Breaking Point with David Zere – December 6, 2025
Podcast: Real America’s Voice / iHeartPodcasts
Date: December 6, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of "Breaking Point" with David Zere dives deep into an action-packed week inside the Pentagon and Washington, D.C., as the Real America’s Voice (RAV) team reports as part of New Media Week. Zere provides firsthand accounts of news briefings, exclusive interviews with Pentagon officials, and analysis of both U.S. and international security issues. At the heart of discussions: media access at the Pentagon, military readiness and budgets, the ongoing international crisis in Venezuela, troop deployments, COVID-era military policy reversals, and congressional-military relations. The episode also features legal and operational perspectives on recent U.S. military actions, notably around Venezuela and Operation Southern Spear.
Key Topics & Insights
1. Inside the Pentagon: New Media Week
- [02:45–06:30]
- David Zere details the increased presence of "new media" in Pentagon coverage, contrasting their approach to that of legacy/establishment outlets.
- RAV was granted access previously reserved for beat reporters, and Zere reflects on differences in transparency and control within the Pentagon.
- Concerns are raised about security protocols, with Zere approving measures such as requiring escorts for media to prevent leaks and protect sensitive information.
Quote:
“The whole smear campaign is just to get rid of him so they can destroy Trump. And it's very upsetting.”
— David Zere [06:00]
Notable:
- Off-the-record briefing with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth described as "phenomenal."
- Praise for interaction with undersecretaries and special advisors, including high engagement and openness.
2. Concerns over Media Access and Pentagon Security
- [05:00–08:00]
- Discussion on legacy media’s complaints about the new rules requiring media escorts in the Pentagon, emphasizing the need for such measures for operational security.
- Zere highlights comments by Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell regarding the need for controls—“you can't just run wild… you need controls like any federal building in Washington, D.C.”
- Framing of mainstream media as sometimes hostile to American interests.
3. Major Interviews: Pentagon Officials Speak
A. Jay Hurst – Pentagon Comptroller
- [18:20–21:54]
- Hurst discusses DFAS (Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and its responsibility—$15 billion/month in payroll.
- Explains implications of government shutdowns and continuing resolutions for defense operations, including administrative burdens and staff furloughs.
- Talks about the ongoing work on President's defense budget priorities and the challenge of aligning 40 different DOD components.
- Notes a “sea change” in Pentagon culture under the current (Trump) administration, emphasizing solution-driven leadership and a drive to “get it done.”
Quote:
“The difference is we're here to get it done. And you can see that people are not here to talk about obstacles, they're here to talk about solutions.”
— Jay Hurst [20:55]
B. Anthony Tata – Undersecretary for Personnel & Readiness
- [21:57–27:42]
- Tata provides insight into readiness: overseeing military hospitals, child development centers, commissaries, quality of life for millions.
- Emphasizes focus on “peace through strength,” streamlining personnel policies to advance shipbuilding, border missions, the “Golden Dome” missile defense, and cyber/satellite forces.
- Reporting major improvement in military recruitment since late 2024, attributing gains to renewed focus on unity, warrior ethos, and national mission rather than divisive identity politics.
Quote:
“We're focused on those things that unite us, like lethality, purpose of mission, unity of command... Instead of those things that divide us.”
— Anthony Tata [24:12]
- On COVID-19 reintegration, discusses the process of reinstating 8,700+ service members dismissed during the vaccine mandate. Steps include proactive review of discharges, recoupment of lost bonuses, and after-action reviews to prevent repetition.
Quote:
“There, there were about 8,700 individuals that were involuntarily separated from the service by the, you know, unlawful as implemented Covid mandate. And the President signed an executive order... to reintegrate.”
— Anthony Tata [25:21]
C. Dane Hughes – Assistant Secretary of War for Legislative Affairs
- [30:48–35:36]
- Outlines the legislative process, emphasizing the importance of NDAA and congressional appropriations for department operations.
- Describes the collaborative tone of the Trump second-term Pentagon, stressing teamwork and a results-driven approach.
Quote:
“We just elevated and I think the team that the White House has put together here... maybe the most collaborative... Everyone wants to get it done. Everybody's working together. You know, everybody's running in the same direction hard.”
— Dane Hughes [34:26, 35:14]
- Notes transparency requirements with Congress, especially around operations like Southern Spear, which is focused on drug interdiction and addressing threats, such as those emanating from Venezuela.
D. Stu Scheller – Afghanistan Accountability Task Force, Senior Adviser
- [35:47–40:44]
- Scheller heads the Afghanistan deputy task force, tasked with presenting all the facts surrounding officer decisions in the Afghan withdrawal, promising a public, declassified account by summer 2026.
- Criticizes prior investigations, indicating his team is committed to transparency and learning from mistakes.
- Praises the “Trump time” commitment in the Pentagon, noting the enthusiasm, drive, and willingness to break through bureaucratic inertia.
Quote:
“We want to focus them all on the goal of closing with and destroying the enemy. That's why we're the Department of War. And so that's what we're trying to do.”
— Stu Scheller [38:06]
- Highlights value of new media: “You don't want a media that's completely, completely friendly... a lot of people asking tough questions and we need the media to root out a lot of the things.” [39:34]
4. International Focus: Venezuela & Narco-Terrorism
- [08:30–16:00, 42:13–46:00]
- Zere reads and paraphrases notable excerpts from Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Maria Carina Machado’s recent New York Post column.
- Machado frames Venezuela’s crisis as a conflict with a criminal syndicate (“cartel Doulos Solis”) headed by Maduro, with extensive international backing from Cuba, China, Iran, and others.
- Argues that the regime's weaponization of migration, alliances with foreign adversaries, and narco-terrorism directly threaten the U.S.
