Podcast Summary: The Truth with Lisa Boothe — "Rising Political Violence, Antifa, and America’s Security Crisis" (with Jonathan T. Gilliam)

Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Host: Lisa Boothe (sub-show: The Truth with Lisa Boothe)
Guest: Jonathan T. Gilliam — former Navy SEAL, FBI agent, Air Marshal
Release Date: September 30, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into America’s growing crisis of political violence, accountability in federal agencies, and security reforms under President Trump’s administration. Lisa Boothe interviews security expert Jonathan Gilliam, touching on high-profile attacks (including the assassination of Charlie Kirk), the indictment of former FBI director James Comey, Antifa’s role in unrest, and sweeping changes at the newly-named Department of War. Gilliam brings both tactical and institutional insights, frequently critiquing the political and ideological capture of federal law enforcement and defense institutions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Comey Indictment & The Culture of Federal Agencies

[02:28 – 11:09]

• Background: Former FBI Director James Comey indicted for making false statements and obstructing a congressional hearing (regarding 2020 testimony).

• Gilliam’s View:

  • Conviction is “extremely difficult” against DC insiders due to entrenched political alliances and the liberal culture of the DOJ and FBI.
  • All recent FBI directors “are all insiders… very politically connected.”

    “That’s why we don’t get these convictions.” (Gilliam, 04:23)

  • Believes Comey could/should face more serious charges (falsifying evidence, authorizing illegal surveillance).

• Institutional Critique:

  • Mueller and Comey transformed the FBI from a law enforcement agency into a domestic intelligence agency, shifting reporting structures and “apologizing” for law enforcement history.
  • Gilliam exposes the apologetic tone installed in the 2000s, referencing a retreat from enforcing laws to appeasing progressive critiques (“we started seeing… an apologetic type of ‘we’re sorry’” – [08:14]).

• Lisa Boothe’s Take:

  • Notes Comey’s “flouting the rules,” leaking classified info, and targeting Trump and Flynn, depicting him as “not a boy scout.”
  • Worries about “an era of targeting political opponents,” regardless of which party is in power ([10:44]).

• Gilliam’s Hope:

  • Sees potential for RICO charges against a broader circle (Comey, Mueller, Wray, Strzok, McCabe, Lisa Page, etc.) to expose ideological corruption in government ([07:30]).

2. Department of War Reforms & Military Leadership

[11:09 – 26:02]

• Large-Scale Military Shakeup:

  • Discussion about Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (formerly the Department of Defense) summoning generals/admirals to Quantico to “reset purpose, direction, and focus.”
    • Gilliam claims this copying his long-standing recommendation to restore “Department of War” and shift symbolic emphasis (“projecting force” instead of “projecting peace”).
    • Argues this change is more honest and necessary for national security ([16:59]).

• Agency “Mafias” and Ideological Fiefdoms:

  • Gilliam lists “mafias” — informal power groups (careerist, “lesbian mafia,” SWAT team mafia) entrenched in agencies, advancing their own and stifling dissent.

    “All of these agencies need to go through a reorg. It starts at the top.” ([16:59])

• Military Promotion Critique:

  • Points out military promotion post-O6 (Colonel/Captain) depends more on connections and ideology than merit, resulting in “mafias” that perpetuate the status quo.
  • Applauds appointing Pete Hegseth — an outsider and not a high-ranking officer — to break this chain and enforce new standards ([22:17]).

    “At this point it’s basically… did you tie your knot to the right person and they’re going to pull you up… The general’s game is the same.” ([22:17])

  • Notes initial skepticism about Hegseth, but found him effective as a disruptor willing to challenge entrenched leadership.

• Fitness Standards & “Fat Shaming” Outcry:

  • Mention of controversy over Hegseth’s new fitness standards: media portrayal as “fat shaming” generals, but Gilliam and Boothe support enforcing universal standards ([21:23]).

3. The Surge in Political Violence

[26:02 – 33:49]

• Highlighted Incidents:
  • Assassination of Charlie Kirk.
  • Attack on LDS Church in Michigan (multi-pronged: vehicle ramming, arson, shooting).
  • Sniper assault on ICE facility in Dallas.
• Trends Identified:
  • Evolution from inner-city/gang violence to ideologically motivated attacks by individuals identifying as left-wing or “confused” (often influenced by social media, Department of Education narratives, or victim identity politics).

    “[Now] people are… committing acts of violence based on the fact that they identify as a leftist…” ([27:15])

  • Progression resembles “first and second Intifada in Gaza” — verbal violence → grooming → physical violence.
  • Noted increase in ideological, coordinated attacks (often featuring symbolism, e.g., engravings on bullets).
  • Some attackers are veterans, which is a new, disturbing trend.
• Systemic Problem:
  • Gilliam asserts all these issues trace to systemic, ideological grooming in education and government, suggesting a mural of interconnected players who protect “their own” ([27:15], [33:32]).

