The David Pakman Show

Episode: Insurrection act threat made by Trump as he falls asleep again
Host: David Pakman
Date: January 15, 2026

Episode Overview

In this high-stakes episode, David Pakman provides an in-depth analysis of one of the most consequential weeks in recent U.S. politics. The show focuses on Donald Trump's open threat to invoke the Insurrection Act against protesters in Minneapolis, critiques lackluster Republican "resistance" to Trump’s foreign policy ambitions, unpacks Trump's bizarre milk event where he fell asleep, and examines collapsing Gen Z support for Trump. The episode also addresses scandals related to prosecutor firings, wild economic claims from Trump officials, and fresh allegations of insider trading. With Pakman’s signature sharp, progressive commentary, listeners are walked through outrageous headlines and their deeper implications for democracy, civil liberties, and the upcoming 2026 elections.

Key Topics and Insights

1. Trump’s Threat to Invoke the Insurrection Act

• [00:00–14:00]
  • Main Argument: Donald Trump explicitly threatens to use the Insurrection Act to deploy the U.S. military in Minneapolis against American citizens protesting ICE actions. Pakman details step-by-step how this follows a classic authoritarian playbook: flooding a city with federal agents, provoking violence, labeling protesters “insurrectionists,” and then threatening military intervention.
  • On-the-Ground Reality: Minneapolis has seen an influx of 3,000 federal agents (compared to 600 local police officers), sparking nightly protests after at least two federal shootings, including the fatal killing of Renee Goode.
  • Pakman's Warning:

    “This is the playbook. You flood a city with federal agents … You say the outcry is from individuals who are terrorists and enemies of the state … Then you say, well, now it’s time for military intervention.”
    — David Pakman, [06:27]

  • Potential Election Interference: Pakman raises concerns this could excalate toward martial law and suspending elections, noting the slippery precedent.

2. Republican ‘Resistance’ to Trump’s Foreign Policy (The Greenland Situation)

• [14:00–21:00]
  • Story: Some Senate Republicans (Thom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski) vow to block Trump’s threat to seize Greenland by force if Denmark refuses to sell. Pakman points out most Republican resistance is anonymous and lacks substance or action.
  • Memorable Quote:

    “They are not standing up to their dear leader in any serious manner. They’re trying to manage him while avoiding any political price.”
    — David Pakman, [20:20]

  • Takeaway: The party is complicit; real resistance would require removing Trump from office, not just issuing off-the-record concerns.

3. Trump’s Bizarre ‘Milk Event’ & Cognitive Failings

• [17:15–24:00]
  • Bizarre Moment: During a public event promoting milk, Trump falls asleep, then wakes and awkwardly insists, “I passed all my cognitive tests.”
  • Memorable Exchange:

    “So sorry to have woken you up, sir. So sorry. That’s just the Oval Office, and we’re kind of in the middle of a meeting here.”
    — David Pakman, [18:03]

  • Surreal Dialogues: Trump rambles about milk with rice and milk with water, insists on the “legal definition of milk,” and interacts with officials talking to him like a child.
  • Media Q&A: Reporters press on Iran and Greenland; Trump deflects or becomes combative, further exposing confusion and lack of clarity on policy.

4. Gen Z Turns Against MAGA

• [24:44–30:40]
  • Polling Data: New polling reveals Trump’s net approval among Gen Z swung from +10% to –32% in one year—a dramatic reversal.
  • Reasons Identified:
    • The “manosphere” and influencer-fueled support collapsed as these figures distanced themselves after ICE’s actions.
    • Economic precarity, student debt, and life under the Trump administration breed discontent.
    • Gen Z is increasingly motivated by issues like climate, reproductive rights, and opposition to militarized immigration policy.
  • Pakman’s Context:

    “This is a complete and total collapse. … If they lose all of that Gen Z support, disaster for them.”
    — David Pakman, [29:52]

5. Minneapolis Crisis & Prosecutor Firings

• [31:50–38:40]
  • Event: Six federal prosecutors in Minnesota are fired for refusing to show unwavering support for ICE, with Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly boasting about their dismissal.
  • Analysis: Pakman frames this as evidence of panic and authoritarian crackdowns, noting the shifting propaganda after ICE agents killed a civilian.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Instead of acknowledging there is legitimate anger over the killing … we are hearing officials label her a lunatic. Pam Bondi said she was a domestic terrorist.”
    — David Pakman, [36:10]

6. Administration Deflections and Double Standards

• [37:58–40:10]
  • Classified Docs Hypocrisy: Bondi and Sean Hannity discuss the Washington Post raid over classified documents, ignoring Trump’s own classified docs scandal.
  • Pakman’s Take: “This entire classified documents ruse is a way to intimidate reporters… Notice how missing from this entire discussion … is that Trump was caught with classified documents right around his toilet.”
    — David Pakman, [38:40]

