THE WAR ROOM WITH STEPHEN K. BANNON – EPISODE #4916
Date: November 10, 2025
Host: Steve Bannon
Key Guests: Julie Kelly, Michael Pack, Col. Scott Cuomo, Adam, Tim, Katie
Episode Overview
This episode of The War Room is split into two major thematic segments:
- Discussion and investigation into the January 6th pipe bomber controversy, recent reports on potential suspects, and the broader implications for the January 6th narrative.
- Commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps, a deep dive into the new PBS airing of "The Last 600 Meters," and firsthand accounts from the Battle of Najaf and Fallujah in Iraq.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Shutdown Politics, Democratic Strategy & ACA (00:34–04:50)
- Panelists debate the recent government shutdown, its purpose, and the Democrats' strategy regarding health care subsidies.
- Tim argues the shutdown's main point was to differentiate party stances for voters, not to expect legislative wins:
“The purpose of the shutdown, to my mind, was to demonstrate to the voters as Democrats what their side was on this issue and what the Republican side was.” (01:40)
- Adam notes political fallout for Republicans refusing ACA subsidy extensions, setting up a healthcare focus for the next election.
- Steve Bannon interjects his signature tone with:
“This is the primal scream of a dying regime. Pray for our enemies because we're going medieval on these people.” (04:50)
2. January 6th Pipe Bomber Report & Critique (05:37–24:01)
The Pipe Bomber Allegations and Media Coverage
- Steve Bannon introduces the pipe bomber issue as potentially "Watergate level":
“This pipe bomber thing is not simply big, but it's the key that picks the lock on many different things related to J6, the Fed direction and the deep state.” (06:01)
- Julie Kelly summarizes the Blaze Media exposé by Steve Baker and Joe Hanneman, which claims to have identified the pipe bomber via gait analysis (walking pattern) compared to a Capitol Police officer:
“Well, the article, in my opinion, fell far short of providing enough solid evidence...they said 98% based on this gait analysis.” (07:06)
- Bannon clarifies “gait” analysis for listeners:
“You mean gate like a horse would have a gate or like a human would have a gate? The way...Correct. The way you would propel yourself forward.” (09:01)
- Skepticism Over Evidence: Julie Kelly expresses doubt about the report's credibility, noting lack of direct evidence, unclear source footage, and the irresponsibility of naming a suspect without solid proof.
“It's really irresponsible to float someone's name without enough substantive evidence that confirms that this is the absolute identity of this suspect.” (12:42)
- Wider Implications:
“If you expose the truth about the pipe bombs, the entire January 6th narrative unravels...” (10:26)
- Law Enforcement Involvement: Both Kelly and Bannon suggest possible law enforcement ties—an inside job theory—citing suspicious circumstances and lack of full transparency from federal agencies.
“...this was an inside job, that law enforcement in some capacity was tied to the planting of one or both of these devices.” (11:21)
Frustration with Government Transparency
- Bannon and Kelly bemoan the lack of cooperation from DOJ, FBI, Secret Service, and Congress, despite years of ongoing investigations:
"Why are we not getting full cooperation by the official apparatuses we control?" (20:09)
- Julie Kelly adds:
“Evidence was hidden, evidence was buried. We had testimony that the cell phone data from January 5th was corrupted...I share everyone's frustration that we don't have answers...” (21:56)
Where to Find Julie Kelly's Reporting
- Kelly shares her Substack and X (Twitter) handles for further reading:
“So my substack is declassified with Julie Kelly...I post a lot on X as you know Julie underscore Kelly too...” (23:42)
3. Marine Corps 250th Anniversary & “The Last 600 Meters” (24:04–47:00)
Celebrating the USMC and Iraq War Documentary
- Steve Bannon extols the rarity of a 250-year-old institution and highlights PBS’s decision to air "The Last 600 Meters" about the USMC’s role in Iraq.
- Col. Scott Cuomo, who appears in the film, describes the Battle of Najaf's intensity:
“You send the Marines, you got the hardest missions in the world that need to get executed. You need us to do them and we’re going to do them. Period.” (25:40)
- Discussion on Najaf Combat:
- Describes combat in extreme heat (up to 130°F), fighting in vast cemeteries with catacombs, and strict rules of engagement around the Imam Ali Mosque—one of Shia Islam’s holiest sites.
- Cuomo:
“The enemy knew what [our rules of engagement] were ... so many aspects of their command post...were at times inside the Imam Ali Mosque complex...” (33:23)
Emotional Aftermath:
- The battle’s end was dictated by a political deal rather than military success, frustrating the Marines:
“You kind of got the bull by the horns, if you will...and get ready to finish the job. And then the Ayatollah Sistani...some agreement had been reached...it was frustrating at the time.” (36:05)
The Heart of the Marine Corps
- Pack and Bannon stress the youth and perseverance of the Marines:
“These are 19, 20 year old Americans...they are, they're intense, they're young, they're angry...going to do whatever they have to do to protect America, to protect each other.” (39:57)
- Cuomo:
“No matter what happens, if you need Marines to do something...we will find a way to get it done.” (37:39)
PBS’s 17-Year Hesitation
- Michael Pack discusses why PBS took 17 years to air the film; their skepticism that real, average Marines could be so compelling, accusations of being “too pro-military,” and reluctance to foreground non-political material:
“At one point they said...that I needed to put in more political, historical background. I needed to interview politicians...The film was already 90 minutes.” (45:11)
- Pack credits current PBS president Paula Kerger for finally green-lighting the documentary in time with the USMC's 250th:
“She did that knowing that part of the story would be the 17 year delay...And that it’s not a good look for PBS. And she did it anyway. So I think that’s a courageous stand...” (47:00)
4. Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments
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Steve Bannon, on the pipe bomber story’s stakes:
“If you solve the identity of this pipe bomber, or you can get the idea that the feds knew a lot more about this pipe bomber...this gets to be Watergate level, because then the entire official narrative collapses.” (11:00)
-
Julie Kelly, on journalistic standards:
“If you're going to call someone's name out, you better provide the public with the evidence that you're using as a basis of that conclusion.” (13:31)
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Col. Scott Cuomo, on Marine ethos:
“If you need Marines to do something, it doesn't matter how hard it is, is we will find a way to get it done.” (37:39)
5. Important Timestamps
- 00:34–04:50: Government shutdown debate, Democratic strategy, ACA subsidies
- 05:37–24:01: Pipe bomber controversy, Blaze Media report, inside job theory, Kelly and Bannon's critique of evidence and government transparency
- 24:04–47:00: 250th USMC anniversary, documentary “The Last 600 Meters,” Battle of Najaf, challenges within combat, reflections on the Marine Corps’ past and present, PBS hesitancy
- Notable Quotes by Speaker and Timestamp:
- Steve Bannon: “This is the primal scream of a dying regime.” (04:50)
- Julie Kelly: “Evidence was hidden, evidence was buried...” (21:56)
- Col. Scott Cuomo: “You need us to do them and we're going to do them, period.” (25:40)
- Michael Pack: Describing PBS’s resistance to the film (45:11)
6. Overall Tone and Flow
- The conversation flows with the urgency and intensity characteristic of Steve Bannon’s “War Room.”
- Tone is combative and deeply distrustful of both mainstream narratives and government authorities, especially around January 6th investigations.
- The Marine Corps segment is reverential, somber, and proud, marked by first-person testimony and a strong sense of history and service.
- The panel is critical of both media and government institutions, frequently questioning transparency and the motives behind media narratives or institutional actions.
- The show closes by previewing further discussions and special Veterans Day and sponsor promotions (not summarized).