Episode Overview
Title: THE WAR ROOM WITH STEPHEN K. BANNON, EP.#5139
Date: February 12, 2026
Podcast: Real America’s Voice | Host: Stephen K. Bannon
This episode dives deep into a major turning point in U.S. immigration enforcement, especially concerning the end of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, national debates over mass deportations, dire warnings about “lawfare” and judicial interference, dramatic congressional hearings about federal enforcement procedures, jobs data controversies, and the shifting power structure within China’s PLA. The discussion is marked by Bannon’s energetic hosting, expert guests, and on-the-scene reporting—all delivered in a highly charged, unapologetic style that typifies The War Room.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. End of Operation Metro Surge & Immigration Crackdown in Minnesota
Focus:
- Federal immigration crackdown known as Operation Metro Surge wrapped up in Minnesota.
- Still, security teams (“QRFs”) will remain until officials believe it’s safe to leave.
- Prioritization of deportations for criminal aliens, including rapists and murderers.
Key Quotes:
- “President Trump made a promise of mass deportation, and that’s what this country is going to get.” — Tom Homan, Border Czar [00:32]
- “They thought they could break us. But a love for our neighbors and a resolve to endure can outlast an occupation.” — Mayor Jacob Fry [02:10]
- “Minnesotans never wavered. And for that I will be forever grateful.” — Governor Tim Walsh [02:32]
Reaction:
- Local officials and citizens are lauded for their resilience.
- Nationwide protests inspired by Minneapolis, especially significant due to harsh weather conditions.
- Skepticism remains about full federal withdrawal and concern over potential future escalations.
2. Political Analysis & Context of Enforcement Actions
Enforcement Tactics:
- Bannon and guests observe a shift: Trump administration prefers using ICE over the military, as ICE is more compliant with the administration’s deportation agenda.
- Fear that immigration crackdowns serve as a “dress rehearsal” for election security measures and broader repressive tactics.
Notable Segment:
- [05:19] Analysis about dangerous precedents being set for future elections:
“The end game... is not just about the deportation agenda. It has to do with the elections in November.”
3. Judicial “Lawfare”: Judge Boasberg’s Order and Accusations of Judicial Interference
Topic:
- Controversy over DC Chief Judge Jeb Boasberg’s orders regarding deported Venezuelan nationals (some allegedly tied to gangs).
- Boasberg’s ruling: U.S. taxpayers must pay to fly detainees back to the U.S. for habeas hearings, even if they’re outside U.S. custody.
Key Quotes:
- “He finally issues an order demanding... the government to pay for these men to be flown back to the United States, meaning of course you and me and everyone else pay for their transport.” — Julie Kelly [13:35]
- “This is madness overall... We have reports today that illegal immigrants are taking it on their own accord to halt their habeas petitions... because they see the writing on the wall.” — Julie Kelly [16:08]
War Room Stance:
- Bannon and Kelly depict this as sabotaging immigration policy and demand impeachment hearings for Judge Boasberg.
4. Congressional & Senate Hearings: Use of Force, Due Process, and Political Divides
Key Moments:
-
Bernie Moreno confronts Rand Paul about due process in ICE enforcement and shootings of citizens:
- “Are people in those videos not entitled to Fifth Amendment and 14th Amendment protection?” — Bernie Moreno [22:31]
-
Neil McCabe reports from the hearing:
- “Rand Paul was trying to establish that middle lane, but Moreno really tipped over that apple cart.” [25:41]
Insight:
- The hearings showcased split GOP approaches—some pushing hard for crackdowns, others expressing concern about excesses.
5. Jobs Numbers Manipulation & Trump’s Economic Turnaround
Discussion:
- E.J. Antoni slams the Biden administration’s “phony” jobs data—alleging overcounts of over two million jobs due to constant and increasing downward revisions by BLS.
- Under Trump, data now “aligns with reality,” with job growth favoring native-born Americans and wages outpacing inflation.