- Zere passionately agrees, advocating for continued U.S. pressure and at minimum financial interdiction to choke off cartel operations.
Quote:
“Anyone who believes this is just another authoritarian regime is dangerously mistaken. This is organized crime and power armed and bankrolled by America’s enemies across the hemisphere.”
— Maria Carina Machado (read by David Zere) [10:30]
- Emphasizes bipartisan necessity for action but is critical of politicians who fail to see the bigger, cross-border criminal picture.
5. U.S. Military Readiness & Posture
- [08:00–12:00, 16:14–18:20]
- Deployed National Guard troop numbers are detailed for D.C. (2,200 already, 500 more to be deployed), with open questions regarding arming, patrol protocols, and compensation for those dismissed over COVID vaccine refusal.
- The status of major fleet initiatives (incomplete littoral combat ship program, frigate procurement) and readiness for emerging threats is discussed, with emphasis on moving faster and more efficiently.
6. Operational Law: Boat Strikes & International Law
- [46:53–53:33]
Guest: Commander & JAG Lawyer Tim Polite
- Discussion centers around the legality of recent U.S. strikes against cartel-linked vessels (“Operation Southern Spear”) off Venezuela.
- Polite clarifies the laws of armed conflict at sea, emphasizing the distinction between lawful targeting of vessels (even with injured adversaries on board) and war crimes (e.g., targeting shipwrecked individuals in the water).
- He rebuffs media claims of unlawful orders, stressing robust command responsibility and detailed rules of engagement.
Quote:
“If you have two injured terrorists who are still on the boat... Admiral Bradley's orders were to put the cocaine and the boat to the bottom of the ocean. If there happen to be two wounded terrorists on board, they are collateral damage.”
— Tim Polite [51:07]
- Maintains that recent Pentagon changes have empowered commanders with greater autonomy, marking a distinct move away from excessive HQ micromanagement of previous eras.
7. Military-Congressional Relations, Accountability, and Culture
- [29:14–40:17]
- Multiple guests, including Pentagon legislative liaison Dan Hughes and accountability lead Stu Scheller, highlight a new collaborative dynamic with Congress and within the Pentagon.
- A running theme is the accelerated pace under current leadership (“Trump time”), with cross-level enthusiasm for “getting it done” and fostering a mission-oriented ethos.
- Emphasis is placed on transparency, both internally and with oversight bodies.
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- David Zere on Media Access:
“The people love him. So the whole smear campaign is just to get rid of him so they can destroy Trump. And it's very upsetting.” [06:00] - Jay Hurst on Cultural Shift:
“The difference is we're here to get it done. And you can see that people are not here to talk about obstacles, they're here to talk about solutions.” [20:55] - Anthony Tata on Unity:
“We're focused on those things that unite us, like lethality, purpose of mission, unity of command... Instead of those things that divide us.” [24:12] - Maria Carina Machado (via Zere):
“Anyone who believes this is just another authoritarian regime is dangerously mistaken. This is organized crime and power armed and bankrolled by America’s enemies across the hemisphere.” [10:30] - Tim Polite on Rules of Engagement:
“If you have two injured terrorists who are still on the boat... Admiral Bradley's orders were to put the cocaine and the boat to the bottom of the ocean. If there happen to be two wounded terrorists on board, they are collateral damage.” [51:07] - Stu Scheller, Afghanistan Report:
“We want to focus them all on the goal of closing with and destroying the enemy. That's why we're the Department of War. And so that's what we're trying to do.” [38:06]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Time | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:45 | Zere recap: New Media Week & Pentagon access | | 06:30 | Reflection on Pentagon media protocols, legacy media criticisms | | 08:16 | Discussion on increased DC National Guard deployments; military compensation questions | | 10:30 | Maria Carina Machado’s Venezuela column excerpts | | 16:14 | Interviews with Pentagon leadership: Jay Hurst, Anthony Tata | | 21:54 | Tata on COVID-era troop reinstatement, bonuses, policy reviews | | 30:48 | Dane Hughes: Legislative process, NDAA, Southern Spear, culture shifts | | 35:47 | Stu Scheller: Afghanistan accountability, Pentagon culture, value of new media | | 42:13 | More Machado column analysis; Venezuela, US policy | | 46:00 | Kingsley Wilson briefing: troop deployments, National Guard arming | | 46:53 | Commander Tim Polite: Operational legalities, rules of engagement, law of war at sea | | 51:07 | Polite: Explanation of war crimes vs lawful targeting at sea |
Memorable Moments
- Zere’s passion as he reads from Maria Carina Machado’s column, framing Venezuela’s crisis as a clear and present danger to U.S. security.
- Pentagon officials reflecting—often with pride—on the dramatic cultural change and drive for efficiency brought under new leadership (“Trump time”).
- The candid legal breakdown by JAG officer Tim Polite about the realities behind highly politicized reports of military strikes.
- Repeated emphasis on unity, warrior ethos, and avoidant of divisive identity politics in today’s military.
Tone & Language
The episode is direct, assertive, and passionate—typical of Real America’s Voice programming. Zere and his guests repeatedly challenge mainstream narratives, express pride in the RAV’s role as "new media," and defend both the Trump-era Pentagon’s priorities and their approach to transparency and accountability. There’s a strong undercurrent of patriotism and urgency throughout.
For Listeners
This episode provides an uncompromising behind-the-scenes look at key defense issues, the shift in Pentagon culture under the Trump administration, and urgent international threats as framed by RAV. The program is particularly valuable for those interested in:
- Internal Pentagon operations and reforms
- U.S. military readiness and personnel policy
- The U.S. response to Venezuela and hemispheric security threats
- The effects of media access on military transparency
- Congressional-military relations and legislative process
End of Summary