Podcast Summary: The David Pakman Show – March 26, 2025 Episode Title: Total Collapse over Texting Scandal, Heads Should Roll

Introduction to the National Security Scandal

In the March 26, 2025 episode of The David Pakman Show, host David Pakman delves into a significant national security scandal involving former President Donald Trump and his administration. The controversy centers around the unauthorized sharing of sensitive war plans via the encrypted messaging app Signal, which inadvertently included Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in a group chat ostensibly reserved for top national security officials.

Pakman opens the discussion by framing the situation as an unprecedented scandal that could potentially topple previous administrations. He highlights Trump's and his team's attempts to downplay the incident, labeling it as a "complete and total national security scandal" (00:07).

Contradictory Statements from Trump and Staff

A critical aspect of the scandal is the conflicting narratives presented by Trump and his associates. In an interview, Trump attributes the inclusion of Jeffrey Goldberg to a lower-level staffer affiliated with Mike Waltz, contradicting earlier statements from Waltz himself.

• Donald Trump (01:17): “What it was, we believe is somebody that was on the line with permission, somebody that was with Mike Waltz…”

Pakman underscores the inconsistency, suggesting that Trump and Waltz are "completely lying" in their efforts to obscure the truth (01:49).

Involvement of Jeffrey Goldberg and The Atlantic

Jeffrey Goldberg’s inadvertent inclusion in the Signal chat has drawn significant attention. According to Pakman, Goldberg has publicly released screenshots indicating that Mike Waltz directly added him to the group, contradicting Trump’s claims of a staffer's involvement.

• Pakman (02:00): “Mike Waltz did add Jeffrey Goldberg. We have the screenshots…”

This revelation intensifies the narrative of a cover-up within the Trump administration, with Goldberg positioning himself as a whistleblower.

Official Responses from National Security Officials

Pakman presents contrasting explanations from key figures such as Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, and Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense.

• Tulsi Gabbard (19:39): “I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but of all the people out there, somehow this guy who has lied about the President…”

• Pete Hegseth (29:37): Avoids directly answering questions about the incident, maintaining that communications were "permissible and lawful."

Pakman criticizes their responses as evasive and insufficient in addressing the gravity of the security breach.

Analysis of Classification Issues and Potential Incompetence

A central theme of the episode is the mishandling of classified information. Pakman references Department of Defense (DoD) guidelines, which stipulate that even unclassified information regarding military operations should not be shared on unsecured platforms like Signal.

• DoD Guidance Reference (08:49): Information providing "indication or advance warning that the US or its allies are preparing an attack is supposed to be classified."

Pakman argues that the Trump administration’s failure to classify the shared war plans points to a deeper layer of incompetence. This negligence not only undermines national security but also suggests systemic issues within the administration's handling of sensitive information.

Trump’s Comments on January 6 Rioters and Ashley Babbitt

In addition to the texting scandal, Trump addressed other controversial topics during the episode:

1. Compensation for January 6 Rioters:

   • Donald Trump (03:28): “We have a lot of people talk about. A lot of the people that are in government now talk about it because they…”

   Pakman vehemently criticizes this notion, labeling it as an inappropriate and dismissive approach to those involved in the insurrection.

2. Comments on Ashley Babbitt:

   • Donald Trump (05:22): “I'll look into that. I mean, you're just telling me that for the first time, I haven't heard that. I'm a big fan of Ashley Babbitt.”

   Pakman counters by highlighting the circumstances of Babbitt’s death, emphasizing that her death resulted from an act of violence during the January 6 events and is under legal scrutiny. He dismisses Trump's attempt to humanize her as disingenuous.

Criticism of Press Secretary Caroline Levitt’s Handling

Caroline Levitt, the White House Press Secretary, is a focal point of Pakman’s critique. During an interview with Fox News’ Jesse Watters, Levitt deflects from addressing the core issue, instead attacking the media and diverting attention to unrelated topics.