4. Preventing Political Violence: Solutions and Challenges

[33:49 – 41:32]

• Community Threat Assessments:

  • Responsibility on citizens and local institutions to conduct proactive threat assessments for schools, churches, entertainment venues, etc.
  • Denounces institutions that overlook security in favor of “beautification” (“They were going to spend it [money] on building planters…” – [33:49]).
    • “People need to realize… you can park cars in a certain place and people won’t be able to drive a vehicle in there… You can have volunteers from the church armed.” ([33:49])
  • Endorses arming security personnel/volunteers, drawing on experience performing thousands of arena assessments.

• Government Role in Stopping the Movement:

  • Stopping individual attacks = community vigilance; stopping ideological radicalization = federal action, courageous agency leadership, rooting out promotion based on identity/ideology rather than merit ([33:49]).

5. Security Failures: The Assassination of Charlie Kirk

[39:45 – 41:32]

• Direct Critique:
  • Gilliam bluntly calls Kirk’s assassination an “utter failure” of both private security and police.

    “Charlie Kirk’s security failed and so did that police department. That was an utter failure.” ([39:55])

  • Describes how the shooter’s pathway (across a walkway to the roof, no barriers or surveillance) could have easily been identified and mitigated with basic counter-sniper protocols (like overhead surveillance or a drone).
  • Stresses the need for professional, “attacker’s perspective” threat assessments.

    “If I had been in charge of that security, Charlie would still be alive…” ([39:56])

6. Antifa as Domestic Terrorists

[41:32 – 43:51]

• Designation & Enforcement:
  • Boothe asks about officially labeling Antifa a terrorist organization.
  • Gilliam agrees, but cautions that “designation” alone is pointless unless backed by active investigations and prosecutions:

    “You can label a chicken a dog, but if you don’t go investigate it and you don’t start making arrests, it doesn’t matter if they’re clucking or barking…” ([41:47])

  • Notes that Antifa has established HQs (e.g., Austin) and funds, uses advanced tactics/gearing, and appears suspiciously well-organized (possibly with state or wealthy backers).
• Potential for RICO Cases:
  • Sees a parallel to the Comey/Mueller discussion — big, coordinated cases could expose the root of violence and shift the national trajectory.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the difficulty of convicting insiders:

  “That’s the hard part about going after Washington, D.C. insiders… all previous FBI directors are all insiders of the Beltway.”
  — Jonathan Gilliam [04:23]

• On the FBI’s transformation:

  “They said that they were going to take the FBI from the premier law enforcement agency to the premier… domestic intelligence agency.”
  — Jonathan Gilliam [08:14]

• On ideological corruption:

  “All of these agencies need to go through a reorg. It starts at the top.”
  — Jonathan Gilliam [16:59]

• On promotion mafias:

  “At this point it’s basically… did you tie your knot to the right person and they’re going to pull you up.”
  — Jonathan Gilliam [22:17]

• On the failure of Charlie Kirk’s security:

  “Charlie Kirk’s security failed and so did that police department. That was an utter failure… If I had been in charge… Charlie would still be alive.”
  — Jonathan Gilliam [39:55]

• On Antifa investigations:

  “You can label a chicken a dog, but if you don’t go investigate it… nothing’s going to happen.”
  — Jonathan Gilliam [41:47]

Important Timestamps

• Comey indictment, DOJ/FBI critique: [02:28–11:09]
• Transformation/decline of FBI: [08:14–11:09]
• Department of War/military reforms: [16:05–26:02]
• Analysis of entrenched “mafias”: [16:59–22:17]
• Political violence evolution: [27:15–33:49]
• Countermeasures/threat assessments: [33:49–39:45]
• Charlie Kirk assassination analysis: [39:45–41:32]
• Strategy on Antifa & terrorism designation: [41:32–43:51]

Tone & Style

Both Lisa and Gilliam use a direct, frankly combative style. Conversation is peppered with inside-baseball terminology from law enforcement and the military, occasional hyperbole (“psychopathic narcissist,” “lesbian mafia,” “utter failure”), and a persistent call for grassroots and top-down reform. The tone is urgent, despairing over entrenched bureaucracy but cautiously optimistic that with the right leadership — and citizen vigilance — the tide can be turned.

Summary Takeaway

This episode delivers a blistering examination of political violence and administrative rot in America, blending specific analysis of recent attacks and indictments with wide-ranging institutional critique. Gilliam’s primary message: Real change requires rooting out ideological networks in government, returning to merit and accountability, and engaging citizens in active defense of their communities. Designations and reforms are meaningless without bold enforcement — across agencies, the military, and local life.