know, it goes to show you they don't care. They don't care what they do. Power at any cost is what they're after.

[Steve Gruber]

Congressman, we were talking just before the program started here a few minutes ago. Hundreds of known terrorists inside this country right now. Many more. Who knows? The border was left wide open for four years. As many as 20 million people came into this country illegally. Many of those, their motives unknown and their whereabouts unknown as well. This is a time that we need DHS more than ever.

[Congressman Ralph Norman]

Is it not not only dhs, Steve, but the cybersecurity part of this. I talked with a cybersecurity expert yesterday and we've got a problem in this country. And it's like you said, it's what we don't know. We don't know if they're 1000, we don't know if there are 2000. They were every from all countries. We allowed anybody and everybody into America and we don't know what they're doing. So the innocent lives are going to be lost. And the longer this shutdown of DHS goes on, this blood is on the hands of the Democratic Party which doesn't care about the victims nor does it care about America.

[Steve Gruber]

Yeah, let's focus on the openly anti semitic parts of the Democrat Party. Rashida Tlaib from Michigan where this attack just occurred a short while ago. Ilhan Omar, aoc A whole host of Democrats are openly anti Semitic. Of course it's going to precipitate bad behavior, terrorist attacks. What about the rhetoric? What about the hateful comments? What about the refusal to name Iran as a state sponsor of terror? All of these things happening in just the last two or three days.

[Congressman Ralph Norman]

Yeah, their language and the rhetoric which is just flaming the radical left who are trying to disarm this country and dismantle it, not to mention the lunatics that are willing to kill people. And you know it's going to get worse before it gets better. But they certainly aren't helping this country by letting TSA agents going without pay. They have families too. They have mortgage payments and the lines that are now in the, in the airports, you know, the Coast Guard not being able to be at full force, I mean it's ridiculous and it's resulting in lost lives. And we have got to, we the people have got to respond to the left wing lunatics like you mentioned, aoc, Rashida Tlaib and they've got to get out of office. Only way you can can change things is remove them from office and that's the voters are going to have to speak when the time comes.

[Steve Gruber]

Well, those same Democrats, Congressman, a whole lot more would like to make the situation worse. They'd like to end the second Amendment altogether so that the people defending the synagogue, the Temple Israel there in West Bloomfield, Michigan, it's a suburb of Detroit, by the way. They would like to disarm these people. They would like to disarm you and I at a point in time where our heads should be on a swivel. This won't be the last terrorist attack. They might just be getting ramped up again. We don't know about sleeper cells in this country or where these people are coming from or where this suspect originated from, and they would like to disarm us all in the meantime. That's reckless, too, isn't it?

[Congressman Ralph Norman]

Not only is it reckless, but as the sheriff told me last night, you know, the police departments all across this country have to be right every time to stop this kind of massacre, which is just an impossibility. And it's the unknown that is causing such alarm among so many Americans. And no city is safe. There's no state that's safe. And for the Democrats to ignore that is beyond reason. And it, again, shows you how anti American they are. Look at how they reacted during. When President Trump spoke at the State of the Union. I mean, it's an embarrassment when you don't speak. You don't stand up for those veterans who got the Medal of Honor, those cancer survivors who he recognized. This country wasn't built with people like the Democrat Party. It sure was destroyed. Is in the process of being destroyed by that party.

[Steve Gruber]

Let's talk about day 12 of the military action against Iran with the United States and Israel and now the Arab states also joining in because of the reckless behavior of the. The Iranian regime. To hear the Democrats tell it, we have accomplished nothing. Nothing's been accomplished, and we've only made the world more dangerous. I think that after 47 years, neutralizing the world's number one state sponsor of terrorism, probably a good idea, is there going to be a cost to it? Certainly there is. Do I understand why people disagree? I do. But here's where I depart from that, Ralph, and that is this. When people openly try to undermine American policy, people like Mark Kelly, the senator from Arizona, openly try to undermine the policies of this country when we are at war with a nation that has attacked us, killed thousands of Americans over 47 years and tens of thousands by themselves or by proxies, I think that undermining America at this point is inexcusable. And you say Iran has been at

