"Just the News No Noise" with John Solomon & Amanda Head

Podcast: Real America’s Voice | iHeartPodcasts
Episode Date: February 25, 2026 (aired February 26, 2026)

Episode Overview

This "day after the State of the Union" episode delivers breaking news and in-depth political analysis focused on alleged government overreach, fallout from President Trump’s address, and policy impact on everyday Americans. Hosts John Solomon and Amanda Head share headline revelations about FBI activities targeting Trump associates, accusations of improper coordination between federal and state agencies in the Trump prosecution, and post-speech reactions from both sides of the aisle. Guests include Rep. Barry Louderback (GA), former Pentagon official Justin Fulcher, defense expert Darren Seldnick, and Moms for America chair Rebecca Litwerk.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. FBI Surveillance of Trump Associates

[00:26 – 05:05]

• John Solomon breaks the story that the FBI spied on future FBI Director Kash Patel and Trump’s White House Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, when both were private citizens.
  • Quote: "The bureau was spying on its future leader... their phone records rifled through like now we know eight or nine members of Congress, scores of targets in the January 6th investigation..." (John Solomon, 02:20)
• Emphasizes: No charges pressed against Patel or Wiles, intensifying scrutiny on the DOJ/FBI conduct under President Biden.

2. “Fani Files” — DA Fani Willis' Coordination with Biden Administration

[05:05 – 10:33]

• Just the News acquired 8,000 pages showing Fulton County DA Fani Willis coordinated with the Biden White House, DOJ, and January 6th Committee while developing her case against Trump and associates.
  • DOJ allegedly facilitated state case pursuit by waiving executive privilege and offering a sole-source grant to Willis' office.
  • Both federal (Jack Smith) and state cases ended with dismissals, but at high financial and reputational cost to the targets.
  • Quote: "You're either a patriot who believes in these things... or you're a hatred, someone that thinks America's history is embarrassing." (John Solomon, 08:24)

3. State of the Union: Trump’s Political Gambits and Reactions

[05:05 – 09:47]

• Amanda Head recaps President Trump’s “sharpest moment”: inviting both parties to stand for protecting American citizens over illegal aliens.
  • Visual impact underscored as Democrats largely remained seated.
• Democrat response: Senator Jeff Merkley labels Trump’s agenda “authoritarian.”
  • Quote: “When an authoritarian proceeds to try to destroy a democratic republic... you need a high level of citizen protest..." (Senator Jeff Merkley via clip, 07:04)
• Trump’s economic policies discussed: US trade deficit in goods down 17% April–December 2025.

4. Interview: Rep. Barry Louderback on J6 Committee & Collusion Allegations

[10:33 – 21:18]

• Louderback confirms suspicions of improper coordination between Fani Willis, the Biden White House, DOJ, and the J6 Committee, viewing the released documents as worse than imagined.
  • Quote: "They were so desperate to pin this on Republicans and specifically Donald Trump." (Barry Louderback, 12:18)
• Key concerns:
  • Erosion of constitutional protections (executive privilege, double jeopardy).
  • Selective release/dissemination of congressional documents for prosecutorial benefit.
  • DOJ possibly investigating members of Congress without transparency.
  • Need for congressional reforms to stop weaponization of federal powers.

5. Iran & National Security: Post-SOTU World Affairs

[22:04 – 29:40]

• Amanda Head and Justin Fulcher discuss Iran branding Trump a liar post-SOTU, Chinese and Venezuelan support for Iran, and the ongoing US–Iran nuclear tensions.
  • Quote: “President Trump is... weighing all the options... it’s a complicated situation and there are a lot of different courses of action." (Justin Fulcher, 23:23)
• US military interventions (e.g., successful Venezuela operation) shifting international perceptions.
• No stated goal for regime change in Iran; focus is on halting nuclear advancement.

