Podcast Summary: Ruthless Podcast

Episode: The Real Reason Democrats Oppose Trump On Crime
Date: August 26, 2025
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, John Ashbrook (Michael Duncan absent due to illness)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the hosts’ perspective on rising crime, Democratic Party strategy, and Donald Trump’s efforts to address urban violence—most notably through his recent executive orders and rhetoric about crime in cities like Chicago and Washington, D.C. The show contrasts the “niche” focus of modern Democrats (land acknowledgments, progressive policing reforms) with what the hosts call Trump’s common-sense, results-oriented approach. There are recurring themes of skepticism and satire toward progressive urban policy and the Democratic National Committee, with a sharp focus on high-profile Democrats and local leaders. The episode also features lively banter, listener question responses, and topical lightning round segments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Niche” Focus of the Democratic Party

• Land Acknowledgments at the DNC
  The hosts open by critiquing the Democratic National Committee's meeting, specifically its land acknowledgment led by Lindy Somich.

  • [04:07] Lindy Somich acknowledges the Dakota people as original stewards of Minneapolis lands.

  • The hosts mock the segment as irrelevant and impenetrable to average Americans:

    • Josh Holmes [06:00]: “I want to put myself firmly in the camp of I don’t give a fuck. I just don’t.”

  • Comfortably Smug [06:39]: Argues the Democrats’ obsession with niche causes pulls them away from broad public concerns:

    • “This is why your party is being pulled around by radicals... This is why Donald Trump won a sweeping victory and took every swing state, because normal people cannot relate to what that party has become at all.”

  • John Ashbrook [04:54]: Questions the point of land acknowledgments when, in his view, nothing substantive has been done for indigenous populations.

2. Contrasting Party Approaches to Crime

• Trump’s Recent Press Conference and Executive Action

  • [08:19] Clip of Trump calling Chicago a "killing field" and mocking Democratic leaders like Gov. Pritzker.

    • Donald Trump [08:42]: “A lot of people are saying maybe we like a dictator. I don’t like a dictator. I’m a man with great common sense and I’m a smart person.”

  • Hosts’ Reaction:

    • Ashbrook [08:58]: Reads crime statistics for Chicago—13 years with the most murders.
    • Comfortably Smug [09:50]: “People don’t want to live where they are scared to go outside... Trump is exposing [the reality that] decline is a choice.”
    • Josh Holmes [09:20]: Notes D.C. has recently had a record number of murder-free days after Trump’s interventions.

  • Banter About Democrat Mayors and Pushback:

    • Comfortably Smug [13:54]: Ridicules Mayor Johnson (Chicago) for calling National Guard deployment “costly, illegal and unconstitutional”:

      • “How much is okay to spend to end murder? Wait, I’m not willing to pay that cost. Let the murders continue.”

    • Josh Holmes [14:56]: Critiques misuse of “threat to democracy” as a catch-all defense by progressive mayors.

3. Policy Debate: Crime Crackdowns vs. “Decriminalizing Crime”

• Trump’s Executive Order Ending Cashless Bail

  • [20:47] Trump blames “cashless bail” for crime cycles and vows to end it.
    • Comfortably Smug [21:52]: Skewers left-wing bail reform as an outgrowth of elite academic ideology disconnected from real urban life.

• Highlighting Progressive Crime Policy in New York

  • Zoran Mamdani (NY Assembly): Wants to end all misdemeanor charges.

    • The hosts list crimes—from petty larceny (theft <$1,000) to sexual misconduct—that would allegedly be “legalized” under Mamdani’s vision.
      • John Ashbrook [25:57]: “They might as well put up a sign at the front of Foot Locker that says, walk to the back... and walk out with [shoes].”

  • Warnings About Policy Effects:

    • Comfortably Smug [26:53]: Notes trend of prosecutors “bumping down” felony charges, making stats look artificially better.

• Satirical Take on “Conflict De-Escalation” Advice

  • [29:47] Hosts mock an actual public safety pamphlet suggesting threatened citizens “spill their soda” or say, “Didn’t I go to high school with you?” to diffuse a crime.
    • Josh Holmes [30:36]: “Can you imagine? You got your family, you’re out to the theater... and some dude pulls a gun on you, and you whip out your laminated spreadsheet from Zoram Zord’s tips...”
    • Comfortably Smug [31:21]: “What is wrong with you people? First off... this is such a horrific reality that Democrats want for all of us to accept...”

