Ruthless Podcast: "The Future of Trump's Agenda in Congress"

Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, John Ashbrook, Michael Duncan (absent this episode)
Date: September 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this post-Labor Day episode, the Ruthless crew dives into "five things to watch" as Congress returns for a consequential legislative fall in President Trump's second term. The team provides their trademark irreverent conservative analysis on high-stakes developments: Trump administration nominations gridlock, the possibility of a government shutdown, the contentious National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), ongoing Russia-Ukraine negotiations, and Middle East peace efforts. Notably, the episode features interviews with Energy Secretary Chris Wright and chief economist Kevin Hassett about Trump policy impacts. Interspersed throughout are lighter segments, including a deep-dive into the business woes of Hooters and wild animal encounters.

Main Topics and Key Discussion Points

1. The Trump Nominations Blockade in the Senate

[06:57-21:40]

• Summary:
  The hosts lament the unprecedented slow pace of confirmations for Trump’s senior-level nominees, attributing the bottleneck squarely on Senate Democrats, particularly Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

• Key Points:

  • Only 135 out of over 1,000 Trump nominees have been confirmed (Josh Holmes, 08:23).
  • Unlike past bipartisan cooperation, Democrats are refusing to provide even the required bipartisan nominees for certain commissions (John Ashbrook, 11:32).
  • Technical explanation of Senate rules: any senator can require up to 30 hours of debate per nominee, dragging out the process for potentially 15 years if applied to every appointee (Josh Holmes, 09:31–10:36).
  • Republicans consider, but are split on, using the "nuclear option" to change the Senate rules and speed confirmations, wary after previous backfires on Democrats (Josh Holmes/John Ashbrook, 18:09–21:12).

• Notable Quote:

  "Only 135 of President Trump's more than 1,000 senior level appointments have been approved so far."
  — Josh Holmes, [08:23]

2. Government Shutdown Likelihood

[21:40–28:46]

• Summary:
  The hosts see a government shutdown in the fall as highly likely, blaming infighting among Democrats and progressive pressure on Schumer. They argue that the frequent shutdown drama is now “an annual tradition” but that progressive activists want Schumer to take a harder line, raising the odds further.

• Key Points:

  • Schumer is constrained by past party pressures and risks from the progressive “Hamas caucus”—host’s term for the left-wing of the Democratic Party.
  • Democrats, the hosts claim, repeatedly "move the goalposts" and are unwilling to bargain in good faith (John Ashbrook, 24:46).
  • Senator Chris Murphy is positioning himself to challenge Schumer by stoking progressive anger and calling the congressional process “illegal” (John Ashbrook, 28:06).

• Notable Quotes:

  "They're moving the goalposts. They'll continue to move the goalposts...the government might shut down, probably will shut down. And it's because Democrats don't care."
  — John Ashbrook, [24:46]

3. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Battles

[28:46–34:10]

• Summary:
  Once a reliably bipartisan annual bill, NDAA passage is now threatened by “poison pill” amendments from Democrats, according to the hosts. Main areas of projected breakdown: provisions on transgender service, abortion policies for troops abroad, and diversity initiatives.

• Key Points:

  • House and Senate versions elevate China deterrence and domestic military manufacturing.
  • Hosts claim Democrats are driving partisan conflict, using NDAA as leverage over niche social issues, threatening national defense consensus.

• Notable Quotes:

  "[NDAA] used to be super bipartisan… If this breaks down, it’ll be things like trans in the military, abortion provisions in bases overseas… Niche issues that Democrats care about… Stupid shit that has nothing to do with protecting you and your family."
  — Josh Holmes, [31:22]

4. Russia-Ukraine Negotiations

[34:10–38:06]

• Summary:
  White House optimism signals negotiations are closer to ending the war than the media reports. Trump, the hosts claim, is showing unique foreign policy leadership, both with Putin and EU partners.

• Key Points:

  • Trump is engaging directly; process is ongoing with both sides.
  • Stakes are high: if Ukraine “wins too much,” Russia may escalate with “something more significant,” potentially nuclear.
  • Sharp critique of Biden's approach as weak and disengaged; the hosts credit Trump for taking responsibility upon inheriting the conflict.

• Notable Quotes:

  "It’s just so obvious…this is a problem Donald Trump did not want to inherit, but when he inherited it, he took responsibility for it…they question his motives."
  — Josh Holmes, [37:29]

5. Middle East Peace Initiatives & Israel-Hamas

[38:06–42:57]

• Summary:
  The hosts highlight upcoming diplomatic maneuvering at the UN with Israeli PM Netanyahu and possible Israel-Syria security agreements. They draw a direct line to Trump’s Abraham Accords legacy, predicting further consequential breakthroughs.

• Key Points:

  • Progressive and global left politics complicate US diplomacy ("Michigan problem" = Democratic voter bloc critical of Israel).
  • Trump could secure an “Abraham Accords 2.0” involving Saudi Arabia and other regional players.
  • Emphasis on Trump’s ability to get deals done and shift regional dynamics.