[Congressman Ralph Norman]

war with this country for. For over 45 years. They've killed troops in small portions all over the last 15 years that we know of. How long is this going to go on before the Democrats realize that they're killing Americans? This isn't something we provoked, but it's got to be finished. And as the president said, we've got to finish the job. And the more rhetoric that comes out of Iran leadership, the more the countries that they bomb that are innocent people who would not have thought that they would have been a target of a regime like this just Goes to show you it's the right time and the right thing to do to totally destroy them. And if it means leveling every building, this president will do it. And the leaders that are keep on inflaming their people and their actions to kill Americans, they're going to pay a price for it and they're seeing it now.

[Steve Gruber]

Yeah, let's talk about that for a moment because here's one part of the story that I think needs to be focused on, that's the price of oil. We only get 2 to 4% of our oil, American oil from the Middle east, and yet we've seen gas prices from South Carolina, where you live, to Michigan, where I live, spike 50, 60, 75 cents a gallon. And it's not a supply and demand question, Congressman. It's a matter of grabbing money. And I know Donald Trump has the phone number of these big oil executives. I think he should be on the phone giving them the what for right now. Take them behind the woodshed, tell them to get their acts together because all they're doing right now is stealing, in my estimation, from the American people. Your thoughts?

[Congressman Ralph Norman]

Yeah. It really shouldn't happen. You know, 20% of the oil goes through the Straits of Hormuz. And as you say, America, thank God we're now energy independent with this president. But to raise prices now with everything else going on, the American people hadn't had a break on anything for such a long period of time. It's been solved now by this president, but it's just going to take time. Our problem, affordability is a huge problem. And I think if the truth would be known, the president is working on this. He's tapping into the reserves of this country which thank God for him, he filled back up after Obama, after Biden left. So, you know, it's, I think it'll level out, but it'll come down. But it is, it's hard to fathom. We're having to face that right now.

[Steve Gruber]

It is because people that you talk to in your district and people all across this country, we're already concerned about the cost of everything. And so you start to make progress. But again, solving a 47 year old problem so that you bring stability would be the hope for the Middle East. Now we're a long way from being done there. I don't think it's being done in a week or two that's overly optimistic in my estimation. It's going to take a few weeks, maybe longer. But it's a price that we should be willing to get. Out of the way so that the Middle east is stable, so that we don't have price shocks to the world oil numbers out there, the Strait of Hormuz, I think it's pretty well taken care of. My understanding is 90 Iranian ships are now at the bottom of the ocean. It's time to move forward. It's time to stay the course, at least for now. Last word to you.

[Congressman Ralph Norman]

Not only stay the course, but do whatever it takes to level them and get the freedom for the Iranian people, which the president, you know, asked. Now's their time to move. We've got to finish a job. I think he will. And this is a threat that IR made its intentions known. The bombs that they're now using, which, thank God, are gone, but that would have been used for all Americans, have been used for the Israel. And having Israel as an ally, which again, the Democrat Party have deserted a long time ago, is something that we've got to finish it. And they're helping us. And I think we're going to make it happen.

[Steve Gruber]

All right, Congressman, we're going to take a quick break right now. Appreciate your words. Congressman Ralph Norman from South Carolina. We're watching as the events continue to unfold there in West Bloomfield, Michigan. That's about 25 miles from downtown Detroit. It is a suburb of Detroit and as everyone knows, there's a large contingency of Arab Americans that also live in greater Detroit, mostly in Dearborn and Hamtramck. We have no idea if these things are connected, but we're going to keep a close eye on it, let the investigation unfold. So far, we understand the suspect is dead, but fortunately, nobody else. At least that's some good news today. This is America's Voice. Live. When it's breaking, we're moving. Breaking news.

