Ruthless Podcast Summary

Episode: What To Expect From The Midterms + US Attorney Jeanine Pirro
Date: January 27, 2026
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook
Featured Guest: Judge Jeanine Pirro (U.S. Attorney for D.C.)

Episode Overview

This episode serves as the kick-off to Ruthless’s deep-dive coverage of the 2026 midterm elections, focusing on the stakes for the U.S. Senate and exploring key battleground races. The hosts analyze the frontline contests, candidate profiles, intraparty dynamics, and what’s at stake for both parties—including how control of the Senate could impact a Trump administration. The episode concludes with a high-energy interview with Judge Jeanine Pirro, who discusses her aggressive prosecutorial reform in Washington D.C.

Main Themes

• Midterms Importance: The GOP’s urgent need to retain and expand its Senate majority, especially critical for President Trump’s legislative and judicial agenda.
• Candidate Match-ups: Analysis of the most competitive Senate and gubernatorial races state by state.
• Party Dynamics: The nuanced differences among candidates, primary tensions, and broader party strategies.
• Law and Order: Judge Jeanine Pirro discusses a law-and-order-focused approach in D.C., with implications for national debates on crime and prosecution.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Senate Map & Control

[03:13 – 07:24]

• GOP currently leads 53–47; Majority Leader John Thune’s leadership discussed.
• “Frustration with the Senate ‘cause of the filibuster…but it’s the difference between Trump having a cabinet or not.” — Josh Holmes [06:18]
• The Senate functions as a bulwark against impeachment, Supreme Court vacancies, and aggressive Democratic spending.

2. North Carolina: The $600 Million Battleground

[10:53 – 16:28]

• Michael Whatley (GOP, Trump-endorsed) vs. Roy Cooper (Dem, two-term governor).
• “Cooper was in charge when the hurricane hit and the state did not come to people’s aid…he’ll struggle with that.” — Michael Duncan [12:06]
• Crime and Cooper’s “moderate” branding are critical Republican attack points.
• “He runs as though, shucks, just one of the guys…but he governs as a lunatic, an absolute lunatic.” — Josh Holmes [15:32]

3. Georgia: Flipping the Senate

[16:32 – 22:15]

• Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) viewed as vulnerable due to left-wing voting record and lack of authentic state representation.
• “I’ve never seen a United States Senator look more out of place than that guy.” — Josh Holmes [17:59]
• Three Republican challengers: Buddy Carter, Derek Dooley, Mike Collins.
• Atlanta suburban shifts and rural turnout cited as pivotal.

4. Maine: Susan Collins—Rhino or Strategic Asset?

[23:42 – 29:37]

• Despite Maine being blue at the presidential level, Collins repeatedly defies expectations.
• “I understand she might not be your cup of tea, but I mean, if she's a rhino, she's your rhino.” — Smug [26:01]
• Recalls Collins's decisive role in Kavanaugh’s confirmation.

5. Michigan: Open Seat Chaos

[29:37 – 35:14]

• Dem primary is messy: grassroots vs. establishment.
• “You're building on top of that rather than building from scratch.” — Josh Holmes [35:10] on Mike Rogers’ second run.
• GOP optimism high for a flip here.

6. Texas: Three-Way Primary Drama

[35:14 – 43:23]

• John Cornyn (inc.) vs. Ken Paxton vs. Wesley Hunt: “I want them to be so far right, they make me nervous.” — John Ashbrook [37:23]
• Runoff could boost more MAGA-aligned, ultra-conservative candidates.
• Democratic primary drama with James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett; Talarico’s alleged scandals are discussed tongue-in-cheek.

7. Alaska: The Schumer Wildcard

[43:36 – 47:29]

• Sen. Dan Sullivan (R) vs. Mary Peltola (D) may become competitive.
• Alaska polling notoriously unreliable; Democrats' hopes may be overblown.

8. Ohio: The “Rash That Won’t Go Away”

[47:30 – 51:43]

• John Husted (R, DeWine appoint) vs. Sherrod Brown (D).
• Brown’s “moderate” veneer called out: “It's like battered wife syndrome, these voters of Sherrod Brown.” — John Ashbrook [50:38]

9. Other Key Races

• Iowa: Ashley Hinson to run for the open seat (Joni Ernst retiring). GOP farm system praised. [51:43 – 53:53]
• Louisiana: Bill Cassidy faces Trump-endorsed Julia Letlow and Treasurer Seth Fleming; “content” and “endorsement” banter over Commander's Palace. [53:54 – 57:48]
• Minnesota: Michelle Tafoya’s entry shakes up GOP hopes vs. “crime org” Dem machine. Republican endorsement process lampooned; need for relatable candidates emphasized. [57:56 – 64:31]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Candidate Authenticity:
  “If they come in here and douche it up, that's the thing—you can’t vote for them.” — Josh Holmes [04:21]

• On Senate Majority:
  “You don’t have a perfect Senate majority without people like Susan Collins.” — Josh Holmes [28:09]

• On Georgia Politics:
  “Ossoff should be beaten. Republicans should be able to get this.” — Michael Duncan [17:59]

• On Texas Primary:
  “If we have a red state like Texas, I want the senator there to be like a prepper who eats rattlesnakes.” — John Ashbrook [37:23]

• Comic Relief:
  “Whoever brings the most beignets…” — Smug, on Louisiana endorsements [57:56] “I'd love to see Smug on a fan boat in the bayou.” — Michael Duncan [58:31]

Interview: Judge Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for D.C.

[68:45 – 76:51]

Major Highlights:

• D.C. Crime Turnaround:
  “Right now, homicides are down 60%, violent crime is down more than 30%...My predecessor did not prosecute 60% of arrests. We prosecute those cases now.” — Judge Pirro [69:33]
• Institutional Pushback:
  “You don't have to be a rocket scientist to fight crime. You fight crime by doing investigations, making arrests and getting convictions.” [71:03]
• On D.C. Council Laws:
  “We were able to convict an 18-year-old who shot a person on a public bus... The judge says, ‘I think you should go to college,’ and that's it. He walked.” [71:54]
• National Security Focus:
  Details prosecution of high-profile cases including Lockerbie, D.C. Capitol murders, Venezuelan ships, cybercrimes, and scams targeting Americans. [73:33]
• On Illegal Crime:
  “If you come to this country and you’re a criminal, you gotta go, you gotta go. We’re not going to support you.” [73:58]
• Law Enforcement Support:
  “Anyone who takes a weapon and aims it at law enforcement, you have to expect that law enforcement is going to respond in a way where they're defending themselves. All this namby-pamby, leftist stuff—they’re playing in the wrong lane.” [76:00]

Closing Thoughts

• Ashbrook urges candidates to fight for endorsements “by getting us a table at Commander’s Palace.”
• The team teases further midterms coverage, more candidate interviews, and encourages listeners to comment with predictions and state-by-state insights.

For Listeners:

• Expect diverse, in-depth candidate interviews in coming months.
• Key message: Senate control determines everything from impeachment to the Supreme Court to federal spending—turnout and candidate quality are pivotal.
• Stay tuned for more “lighter analysis of the news (and fake news) of the day,” and remember: “Keep the faith, hold the line, and own the libs.”