4. Broader Sociopolitical Takeaways

• Democratic Party Direction

  • The hosts argue radical progressives like Mamdani (and by extension, AOC, Bernie, etc.) now define the party’s direction.
    • Josh Holmes [37:57]: “Is Zoran Mamdani the New Democratic Party? I’d argue it is.”
    • John Ashbrook [28:12]: “For the life of me, I do not understand why Democrats are like... we’re going to stick up for violent crime. That’s our party’s number one plank heading into 2028.”

• Critique of Media & Progressive Advocacy

  • Comfortably Smug & Holmes [23:41/24:06]: Heaps scorn on journalists for downplaying real crime in cities.

    • Comfortably Smug [23:41]: “I wish all the criminals would only target these dishonest journos, but they can’t, because all the journos look broke and homeless.”

  • Ongoing Segments:

    • Mocking left-wing “virtue signaling”—e.g., land acknowledgments, radical academic policy ideas.
    • Putting progressive positions (like the defense of illegal immigrants facing charges) front and center, often for comedic effect.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Josh Holmes on Democratic messaging:

  • [06:00] “I want to put myself firmly in the camp of I don’t give a fuck... why is it that the Democratic Party has gotten themselves into this situation where they’re so niche...”

• Comfortably Smug (on cashless bail):

  • [21:52] “...the problem isn’t crime, it’s racism and the system... you’re having people who, multiple times a day, were getting arrested for assault, would get processed, get back out, assault someone again, get processed and back. You had multiple felonies, cashless bail per day. Right back on the street. Enough is enough.”

• John Ashbrook on progressive decriminalization in NY:

  • [25:57] “They might as well put up a sign at the front of Foot Locker...walk out with them and don’t pay.”

• Holmes on Democrats’ “threat to democracy” refrain:

  • [16:12] “Is that Mayor Johnson? Guy says, what this president’s attempting to do is not just unconstitutional, it’s very much a threat to our democracy. Dude, do they have another note?”

• Criminal Justice Satire:

  • [30:11] Comfortably Smug mocks “de-escalation” strategies: “That’s a very helpful tip when you’re at gunpoint about to get shot in the head: drop your soda and be like, oh, I’m such a goofball.”

• Listener Feedback Segment:

  • [41:14] John Ashbrook reads a listener take:
    • “Gavin’s disgorging sitting performance will definitely push his limp candidacy upwards...”
  • [45:26] Josh Holmes: “You can’t run away from [your record]. ...It is literally the worst.”

Highlighted Segments with Timestamps

• Land acknowledgments and DNC critique – [04:07-07:42]
• Trump’s press conference and Chicago crime discussion – [08:19-10:32]
• Success in D.C. post-Trump crackdown – [09:20-11:15]
• Chicago’s leadership and National Guard controversy – [13:54-14:56]
• DNC’s “threat to democracy” defense and mayor’s 7% approval – [16:03-17:08]
• Cashless bail executive order explanation – [20:47-22:38]
• Decriminalizing crimes in New York: List and mockery – [25:19-28:34]
• Satirical advice for handling violent crime – [29:47-31:21]
• Listener comments and Gavin Newsom social media strategy – [41:14-46:32]
• Lightning round: Dem protest signs, Virginia governor’s race, and WNBA ESPN graphic – [46:55-66:17]
• Comic relief: Little League umpire gets hit repeatedly – [67:27-69:56]

Noteworthy Humor & Satirical Recurring Themes

• Savage running jokes about Democrats’ niche priorities, the inability of journalists to recognize real-world problems, and “de-escalation” tips for crime plagued cities.
• Self-referential digs at the podcast’s own sports loyalties and inside jokes about other podcast hosts (especially Michael Duncan’s absence and alleged readiness to spread illness).
• Recurring segment lampooning left-leaning journalists, their hunger for “free” anything, and the supposed gap between media reporting and urban reality.
• Listener questions/commentary segment that allows for tongue-in-cheek affirmation of hosts’ views.

Conclusion

The episode hammers its core argument: Democrats are increasingly out of touch with everyday anxieties about crime and safety, too focused on symbolic progressive measures, and stuck in a policy loop that alienates average Americans—contrasted with Trump’s “common sense” crackdown. The hosts satirically highlight the extremes of progressive policy, from land acknowledgments to criminal justice reforms that, in their telling, reward offenders over victims. The segments are punctuated by lively, irreverent banter, listener call-ins, and comedic digressions that maintain an energetic, provocative tone throughout.

For new listeners:
This episode provides a clear snapshot of the Ruthless Podcast’s signature style—a blend of conservative political commentary, sharp humor, and willingness to lampoon both opposition and media coverage.