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[Steve Gruber]

All right, welcome back. We're continuing to watch the developments. West Bloomfield, Michigan, where an armed man rammed a Jewish synagogue there about one o' clock local time. He was armed, got in a gun battle with security there. He is dead, according to several reports now, nobody else injured. Remarkable. But an act of terrorism, it seems. The second today, Old Dominion University, the scene of another shooting earlier in the day where two ROTC members were critically wounded there at a time when the Democrats do not want to fund the Department of Homeland Security. How remarkably reckless. Joining me now is Steve tothe congressman elect who just ousted Dan Crenshaw from his seat as a four term congressman from the state of Texas in the second Congressional District. Steve, nice to see you today and congratulations on a big win. A lot of people really happy with that.

[Steve Toth]

Well, we're excited to have it behind us and we're looking forward now to the general election and gearing up for it.

[Steve Gruber]

All right, we'll talk about that in a second. But first, just a couple of weeks ago, there was a shooting at a bar in Austin, Texas, at least three People killed there by a guy wearing a sweatshirt that said Property of Allah. He also had a Iranian T shirt on underneath. We're seeing two attacks in America today. One at Old Dominion University, the second here, not far from where I'm sitting, actually, in West Bloomfield, Michigan. This is a time when Democrats think it's time to play games with funding the Department of Homeland Security. Your thoughts?

[Steve Toth]

Yeah. And let's not forget about the attempted bombing by two Islamists in New York City in front of Gracie Mansion. Right. Both these young men were the children of, of Islamic immigrants that have come into the United States that. Look, Islam and the values of the west are not cohesive. They don't work together. It's oil and water. And you know, you only have to go back to 1920 when people from Islamic nations were not allowed in the United States because they do not want to assimilate. There is nothing about their values. There's nothing about Islam, there's nothing about Sharia that is compatible with the West. Nothing.

[Steve Gruber]

Yeah, the Constitution promises us, guarantees us, a Republican form of government that is not compatible with Sharia in any way. What has to happen in this country so that we don't have to do this every day with an attack here and an attack there. A lone wolf, or as you mentioned, the two, the two guys working together there in front of Gracie Mansion in New York city. Groups of 1 and 2 creating great havoc and bloodshed. And look, their bombs didn't go off. If they had, the story would have been much different. So what do we have to do? And as you go into Congress, what are your thoughts on making this nation safer?

[Steve Toth]

We've got to start educating people about our history. If you know, it's the old well worn statement, those that are ignorant of history are damned and cursed to repeat it. Look, Islam and Sharia, even clerics, Muslim clerics, Islamic clerics say Sharia is not a religion. Sharia is of governance, a form of government. It's a form of law and it's not compatible with US Law. There's no right in the Constitution under the First Amendment for you to come into our country to try and establish a new nation. There's no protection under the First Amendment for you to do that. There's no protection under the First Amendment for you to subvert our laws and to bring in these barbaric laws of Sharia. There's no place for them here.

[Steve Gruber]

As you look at what's happening here, and I'm just watching these live pictures as this continues in Michigan, as they Sort this out. You're right on what you said. Let me ask you this. This has been suggested by some people. If you commit an act of domestic terrorism like this, regardless of where you're from, this country, another country, that federal charges should be put against you and the federal death penalty should be implemented. Your thoughts on that?

[Steve Toth]

Exactly. And, you know, look, if, if you even try it, you should get the death penalty. You shouldn't give the death penalty to people that are successful. Only the death penalty should be meted out to anybody that tries domestic terrorism within the United States. Yeah, absolutely.

[Steve Gruber]

Also, obviously, front and center is the war in Iran, the ongoing efforts there. Twelve days on, the President said they could be wrapped up in a week. I think that's overly optimistic, but I do think that what they are doing there is important to bring stability long term to the Middle East. If they can exact change in Tehran, that's not clear, it's going to happen. What are your thoughts about the war at this stage?

