Ruthless Podcast Summary

Episode: Democrats’ Religion Problem — Church Protests & Anti-Semitism

Date: January 20, 2026
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode of "Ruthless" centers on what the hosts perceive as the Democratic Party's increasing antagonism toward religious liberty, focusing particularly on recent progressive protests at churches, rising anti-Semitism linked to Democratic politics, and an in-depth discussion of recent gaffes and controversial behavior from politicians and the media. The hosts dissect current events with their trademark irreverent banter, covering the fallout from a church protest in Minnesota, scrutiny over Democratic VP vetting, and redistricting battles — all within their wider critique of left-wing activism and establishment media.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minnesota Church Protest & Religious Tolerance

• Event Recap: Activist protesters disrupted a Sunday church service in Minnesota over an unsubstantiated claim that the pastor had ties to ICE. Don Lemon covered the event live.

• Hosts' Take:

  • The hosts highlight this as an example of the activist left having “no limits” and disrespecting sacred spaces.
  • They note the proximity to a church shooting months earlier in the same region, emphasizing a context of heightened tension.
  • There's outrage that protesters felt empowered to do this, and strong criticism of Don Lemon for amplifying the action.

• Notable Quote:
  “There's a million churches you could walk into where those people don't walk out... if you have people screaming and yelling and disrupting a prayer, you're not walking out of there.”
  —Josh Holmes (08:10)

• Constitutional Angle:

  • Ashbrook and Holmes argue the First Amendment protects peaceful worship, not disruptions.
  • Duncan: “The Second Amendment is there to protect the first.” (12:17)
  • Smug and Ashbrook allege the protests are professionally organized for media spectacle and financial incentive.

• Hosts’ Prescription: Swift legal consequences for protestors to prevent escalation or vigilante responses.

Timestamps:

• Recap & Outrage: 02:57–09:13
• Discussion of Don Lemon’s Role: 10:22–13:44
• First Amendment & Consequences Debate: 12:17–15:40

2. Democrats, Israel, and the “Religion Problem”

• Shapiro VP Vetting:

  • Discussion of Governor Josh Shapiro’s claim that, during VP vetting, Kamala Harris’s team asked if he was “an agent of the Israeli government,” which Shapiro found offensive and presumed to be asked because he's Jewish (29:32–31:03).
  • Kamala’s team denied religious discrimination, but the hosts frame this as confirming underlying anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiment in the Democratic Party.
  • The theme is extended to other marginalized groups, with the assertion that only "Islamic extremists" are truly “protected” by Democrats.

• Notable Quote:
  “The only people that I see protected, like, ultimately protected in the way that the First Amendment was designed to do is your Islamic extremists.”
  —Josh Holmes (32:42)

• Veep Satire:

  • The discussion lampoons the VP vetting process, painting it as an absurd, identity-driven spectacle (“How Jewy are you?” – 36:46).

Timestamps:

• Shapiro story introduction: 25:07
• Book excerpt & vetting process: 29:32–30:41
• Satirical discussion: 36:19–38:02

3. Media Critique: Don Lemon & Legacy Press

• Don Lemon’s presence at the Minnesota protest is characterized as an opportunistic ratings grab, made possible because “there’s no consequences for left wingers to run amok.”

• Hosts contrast the kid-glove treatment for left-wing activists and journalists with heavy-handed law enforcement against conservatives (“the Biden regime was hunting down moms attending school board meetings...” — 19:05).

• Notable Quote:
  “You take their title away and they’re like, yeah… that was holding me back. It was holding me back.”
  —John Ashbrook, on ex-corporate journalists becoming open activists (46:39)

4. Redistricting Wars and GOP Frustrations

• Detailed discussion of redistricting battles, specifically Virginia’s move to draw a 10:1 Democratic/Republican congressional map and Indiana Republicans’ refusal to redistrict to favor the GOP.

• The hosts decry Republican reluctance as naiveté, noting that Democrats have been aggressive in gerrymandering for generations, while GOP leaders hesitate for fear of appearances.

• Notable Quotes:
  “What do you think's gonna happen if we let them back in power? ...They've already tried to jail and kill us, man.”
  —John Ashbrook (54:46)

• Timestamps:

  • Virginia 10:1 news: 49:45–51:10
  • Host frustration & redistricting lessons: 53:24–58:23

5. Variety Segment: Ski Jumpers & Genital ‘Aerodynamics’

• The show shifts tone with a comedic deep dive into a bizarre news item: professional ski jumpers are reportedly inflating their crotch area to game measurement rules for competitive advantage.

• Hosts riff on the absurdity, injecting their signature banter and drawing hilariously anatomical analogies.

• Notable Quote:
  “So they pump up their hog in order to get a larger suit.”
  —Michael Duncan (64:33)

• Timestamps:

  • Ski suit story and reactions: 62:09–68:39

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “There's a million churches you could walk into where those people don't walk out.” —Josh Holmes (08:10)
• “There is nothing free about the speech that they were doing inside of that church.” —Smug (13:04)
• “The only people that I see protected ... is your Islamic extremists.” —Josh Holmes (32:42)
• “Have you ever been an agent of the Israeli government?” —Josh Holmes, quoting Shapiro being vetted (30:14)
• “What do you think's gonna happen if we let them back in power? ...They've already tried to jail and kill us, man.” —John Ashbrook (54:46)
• “So they pump up their hog in order to get a larger suit.” —Michael Duncan (64:33)

Segment Timestamps for Quick Reference

• Segment 1: Church Protest & Outrage: 02:57–09:13
• Don Lemon on Scene: 10:22–13:44
• Religious Liberty & Democrat Party Issues: 25:07–36:19
• Redistricting Rumbles: 49:45–58:23
• Wild Variety Segment — Ski Suits: 62:09–68:39

Engaging Takeaways

• Religious Liberty is a Flashpoint: Incidents like the Minnesota church protest are seen by the hosts as proof that the left, abetted by a complicit media, disregards sacred spaces and core American freedoms.
• Democrats’ Cold Shoulder to Jews: The vetting of Governor Shapiro and broader anti-Israel sentiment within Democratic primary politics is presented as evidence of a party sliding into identity politics to the exclusion of its Jewish constituency.
• Republican Disunity and Lost Opportunities: GOP reluctance to engage in “shirts and skins” redistricting, while Democrats play hardball, frustrates the panel, who see it as a dereliction of political duty and a strategic blunder.
• Absurdist Variety Keeps It Light: Even amidst heavy topics, the Ruthless crew’s comedic detours (like ski jumper “enhancements”) provide levity — encapsulating the show’s blend of serious analysis and irreverent fun.

Summary for Listeners

If you missed this episode, expect a rollicking journey through the culture and politics of religion and protest, the state of legacy media, reminders of intra-GOP chafing, and even a bawdy sports science tangent. All is served up in the sharp, biting tone familiar to Ruthless fans — part war room, part group chat, always with an eye toward exposing what they consider the hypocrisy and failings of progressive power.