The Glenn Beck Program Episode: Best of the Program
Guests: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna & Nicole Shanahan
Release Date: May 8, 2025
Host: Blaze Podcast Network

Introduction and Opening Remarks

In this special episode of The Glenn Beck Program, host Glenn Beck delves into pressing issues surrounding American culture and politics, emphasizing the importance of being "on the right side of history." The episode features insightful conversations with Representative Anna Paulina Luna and activist Nicole Shanahan, addressing topics from the Patriot Act repeal to concerns about government overreach in health and surveillance.

Being on the Right Side of History

Glenn Beck opens the discussion by reflecting on the concept of being on the "right side of history," questioning its true meaning and the criteria that define it. He humorously critiques contemporary societal changes, particularly around gender identity, using exaggerated examples to highlight his skepticism.

Glenn Beck (00:00): "Do you know what the right side of history is going to be? Or what it’s going to mean?"

Key Points:

• The ambiguity of "right side of history."
• The tension between evolving social norms and traditional values.
• The significance of eternal truths in guiding societal progress.

Pam Bondi on the Epstein Case

Beck transitions to discuss the Epstein files, featuring a clip from former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Pam Bondi (13:25): "There are tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn, and there are hundreds of victims, and no one victim will ever get released."

Insights:

• The extensive scope of the FBI's investigation into Epstein.
• Challenges in prosecuting high-profile cases with vast amounts of evidence.
• The necessity of protecting victims' identities while ensuring accountability.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna on Repealing the Patriot Act

Representative Anna Paulina Luna joins the program to discuss her initiative to repeal the Patriot Act, a significant move aimed at restoring American privacy and curbing government surveillance.

Anna Paulina Luna (18:46): "There is an appetite for it. So I actually just got done lobbying many of my colleagues the floor and even talking to some Democrats about this."

Key Discussions:

• Bipartisan Support: Luna highlights the growing support across party lines, including from Democrats and constitutional rights organizations, to repeal the Patriot Act.

  Luna (21:08): "We are open to working with other members to come up with legislation that could overhaul it yet."

• Historical Context: She reflects on her personal connection to the Patriot Act, recalling conversations with her father about its impact on personal freedoms post-9/11.

  Luna (21:19): "After 9/11, I remember hearing my dad being really stressed out about what it was going to do to our personal freedoms."

• Challenges in Congress: Luna acknowledges the obstacles posed by entrenched interests in Washington but remains optimistic about achieving legislative changes with continued pressure and public support.

  Luna (24:19): "There are people that are weak at the knees with this... most long-term elected officials just want to get reelected by their Republican base."

Conclusions:

• Repealing the Patriot Act is seen as essential for restoring civil liberties.
• Luna urges public involvement to pressure representatives into action.
• Emphasizes the need for accountability and transparency within intelligence agencies.

Nicole Shanahan on Government Overreach and Medical Freedom

Nicole Shanahan expands the conversation to the realm of health and surveillance, critiquing recent appointments and policies that she believes infringe on individual freedoms and privacy.

Nicole Shanahan (33:11): "Biometric data is anything between heart rate data to all of the data that is collected from your Fitbit or high glucose monitor."

Key Points:

• Biometric Data Concerns: Shanahan raises alarms about the collection and potential misuse of biometric data by government entities, highlighting the risks of privacy invasions.

  Shanahan (34:10): "Our job is to continue to seek the best possible people for government that are truly putting the principles of this country first."

• Critique of Government Appointments: She questions the qualifications and motivations behind government appointments, specifically within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), suggesting conflicts of interest and undue influence.

  Shanahan (35:01): "They don't call it the swamp for no reason. There's... certain decisions that are worth fighting for."

• Pandemic Preparedness: Shanahan critiques recent legislative changes in Washington State that codify emergency powers for future pandemics, arguing that such measures grant excessive control over individual health decisions.

  Shanahan (43:24): "I would like to see more focus around that. Not red dye 40 and not Kellogg's... making sure that we are actually properly ready for the next pandemic."

Conclusions:

• Advocates for stringent oversight of government agencies to prevent misuse of personal data.
• Emphasizes the importance of medical freedom and sovereignty.
• Calls for proactive measures to ensure accountability and integrity within health-related government bodies.

Discussion on Accountability and Systemic Issues

Beck and his guests delve into broader systemic issues within government institutions, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency to restore public trust.

Glenn Beck (41:41): "If I don't see some people go to jail... I don't want to just scoop people up and just assume that they're guilty, but build a good, strong case, bring it to trial, have a fair and honest trial..."

Key Discussions:

• Systemic Corruption: Concerns about entrenched corruption within agencies like the FBI and DOJ, with calls for thorough investigations and prosecutions of wrongdoing.

• Government Accountability: Emphasis on the necessity for government officials to be held accountable, ensuring that actions are based on justice rather than political expediency.

• Public Trust: The importance of rebuilding public trust through transparent and fair legal processes, particularly in high-profile cases involving public health and safety.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The episode wraps up with a strong call to action, urging listeners to actively engage in the political process by contacting their representatives and advocating for legislative changes. Both Rep. Luna and Nicole Shanahan stress the significance of grassroots involvement in driving meaningful reforms.

Anna Paulina Luna (30:30): "Because you have one chance to correct this, and if you correct it, you'll have the American people go out in droves and say, oh, I actually believe in you guys, you're going to actually do something."

Final Thoughts:

• Reiterates the critical need for legislative action to protect civil liberties.
• Encourages listeners to utilize resources like house.gov to connect with their congressional representatives.
• Highlights upcoming initiatives and resources tailored to assist listeners in taking productive steps toward political engagement.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Glenn Beck (00:00): "Do you know what the right side of history is going to be? Or what it’s going to mean?"
• Pam Bondi (13:25): "There are tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn, and there are hundreds of victims..."
• Anna Paulina Luna (18:46): "There is an appetite for it. So I actually just got done lobbying many of my colleagues the floor..."
• Nicole Shanahan (33:11): "Biometric data is anything between heart rate data to all of the data that is collected from your Fitbit..."
• Glenn Beck (41:41): "If I don't see some people go to jail... build a good, strong case, bring it to trial..."

Final Takeaway

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program underscores the ongoing battle for civil liberties, government accountability, and the preservation of individual freedoms in the face of expanding surveillance and bureaucratic overreach. Through candid discussions with Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Nicole Shanahan, Beck emphasizes the importance of informed activism and legislative reform to ensure that America remains a bastion of freedom and justice.