Shawn Ryan Show Episode #140: Eli Crane & Tim Burchett - Two Things All Americans Want: Accountability and Transparency
Release Date: October 21, 2024
In Episode #140 of the "Shawn Ryan Show," host Shawn Ryan engages in a profound discussion with returning guests Eli Crane and Tim Burchett. The conversation delves deep into the pressing issues of accountability and transparency within the U.S. government, particularly focusing on recent assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump and the broader implications of government corruption in Congress. This detailed summary captures the essence of their candid dialogue, highlighting key points, notable quotes, and the overarching themes explored throughout the episode.
1. Recent Assassination Attempts on Donald Trump
Overview: The episode opens with Tim Burchett addressing recent assassination attempts on Donald Trump, referencing historical incidents and the latest attempt that occurred just a day prior to the recording.
Key Points:
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Assessment of Secret Service Accountability: Eli Crane questions the effectiveness of the Secret Service, especially in light of the failed assassination attempts. He emphasizes the need for accountability within the agency.
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Political Influence on Investigations: Both guests express skepticism about whether any misconduct within the Secret Service will be addressed unless Trump is reinstated as president.
Notable Quotes:
- Eli Crane [02:22]: "I don't have any faith whatsoever that with the people that we have in Congress now that anybody will be held accountable."
- Tim Burchett [05:02]: "This isn't about uncovering anything or getting to the root issue. This is about jerking people off and making people happy."
2. Government and Congressional Corruption
Overview: The conversation shifts to the pervasive corruption within Congress, highlighting how political motivations skew committee selections and legislative actions.
Key Points:
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Committee Selection Bias: Eli Crane criticizes the selection process for congressional committees, stating that leadership often prioritizes political allegiance and fundraising prowess over expertise.
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Impact of Lobbyists and Influence Peddling: Both guests discuss how lobbyists from both major parties manipulate legislative processes to benefit specific agendas, hindering genuine policy-making.
Notable Quotes:
- Eli Crane [04:01]: "Leadership always makes the determination."
- Sean Ryan [12:12]: "The machine doesn't want Trump if he gets in there and he does what he says he's gonna do."
3. Security Failures and Recommendations
Overview: A critical examination of the Secret Service's preparedness and response to assassination threats is presented, with suggestions for improving security protocols.
Key Points:
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Lack of Modern Security Measures: The guests highlight shortcomings such as the absence of drones, insufficient training, and outdated equipment used by the Secret Service.
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Proactive Measures Suggested: Eli Crane proposes integrating private security teams and advanced technologies like thermal imaging to bolster protection.
Notable Quotes:
- Eli Crane [09:16]: "The Secret Service seems to be completely allergic to innovating and adapting to modern warfare."
- Sean Ryan [26:21]: "These Secret Service agents up on that detail that couldn't holster a weapon after like three attempts... That was just shocking."
4. Legislative Inaction and Procedural Delays
Overview: The guests express frustration over the slow legislative processes in Congress, especially concerning high-priority issues like security and foreign policy.
Key Points:
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Delayed Hearings and Reports: Despite the urgency of the assassination attempts, hearings are postponed, and reports are languishing without meaningful action.
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Impact of Continuing Resolutions: The prevalence of omnibus bills and continuing resolutions dilutes the focus on crucial matters, leading to ineffective governance.
Notable Quotes:
- Sean Ryan [12:35]: "The committees are just in total shutdown and it's, you know, and that's the way Washington works."
- Eli Crane [22:05]: "They know there's a lot of these illegal aliens voting... that's what we're gonna see."
5. Funding of Wars and Departmental Issues
Overview: Tim Burchett raises alarm over the substantial financial allocations to ongoing wars, questioning the transparency and accountability of such expenditures.
Key Points:
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Misallocation of Funds: Burchett criticizes the allocation of between $40 to $87 million weekly to warzones, highlighting the lack of oversight and resultant funding of terrorism.
