THE WAR ROOM WITH STEPHEN K. BANNON (EP. 4762)

Date: September 8, 2025
Podcast: Real America’s Voice, iHeartPodcasts
Host: Steve Bannon
Guests: Dr. Peter Navarro, President Donald Trump, Scott Turner, Religious Liberty Commission Attendees

Overview

This high-energy episode captures a critical morning in Washington, D.C., where President Trump addresses the Religious Liberty Commission at the Museum of the Bible, emphasizing the role of faith in American life and governance. The show moves from a nuanced analysis of global alliances and US foreign policy, particularly on trade, to a robust discussion of domestic religious freedom, education, and law enforcement. Featuring in-depth conversation with Dr. Peter Navarro on trade wars, tariffs, and international diplomacy, and culminating in President Trump’s wide-ranging, passionate speech, the episode explores the evolving landscape of American sovereignty, economy, and religious values.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Global Alignments & US Foreign Policy (00:48–10:15)

• Shanghai Cooperation Summit & BRICS:

  • Discussion of recent images showing leaders of China, Russia, and others uniting, raising alarm about new anti-Western alliances.
    • Quote, Analyst (00:48): “A toxic combination of tariffs, hostile rhetoric and ideological demands is moving many of the world’s pivotal states away from America and toward China.”
  • Bannon and guest Peter Navarro critique shifting alliances, including emerging fractures within BRICS.
  • Tensions highlighted between members, notably India and China, and Brazil’s internal issues.
    • Quote, Navarro (06:07): “None of these countries can survive if they don’t sell to the United States... their exports, they’re like vampires sucking us dry with their unfair trade practices.”

• US Tariffs & Trade Strategy:

  • Bannon and Navarro outline ongoing tariffs (over 50% on China), discuss enforcement against unfair practices, and expose loopholes like trans-shipment and illegal labor importation.
  • Navarro emphasizes that America's market remains indispensable, undergirding US leverage.
  • Challenge of trusting Chinese leadership after repeated broken agreements (referencing 2019-2020 trade deals).
    • Quote, Navarro (14:30): “Can you trust the Chinese Communists? No. Full stop. So it’s going to be trust and verify squared.”

2. Domestic Economics, Law, and Order (19:38–29:12)

• Reshaping American Jobs & Factories:

  • Criticism of foreign companies circumventing tariffs by bringing their own labor.
    • Quote, Navarro (21:05): “As we welcome all these trillions of dollars of investment... they’re going to use American workers and the American supply chain here.”
  • Push for policies that increase wages and job quality for native-born Americans.

• Crime, Urban Safety & National Guard Deployment:

  • National Guard’s recent deployment in D.C. is credited with drastically reducing crime and restoring public safety.
    • Quote, Navarro (24:57): “It’s been absolutely gorgeous having the National Guard here. It literally has turned everything around and people feel safe again.”
  • Discussion of media accusations of “peronism”/authoritarianism in Trump's approach to strongman economics and direct intervention.
  • Navarro refutes that, citing benefits to workers and referencing economic theory supporting tariffs for dominant economies.

3. Lawfare & Constitutional Rights (29:32–35:39)

• Navarro & Bannon’s Legal Battles:

  • Discussion of their respective imprisonments for upholding executive privilege, tying personal ordeals to broader threats against constitutional governance.
    • Quote, Navarro (31:42): “You either defend executive privilege, the constitutional separation of powers, and wind up going to prison, or you bend your knee to a partisan Congress. I chose what honor and duty required me to do.”
  • Focus on appeal, to defend future White House advisors and the separation of powers.

• Promotion of Navarro’s Book:

  • “I Went to Prison So You Won’t Have To” is pitched as vital reading for understanding weaponization of the justice system.

4. President Trump at the Religious Liberty Commission (37:41–88:09)

Major Segments & Highlights:

[37:41–88:09] President Trump’s Speech at the Museum of the Bible

• Religious Liberty as Core National Identity:

  • America “founded on faith,” and receding faith leads to national weakening.
    • “When faith gets weaker, our country seems to get weaker. When faith gets stronger...good things happen for our country.” – Trump (37:59)

• Defending Rights from Government Overreach:

  • Direct criticism of Sen. Tim Kaine (“notion our rights come from our Creator is ‘extremely troubling’ to him”), labeling such views “totalitarian.”
  • Trump reaffirms commitment to protecting Judeo-Christian values and restoring religion’s public role.

