The Five – “Resistance Over Safety”

Date: September 2, 2025
Podcast: FOX News Podcasts
Host: Dana Perino, with Paul Morrow, Jessica Tarlov, Jesse Watters, and Tyrus

Overview

This episode of The Five centers on contentious issues in American politics, primarily focusing on the escalating gun violence in Chicago and the political resistance to federal intervention. The panel debates the effectiveness of local leadership, the ethics and logistics of deploying the National Guard, the cultural shifts within the Democratic Party, the backlash against corporate DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts, and scrutinizes evolving party dynamics amid generational change. The tone is energetic, opinionated, and laden with critique, satirical comments, and banter among panelists.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Chicago Violence: Resistance to Federal Intervention

• Setting the Stage

  • After another deadly weekend (8 killed, 58 injured), Chicago’s Democratic leaders oppose President Trump's offer to deploy the National Guard.
  • Democratic officials, including Governor Pritzker, push back against what they label a “military occupation.”
    • Notable Quote:
      • “We do not want or need military occupation in our city.” – Jesse Watters, quoting Chicago leaders [01:28]

• Political Stakes and Rhetoric

  • Joe Scarborough unexpectedly urges cooperation with Trump for the city’s safety, sparking division within the Democratic camp.
  • Jesse Watters highlights the contradiction of deploying troops for the DNC but not for neighborhoods beset by violence, calling the decision “racist.”
    • Notable Quote:
      • “They had the guard there, but they won’t call the guard in for the South Side. That’s racist.” – Jesse Watters [03:08]
  • Discussion shifts to the complexities of Chicago’s makeup, noting logistical challenges and the city's status as a major drug distribution hub.

• Policing, Reforms, and Demoralization

  • Jessica Tarlov addresses police demoralization and the challenges posed by reform laws leading to a “revolving door” for offenders.
  • Suggests an omnipresence like the National Guard could deter crime but warns of legal hurdles—only possible under emergency clauses repeatedly denied by local leaders.
    • Notable Quote:
      • “Prophylactic policing, stopping stuff before it happens, is always better.” – Jessica Tarlov [06:01]

• Broader Critique

  • Tyrus claims political calculations have become more important than lives lost in black communities.
    • Notable Quote:
      • “Black lives don’t matter. That’s what we’re learning. Black lives don’t matter.” – Tyrus [09:34]
  • Dana Perino adds that similar interventions aren’t even discussed for red states with higher per-capita murder rates, underscoring partisan selectivity.

2. Democratic Party Drift & Identity Politics

• Rashida Tlaib’s Speech as a Flashpoint

  • The panel analyzes Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s defiant remarks concerning Gaza and American involvement, framing them as emblematic of progressive radicalism.
    • Memorable Segment:
      • “Look at this room’s, we ain’t going anywhere.” – Rashida Tlaib, quoted and discussed [14:09]

• Party Dynamics

  • Tyrus laments the “progressive socialists” seizing control, disconnecting from historical Democratic ideals.
    • Notable Quote:
      • “This is not the Democratic Party that I grew up around.” – Tyrus [15:46]
  • Jessica Tarlov and Paul Morrow discuss strategies that merge civil rights narratives with Palestinian advocacy, accelerating the party's leftward shift.
  • Predictions about the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) gaining further control and the risk of alienating traditional voters.
    • Notable Quote:
      • “It’s a DSA world right now for the Democrats. …No prisons, no police. It’s pure communism. It’s very dangerous.” – Paul Morrow [19:25]

• Mainstream Rebuttal

  • Dana Perino asserts Tlaib is not representative of mainstream Democrats, citing broader voter concerns such as rising living costs and healthcare under Trump policies.
    • Notable Quote:
      • “I know no real live Democrats who think that it sounded like the rowdy group in that room…” – Dana Perino [20:07]

3. Corporate Backlash: Decline of DEI & Wokeness

• Corporate Shifts

  • Companies such as Cracker Barrel are retreating from DEI and Pride initiatives in response to public backlash.
  • Van Jones (a liberal commentator) concedes that workplace activism has "gone way too far" [22:56].
    • Notable Quote:
      • “For some companies, the new message…check your politics and activism at the door.” – Jesse Watters [23:14]

• Panelist Opinions on DEI

  • Jessica Tarlov admits it became excessive but sees value in the original intent of diversity efforts.
    • “I enjoyed the moment for a while…We need to move on.” – Jessica Tarlov [23:29]
  • Tyrus calls for accountability for careers harmed by the overreactions of the “woke hurricane,” singling out Snoop Dogg’s controversy as media overreach [24:10].

