The Five: “Neutralize Threats”

Date: March 18, 2026
Panel: Dana Perino, Kennedy, Harold Ford Jr., Lawrence Jones, Greg Gutfeld

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on America's latest military actions against Iran and the heated debates that ensued on Capitol Hill regarding the intelligence behind "Operation Epic Fury." The hosts break down the political fallout from intense Congressional hearings, the implications for global oil markets and NATO, mounting criticism of both parties’ responses, and segue into other political developments including the DHS shutdown and culture war flashpoints. The tone is lively, combative, and distinctly irreverent, packed with sharp exchanges and humor.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. CENTCOM Strikes & "Epic Fury" Hearings

[01:04–05:09]

• CENTCOM Footage & Operation Epic Fury:
  CENTCOM released video of U.S. actions targeting Iranian threats. Intelligence leaders Tulsi Gabbard (DNI), John Ratcliffe (CIA), and FBI’s Kash Patel testified on Capitol Hill, grilled over the rationale and intelligence for the strikes.

  • “Did you brief the President if he starts a war of choice...?” – Greg Gutfeld, [01:45]
  • “It is not the intelligence community's responsibility to determine what is and isn't an imminent threat.” – Harold Ford Jr./Kennedy, [02:25]

• NATO & Trump’s Truth Social Post:
  President Trump floated letting allied nations take over Strait of Hormuz security, suggesting the U.S. had done enough.

• Division Inside the GOP:
  Kennedy points out fractures between pro- and anti-war Republicans and expresses concern about a drawn-out conflict and its political impact.

  • “If you’re going to start an incursion there, you’re going to have to finish it... My worry is how long is as long as possible and what will it take for this president to finish what they have decided to start?” – Kennedy, [04:40]

• Will NATO Help?
  Harold Ford Jr. stresses the need for NATO assistance, explaining the global stakes regarding oil and critiquing Trump's isolationist stance.

  • “We need their help... the oil market is the global market.” [05:09]
    He draws parallels to the Iraq war intelligence failures, urging caution and transparency.
  • “These are legitimate questions... Is the threat as imminent as you thought the threat was?” [07:57]

2. “Imminent Threat” Debate & Congressional Theater

[07:57–10:48]

• Support for Military vs. Intelligence Community:
  Dana Perino emphasizes that killing enemy leaders wouldn't be possible without intelligence, decries the new focus on whether threats are “imminent.”

  • “When did we start saying if it's imminent or not?... If you use that standard to judge, you’ll be dead.” – Dana Perino, [08:39]

• Partisanship & Trump Criticism:
  Greg Gutfeld blames Democrats for flip-flopping on Iran just because Trump is leading the effort.

  • “Every single decision it seems they make is based on their relationship to Trump... Forced to cheer on terrible things because Trump doesn't like them, or condemn good things because Trump likes them.” – Greg Gutfeld, [12:18]

3. DHS Shutdown & TSA Impact

[16:35–20:34]

• Airport Chaos:
  The DHS shutdown is leading to long TSA lines and staff not getting paid. Dana Perino and others blame Democrats for not negotiating.

  • “You don't have our analysts at their desk right now. That's crazy talk.” – Dana Perino, [19:17]

• Suffering TSA Agents:
  Discussion of agents donating plasma and working side gigs to make ends meet.

  • “TSA agents, to make ends meet, are actually donating plasma... they're resigning and they're calling out because they cannot stomach going in on a Sunday morning at four in the morning to face lines of cranky people when they cannot even pay their bills.” – Kennedy, [21:11]

• Political Blame Game:
  Mixed blame between parties, but the consensus is frustration over Congress and the White House failing to resolve the shutdown, impacting everyday Americans.

4. Illinois Politics & Project 2029

[24:57–30:59]

• Pritzker’s Power Move:
  JB Pritzker’s pick, Juliana Stratton, secures the Illinois Senate nomination, highlighting the influence of money in politics.