7. Trump’s Austerity Messaging & Economic Gaslighting

• [40:20–43:45]
  • Brooke Rollins’ Statement: Agriculture Secretary claims Americans can eat on $3 a meal—“a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, a corn tortilla, and one other thing.”
  • Trump’s Rhetoric:

    "You don’t need $37 for your daughter. Two or three is nice, but you don't need $37. … They don’t need 200, 150 pencils. They can have five.”
    — Donald Trump, [41:43]

  • Pakman’s Critique: Frames this as elite hypocrisy and authoritarian logic: “This is not about shared sacrifice. … This is the logic you see in authoritarian systems everywhere.”

8. Wild Economic Lies & Scapegoating Immigrants

• [48:35–50:50]
  • Peter Navarro’s Claim: Housing costs are up because of “20 million illegal aliens that came in during four years of Joe Biden,” claiming “1 million illegals, 1% increase in rent.”
  • Debunking: Pakman points out the real number is closer to 3.5 million, and the math/economics make no sense. Real drivers of housing costs are ignored in favor of an emotionally resonant scapegoat.

9. Insider Trading Allegations & Absurd Defenses

• [55:48–57:25]
  • Lisa McClain Scandal: Congresswoman McClain’s husband buys shares in X.AI (Elon Musk AI company) just before Pentagon partnership announced; defends the action by saying:

    “If it was [insider trading], we wouldn’t have bought a hundred thousand shares. We would have bought a heck of a lot more.”
    — Lisa McClain, [56:24]

  • Pakman’s Rejoinder: “If we were cheating, we would have cheated way harder to make a lot more money. … Imagine applying that logic anywhere else. Officer, I didn’t rob the bank because only $1,000 are missing.”

Notable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp

• [06:27] – “This is the playbook. ... You flood a city with federal agents, their presence results in violence and a public outcry, you say the outcry is from individuals who are terrorists and enemies of the state... now it’s time for military intervention.”
  — David Pakman

• [18:03] – “So sorry to have woken you up, sir. So sorry. That’s just the Oval Office, and we’re kind of in the middle of a meeting here.”
  — David Pakman (following Trump dozing off during milk event)

• [20:20] – “They are not standing up to their dear leader in any serious manner. They’re trying to manage him while avoiding any political price.”
  — David Pakman

• [29:52] – “This is a complete and total collapse. … If they lose all of that Gen Z support, disaster for them.”
  — David Pakman

• [36:10] – “Instead of acknowledging there is legitimate anger over the killing … we are hearing officials label her a lunatic. Pam Bondi said she was a domestic terrorist.”
  — David Pakman

• [41:43] – “You don’t need $37 for your daughter. Two or three is nice, but you don't need $37.”
  — Donald Trump

• [56:24] – “If it was [insider trading], we wouldn’t have bought a hundred thousand shares. We would have bought a heck of a lot more.”
  — Lisa McClain

Timestamps: Key Segments

• 00:00–14:00 – Trump’s Insurrection Act threat & Minneapolis situation
• 14:00–21:00 – GOP "Greenland resistance" & the myth of checks on Trump
• 17:15–24:00 – Trump’s milk event and cognitive confusion
• 24:44–30:40 – Gen Z support for Trump collapses; polling analysis
• 31:50–38:40 – Prosecutor firings and Minneapolis occupation recap
• 37:58–40:10 – Bondi, classified docs, and Trump admin double standards
• 40:20–43:45 – Trump and officials’ austerity rhetoric
• 48:35–50:50 – Peter Navarro scapegoats immigrants for rent hikes
• 55:48–57:25 – Lisa McClain’s insider trading defense

Summary Takeaways

• The episode paints a grim portrait of a democracy at risk, highlighting Trump’s readiness to deploy military force domestically, the lack of real opposition from Republican lawmakers, and the deepening disconnect with younger voters.
• The right’s new austerity and blame-the-other rhetoric are exposed as out-of-touch and deeply hypocritical.
• The administration seems increasingly erratic, as evidenced by Trump’s public gaffes, self-contradictory statements, and alarming responses to press and policy questions.
• Scapegoating and corruption stories, alongside unchanging narratives about “enemies within,” sustain the atmosphere of crisis—a point Pakman makes repeatedly with urgency and wry humor.

This summary captures the episode's sweep and tone, spotlighting key moments, arguments, and the host’s incisive commentary. It's designed for listeners or readers seeking to understand the heart of the discussion and its broad implications without listening to the entire show.