• Parenting, Media, and Exposure

  • The group debates the appropriateness of depicting same-sex couples in children’s movies and questions the over-sexualization of content, but Dana Perino emphasizes representation and progress.
    • Notable Quotes:
      • “I think it is a good thing to have children who are being born today…be comfortable with that there are two men kissing or two women kissing.” – Dana Perino [29:20]

4. Generational Change & Power in Congress

• Jerry Nadler’s Retirement
  • Focus on aging Democratic Congress members stepping down, with Nadler’s retirement attributed to losing touch with the energized, younger base.
    • Notable Quote:
      • “Bottom line is this is where all of the energy is…our blue cities are becoming a nut job archipelago…” – Paul Morrow [34:00]
  • Lament over Congress as a “retirement community” and jokes about politicians’ reluctance to relinquish perks and power.
    • “You don’t have to even be awake at a hearing…the whole work office situation is like a retirement community.” – Jesse Watters [36:15]

5. Media & Social Virality: Polish CEO Apology

• US Open ‘Hat Theft’ Incident
  • Viral story about a Polish CEO snatching a hat from a child; the hosts criticize his apology and call for a ban from the US Open.
    • “Listen, when you’re a hammer, the whole world looks like a nail. That kid had possession of the hat. He forcibly grabs it. That is a robbery.” – Jessica Tarlov [39:08]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Chicago is a hellhole right now.” – Jesse Watters [01:08]
• “Prophylactic policing…is always better. The best crime fighting strategy is to fight crime before it happens.” – Jessica Tarlov [06:00]
• “This is not the Democratic Party that I grew up around.” – Tyrus [15:46]
• “It’s a DSA world…No prisons, no police. It’s pure communism. It’s very dangerous.” – Paul Morrow [19:25]
• “I know no real live Democrats who think that it sounded like the rowdy group in that room…” – Dana Perino [20:07]
• “For some companies, the new message…check your politics and activism at the door.” – Jesse Watters [23:14]
• “You don’t have to even be awake at a hearing…the whole work office situation is like a retirement community.” – Jesse Watters [36:15]

Key Timestamps for Segments

• [00:34] – Panel introduction / Setting up Chicago violence story
• [01:08] – Trump on Chicago, National Guard debate
• [03:08] – Comparisons to the DNC, accusations of racism in intervention policy
• [06:00] – Policing shortage, criminal justice reforms debate
• [09:34] – Tyrus on “Black lives don’t matter” and political priorities
• [14:09] – Rashida Tlaib’s speech and the panel’s reactions
• [19:25] – Democratic Socialist influence and warnings about the party's direction
• [22:56] – Corporate DEI backlash, Van Jones comments
• [29:20] – Discussion on representation and children’s media
• [34:00] – Generational changes, Nadler’s retirement, Congressional culture
• [39:08] – Viral US Open incident and corporate accountability

Memorable Moments & Banter

• Panelists use humor and sarcasm to underscore criticisms—e.g., Jesse Watters’ analogy regarding homicide rates and skepticism towards DEI initiatives.
• Running joke about politicians’ “retirement community” lifestyle.
• Mocking of media overreactions, virtue signaling, and parenting struggles with modern content.

Summary

The Five offers a pointed, spirited critique of Democratic leadership, resistance to federal aid amid violence, and the broader culture wars over party identity and “woke” activism. The discussion is candid—sometimes confrontational, often sarcastic—intertwined with personal anecdotes, historical context, and debate over the future direction of both parties and the nation. The hosts, though differing in degrees, largely agree that American politics is at a crossroads, with generational and ideological rifts shaping the current narrative.