  • “He buys racists. He invests his money... he’s doing it a different way.” – Dana Perino, [27:41]

• Left-Wing Primary Losses:
  Young leftist Kat Abu Ghazala loses but vows to keep fighting, to the panel’s amusement.

• Centrism as a Winning Strategy:
  Harold Ford Jr. argues Dems are moving centrist for broader appeal but cautions against making prosecutions the party’s main selling point.

  • “I don’t believe that voters are going to go to the polls and vote for Democrats if ... the foremost thing they want to do is prosecute.” – Harold Ford Jr., [29:53]

5. Kamala Harris Campaign, Polling, and Family Drama

[32:25–36:44]

• Jerry O’Connell’s Family Fallout:
  Actor shares how his family “became physical” after he criticized Kamala Harris, prompting discussion about the intensity of political emotions.

  • “Democrats need to accept she ran a lousy campaign. She’s not an unallowed person, but she ran a lousy campaign.” – Harold Ford Jr., [33:04]

• Suppressed Dissent & Gender Dynamics:
  Greg Gutfeld and Kennedy riff on why polling on Trump is unreliable, given the intense environment around expressing contrarian views.

  • “It’s not your belief that keeps you silent... it’s the spouse’s emotional investment, their Trump hate dwarfs your desire to say, Kamala sucks.” – Greg Gutfeld, [35:17]

6. 90s Nostalgia & Generational Differences

[37:38–40:59]

• Gen Z Embraces the 90s:
  Discussion about Gen Z’s infatuation with 90s culture, music, and the romanticism of “simpler” pre-smartphone days.

  • “Young people seem to like older music... life before phones. How did you meet up? He’s actually doing something to woo her, rather than texting.” – Dana Perino, [38:24]

• Favorite Bands:
  Brief, lighthearted exchange about favorite 90s music—Counting Crows, Beastie Boys, Faith No More, New Edition, and Garth Brooks all get mentions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On CentCom’s anti-Iran operations:
  • “You’re going to have to finish it, because otherwise Iran will ... wait it out in order to ascend to power once again.” – Kennedy, [04:40]
• On U.S. global power:
  • “We are indeed the United States. ... But we need their help. Why? Because the oil market is the global market.” – Harold Ford Jr., [05:09]
• On “imminent threat” language:
  • “When did we start saying if it’s imminent or not? ... If you use that standard ... you’ll be dead.” – Dana Perino, [08:39]
• On partisanship and Trump:
  • “Every single decision ... is based on their relationship to Trump ... It’s guide by belief and not behavior.” – Greg Gutfeld, [12:18]
• On Kamala Harris’ campaign:
  • “She did not have a good command of the issues. ... Second worst face plant in modern presidential history.” – Kennedy, [34:20]
• On the workplace impact of the shutdown:
  • “They are now going on their fifth week of the shutout.” – Kennedy, [21:11]
• On Gen Z and the 90s:
  • “I’ve been waiting for this moment my entire adult life. The 90s were amazing.” – Kennedy, [37:54]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• CENTCOM/Iran & Capitol Hill hearings: [01:04–07:57]
• Debate on “imminent threats,” congressional criticism: [07:57–10:48]
• DHS shutdown, TSA chaos: [16:35–22:32]
• Illinois primary, Project 2029, political money: [24:57–31:13]
• Jerry O’Connell anecdote & Kamala Harris debate: [32:25–36:37]
• 1990s nostalgia and music roundtable: [37:38–40:59]

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Five deftly weaves together breaking international news, domestic political infighting, and cultural commentary, all with the show’s signature humor and sharp-edged banter. The urgent national security debates are contrasted with lighter stories illustrating America’s deepening partisan and generational divides.

Listeners come away with a clearer sense of ongoing operations against Iran, the DHS shutdown’s real-world fallout, power moves in American politics, and even what makes the 90s so beloved now—all through the dynamic voices of The Five.