• Notable Quotes:

  "If this super uncomfortable for the region conflict can resolve itself…do not be surprised if…the last two years of this administration provides an Abraham Accords 2.0."
  — Josh Holmes, [41:19]

Interview Highlights

Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy

[43:00–46:49]

• Summary:
  Wright details aggressive Trump administration moves to deregulate and expand American energy, especially natural gas exports. He touts U.S. economic and security benefits.

• Key Points:

  • End to LNG export pause—Trump admin now expanding natural gas exports at record pace.
  • Administration focusing on all sources: “oil, gas, coal are 82% of US energy today.”
  • Regulatory rollbacks to reduce energy costs and boost US competitiveness.

• Notable Quotes:

  “We permitted more capacity to export natural gas in the first eight months of this than any other country has export capacity…Great for our allies, for national security, great economically for the United States.”
  — Chris Wright, [44:54]

Kevin Hassett, Chief Economist

[63:08–66:41]

• Summary:
  Hassett, the architect of Trump’s tax overhaul, lauds “big beautiful bill” for personal income growth, rising wages, and a return to blue-collar, native-born hiring.

• Key Points:

  • Post-2017 tax cuts led to $6,500 average wage jump; predicts further $10,000 gains in coming years.
  • Factory construction, job creation, and wage increases accelerating post-tax reform.
  • Decline in non-native jobholding, rise in native-born employment as higher wages pull Americans off sidelines.

• Notable Quotes:

  “You’re gonna see a massive increase in wages, reduction in unemployment…because of the explosion into activity following the big beautiful bill.”
  — Kevin Hassett, [64:46]
  “Non native-born workers…employment has declined by about half a million and native born workers…up by about 2 million.”
  — Kevin Hassett, [65:29]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Senate obstruction:

  “There are all these boards and commissions that…by statute…[must contain] Democratic or Republican nominees. What Schumer has not done is provided a single Democrat to be a part of these. He’s walked away from that process…They refuse to work with this guy. Absolutely refuse.”
  — John Ashbrook, [11:32]

• On government dysfunction:

  “Functioning government is part of [what’s being undermined].”
  — John Ashbrook, [13:43]

• On media and leftward Democratic pressure:

  “Chuck Schumer will likely shut the government down in September, not because of…tax credits or protecting a constituency…[but to] cover his ass with the progressive left that called for him to bait it in March.”
  — Josh Holmes, [26:14]

• Casually hilarious:

  “When it comes to building ships…war fighters need…we’re focusing on making sure those jobs and those plants are here in the country. And Democrats will try to fight that tooth and nail…with their stupid little pet issues they try to poison the well.”
  — Comfortably Smug, [32:01]

Variety Segments & Cultural Commentary

The Hooters Bankruptcy Saga

[46:53–54:38]

• Summary:
  The hosts delight in the Wall Street Journal’s deep-dive into Hooters’ bankruptcy, split branding battle (“family-friendly” vs. “sex appeal”), and increasingly absurd private equity-driven business decisions.
• Memorable Quotes:

  “Apparently in this case, private equity was like, ‘No, we need you to look like strippers.’”
  — Comfortably Smug, [49:18]
  “We’re Hooters girls, and no, we’re not on the menu.”
  — Hooters owner clip, [51:22]

Animal Kingdom Mayhem

• Giraffe vs. Boar:

  • The panel reacts to viral animal attack footage, discussing natural animal aggression and joking about devising new “variety program” solutions to animal problems.
  • “Animal kingdom does what it wants to do. It doesn’t care what the Disney adults want to see on a day to day basis.”
    — John Ashbrook, [56:29]

• Raccoon Menace Solutions:

  • Wry tips on raccoon removal (“banana pool” method), with macabre humor about animal control bureaucracy.
  • “Raccoons will tear you to shreds. It will kill your dog…”
    — John Ashbrook, [58:04]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [06:57] – Trump nomination battle begins
• [21:40] – Government shutdown forecast
• [28:46] – NDAA battles and defense priorities
• [34:10] – Russia-Ukraine negotiations
• [38:06] – Middle East, Israel-Hamas, Abraham Accords 2.0
• [43:00] – Chris Wright (Energy Secretary) interview
• [46:53] – Hooters bankruptcy saga
• [55:03] – Giraffe vs. Boar animal segment
• [56:48] – Raccoon menace solutions
• [62:46] – Kevin Hassett (Economist) interview
• [68:08] – Closing remarks and sign-off

Tone, Language, and Format

• Style: Irreverent, combative, and dense with inside political references and gallows humor.
• Format: Segmented into policy topics, high-profile interviews, and lighthearted riffing on cultural news.
• Notables: Memorable quips, direct language, in-group slang (“big beautiful bill,” “banana pool,” “own the libs”), and anti-Democrat sentiment woven throughout.

For Listeners: Why It Matters

This episode is essential listening for conservatives wanting to understand the tactical and political state of play as Congress returns, the challenges facing the Trump White House, and the behind-the-scenes shenanigans driving headlines (or, as the hosts frame it, the “dysfunction” of the Democratic Party). With direct insight from top policy officials and an ability to both skewer and inform, it’s a signature "Ruthless" blend of substance, snark, and satire.