Podcast Summary: The Charlie Kirk Show – "How Do You Send 14 Million People Home?"

Release Date: April 10, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "How Do You Send 14 Million People Home?", host Charlie Kirk delves into pivotal issues surrounding immigration, political leadership, and cultural heroes with a lineup of distinguished guests: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, immigration expert Mark Krikorian from the Center for Immigration Studies, and renowned author and commentator Eric Metaxas. The discussion navigates the complexities of Texas's Senate race, the state of U.S. border security, and the enduring legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

1. Texas Senate Race: Ken Paxton Challenges John Cornyn

Timestamp: [00:00 – 10:08]

Guest: Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas

Charlie Kirk opens the discussion with Attorney General Ken Paxton, who announces his challenge against incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn for a fifth term. Paxton articulates several reasons for his primary bid, focusing on Cornyn's recent legislative decisions that Paxton believes have alienated Texas Republican voters.

Key Points:

• Gun Rights and Second Amendment: Paxton criticizes Cornyn for supporting restrictive gun legislation, stating, "he limited our gun rights and inflicted damage to the Second Amendment" ([01:44]).
• Border Security: He highlights dissatisfaction with Cornyn's handling of border security, emphasizing the importance Texans place on this issue ([03:35]).
• Candidate Longevity: Paxton questions Cornyn's extended tenure, noting, "after 24 years, the people of Texas have had enough" ([02:49]).
• Campaign Strategy and Optimism: Paxton expresses confidence in his campaign, citing favorable polling data and past election successes, asserting, "there is no good reason for him to run" ([04:28]).

Notable Quotes:

• "We will not embrace the ideas that have destroyed countries, destroyed lives, and we are going to fight for freedom on campuses across the country." – Charlie Kirk ([00:34])
• "The people of Texas deserve two very strong conservative centers. We're going to go support President Trump." – Ken Paxton ([09:07])

Campaign Details: Paxton shares his campaign website, kenpaxton.com, encouraging listeners to support his bid to unseat Cornyn. He emphasizes grassroots funding and his commitment to advancing President Trump's agenda ([07:52], [10:08]).

2. Immigration and Border Security: Insights from Mark Krikorian

Timestamp: [11:10 – 26:44]

Guest: Mark Krikorian, Executive Director, Center for Immigration Studies

Mark Krikorian provides an analysis of the dramatic decline in illegal border crossings since former President Donald Trump's administration. He attributes this "sea change" to robust border controls and contrasts it with the policies of the Biden administration.

Key Points:

• Decline in Border Crossings: Krikorian notes a "90 plus percent drop" in illegal crossings under Trump compared to over 10 million during Biden's tenure ([12:18]).
• Challenges in Deportation: He discusses the complexities of deporting individuals who claim asylum, highlighting systemic inefficiencies and the need for legislative reform ([15:36], [18:34]).
• Self-Deportation and Employer Enforcement: Emphasizing the importance of worksite enforcement, Krikorian suggests that targeting employers can significantly reduce illegal immigration by limiting job opportunities for undocumented individuals ([23:10], [24:35]).
• Future Immigration Policy Needs: Krikorian advocates for the withdrawal from the UN Refugee Treaty and the overhaul of asylum laws to streamline deportations and prevent system abuse ([16:12]).

Notable Quotes:

• "The border can be controlled. Doesn't mean everything's fixed because you've still got all kinds of illegal aliens that Biden let in." – Mark Krikorian ([12:18])
• "There's a real danger of that, I'm afraid. And that's the goal of the anti borders people, both on the left and the libertarians, is to have a kind of one way border where you can come in but we can't get you out." – Mark Krikorian ([19:08])

Policy Discussions: Krikorian elaborates on the necessity for Congressional action to reform immigration laws, stressing that executive actions alone are insufficient to address the immigration crisis. He also touches upon the importance of securing other choke points beyond the land border, such as visa overstays and sanctuary cities ([25:01], [26:44]).

3. Economic Policies and Cultural Heroes: Eric Metaxas on Trump and Bonhoeffer

Timestamp: [28:00 – 38:53]

Guest: Eric Metaxas, Author and Salem Radio Host

Eric Metaxas praises President Donald Trump's economic policies, particularly the tariffs imposed on the Chinese Communist Party, framing them as necessary measures against global bullying and unfair trade practices.

Key Points:

• Tariffs Against China: Metaxas commends Trump’s decisive actions against China, stating, "only President Trump has the courage to do it" ([29:02]).
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer Film Promotion: He introduces a film about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, drawing parallels between Bonhoeffer's resistance against Nazi tyranny and the current political climate, urging listeners to watch the film as a model of Christian courage ([30:20], [36:58]).
• Bonhoeffer’s Legacy: Metaxas underscores Bonhoeffer’s role as a Christian hero who stood against evil, likening him to modern leaders who must act with similar courage in the face of contemporary challenges ([33:34], [37:56]).

Notable Quotes:

• "I love this president. He has just been so extraordinary." – Eric Metaxas ([29:02])
• "Bonhoeffer is the ultimate hero. But the left, which we now know is insane, they tried to destroy this film." – Eric Metaxas ([33:34])

Bonhoeffer Discussion: Metaxas delves into the life and legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, emphasizing his steadfast Christian faith and heroic stand against the Nazis. He criticizes the left for opposing the portrayal of Bonhoeffer in the new film, viewing it as an attack on Christian values and the defense of Israel ([30:20], [37:56]).

Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to watch the Bonhoeffer film available on platforms like Amazon Prime and Apple TV, and to explore Metaxas’s comprehensive biography on Bonhoeffer for an authentic understanding of his contributions ([36:58]).

Conclusion

The episode "How Do You Send 14 Million People Home?" presents a robust discussion on critical issues facing America today. From the high-stakes Texas Senate race and the imperative of stringent immigration policies to the celebration of historical Christian heroes like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Charlie Kirk and his guests provide insightful perspectives aimed at empowering listeners with knowledge and encouraging active participation in America's cultural and political discourse.

For more information and to support the initiatives discussed, listeners are directed to visit freedomarliekirk.com.