[Steve Toth]

I love what Trump is doing for this reason. You know, when Republicans are in charge, they get us into forever wars. When Democrats are in charge, they, they, they take a token object and blow it up and then retreat. And at the end of the day, the terrorists win, win and are encouraged to do it again because we end up retreating instead. Now we've got a president that wants to go in and, and, and say, look, you try this, we're going to punch in the face and then we're going to continue to punch you in the face until you retreat. And if you don't retreat, we're going to punch you in the face some more instead of getting us into these long drawn out, conflicted ground wars, which we've done in the past. I love what Trump is doing. I think it's brilliant. This has nothing to do with Israel, as these people want to say that this is Israel first. It has nothing to do with Israel. The reality is that the Straits of Hormuz is where energy comes through, it's where it flows through. And as long as Europe is held hostage, which is 20% of our trade, the United States will always be vulnerable.

[Steve Gruber]

Steve Toth, greatly appreciate your insights today. Obviously, you're the nominee for the Republicans. We wish you well. I think it'll be a pretty straightforward race. And sometime soon we'll call you. Congressman Steve Till, thank you for being here.

[Steve Toth]

Thanks for being, getting to be with you today, Steve.

[Steve Gruber]

Really appreciate it. All right, we'll take a quick break here in America's Voice Live. A lot happening today. As you can tell, we're trying to keep up on all of it. There's more live pictures from West Bloomfield, Michigan, where an apparent terrorist attack took place at a synagogue there about one o' clock local time. We'll be right back.

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[Steve Gruber]

Very busy day here at the news desk. As you can imagine, it started earlier today. A shooting at Old Dominion University. That's in Norfolk, Virginia. For those of you keeping score at home, the suspect, according to some reporting not verified or confirmed yet, is that this suspect had connections to isis. We'll see how that investigation plays out. Two ROTC members were wounded in the shooting. The shooter himself was killed in that exchange. And then In Michigan, about 1 o' clock local time, a Jewish synagogue rammed by a pickup truck loaded with explosives. According to the Daily Mail, the suspect there came out with a rifle, exchanged fire with the security officers. He died at the scene and was then badly burned, according to reports coming out of Michigan. As that is still an active Crime scene as well. You also had the two bombs and bombers near Gracie Mansion in New York City here just a few days ago, and then the shooting in Austin, Texas a couple of weeks back, where it all seems to connect to the same common theme, domestic terrorism coming from radical Islam. Joining me now is Rick De La Torre, the former CIA operations officer and the CEO of Tower Strategies. Rick, nice to see you today.

[Tom Smith]

Good to see you.

[Steve Gruber]

Very active all over this country. Nobody is surprised, but we're always shocked by it. But from the day that we began operations against Iran, I told people, keep your head on a swivel because nothing is certain except these sorts of things are going to happen. And here they are. Your thoughts?

[Rick De La Torre]

Yeah, I mean, we've had years of an open border where all our enemies knew exactly what to do to come into our country. We had willing participants, in fact, most recently up until January in the Maduro regime in Venezuela, where they had no problem issuing Venezuelan passports to anyone that they wanted to. And we know it's been reported in open press. We know they were doing that specifically with Hamas and Hezbollah and other Iranians. So it's no surprise that they number of folks in this country that shouldn't be in this country. And then sadly, we also have the homegrown lone wolf type of thing also where folks are, you know, their minds are perverted and corrupted by social media and other groups to just have a very wrong way of thinking of, you know, of America and its neighbors.

[Steve Gruber]

Let's talk about personal safety. In light of all this, what can people do? You need situational awareness. I never put my back to the door if I go into a coffee shop. It's kind of the way I've operated for years. I want to know where the front door is. I want to know where the back door is. Because this is not new, sadly, but it's going to become more frequent, I believe. So what can people do to protect themselves in this heightened security situation?

