The Glenn Beck Program – Best of the Program | Guest: Joseph Edlow | 10/6/25

Overview

In this episode, Glenn Beck delivers insightful and spirited commentary on pressing issues in American politics and culture. The focus centers on governmental integrity, rampant fraud in the immigration system, the cultural shift in American values, and alarming trends of lawlessness in major U.S. cities. Special guest Joseph Edlow, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), discusses the agency’s recent crackdown on immigration fraud, specifically in Minneapolis. The episode also delves into the Virginia governor’s race, with scrutiny of a candidate’s controversial past, and addresses the personal health crisis of Jordan Peterson as it relates to a broader theme of spiritual warfare.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Massive Fraud Busts: Healthcare and Immigration ([03:01])

• Glenn Beck opens with discussion on two large-scale fraud investigations:
  • DOJ & Health and Human Services bust a Russian ring defrauding Medicare (“$15 billion... the tip of the iceberg").
  • USCIS's investigation of rampant immigration and marriage fraud in Minneapolis, spearheaded by Joseph Edlow.

“Who could be against stopping fraud? Well, I don’t know, but certainly not me.”
— Glenn Beck [03:01]

2. Joseph Edlow Interview: Immigration Fraud in Minneapolis

Why Minneapolis? ([04:36])

• Minneapolis displayed a high concentration of suspect immigration activity.
• Strong cooperation with local FBI, ICE, and the U.S. Attorney's office facilitated investigation.

“We want to make a big splash... What better place than a place where we can prosecute some cases after we find the fraud?”
— Joseph Edlow [04:41]

Scope and Nature of Frauds Uncovered ([05:00])

• More extensive than anticipated:
  • Widespread marriage fraud, including fake death certificates and polygamous arrangements.
  • Significant fraud in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for foreign students.
  • H1B Visa fraud: Applicants claiming to be in high-skilled jobs were found in unrelated fields.
• Notorious cases: Payment for fake Kenyan death certificates; individuals with multiple spouses and families across continents.

“Bottom line is this has to stop... we are declaring an all out war on marriage fraud, on immigration fraud. I'm going to restore integrity to the system.”
— Joseph Edlow [06:20]

Community Trends and High-Profile Scrutiny ([06:30])

• Notable prevalence in the Somali community; investigations ongoing.
• Edlow: Nobody is “off the table” for investigation, including high-level public officials ([07:26]).
• Pushback from some local law enforcement and the public; skepticism and denial of legitimacy ([07:50]).

Accountability: Who’s Responsible? ([09:14])

• Combination of bad actors:
  • Applicants knowingly committing fraud.
  • Lawyers and non-lawyer preparers facilitating deception.
• Government application handlers not the issue—USCIS claims robust internal controls.
• Remedies include denial of benefits, referrals for deportation, and prosecution of complicit lawyers/preparers.

Structural Reforms and Call to Action ([11:09])

• No evidence of national-level coordination, but large-scale patterns exist.
• USCIS now hiring special agents/investigators with streamlined processes, no degree required—hiring “Homeland Defenders” ([12:12]).
• Edlow urges citizens to apply and roots the campaign in patriotism and restoring system integrity.

“We are looking for people...to ensure that we are keeping the homeland safe...adjudicating cases for people looking for green cards, for naturalization, and we want to make sure they're looking at it through the right lens.”
— Joseph Edlow [12:12]

3. Lawlessness in American Cities and Broad Societal Decay ([15:55])

• Glenn paints a dire picture of lawlessness in Portland, Chicago, and other cities—“It is lawless. That’s a fact.”
  • Governors refusing to aid federal agents.
  • Cartels targeting ICE agents—“completely lawless.”
• Links civil unrest, Antifa, and radical forces to broader efforts to “destroy Western civilization.”
• Argues global elites believe they can evade consequences of chaos they create.
• The conversation moves beyond partisan lines, framing the situation as a battle of good vs. evil, not simply left vs. right.

“This is about good and evil, right and wrong. The America that believes in its citizens...is at stake.”
— Glenn Beck [17:12]

4. Value Shifts: Are Americans Being Conditioned? ([19:30])

• Glenn challenges listeners to reflect on how their beliefs on hot-button issues (transgender surgery for children, government-corporate collusion, open borders, etc.) have shifted in the past 25 years.
• Blames change on “careful conditioning,” not reasoned debate.
• Refuses partisan justifications—rejects “the ends justify the means.”

