Ruthless Podcast Episode Summary: "How To Respond To Riots W/ Speaker Johnson"

Release Date: June 12, 2025

Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook
Guest: Speaker Mike Johnson

Introduction

The episode kicks off with a brief advertisement break before welcoming Speaker Mike Johnson, the current Republican Speaker of the House, to discuss pressing national issues, particularly the recent riots and the legislative agenda known as the "Big Beautiful Bill."

Speaker Mike Johnson on Republican Leadership and the Current Political Climate

Timestamp: [01:30] - [03:32]

Josh Holmes introduces Speaker Mike Johnson, highlighting his leadership amidst challenging political dynamics. Johnson emphasizes the perseverance of the Republican majority despite skepticism:

• Mike Johnson [01:56]: “I mean, it's an advantage to be underestimated sometimes. We worked so hard to win that majority in 2024. We defied expectations to do that.”

He underscores the narrow Republican majority in Congress, noting the cutbacks initiated by the Biden administration that reduced their numbers to a single vote. Johnson asserts the importance of steadfast leadership to uphold law and order:

• Mike Johnson [02:33]: “If the local and state officials in California or elsewhere are unable or unwilling to keep law and order, to uphold the rule of law, then the President must. That's called leadership.”

Responding to Riots and Illegal Immigration

Timestamp: [03:32] - [09:07]

The conversation shifts to the surge in riots across major cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta, and Chicago. Johnson attributes these disturbances to the administration's handling of illegal immigration, which he claims has led to a significant influx of illegal aliens:

• Mike Johnson [04:06]: “We think the number is about 20 million illegal aliens came across the border in four years. So we'll be dealing with fallout of this for the rest of our lives.”

He highlights the administration's response, including deploying troops to Los Angeles, and critiques the opposition's stance against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):

• Mike Johnson [05:28]: “We're going to hire 10,000 additional ICE agents...they hate ICE. What is ICE? They don't want to enforce federal law.”

Comfortably Smug interjects with statistics on public opinion regarding troop deployment, linking it to strategic political advantages through census-related apportionment:

• Comfortably Smug [05:08]: “Polling shows that 60 to 40 Americans support the troops being sent to Los Angeles.”

The Big Beautiful Bill and Legislative Challenges

Timestamp: [09:49] - [19:45]

Johnson elaborates on the "Big Beautiful Bill," a comprehensive legislative package aimed at fulfilling the economic and border security promises made during the 2024 campaign. He outlines the bill’s key components, including regulatory reforms, military funding, tax policies, and the debt limit extension:

• Mike Johnson [10:12]: “One big beautiful bill because it's got everything. From the border we talked about to regulatory reform...spending less, carving it out.”

He discusses the intricate process of passing the bill through Congress, emphasizing the necessity of reconciliation to overcome a slim Senate majority:

• Mike Johnson [12:01]: “We have to do it on our own. Democrats are not going to help us do any of this agenda.”

Johnson addresses the difficulties posed by misinformation in the digital age, highlighting the challenges of maintaining legislative progress amidst a toxic social media environment.

• Mike Johnson [13:06]: “The social media thing is toxic to politics totally because every single member has their own comm shop and they can go every 2 minutes online and say what they're disgruntled about in a piece of legislation...so I'm constantly having to put out fires all the time.”

Interaction with President Trump and Legislative Strategy

Timestamp: [10:16] - [20:09]

Johnson shares anecdotes about collaborating with President Trump, including negotiating aspects of the Big Beautiful Bill and maintaining a united Republican front:

• Mike Johnson [10:16]: “He named it, the Big Beautiful Bill...we have all of our priorities in there.”

He recounts the strategic discussions with Trump, ensuring the bill aligns with Republican objectives without adding unnecessary emphasis that could hinder its passage:

• Mike Johnson [10:31]: “I convinced him that we were not going to put an exclamation point on it.”

Johnson emphasizes the importance of consensus-building within the Republican caucus, acknowledging the diverse interests across different states:

• Mike Johnson [14:26]: “We got to come to an agreement. You have to find that balance...preserving as much as you possibly can in delivering President Trump's promises to the American people.”

Listener Engagement and Audience Interaction

Timestamp: [27:00] - [57:55]

The hosts transition into engaging with listener comments, focusing on the central question: “Should Trump send in the Marines?” They feature several listener perspectives, blending historical references with contemporary satire:

1. Jimmy Major [30:28]:

   • Jimmy Major: “Quick, decisive action and overwhelming force prevented a bad situation from devolving into chaos.”

2. Joe Walsh’s Comments [32:17] and [70:27]:

   • Joe Walsh: “Fuck you, Donald Trump. I have a constitutional right to protest your stupid Kim Jong Un parade...”

3. Robert Spitalnick and Robert Wright’s Views [33:42]:

   • Robert Spitalnick: “Trump sending in the Marines is a win. The rioting must be stopped...”

The discussion highlights the polarized responses, with hosts humorously critiquing the listener submissions and maintaining a strong pro-law-and-order stance.

Satirical Segment: King of the Hill

Timestamp: [59:13] - [73:55]

In a lighthearted interlude, the hosts engage in a parody of the classic TV show "King of the Hill," pitting the hosts against each other in a mock debate. This segment serves to inject humor and showcase the camaraderie among the hosts while reinforcing the podcast’s political viewpoints.

• Josh Holmes: “Exhibit one, please... Trump is turning us into a police state.”
• Michael Duncan: “Exhibit number nine... Donald Trump is America's enemy.”

Critical Analysis of Media and Public Figures

Timestamp: [73:55] - [75:00]

The podcast concludes with a critical take on media figures like Jen Rubin, whom the hosts portray as emblematic of the misinformation and biased reporting they contend with:

• Josh Holmes: “It's easy to tweet and be like, why didn't we solve the national debt in this one bill? But actually having a leader who knows... is good to know.”

They commend Speaker Johnson for his legislative efforts and resilience in navigating the complex political landscape, urging listeners to support policies that align with Republican values.

Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with the hosts thanking Speaker Johnson for his participation and encouraging listeners to stay engaged with the podcast's content through various platforms like YouTube. They reiterate their commitment to providing no-holds-barred conservative analysis and bid farewell until the next episode.

• Josh Holmes: “Until next time at Ruthless, keep the faith, hold the line, and own the lid.”

Notable Quotes

• Mike Johnson [02:33]: “If the local and state officials in California or elsewhere are unable or unwilling to keep law and order, to uphold the rule of law, then the President must. That's called leadership.”
• Mike Johnson [04:06]: “We think the number is about 20 million illegal aliens came across the border in four years. So we'll be dealing with fallout of this for the rest of our lives.”
• Mike Johnson [10:12]: “One big beautiful bill because it's got everything. From the border we talked about to regulatory reform...spending less, carving it out.”
• Mike Johnson [13:06]: “The social media thing is toxic to politics totally because every single member has their own comm shop and they can go every 2 minutes online and say what they're disgruntled about in a piece of legislation...so I'm constantly having to put out fires all the time.”

Conclusion

This episode of the Ruthless Podcast offers an in-depth discussion with Speaker Mike Johnson on handling civil unrest, legislative strategies, and the challenges facing the Republican majority in Congress. Through a blend of serious dialogue and satirical interludes, the hosts provide listeners with a comprehensive overview of current conservative strategies to maintain stability and push forward their legislative agenda amidst a tumultuous political environment.