[Rick De La Torre]

Certainly look, the first thing, and you know, this is part, critically, a really important part of our training in the intelligence intelligence community is trust your gut. You know, millions of years of evolution is trying to tell you something. When the hair on the back of your neck starts to stand up, right, if something feels off, it probably is off. And if you see something, say something, report it. Work with law enforcement. Don't try to convince yourself otherwise. Sadly, you know, coming out of the DEIA era where we didn't want to seem impolite, we didn't want to be accused of, you know, of saying something that could be construed in a way that doesn't really reflect your values. That kind of thinking really doesn't help. If you see something that's suspicious, it's probably suspicious and you need to let somebody know about it. Now, regarding day to day things, what I try to do is exactly what you said. I pay attention to exits and entrances. I don't try to hang out in large crowds where anyone can just come in and leave. If I see protesters and my office is a block block away from the White House. When I see protesters, I tend to go the other way and just avoid those kinds of situations where there's a heightened level of security and simple things. Lock your doors, know where your loved ones are and maintain the level of communication with them so you know where everyone is when you need to get a hold of them in case of an emergency. But, but you know, take your nose out of your cell phone and pay attention to what's happening around you.

[Steve Gruber]

Yeah. Take the earbuds out as well. Make sure you know what's happening in your vicinity. Rick, good common sense there, people. Be safe, please. Rick, thank you for being here.

[Rick De La Torre]

Thanks for having me.

[Steve Gruber]

All right. We're going to take a quick break here as we continue to follow all of this breaking news on a very busy Thursday. This is america's Voice Live. Continuing live coverage. Now the breaking news of what appear to be two terrorist attacks in the United States today. What an Old Dominion University, two ROTC members there injured. The shooter in that incident is dead. And Then later at 1 o' clock local time just outside of Detroit in West Bloomfield, a suspect apparently rammed a pickup truck, according to the Daily Mail, loaded with explosives into a synagogue there and got into a gunfight with the security. He died at the scene. Luckily, nobody else was killed. But it does emphasize and underscore the challenges that we face in America right now. Joining me is Bassem Youssef, a retired FBI counterterrorism expert. Basim, thank you for being here.

[Bassem Youssef]

Thank you, Steve. It's good to be here with you.

[Steve Gruber]

All right. So we see these incidents occur to today and then we were talking about the attack or attempted attack just outside Gracie Mansion, New York City by a pair of individuals with explosives that did not detonate. You go back to Austin, Texas, not long before that where a bar was shot up. Three people were killed there by a man wearing a Property of a Law sweatshirt with a T shirt with the Iranian flag underneath. It is a difficult time because these incidents are not going to diminish in fact, I'm concerned, as are so many Americans, that we'll see more of this. Your thoughts?

[Bassem Youssef]

I agree with your assessment, Steve. The fact that these attacks just of the past few days have been in close succession tells me that that is the message that the. The terrorists group, whichever that is, and we can get into that, is trying to send a message that they are fighting this whole thing.

[Steve Gruber]

Yeah. There's some reporting that the Old Dominion shooter had contacts and connections with isis. Some people call it isil, but either way, some connections there. We'll wait to see what the connections are for the attacker in Michigan, but it's pretty clear there seems to be a common thread here, whether it's Austin, Texas, New York City, Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, or West Bloomfield just outside of Detroit. There does seem to be a common thread, doesn't there?

[Bassem Youssef]

Yes. And I think one of the things that the intel community will look at, though I am already retired from the FBI and from having worked at Langley as well, is that when we tend to pigeonhole the terrorist groups as unique and separate from one another, we miss a major point. And that is that Al Qaeda, even though they are Sunnis, doesn't mean that they would not cooperate with Iran, which is a Shiite, with the IRGC as a terrorist group. And so we can assume that there is collaboration in these attacks between the two entities.

[Steve Gruber]

So these attacks are hard to anticipate when you have a lone wolf or a couple of people working together and they decide to do something deadly, to attack a synagogue, to throw nail bombs on the streets of New York City. It's very difficult to defend against that. Isn't

[Bassem Youssef]

is more difficult because you don't know the mo, the typical MO of a lone wolf. Even though the saving grace here is that we are at a stage in life where we are seeing that these attacks would be anticipated and will be on the increase. And the hope is that that will awaken the public to be more vigilant and to be looking out for anything like that to take place.

