The Charlie Kirk Show

Episode: January 6, Five Years Later

Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Charlie Kirk
Guests: Ben Berkwam (Real America’s Voice), Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), with additional commentary from co-hosts/contributors

Overview

In this special fifth-anniversary episode marking the events of January 6, 2021, Charlie Kirk and guests revisit and analyze the fallout and enduring controversies. The episode centers on the treatment of January 6 defendants, Biden-era immigration policy and voter integrity concerns, the alleged misuse of welfare, and skepticism toward the U.S. medical establishment’s vaccine policies. The show maintains its signature unapologetic, grassroots conservative viewpoint throughout, focusing heavily on themes of government overreach, double standards in justice, and the durability of American values.

Key Discussion Points

1. Reflecting on January 6: Patriots or Perpetrators?

[01:09 – 10:23]

• Charlie opens by framing January 6 as less an “insurrection” and more as a moment of “patriots that largely did nothing wrong.”
• Ben Berkwam reports live from D.C., marching with January 6 supporters, drawing a distinction between peaceful pro-Trump protestors and federal “overreach” in prosecuting them.

“The bottom line is the message is very simple... until the people that orchestrated the real coup against President Trump... are held accountable, the American people aren't going to rest.”
—Ben Berkwam [03:29]

• Ben recounts stories of harsh and allegedly disproportionate treatment of January 6 detainees: lengthy solitary confinement, denied legal counsel, and ruined lives.
• Charlie underscores his own advocacy for Trump’s controversial, sweeping pardons for J6ers.

“I want people to know... pardon them all, pardon them all. And that’s ultimately what President Trump did.”
—Charlie Kirk [03:50]

• Personal Impact:

  • Many, like Coy Griffin, detained for non-violent actions, suffered severe consequences.
  • Some J6ers, unable to cope, died by suicide.

• Two-Tiered Justice Argument:

  • Sharp contrast drawn between the treatment of J6ers and left-wing protesters (e.g., BLM, Antifa), whom they claim were treated far more leniently despite greater violence and property damage.

“Most of the guys in BLM that were burning down their cities never even got charged. Most of antifa never even got charged. And so... it’s the two tiers of justice.”
—Ben Berkwam [07:46]

• Discussion pivots to the only fatality at the hands of police, Ashli Babbitt, and Officer Michael Byrd, highlighting perceived hypocrisy in media and legal responses.

2. Venezuela, Maria Corina Machado, & U.S. Foreign Policy

[12:54 – 17:31]

• The show analyzes a recent New York Times story about the Trump administration’s complicated relationship with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
• Despite rumors that Trump soured on Machado due to her not declining the Nobel Peace Prize in his favor, the panel affirms the real reasons were her uncompromising stance and skepticism about her ability to unite the Venezuelan opposition.

“Our position is that she’s the valid opposition leader and that she, her proxy, won the election. So you kind of, you believe in elections or you don’t…”
—Co-host [17:08]

• US officials like Marco Rubio and Rick Grenell reportedly pushed for less direct support, fearing instability.

3. Immigration, Welfare Fraud & the Fight for Political Power

[18:56 – 29:44]

• Extensive segment on the expansion of welfare and government dependency, focusing on alleged fraud among Somali immigrants in Minnesota.
• Senator Ron Johnson joins to stress the systemic, intentional design of Democrat policies to increase government control.

“They want to grow government so they can have the power to control other people’s lives… All these programs are designed to grow government, to make more people dependent on government, so they’ve got the power that people are dependent on voting them back into office.”
—Sen. Ron Johnson [21:03]

• The hosts contend that census counting of illegal immigrants skews Congressional representation and fosters Democrat electoral dominance.

• Allegations of Voter Fraud:

  • Discussion of ballot harvesting and assistance for non-English speakers in voting, casting doubt on the sanctity of the “secret ballot.”

“I remember accounts… you bring in everyone all at once. And they have the same guy going like, ‘that’s our guy. That’s our guy...’ really displaying the sanctity of the secret ballot.”
—Co-host [24:02]

4. Election Integrity, The Filibuster, and a Conservative Path Forward

[29:44 – 37:47]

• Senator Johnson discusses the difficulty of reforming elections or passing immigration overhaul due to lack of political will—even among some Republicans.
• Strong advocacy for voter ID laws and a basic federal standard for elections.

“We have to restore integrity to our elections or this things over. Because the Democrats will cheat. They're designing the system to cheat and they’ll cheat.”
—Sen. Ron Johnson [33:51]

• In-depth debate about the filibuster: Should Republicans nuke it to pass priority legislation?
• Mike Lee's suggestion for a “talking filibuster” as an interim move, requiring Senators to maintain actual debate on the floor, is praised.

5. Revisiting COVID-19 Vaccination Standards

[38:29 – 40:08]

• Conversation shifts to President Trump's decision to reduce recommended childhood vaccines in line with European standards.
• Senator Johnson, referencing Bobby Kennedy and Aaron Siri, criticizes the medical establishment for insufficient studies on vaccine safety and effectiveness.

“Our approach hasn't been rational this day. So again, it's a great first step.”
—Sen. Ron Johnson [39:36]

• The host and Johnson encourage skepticism and independent research regarding vaccine mandates and public health guidance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On January 6 and Pardons:

  “I want people to know... pardon them all, pardon them all. And that’s ultimately what President Trump did.”
  [03:50] —Charlie Kirk

• On Two-Tiered Justice:

  “Most of the guys in BLM that were burning down their cities never even got charged... it’s the two tiers of justice.”
  [07:46] —Ben Berkwam

• On Welfare and Dependency:

  “They want to grow government so they can have the power to control other people’s lives… so they’ve got the power that people are dependent on voting them back into office.”
  [21:03] —Sen. Ron Johnson

• On Voter Fraud Allegations:

  “They could say they have nine people living in an apartment... they’re gonna send them nine ballots.”
  [23:54] —Co-host (paraphrasing Minnesota sources)

• On Election Integrity:

  “We have to restore integrity to our elections or this thing’s over. Because the Democrats will cheat."
  [33:51] —Sen. Ron Johnson

• On Vaccine Policymaking:

  “There’s a much more rational way approaching this. Our approach hasn’t been rational this day. So again, it’s a great first step.”
  [39:36] —Sen. Ron Johnson

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:09 – 10:23: January 6 anniversary reflections; J6ers, pardons, alleged mistreatment, and media double standards
• 12:54 – 17:31: Venezuela, Maria Corina Machado, opposition politics, and U.S. foreign policy
• 18:56 – 29:44: Immigration, welfare fraud in Minnesota, impacts on political power, and voting system vulnerabilities
• 29:44 – 37:47: Election reform, filibuster debate, legislative priorities for conservatives
• 38:29 – 40:08: Vaccination policies, criticism of medical establishment, and call for more rigorous science

Summary Takeaways

• The episode invokes January 6 as a symbol of governmental and media overreach, with the hosts reiterating their support for Trump and the “J6ers.”
• Guests and co-hosts alike frame contemporary American politics as a struggle between grassroots, law-abiding patriots and an entrenched, manipulative “regime.”
• Immigration and voter fraud are painted as existential threats to the republic, while skepticism of elite narratives—whether about elections or public health—remains a constant.
• The show ends as it began: urging listeners toward activism and political engagement, especially focused on reforms to voter integrity and American sovereignty.

To delve deeper or hear firsthand perspectives, visit The Charlie Kirk Show.