Memorable Quote:
- “Biden basically turned the labor market into a kind of temp agency for federal bureaucrats and foreigners. What Trump has done is... flipped that script.” — E.J. Antoni [32:12]
- “We have the fewest federal bureaucrats right now since 1966. Think of that, Steve. You have to go back six decades to find a lower number.” — E.J. Antoni [34:16]
6. Arizona Republican Gubernatorial Race & Local Crime Coverage
Update:
- Karen Taylor Robeson suspends gubernatorial campaign—big news in GOP politics.
- Kevin Posobec (on location) covers a high-profile crime scene in Tucson, highlighting perceived law enforcement failures and media blackout.
Key Quote:
- “Why are we not getting updates... There’s a media blackout on this.” — Stephen K. Bannon [39:06]
7. China’s Internal Power Struggles: Opportunity for the West?
Guest: Eva, New Federal State
Highlights:
- A purge of top PLA military commanders represents CCP’s most vulnerable moment in decades.
- Xi Jinping consolidates power but is isolated and lacks military background.
- “Now’s the time to strike” against the CCP during this internal fracture.
Notable Quotes:
- “This is a window of opportunity for the West to end the CCP regime.” — Eva, New Federal State [44:04]
- “Lang [everyday Chinese] doesn’t know... Beijing is sealing the information.” — Eva [44:14]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
- “[President Trump] made a promise of mass deportation and that’s what this country is going to get.” — Tom Homan [00:32]
- “They thought they could break us...” — Mayor Jacob Fry [02:10]
- “It’s going to happen. And where do people like that go to share the big lie? MAGA MEDIA.” — Stephen K. Bannon [09:38]
- “You can’t compromise here.” — Stephen K. Bannon on judiciary and Democrats [10:47]
- “You and me and everyone else pay for their transport [of deported Venezuelans] back here.” — Julie Kelly [13:55]
- “Are people in those videos not entitled to Fifth and 14th Amendment protection?” — Bernie Moreno [22:31]
- “I was amazed that Moreno stepped up... Rand Paul was trying to seek some kind of middle ground.” — Neil McCabe [24:41]
- “We have the fewest federal bureaucrats right now since 1966.” — E.J. Antoni [34:16]
- “This is a window of opportunity for the West to end the CCP regime.” — Eva, New Federal State [44:04]
Important Timestamps & Segments
- Immigration crackdown and Operation Metro Surge wrap-up: [00:32] - [05:00]
- Judicial lawfare on immigration (Julie Kelly): [11:40] - [21:57]
- Senate hearing on ICE use of force (Bernie Moreno vs. Rand Paul): [22:28] - [26:15]
- Fake jobs numbers and economic analysis (E.J. Antoni): [28:13] - [35:43]
- Arizona race/gubernatorial update & Tucson crime scene: [35:48] - [41:36]
- China/CCP military purge analysis (Eva): [42:11] - [45:12]
Tone & Language
- Always direct, adversarial toward Democratic officials, courts, and mainstream media.
- Framing is populist, deeply critical of the “regime,” celebratory of “patriots” who resist.
- Heavy emphasis on conflict ("dying regime", "primal scream", "going medieval") and urgency (“now’s the moment to act”, “dress rehearsal for November”).
- Guests and hosts frequently use evocative expressions (“the people have had a belly full,” “primal scream of a dying regime”).
- Language is combative, unapologetic, and mobilizing.
Summary Flow
The episode unpacks key developments in national immigration policy, presents accusations of judicial obstruction against Trump’s deportation agenda, highlights internal divisions in the GOP over enforcement tactics, scrutinizes manipulated job statistics under Biden vs. “turnaround” under Trump, and points to international opportunities with CCP instability—all woven together with Bannon’s trademark urgency and deep suspicion towards establishment power centers. The episode moves from news recap and analysis, to congressional drama, to field reporting on political and criminal events, ending with calls for grassroots action and previews of upcoming coverage.
For listeners who missed the episode, this summary covers all major topics, illuminates the most salient arguments and emotional high points, and includes attributions and timestamps for additional context and direct referencing.