[Steve Gruber]

Yeah, maybe it'll awaken the public to realize there is a common thread here and a threat to the United States. And it concerns me when I hear members of Congress like Rashida Tlaib and Aoc, Ilhan Omar and others making vile anti Semitic rhetoric, the theme these people wouldn't even vote for, for an idea that Iran is the leading world state sponsor of terrorism, they wouldn't even support that. If you have members of Congress who won't support the most obvious, that Iran is a Danger to the world, man. We're lost. And aren't we?

[Steve Toth]

We are.

[Bassem Youssef]

And Steve, I honestly would say that we have been politically correct and maybe too polite in not pointing the finger for so many years. When you think about the statement that was given by Ilhan OMAR after the 911 attack saying that some people did something, we can't really scratch our heads and say, I wonder where that's coming from. These folks are not interested in the security of the American public. And in fact, by their rhetoric they are taking the side of the enemy. And I know that these are inflammatory words, but there is no other explanation for it.

[Steve Gruber]

I have to ask you a truly political question, but I do have this when I've asked a couple of guests today. There's an idea put forth from this administration that terrorists maybe should face the federal death penalty. If you arrest terrorists and they survive one of their attacks like this where they're trying to kill women and children. This was a school in Michigan. It was a daycare and a school for K through 12. They weren't there, fortunately, most of them. And so this is the target. What about a federal death penalty being returned to the United States to say we will not tolerate this kind of behavior?

[Bassem Youssef]

I'm not a. Obviously I'm not an official of the Department of Justice, but my personal take on this is that the death penalty would be a very good and strong deterrent. And not just that, but when you think about anything less than that, where you might be able to get a life sentence, well, that is over. Taxing the American citizen of having to pay for the incarceration for life of somebody who actually seeked harm on a massive scale on US soil. So I would be definitely a supporter of that.

[Steve Gruber]

Basam Yousef, really appreciate you taking time today on short notice, but when news moves this fast, we appreciate you showing up when the bell rings, sir. Thank you.

[Bassem Youssef]

Thank you very much, Steve.

[Steve Gruber]

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[Tom Smith]

Thanks for having me, Steve.

[Steve Gruber]

By anybody's metric, the NYPD has the best anti terrorism operation in the United States. Not to insult any other agency, but that is the way it is because following 9 11, the NYPD got serious about identifying terrorists, dealing with terrorists and stopping things before they would happen. So as you look at these situations unfolding in Norfolk, Virginia, at Old Dominion University or in West Bloomfield, that suburb of Detroit, your thoughts?

[Tom Smith]

Well, they're all alarming and it might be a trend right now. And that is the problem. When you have one individual who is planning an attack, it is very hard to track them down if they're keeping quiet about it. And that's the, you know, the hurdles that Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI and everyone has when it comes to these quote, unquote, lone wolves who take these situations on, it's hard to track them beforehand unless they make a mistake, unless they reach out to a group that's being monitored or someone gives them up. So these are the challenges that we're all going to be facing in these days to come after these attacks and the attacks in New York City this last weekend.

[Steve Gruber]

When you talk to people that are not in law enforcement, Tom, and you say, look, here are some signs to look for. Here are some things to be aware of. Situational awareness, never more important than it is today. I hear the term keep your head on a swivel I think it's apropos. I think it's appropriate. What would you tell people today, knowing about these attacks and pointing out quite accurately this is probably just the beginning, as these could escalate. You could have copycats, you could have other lone wolves out there. What advice do you give to the general public?