6. Pentagon Transformation: Innovation, Heroism, and Bureaucratic Challenges

[30:03 – 38:49]

• Darren Seldnick critiques past Pentagon bureaucracy and hails current Secretary Pete Hegseth’s reforms emphasizing war-fighting readiness over “DEI and woke” priorities.
  • Quote: “You can’t undo four years in one year. But we’ve made great strides.” (Darren Seldnick, 33:12)
• Recognition of military heroes at the SOTU seen as vital for morale.
• Ongoing concerns over waste, fraud, and inefficiency, with specific examples of spending disparities and calls for further reform.

7. Economic Impact for Families: Tin Cans, Tariffs, & Cost of Living

[39:16 – 45:47]

• Rebecca Litwerk (Moms for America) describes price spikes in canned goods/meals due to disrupted steel supply and tariffs meant to boost US production.
  • Quote: "What once was $20 and under pot of American chili is... $30 to $35, sometimes up to $40." (Rebecca Litwerk, 41:14)
• Discussion of how moms adapt, educate communities, and hope for relief as policies settle.
  • Emphasis on the often unseen downstream effects of trade and industrial policy.

8. Final Reactions: Democratic Dissonance, Civility, and Media Melodrama

[47:22 – 50:33]

• Clip: Former VP Kamala Harris claims Trump’s speech was “full of lies.”
• John Fetterman (D-PA) defends shaking Trump’s hand as “basic respect and courtesy,” contrasting with party’s more hostile stance.
  • Quote: “I think it’s just basic respect and courtesy... I mean, the State of the Union can’t turn into the Springer Show.” (John Fetterman, 49:08)
• Hosts note a contrast between media/Democratic negativity and moments of bipartisan civility.

Notable Quotes & Segments

• [02:20] John Solomon: "The bureau was spying on its future leader... their phone records rifled through like now we know eight or nine members of Congress, scores of targets in the January 6th investigation..."
• [07:04] Senator Jeff Merkley: "When an authoritarian proceeds to try to destroy a democratic republic... you need a high level of citizen protest and resistance."
• [08:24] John Solomon: "You're either a patriot... or you're a hatred, someone that thinks America's history is embarrassing."
• [12:18] Rep. Barry Louderback: "They were so desperate to pin this on Republicans and specifically Donald Trump."
• [23:23] Justin Fulcher: “President Trump is... weighing all the options... it’s a complicated situation and there are a lot of different courses of action."
• [33:12] Darren Seldnick: "You can’t undo four years in one year. But we’ve made great strides."
• [41:14] Rebecca Litwerk: "What once was $20 and under pot of American chili is... $30 to $35, sometimes up to $40."
• [49:08] John Fetterman: “I think it’s just basic respect and courtesy... the State of the Union can’t turn into the Springer Show.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:26] – [05:05]: FBI surveillance news, "Fani Files" summary
• [05:05] – [09:47]: SOTU recap, party reactions, trade deficit stats
• [10:33] – [21:18]: Interview: Rep. Barry Louderback on J6 investigation, double jeopardy, reforms
• [22:04] – [29:40]: Foreign policy/Iran discussion with Justin Fulcher
• [30:03] – [38:49]: Pentagon reforms and military morale with Darren Seldnick
• [39:16] – [45:47]: Economic impact, family budgets, and tin can pricing with Rebecca Litwerk
• [47:22] – [50:33]: Democratic/media response, Fetterman’s civility, show closing

Episode Tone & Style

• Direct, urgent, at times combative; hosts frame topics through a populist-conservative, “Real America’s Voice” lens, emphasizing patriotism, government skepticism, and "America First" themes.
• Guests include elected officials, military insiders, and grassroots activists providing a mix of policy detail and personal testimony.
• Regular use of rhetorical contrasts (patriots vs. haters, bureaucrats vs. warriors, real people vs. elites).

Summary Conclusion

This episode delivers a potent blend of breaking political news, detailed analysis of SOTU reactions, policy deep-dives, and grassroots impact stories. Through interviews and commentary, Solomon and Head reinforce core RAV themes—government accountability, American strength, and the everyday consequences of federal decision-making. The show’s narrative pitches the post-SOTU landscape as a battleground of competing visions for America, with critical scrutiny reserved for the Democratic establishment and enthusiastic support for Trump-era reforms.