Ruthless Podcast Detailed Summary

Episode Overview

Title: How Weak Democrat Leadership Has Enabled Left Wing Extremism
Date: September 16, 2025
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook
Special Guest: Scott Cooper (Director, Office of Personnel Management)

Main Theme:
The episode offers a raw and frank discussion on the aftermath of escalating political violence in America, particularly focusing on the lack of Democratic leadership confronting extremism within their ranks. The hosts analyze recent events, share personal reactions, and are later joined by Scott Cooper for a deep dive into federal workforce reform. The conversation blends news analysis with personal reflections, conservative critique, policy insights, and the show’s characteristic banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Political Violence and Public Reaction

The Charlie Kirk Assassination

• The episode opens with a somber assessment of the reaction to Charlie Kirk's assassination, focusing not just on the act but on the disturbing positivity or indifference from portions of the left and everyday Americans online.
• The hosts express shock and disgust at the percentage of liberals who think celebrating the assassination of political opponents is acceptable.
• Polling Highlight: 24% of liberals believe it's okay to be happy about the death of a political opponent (05:51).

Declining Social Contract

• The hosts reflect on the breach of fundamental American values: “It feels like a violation of that social contract… We don’t celebrate the murder, the assassination of an American.” (09:51, Unidentified Host)
• John Ashbrook references an Abraham Lincoln quote:

  “If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men, we must live through all time or die by suicide.” (10:37, John Ashbrook)

Nihilism and Generational Shifts

• Discussion covers generational differences, noting younger Americans’ increasing nihilism about political violence.
• Holmes draws historical parallels with the JFK, RFK, and MLK assassinations, highlighting the loss of a societal consensus against such violence compared to past decades (16:40).

2. Failure of Democratic Leadership

Leadership Vacuum

• Central theme: “There’s an absolute vacuum of leadership on their side to confront that, to do anything about it.” (00:20 / 24:40, Michael Duncan)
• Hosts repeatedly return to failures by current Democratic leaders to offer clear condemnation or guidance, seeing only “platitudes” or “both-sidesism” instead of moral clarity.
• The “matador with a red cape” metaphor is used for Democratic leaders deflecting rather than confronting extremism (22:02, Josh Holmes).

Critique of Specific Leaders

• Josh Shapiro: Described as talented but ultimately failing to stand up after being a victim of left-wing violence himself, retreating to “both sides” rhetoric (21:01-21:44).
• Joe Biden: Accused of trading genuine leadership for appeasement of the far left, leading to agency capture without clear direction (22:35).
• General Point: The last three Democratic nominees (Biden, Hillary, Kamala) all viewed as compromised figures who “let you run the show”.

Consequence: Grassroots Radicalization

• The lack of leadership is blamed for emboldening the grassroots left, pushing the party further into extreme rhetoric and behavior.
• Hosts cite Politico reporting elected Democrats are pressured by their base to “go fight somebody, go shoot somebody, go punch somebody.” (24:11, Michael Duncan)

3. Conservative Movement Response & Introspection

Personal Reflections

• Hosts express emotional exhaustion and self-questioning in light of violence and toxic discourse:

  “I was ashamed that I had that reaction...then I spent the whole week ...and then...maybe a better reaction to that is do more and be better and recommit yourself.” (12:21, Unidentified Host)

• The hosts urge collective recommitment to positive activism.

Rejecting Both-Sides Narratives

• Hosts are emphatic that this is not “political violence on both sides,” and are frustrated when Republican leaders lapse into such rhetoric:

  “I do not want to hear anyone talk about political violence or both sides. That's not what this is.” (14:20, Michael Duncan)

Conservative Values

• The contrast is drawn between the right’s respect for the social fabric and the country, versus perceived leftist nihilism:

  “You don’t see conservatives out...an eye for an eye. You know why? Because we like this country...” (29:23, Josh Holmes)

4. The Government Shutdown Standoff

Breakdown of Key Points

• The looming government shutdown is discussed as a recurring symptom of leadership abdication, with Democrats accused of refusing to take responsibility or negotiate in good faith.
• Republicans in the House are proposing a clean Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government funded; Democrats are accused of withholding support to avoid upsetting their base (36:10-36:48).
• Holmes argues if Democrats cause a shutdown, President Trump will be equipped to win the messaging war due to his “master of messaging” skills (39:02).

Criticisms of Congressional Dysfunction

• The hosts are openly frustrated with both parties' inability to prioritize the country’s needs over politics, but lay ultimate blame for present dysfunction at the Democratic Party’s door (37:51-38:18).

5. Bureaucratic Reform - Scott Cooper Interview

About Scott Cooper

• Career: Houston-born, legal background, longtime tech executive (Andreessen Horowitz), now Director of OPM.
• Motivation: Left a lucrative private sector career “for love of country.”