[Tom Smith]

Yeah, that's a great point. And I think it's observations. When you see someone that doesn't belong in an area or is looking at things that the normal person in that area is not going to be looking at, that's going to raise your attention and then you should bring it to the authorities. You know, I think Rick said it initially on your past hit was, you know, if you think something's going on and you have a gut reaction about it, you're probably right. So it's just an absolute observation skill that everybody has. Everyone has. When something doesn't feel right or doesn't look right or if someone's there that doesn't belong, that's what should kind of raise you up to call the authorities, call 911 and give them a heads up about what's going on. And then just as much information as you can get of this person, their description, where they're walking, how they're walking, anything like that is going to provide good intel to the responding officers who are going to show up.

[Steve Gruber]

Yeah, I'm also receiving reports out of Houghton Lake, Michigan now of a bomb threat at the Walmart there. The FBI receiving a tip on its tip line of a man claiming to have five bombs strapped to his body. Is this becoming the norm? Is this what we have to deal with going forward? Because unfortunately, Tom, it feels like it is.

[Tom Smith]

Yeah. Unfortunately, this may be a trend that's going on right now. And you're also just going to have the nuts out there that are going to jump on this just to get attention, you know, and call 911 and call fake bomb threats in just to enhance the fear that's going on right now. There's just people like that out there, and local law enforcement will take care of that. But we're all hoping that this is not leading to something more each and every day. But when you look at the temperature around the country, it may be. And everyone just has to be really aware of what's going on. And if you're going out in the public to big events, have a plan where you're going to meet, how you're going to get there, a route you're going to take, who's the communication person all of that is not over the top these days. They should. You know, you should have a plan when you're going out in public.

[Steve Gruber]

Yeah. You know, as you look at the temple Israel still on fire there in west bloomfield. My understanding is that the suspect that was terminated there was badly burned. Give us, from your experience, we got about 30 seconds here. Give me your experience. How does this investigation proceed? How do they track this back and figure out how he got to this place to commit these crimes?

[Tom Smith]

Well, you have the car, so you're going to start there initially, you know, and just kind of take it, you know, that it's his car. So you're going to start there with identifying the person who's registered to the car. You're going to go to that address, and then it's just going to take off from there. If that individual is linked to that car, you can start with his social medias, his contacts. Anything and everything to do with this individual is going to be checked out to make sure no one else was involved in this.

[Steve Gruber]

Yeah. Because that's always the question. Was it truly a lone wolf or did they have help along the way or somebody should have said something. Tom, really appreciate your insights today. Thank you, sir.

[Tom Smith]

Thank you for having me.

[Steve Gruber]

Really appreciate it. Very busy day here on the news desk. Like I said, we'll keep an eye on this, take a quick break and be right back on america's voice live. When it's breaking, we're moving.

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[Steve Gruber]

Breaking news.

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[Steve Gruber]

Let's go. All right, so normally, as you know, at this point, the program we do what makes America wonderful. We're taking a break from that today. It just didn't seem appropriate to us here in the control room. So we're going to take a break from that today. We'll be back to it tomorrow. But so much going on and so many concerns out there for average Americans like you and like me. We have families. We have people we need to be concerned about. We wonder where our kids are right now and our grandkids. As you see these terrorist attacks happening with more frequency and there does seem to be a common thread. We'll of course, see how these investigations play out. We will not jump to conclusions, but it seems reasonably clear what the motivations were in both of these attacks, at least thus far. And we will continue to cover these stories throughout the rest of the day here in Real America's Voices. More details come in. The atf, the FBI, and more on the scene at both of these shootings. The one in Norfolk, Virginia, at Old Dominion University. And of course, the truck ramming attack and then shootout at that Beth Israel Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The building's still on fire because firefighters weren't able to access the building because they didn't know if there were IEDs packed in that pickup truck. So caution was the word of the day there. Smoke still coming from the building there. Of course, we hope that they can get that under control. But I will say this, well trained security stop that. For me, a much worse situation. It's a school. It has a daycare. So much more to talk about there. I appreciate you being here. I'll have the latest details for you first thing tomorrow morning on Real America's Voice with the Steve Gruber show at 6am I'll see you then. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.