Podcast Title: The Charlie Kirk Show
Host: Charlie Kirk
Episode: The Afghan Whistleblower Leading a Hegseth Counterattack
Release Date: December 16, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of The Charlie Kirk Show, host Charlie Kirk welcomes Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Scheller, a combat veteran from the United States Marine Corps, who is at the forefront of supporting Pete Hegseth's bid for Secretary of Defense. The discussion delves into Scheller's personal journey, his advocacy for Hegseth, critical insights into the current state of the U.S. military leadership, and concerns surrounding recent drone activities on the East Coast of the United States.

President Trump's Press Conference and the Drone Story

00:00 - 05:00

The episode opens with Charlie Kirk promoting America Fest, highlighting notable attendees and urging listeners to attend the event. Shortly after, Kirk transitions to discussing a recent press conference held by President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. He emphasizes President Trump’s candid remarks on various topics, including:

• Support for Making a Deal in Ukraine:

  "President Trump has to be ready to make a deal. You know, that is a statement that not a single major American politician has said since the beginning of the war." [02:00]

• Military Endorsement of Pete Hegseth:

  "Pete Hegseth heroes in this story. He loves the military a lot and he has the back 100%." [02:00]

• Concerns Over Drones in New Jersey:

  "President Trump commented on the drones flying over New Jersey, saying that there's something weird going on there." [02:00]

Kirk expresses intrigue and concern over the unidentified drones in U.S. airspace, setting the stage for a deeper exploration with Lt. Col. Scheller later in the episode.

Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller’s Background and Advocacy for Pete Hegseth

05:29 - 14:23

Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller shares his extensive military background, including his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He recounts the circumstances leading to his discharge from the Marine Corps:

"I was fired, later given a gag order, imprisoned in solitary confinement, court-martialed, and drummed out of the military short of my retirement." [07:00]

Scheller's frustration stemmed from perceived mismanagement and a lack of accountability during the Afghanistan withdrawal. He initially aimed to hold senior military leaders accountable without politicizing the issue. However, media portrayal forced his narrative into a political arena, leading to personal and professional repercussions.

Meeting Pete Hegseth marked a turning point for Scheller. He describes Hegseth as a down-to-earth individual who shares his commitment to strengthening the military and advocating for veterans. This alignment has galvanized Scheller and others to support Hegseth's nomination for Secretary of Defense.

Lobbying Efforts for Pete Hegseth's Confirmation

08:33 - 21:09

Scheller details his strategic approach to garnering support for Pete Hegseth:

"The warrior class overwhelmingly wants Pete Hegseth." [08:33]

He has engaged with over 50 influential military figures, including prominent veterans and leaders within the defense community. By consolidating numerous petitions from respected organizations like Navy SEALs, the Heritage Foundation, and Vets for Pete, Scheller aims to present a unified and robust case to Capitol Hill.

"Pete Hegseth is obviously a smart guy... the reason that veterans want him so bad is because he's an outside establishment pick." [09:00]

Scheller criticizes the current military leadership's ties to the military-industrial complex, arguing that Pete Hegseth offers a fresh perspective free from entrenched interests. He underscores the importance of honest, performance-based evaluations within the military hierarchy to enhance lethality and combat readiness.

Challenges in Military Leadership and the Need for Change

12:24 - 17:40

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on systemic issues within the U.S. military leadership:

"We have general officers that are so fickle, they care most about self-advancement and they'll do whatever is the topic du jour. And they have no backbone." [10:46]

Scheller traces the decline in military effectiveness to the Vietnam War era, highlighting how accountability for general officers diminished post-conflict. He cites historical failures, such as the My Lai Massacre, where only lower-ranking officers were held accountable, leaving higher ranks untouched.

He advocates for a restructuring of military evaluations to prioritize performance over bureaucratic adherence. This, he believes, will restore the military's focus on lethality and its ability to effectively counter threats.

"The focus of the military should always be on lethality and winning." [14:23]

Drones Over the East Coast Discussion

18:42 - 20:09

Addressing the mysterious drone activities reported over the East Coast, Scheller offers his analysis:

"The government absolutely knows what's going on. We have such a robust capability that first of all, they know what's going on." [18:48]

He speculates that the drones could be part of a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) detection system, training operations, or tests of new surveillance technologies. Scheller expresses frustration over the lack of transparency from government officials like John Kirby, emphasizing the public's right to clear answers.

"We the people probably deserve answers, especially with the coverage this is getting." [19:33]

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

20:16 - End

As the episode wraps up, Scheller expresses confidence in Pete Hegseth's confirmation, urging listeners to actively support his nomination by contacting their senators and participating in petitions.

"Right now, Republicans sitting at 53 votes. We can't afford to lose a single one." [20:23]

He criticizes the current Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, labeling him as ineffective and underscoring the urgent need for a disruptor like Hegseth to reset military priorities and capabilities.

Charlie Kirk reinforces the call to action, encouraging listeners to support America Fest and stay engaged in the political process to ensure strong leadership within the Department of Defense.

Key Takeaways

• Advocacy for Pete Hegseth: Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller is actively lobbying for Pete Hegseth's confirmation as Secretary of Defense, believing he will bring necessary reforms to the military.

• Military Leadership Critique: There is a significant concern about the current military leadership's focus on self-advancement over performance, necessitating a shift towards accountability and effectiveness.

• Drone Activities on the U.S. East Coast: Unidentified drones have raised questions about government transparency and the purposes behind their deployment, with possible explanations ranging from testing new technologies to CBRN detection.

• Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to support Pete Hegseth by engaging in petitions and contacting their senators, as well as attending America Fest to bolster conservative movements.

Notable Quotes

• Charlie Kirk on President Trump's Transparency:

  "Isn't it refreshing just to hear from a president who is able to, without any notes, any preparedness, take open questions from the media..." [02:00]

• Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller on Military Accountability:

  "We need someone like Pete Hegseth because... the general officers are so fickle, they care most about self-advancement..." [10:46]

• Discussion on Drone Surveillance:

  "The government absolutely knows what's going on. We have such a robust capability that first of all, they know what's going on." [18:48]

This episode provides a comprehensive look into the efforts to reform military leadership in the United States, the challenges faced by veterans advocating for change, and the broader implications for national security. Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller's insights offer a critical perspective on the intersection of military effectiveness and political influence, making a compelling case for Pete Hegseth's potential role as Secretary of Defense.