“If you can't justify the things that you are now for that you were not then, well, you're most likely mad at me right now...Why is that anger...if you won't even have this conversation?”
— Glenn Beck [22:44]

5. National Guard in Cities and Constitutional Concerns ([25:00])

• Glenn Beck voices opposition to deploying soldiers domestically for law enforcement:
  • “I’ve never been for that and I’m still not for soldiers executing the law in our cities. But constitutionally, there are a couple of things...Let’s discuss those things.”

6. Spiritual Warfare and Jordan Peterson’s Health Struggles ([27:09])

• Emotional update from Jordan Peterson's daughter on his critical health problems; requests prayers and underscores spiritual battle theme.
  • Details Peterson’s neurological decline, ICU hospitalization, and family crises ([27:09]–[30:15]).
• Beck broadens this into a call for urgent prayer, citing other conservative thought leaders as also under “spiritual attack.”

“The world is in spiritual warfare like crazy. I would ask that you would pray as if we were in a world war, because we are.”
— Glenn Beck [30:15]

7. Virginia Election: Past Ties and Dangerous Trends ([32:04])

• Deep dive into Virginia’s gubernatorial race:
  • Candidate Abigail Spanberger’s past work at a Saudi-funded Islamic school post-9/11, allegedly tied to extremist elements and Hamas sympathizers ([32:30]–[36:53]).
  • School alleged to have produced individuals tied to terrorism; school’s comptroller linked to Hamas; controversial curriculum.
  • Discussion is laced with Beck and co-hosts’ sarcasm and incredulity at such connections being brushed off.
• Broader lament on Virginia’s possible political shift, comparing it to Portland and New York’s decline into leftist, destabilizing policies.

“Who among us have not supported someone in their lives who wished death on the children of their enemies for political gain. We’ve all done that. We've all.”
— (Satirical, mocking) [36:51]

8. Political and Civic Warnings ([39:49])

• Reflection on term limits (one term for governor in Virginia is “ridiculous”) and risks of a political pendulum swing.
• Reiterates that real, pragmatic Republican leadership in cities like Virginia and New York led to success; far-left governance yielded “catastrophes.”
• Warns Virginia’s electorate: “You can still stop this. You don’t have to go down this road. You can still save yourselves.” [41:13]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On immigration crackdown:
  • “We are declaring an all out war on marriage fraud, on immigration fraud. And I'm going to restore integrity to the system.” — Joseph Edlow [06:20]
• On ideological drift:
  • “If you weren’t for those things...what new information did you get that changed your mind?” — Glenn Beck [22:44]
• On spiritual crisis:
  • “The world is in spiritual warfare like crazy. I would ask that you would pray as if we were in a world war, because we are.” — Glenn Beck [30:15]
• On local lawlessness:
  • “Portland is lawless now. It is lawless. That’s a fact.” — Glenn Beck [15:55]
• On civic responsibility:
  • “This is about ensuring that the right people are [immigrating] and that there is, as I keep saying, integrity in the system. Fraud will not be accepted any longer.” — Joseph Edlow [13:38]
• On Virginia politics:
  • “You can still stop this. You don’t have to go down this road. You can still save yourselves.” — Glenn Beck [41:13]

Important Timestamps

• [03:01] — Introduction to fraud investigations and Joseph Edlow segment
• [04:36] — Edlow explains Minneapolis as target for immigration fraud crackdown
• [06:20] — Declaration of “all-out war” on immigration fraud
• [09:14] — Who are the responsible parties in fraud?
• [12:09] — Edlow solicits job applicants to fight immigration fraud
• [15:55] — Glenn on lawlessness, Antifa, and societal threats
• [19:30] — Cultural and political value shifts
• [25:00] — Constitutional concerns over militarizing law enforcement
• [27:09] — Jordan Peterson’s health update and spiritual warfare
• [32:04] — Virginia governor’s race and Islamic school controversy
• [36:51] — Satirical riff on moral drift in leadership
• [39:49] — Political strategy and warning to Virginia voters

Tone & Language

• Glenn Beck’s signature style: conversational, irreverent, at times satirical, but urgent and direct.
• The interview with Joseph Edlow is more formal and sober, focused on public policy and law enforcement.
• The political discussion segments contain both earnest warning and biting sarcasm.

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a panoramic look at the intersections between government integrity, cultural shifts, and political power struggles. Glenn Beck and Joseph Edlow outline efforts to restore honesty in immigration, decry the advance of lawlessness and ideological confusion in America’s cities and institutions, and plead for vigilance—both civic and spiritual. The episode is supercharged with topical references, high stakes, and calls for action, all delivered with Beck’s unique blend of passion, humor, and provocation.