• Personal Anecdotes & Religious Heritage:

  • Story of Dr. Ben Carson’s “because God wants you to win” (41:56); honor roll for key commission members and faith leaders.

• Restoration of Religious Freedom in Schools:

  • Highlights recent student faith cases (Hannah Allen, TX and Shay Encinis, CA).
  • Promises new Dept. of Education guidance to protect student prayer.
    • “Department of Education will soon issue new guidance protecting the right to prayer in our public schools.” – Trump (53:46)

• Transgender Issues & School Policy:

  • Denouncement of so-called “transgender insanity” in education, outlining executive orders banning chemical/surgical gender transitions and men in women's sports.
  • Emphasizes federal stance: “there are only two genders: male and female.”

• Lifting the Johnson Amendment:

  • Recounts eliminating restrictions on political speech by religious leaders.
    • “We have to give your voices back. And I’ve given your voices back.” – Trump (60:15)

• Criminal Justice Reform & Urban Security:

  • Details ending anti-Christian bias, restoring law and order (especially in D.C.), deploying National Guard, and critiques of cashless bail.
  • Emphasizes that a “safe city” is again possible under his policies, citing plummeting crime statistics.

• Historical Context & Future Outlook:

  • Announces donation of “Trump family Bible” to the museum.
  • Pitches upcoming 250th national anniversary as a unifying, faith-driven event:
    • “As part of the Grand... commemoration, we’ve invited America’s great faith communities to pray for our nation and, and for our people and for peace in the world.”
  • Glances at past administration challenges and “rigged election,” positioning himself as a builder and restorer.

Notable Quotes

• “America was founded on faith... we are one nation under God and we always will.” – Trump (38:46)
• “The woke agenda is practically gone. It’s deep seated, we have to make sure it’s out.” – Trump (50:18)
• “On day one of my administration, I signed an executive order to slash federal funding for any school that pushes transgender insanity on our youth.” – Trump (55:30)
• “We have to bring back religion in America, bring it back stronger than ever before.” – Trump (39:32)

Memorable Moments

• Student Testimonies (52:30–56:30):

  • Hannah Allen (prayer in school), and 12-year-old Shay Encinis (refusing to teach “radical gender ideology”) share firsthand experiences, cheered by Trump and the audience.

• New Religious Guidance for Schools:

  • Immediate announcement: “Department of Education will soon issue new guidance protecting the right to prayer in our public schools.” (53:46)

• Mass Prayer for America (83:36):

  • Scott Turner leads a national prayer, inviting 1 million Americans weekly to engage in dedicated prayer for the nation’s renewal.

Important Timestamps

• 00:48–02:53: Analysis of shifting global powers and critique of US foreign policy.
• 06:07: Navarro’s breakdown of BRICS infighting and US leverage.
• 14:30: “Trust and verify squared” re: China trade negotiations.
• 24:57: Navarro on National Guard’s impact on D.C. safety.
• 31:42: Navarro discusses defense of executive privilege and constitution.
• 37:41: Trump begins address at the Museum of the Bible.
• 53:46: Trump announces Dept. of Ed will protect school prayer.
• 55:30–56:35: Shay Encinas recounts school indoctrination incident; Trump responds.
• 83:36: Scott Turner’s national prayer initiative: “America Prays.”
• 88:09: Trump concludes with a call to usher in a “golden age of America.”

Tone & Style

• Direct, combat-ready, and unapologetically populist.
• Trump mixes patriotism, religious rhetoric, and personal anecdotes to frame himself as both a defender of constitutional tradition and a disruptor of entrenched “anti-religious” and “woke” forces.
• Bannon’s hosting is combative and tactical, focusing on policy levers and inside-Washington battles.

Conclusion

This episode bridges global and domestic fronts, depicting the Trump administration as tackling adversarial alliances abroad while rejuvenating religious liberty and order at home. Dr. Navarro’s hard-hitting trade and economic commentary blends seamlessly into Trump's clarion call for a faith-centered American revival. The episode concludes with a prayer for national unity, affirming the alignment of political and spiritual mission.

Notable Quotes at a Glance:

• “Can you trust the Chinese Communists? No. Full stop.” — Navarro (14:30)
• “We will never apologize for our faith. Ever. Ever. Never. Never.” — Trump (88:10)
• “You have to have religion to have a great nation.” — Trump (39:32)
• “Either you defend executive privilege... or you bend your knee to a partisan Congress.” — Navarro (31:42)
• “The woke agenda is practically gone.” — Trump (50:18)