OPM’s Mandate and Innovations

• OPM’s Role: “We’re responsible overall for talent in the federal government...how do we hire, fire, promote...” (43:34, Scott Cooper)
• Federal Headcount Reduction: From 2.4M to approx. 2.1M expected by year’s end. Target: 4 government exits for each new hire. “We will meet or exceed that target.” (47:08, Scott Cooper)
• Performance Management Overhaul:
  • Previously, 70% were rated 4 or 5 (top scores), 0.3% at the bottom—self-sustaining bloat (50:41-51:06).
  • New forced distribution and stricter performance plans, cutting endless “Performance Improvement Plans” to 30 days (51:48).
  • Shift toward skill-based, not self-assessed hiring—practical tests over resume padding (51:41-52:54).

Cultural and Efficiency Revolution

• Bureaucratic Incentives: “Every other incentive is just keep growing every year...” (49:18, Scott Cooper)
• Reform Approaches:
  • Incentivizing efficiency: “We are doing something...’gain sharing’...We literally handed the person a $10,000 check.” (58:11)
  • Eliminating waste: Example, Combined Federal Campaign cost $22M to raise $68M for charity—Cooper aims to root out and eliminate such inefficiencies.
  • Recognition as non-monetary motivator.
• Challenges: Congressional parochialism: Even small reforms impact local constituencies, making systemic change slow and difficult (66:17-68:32).

Notable Quotes from Scott Cooper

• “I have a very simple view of life, which is organizations are just people, right? And people respond to incentives. It’s very simple.” (59:23)
• “Every amount of savings is too small, so let’s not bother, right?...It’s more about, do we change the culture?” (63:44)
• “These careers will all outlast people like me...Can I find the people in the organization who actually do want to embrace change and align them with our goals...” (56:46-57:09)

6. Variety Segment: IMAX CEO Lawsuit

• Hosts share a New York Post story about the IMAX CEO whose ex-wife allegedly cannot take out life insurance on him due to hard partying.
• Banter centers around the absurdity and humor in ex-spouses seeking post-divorce life insurance, with mock speculation about motivations and insurance company decisions (71:01-73:24).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------| | 05:51 | “24% of Liberals believe it’s okay to be happy about the death of a political opponent.” | Josh Holmes | | 10:37 | “If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher.” | John Ashbrook (Lincoln)| | 14:20 | “I do not want to hear anyone talk about political violence or both sides. That’s not what this is.” | Michael Duncan | | 22:02 | “What you’re getting is the equivalent of a matador with a red cape getting the bull through without getting hit themselves.” | Josh Holmes | | 24:11 | “Our voters are telling us; go shoot somebody, go do something. Go fight somebody, go punch somebody.” | Michael Duncan | | 29:23 | “You don’t see conservatives out...an eye for an eye...Because we like this country...” | Josh Holmes | | 47:08 | “We started the year with about 2.4 million civilian employees. We expect to end the year closer to 2.1 million.” | Scott Cooper | | 58:11 | “We are doing something in government—we call it gain sharing...we literally handed the person a $10,000 [for saving $500k].” | Scott Cooper | | 63:44 | “Every amount of savings is too small, so let’s not bother, right?...It’s more about, do we change the culture?” | Scott Cooper |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00-02:40 — Cold Open/Setting the Emotional Tone: Initial reaction to the assassination and public response.
• 04:53-13:25 — Societal Contract and Breakdown: Discussion on the shift in social attitudes towards political violence.
• 14:20-15:28 — No Both-Sides: Strong rejection of false equivalence in political violence.
• 16:40-20:00 — Historical Context and Generational Change.
• 20:52-27:22 — Democratic Leadership Lapses: Focus on figures like Shapiro, Biden, and broader trends.
• 29:20-32:19 — Conservative Values and National Stakes.
• 33:55-41:11 — Government Shutdown Analysis.
• 43:04-69:19 — Scott Cooper/OPM Interview: Federal workforce reform, efficiency drives, culture change.
• 71:01-73:42 — Variety Segment: Lighthearted discussion on the IMAX CEO and life insurance suit.

Conclusion

This episode addresses a sobering national mood following high-profile political violence, interrogating the shifting American social contract and sharply critiquing Democratic Party leadership for failing to confront extremism within its ranks. The hosts offer both condemnatory and introspective perspectives, rejecting facile “both sides” narratives. The interview with Scott Cooper stands out as a substantive and optimistic interlude, offering real-world examples of bureaucratic reform and innovative efficiency models in government. The show concludes with trademark wit, blending policy, emotion, and humor in ways that speak to both their loyal audience and a broader conservative milieu.