• Caroline Levitt (35:07): “President Trump absolutely has the full confidence in his national security team…”

Pakman mocks her responses, pointing out her failure to answer substantive questions and instead resorting to deflection and misinformation.

Responses from Fox News and Media Narratives

Pakman scrutinizes the responses from Fox News personalities like Jesse Watters and Brian Kilmeade, accusing them of aiding in the administration’s cover-up by downplaying the severity of the breach.

• Jesse Watters (47:26): Compares the incident to accidentally sending personal messages to the wrong contact, trivializing the national security implications.

Pakman criticizes this analogy as indicative of a broader strategy to minimize accountability and protect the administration’s image.

Broader Commentary on Authoritarianism and Constitutional Rights

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing the erosion of constitutional principles under the Trump administration. Pakman highlights statements from Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade and Attorney General Pam Bondi that suggest a disregard for due process and constitutional rights.

1. Brian Kilmeade’s Stance on Due Process:

   • Brian Kilmeade (52:38): “If we're going to give every these guys a day in court and a lawyer, we can't do it. They don't deserve it.”

   Pakman laments Kilmeade’s blatant dismissal of due process, emphasizing that it is a fundamental constitutional right applicable to all individuals, regardless of citizenship status.

2. Pam Bondi’s Advocacy for the Death Penalty Without Due Process:

   • Pam Bondi (57:57): “We will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law… violent criminals will face the death penalty.”

   Pakman critiques Bondi’s inflammatory statements, arguing that the administration is promoting a system where punishment is meted out without fair legal procedures, thereby undermining the rule of law and democratic principles.

Conclusion and Implications for National Security and Governance

Throughout the episode, Pakman weaves a narrative of a deteriorating national security framework plagued by incompetence, dishonesty, and authoritarian tendencies within the Trump administration. He underscores the dangers of undermining constitutional rights and the importance of accountability in preserving democratic institutions.

Pakman concludes by warning listeners about the slippery slope towards authoritarianism, where the suspension of fundamental rights begins with targeted groups and can expand to broader populations. He calls for vigilance and support for progressive independent media as crucial bulwarks against these authoritarian encroachments.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump (00:07): "Complete and total national security scandal, the likes of which might completely take down prior administrations."

• David Pakman (01:49): "They are completely lying and they are running a failing cover-up of a complete and total national security scandal."

• Tulsi Gabbard (19:39): "Of all the people out there, somehow this guy who has lied about the President... he's the one that somehow gets on somebody's contact and then gets sucked into this group."

• Pete Hegseth (29:37): "So the Secretary of Defense is the original classification authority for DoD in deciding what would be classified information."

• Caroline Levitt (35:07): "President Trump absolutely has the full confidence in his national security team."

• Brian Kilmeade (52:38): "If we're going to give every these guys a day in court and a lawyer, we can't do it. They don't deserve it."

• Pam Bondi (57:57): "We're seeking the death penalty again… everyone will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Key Takeaways:

1. Serious National Security Breach: The inadvertent inclusion of Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal chat containing sensitive war plans signifies a profound lapse in national security protocols within the Trump administration.

2. Contradictory Narratives: Conflicting explanations from Trump and his staffers suggest an attempt to obfuscate the truth and avoid accountability.

3. Media Complicity: The support from Fox News personalities in downplaying the scandal indicates a coordinated effort to minimize the perceived severity of the breach.

4. Erosion of Constitutional Principles: Statements from administration officials advocate for the suspension of due process, aligning with authoritarian practices that undermine democratic values.

5. Call for Accountability: Pakman emphasizes the need for transparency, adherence to constitutional rights, and resistance against authoritarian tendencies to preserve national security and democratic integrity.

This episode of The David Pakman Show serves as a comprehensive analysis of the unfolding national security scandal, highlighting systemic issues within the Trump administration and the broader implications for governance and constitutional rights in the United States.