Real America's Voice – The War Room with Stephen K. Bannon (Ep. 5086)

Date: January 22, 2026
Host: Steve Bannon
Key Guests/Voices: Board of Peace Representative, Jack Smith, Jamie Raskin, Political commentators, Ben Berkwam, John Yep

Episode Overview

This episode of The War Room delivers a whirlwind survey of the latest in global politics, U.S. policy, and current cultural flashpoints—all through the lens of "America First" populism. Major topics include President Trump’s international efforts (notably the "Board of Peace" and a controversial Greenland framework), the state of the Israel-Gaza conflict, the status of Trump-era legal battles (front and center: Special Counsel Jack Smith’s testimony), and an urgent discussion of border security and “mass deportations” as articulated by Bannon’s guests.

1. The Board of Peace: Israel–Gaza, Global Diplomacy & U.S. Foreign Policy

(04:00–12:30)

Main Discussion Points

• President Trump’s Announcement at Davos:
  Trump, serving as Chairman of the newly formed Board of Peace, touts the entity as potentially "one of the most consequential bodies ever created." He highlights its multinational makeup and youth leadership, depicting it as a forum for enduring global impact.

• Gaza Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid:

  • Trump boasts that the Gaza ceasefire “delivered record levels of humanitarian aid,” claiming, “You don’t hear those stories anymore with people starving” ([05:23]).
  • Release of "all 20 living hostages" is credited as a diplomatic and humanitarian win.

• Permanent End to Gaza Conflict:

  • Trump asserts the Board of Peace’s plan for Gaza was unanimously adopted by the United Nations Security Council “late last year” ([05:58]).
  • Emphasis on “demilitarizing, properly governing and beautifully rebuilding” Gaza.

• International Participation:

  • The Board of Peace invites prominent Middle Eastern leaders (Sheikh Issa of Bahrain, Foreign Minister Burita of Morocco) to ratify its charter, marking its formal launch ([06:41]).

Notable Quotes

• President Trump ([05:52]):
  “Their boy had been killed in just about all cases. Young men, their baby, their boy had been killed, and they wanted the body of their boy... We got them all, every single one of them. Which is amazing. That's a rough job.”
• President Trump ([06:27]):
  “We're committed to ensuring Gaza is demilitarized, properly governed, and beautifully rebuilt.”

2. Critical Reactions: Analysis and Skepticism

(06:43–08:36)

Main Discussion Points

• Critiques of the Board of Peace:

  • An unnamed commentator draws parallels to mafia movies, warning that the board’s “promise not to use force” is only an “implied threat.”
  • Analysts raise concerns about the precedent and future of U.S. alliances amid Trump’s foreign policy moves, referencing the NATO-Greenland situation and “performative” ally engagement.

• On the Greenland Deal and U.S. Allied Relations:

  • Skepticism persists that the U.S. will lose traditional alliances if it continues the Trump administration's current trajectory.

Notable Quotes

• Political Analyst ([07:23]):
  “Let's face the fact that we were confronted with a situation in which our NATO allies were beginning to deploy troops to prevent an American act of territorial aggression against a NATO ally.”

3. Board of Peace Strategy for Gaza: Vision and Implementation

(08:37–12:29)

Main Discussion Points

• Rebuilding Gaza (“New Gaza”):

  • Board of Peace Representative outlines ambitious plans for zoned redevelopment, rapid construction, and economic transformation: “We think this could be done in two, three years... Once this starts going, we think there should be 100% full employment and opportunity for everybody there” ([09:30]).
  • Emphasis on “security and governance” as prerequisites for success.

• Best Practices and International Learning:

  • Commitment to making IP on governance, healthcare, and education “public”—encouraging adoption of “what’s working” globally.

• Investment and International Cooperation:

  • Call for the private sector to invest despite risks; a conference is teased for announcements.
  • Stresses the necessity of cooperation among Israel, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, and international stakeholders.

Notable Quotes

• Board of Peace Representative ([10:35]):
  “If Hamas does not demilitarize, that will be what holds back Gaza and the people of Gaza from achieving their aspiration. And that's very important.”

4. Bannon’s Recap: U.S. Strategic Interests—Greenland, NATO, Gaza

(13:05–16:05)

Main Discussion Points

• Greenland Deal Framework:

  • Details of a U.S.-Greenland agreement: U.S. access to land and mineral rights, anti-ballistic missile installation (“Golden Dome”), and private sector investment.
  • The deal is positioned as a bulwark against Russian influence and as a model for strategic U.S. infrastructure development globally.

• Two-State Solution:

  • Bannon describes the Gaza plan as delivering a "new Palestinian state... well-financed, super modern, with the Turks as security."

Notable Quotes

• Steve Bannon ([15:00]): “You got a new Palestinian state. Look at that. Jared walks through—this has been very developed. They have big capital commitments. Look at the artwork. I mean, it looks like Miami Beach on testosterone.”
• Steve Bannon ([15:52]):
  “For anybody that said, hey, you can't have a two-state solution—well, you got a two-state solution.”