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Legislative Efforts to Reclaim Funds: The discussion touches on efforts to redirect or reclaim misallocated funds, though facing significant resistance within the Senate.
Notable Quotes:
- Tim Burchett [65:41]: "We're funding the same people that we were fighting the Taliban upwards. 40 million to $87 million a week."
- Sean Ryan [68:34]: "Taxpayers' dollars passed the house and it's sitting there. Schumer won't even address it."
6. Corruption within Congress
Overview: A deep dive into the corrupt practices within Congress, including insider trading, lobbying influence, and the ethical dilemmas faced by honest representatives.
Key Points:
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Whistleblower Challenges: Eli Crane and Tim Burchett discuss the dangers whistleblowers face within the government, emphasizing the need for secure channels to report corruption.
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Insider Trading and Ethical Violations: The guests highlight instances of insider trading among legislators and the pervasive ethical breaches that undermine public trust.
Notable Quotes:
- Sean Ryan [90:31]: "Every bit of it, very bit, very concerned. I think everything I do and say is at some point tracked."
- Eli Crane [95:03]: "You can get bribery and all that other stuff and how people are compromised."
7. Voter Turnout and Electoral Integrity
Overview: The low voter turnout and concerns over electoral integrity, including the potential influence of illegal voting, are examined as significant threats to democracy.
Key Points:
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Dwindling Voter Participation: The guests express concern over historically low voter turnout rates, attributing it to voter apathy and systemic disenfranchisement.
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Illegal Voting Concerns: Eli Crane emphasizes the potential impact of illegal voting on election outcomes, particularly in swing states, and the need for legislative action to address it.
Notable Quotes:
- Eli Crane [86:30]: "President Trump has never been up in the polls. He's up in the polls now, but in the past, he hasn't been."
- Tim Burchett [82:05]: "Only 15% of the people vote. Most people are too lazy."
8. Potential for Civil Conflict and National Division
Overview: The discussion turns to the possibility of escalating national division leading to civil disobedience or even civil war, driven by political polarization and systemic failures.
Key Points:
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Emerging Regional Split: The guests foresee a future where states become more ideologically homogeneous, leading to increased migration and regional conflicts.
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Role of Identity in Politics: Both Eli Crane and Sean Ryan stress the importance of personal identity and integrity in resisting political corruption and fostering unity.
Notable Quotes:
- Eli Crane [117:37]: "I think it's possible. I think at the very least, I think we're headed towards civil disobedience."
- Sean Ryan [117:37]: "America is on the menu because the fat cats are getting fatter. All they're concerned about is keeping empower and keeping that cash machine rolling."
9. Strategies for Combatting Corruption and Ensuring Accountability
Overview: In the concluding segments, the guests propose actionable strategies to combat governmental corruption and enhance accountability and transparency.
Key Points:
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Public Engagement and Voter Mobilization: Emphasizing the importance of increasing voter participation through grassroots efforts and directly engaging with constituents.
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Legislative Reforms: Introduction of bills aimed at reducing corruption, such as the SAVE Act and the Vienna Protocol, to restrict foreign influence and enhance bipartisan cooperation.
Notable Quotes:
- Eli Crane [43:36]: "Whoever was denying, whoever made the decision... needs to be held accountable."
- Sean Ryan [95:30]: "We need a balanced budget, zero debt, single spending bills."
Conclusion
Episode #140 of the "Shawn Ryan Show" provides an unfiltered look into the critical issues of accountability and transparency affecting the United States. Through the insightful perspectives of Eli Crane and Tim Burchett, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the systemic challenges within the Secret Service, Congress, and broader governmental institutions. The guests passionately advocate for increased vigilance, legislative action, and public engagement to restore integrity and protect democratic values. This episode serves as a clarion call for Americans to demand meaningful reform and uphold the principles of accountability that are essential for the nation's future.
Disclaimer: This summary is based on the provided transcript and aims to encapsulate the primary discussions and viewpoints expressed by the participants. For a complete understanding, listening to the full podcast episode is recommended.