5. House Judiciary Hearing: Jack Smith vs. Jim Jordan & Jamie Raskin

(18:08–44:31)

Main Discussion Points

• Jim Jordan’s Opening Statement:

  • Alleges politicized investigations and “weaponization” of the Justice Department against Trump, highlighting subpoenas, phone records, “fake dossier,” and “improper procedures.”
  • Asserts that the U.S. left controls media, tech, academia, but claims “the left doesn't control we the people... and we elected President Trump twice” ([28:30]).

• Jamie Raskin’s Opening Statement:

  • Praises Jack Smith’s prosecutorial integrity and underscores the gravity of findings: “You found proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election” ([30:52]).
  • Accuses Trump of trying to overturn results, calls the former President's labeling of Smith a “criminal” an act of political revenge.
  • Reiterates Trump “knew he lost the election” as confirmed by Barr, Pence, and the courts ([32:52]).

Notable Quotes

• Jim Jordan ([18:42]):
  “They got my phone records for two and a half years... Even the Democrats said this was wrong.”
• Jim Jordan ([28:23]):
  “The left doesn’t control we the people. And in spite of the weaponization efforts... we the people saw through it all and we elected President Trump twice.”
• Jamie Raskin ([31:55]): "You pursued the facts. You followed the law. You stuck with extreme caution to every rule of professional responsibility. You had the audacity to do your job.”

6. Jack Smith’s Testimony: Legal Process and Defense of Rule of Law

(39:35–44:31)

Main Discussion Points

• Smith’s Response:
  • Emphasizes decades of nonpartisan Justice Department service: “I am not a politician and I have no partisan loyalties” ([39:39]).
  • Stands by all Trump indictments, asserting the “evidence established that he willfully broke the law, the very laws he took an oath to uphold” ([41:10]).
  • Defense of DOJ procedure, team professionalism, and the importance of the rule of law above political considerations.

Notable Quotes

• Jack Smith ([40:24]):
  “Throughout my public Service, my approach has always been the same: follow the facts and the law without fear or favor.”
• Jack Smith ([43:19]):
  “No one, no one should be above the law in this country, and the law required that he be held to account. So that is what I did.”

7. Border Crisis, Mass Deportations, and Catholic Community Responsibility

(45:16–54:34)

Main Discussion Points

• Bannon and Berkwam:

  • Focus on “mass deportations” as the defining issue for the base. Bannon insists prosecuting those enabling border crossings is essential: “If we don't do mass deportations, nothing else matters... Otherwise you're not going to have a country” ([47:40]).
  • Ben Berkwam, reporting from Washington, echoes the need for “fighting back” against organizations obstructing ICE and deportation efforts.

• Catholics for Catholics and Tom Homan:

  • John Yep underscores the importance of Catholic accountability, honoring Homan for his role in child rescues and enforcement: “We as Catholics feel a responsibility now to... congratulate people like Tom Homan who are doing the work to restore law and order in our country” ([51:36]).
  • Emphasis on holding enablers (including Catholic Charities) accountable.
  • Encourages Catholic community awareness and action via cforc.com.

Notable Quotes

• Steve Bannon ([47:40]):
  “Otherwise you're not going to have a country... The two things you gotta do is go after the deep state hard right? And you have to get the mass deportations rolling whether you like it or not.”
• John Yep ([53:27]):
  “You can watch it now live or you'll have it here on cforc.com. Catholics for Catholics—we're about mobilizing Catholics to get inclined, engaged, the fight for America.”

8. Memorable Moments & Tone

• Bannon’s Rhetoric and Energy:
  “This is the primal scream of a dying regime. Pray for our enemies because we're going medieval on these people” ([12:29]).
• Pointed Critique:
  Frequent, direct attacks on the “regime,” leftist control, and “lying” mainstream media punctuate the episode.

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Board of Peace/Trump’s Statement: 04:00 – 06:42
• Board of Peace Representative’s Vision: 08:37 – 12:29
• Bannon on the Greenland Deal: 13:05 – 16:05
• Jim Jordan’s Opening Statement: 18:08 – 28:47
• Jamie Raskin’s Statement: 29:34 – 38:51
• Jack Smith’s Statement: 39:35 – 44:31
• Border Crisis/Catholics for Catholics: 45:16 – 54:34

Summary Takeaways

• Ambitious Foreign Policy:
  Trump’s “Board of Peace” is cast as a transformative, international initiative for post-conflict Gaza and broader peace deals, now attributed to American leadership.
• Fierce Partisanship:
  The contentious hearing with Jim Jordan, Jamie Raskin, and Jack Smith showcases a polarized view of justice, with both sides appealing to “the rule of law” and “the will of the people.”
• Populist Imperatives:
  Mass deportations and border policy remain top populist priorities, represented as existential issues for the future of the country.
• Community Responsibility:
  Catholics for Catholics frames religious community accountability as part of the solution to the border crisis.

Listen to this episode for deep dives into the mechanics of recent U.S. diplomacy, partisan legal maneuverings, and the ongoing populist grassroots mobilization that defines The War Room’s worldview.