Comprehensive Summary of "The Glenn Beck Program" Featuring Sheriff Bill Waybourn & AG Dave Yost | March 21, 2025
On March 21, 2025, "The Glenn Beck Program," hosted by the Blaze Podcast Network, aired a compelling episode titled "Best of the Program." Featuring special guests Sheriff Bill Waybourn of Tarrant County and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Glenn Beck delved into pressing issues surrounding American education, emerging technologies in law enforcement, political strategies of the left, and the escalating threats against conservatives through tactics like swatting and doxing. This detailed summary captures the essence of their discussions, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.
1. The Crisis in American Education and Department of Education Funding
Glenn Beck opened the episode by addressing the alarming state of the American education system. He criticized President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at cutting funding for the Department of Education (DOE), suggesting that it has led to unprecedented challenges in student performance.
Glenn Beck [00:00]: "How far behind? How could they fall farther behind? They can't read. ... I shouldn't, I shouldn't say that some graduates of high school and college can read at a third grade level."
Beck emphasized that the DOE has deviated from its original congressional mandate, which was to protect the rights of state and local governments in educational policymaking. He highlighted the persistent decline in educational standards, citing that despite increased federal spending, America's educational rankings have plummeted.
Glenn Beck [10:02]: "The establishment of the Department of Education shall not increase the authority of the federal government over education or diminish the responsibility for education which is reserved to the states and the local school systems."
Beck argued for a complete overhaul of the DOE, suggesting that its current trajectory only benefits teachers' unions without delivering tangible improvements in student outcomes.
2. The Role and Risks of Facial Recognition Technology in Law Enforcement
Attorney General Dave Yost joined the conversation to discuss the utilization of Clearview AI's facial recognition technology in Ohio's law enforcement efforts. Beck presented a case study where Clearview AI successfully identified a suspect involved in a violent crime, leading to an arrest.
Glenn Beck [22:53]: "Talk to me about the case now of Clearview, which is AI facial recognition and it is a great tool for law enforcement, but it frightens me a great deal."
Yost explained Ohio's stringent regulations surrounding facial recognition, emphasizing that such technology cannot solely be relied upon without supporting evidence. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between leveraging advanced technologies for public safety and safeguarding individual privacy rights.
Dave Yost [26:58]: "The solution is the regulation of the use of the thing. For example, we do not permit here in Ohio the use of facial recognition without any more to support an arrest warrant."
Beck expressed concerns over potential abuses, drawing parallels to authoritarian regimes and stressing the need for robust legal frameworks to prevent misuse.
Glenn Beck [29:29]: "How do you balance that, the crazy world that we live in to make sure it doesn't become a tool like China?"
The discussion underscored the delicate interplay between technological advancements and civil liberties, advocating for vigilant oversight.
3. Political Mobilization of the Left: Rallies and Astroturfing
Beck shifted focus to the political maneuverings of the left, referencing a massive rally in Tempe, Arizona, featuring Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). He speculated that the turnout of 11,000 attendees was indicative of a highly organized, possibly astroturfed, effort to consolidate leftist influence.
Glenn Beck [11:13]: "11,000 people show up for Bernie Sanders and AOC. Now that says something to you that that means every communist in Arizona was in one place last night."
Beck criticized the strategic timing of such rallies, especially during non-election years, suggesting they are designed to reinforce socialist agendas across states regardless of immediate political gains.
Glenn Beck [13:18]: "It's a razor's edge. I'm really, truly worried, especially with Hollywood coming in. I'm very worried that we could lose Texas."
The conversation highlighted concerns over the left's capacity to mobilize large groups to push progressive policies, potentially altering the political landscape significantly.
4. Escalating Threats Against Conservatives: Swatting and Doxing
A significant portion of the episode was dedicated to addressing the rising incidents of swatting and doxing targeting conservative individuals. Beck shared personal anecdotes of his father and sister being swatted, underscoring the severity of these attacks.
Glenn Beck [34:58]: "Both my dad and my sister were swatted tonight. A dozen cops attempting to kick my dad's door in at gunpoint."
Sheriff Bill Waybourn provided insights into the response protocols for such threats, emphasizing the importance of community-law enforcement relationships in mitigating these dangers.
Sheriff Bill Waybourn [36:10]: "Relationships are always very, very helpful in these situations."
Beck condemned these tactics as modern-day terrorism, advocating for stricter penalties for perpetrators to deter future attacks.
Glenn Beck [35:16]: "This is terrorism. And those people who are making these calls should go to prison for a very, very, very long time."
The discussion highlighted the vulnerability of conservatives to online harassment and the urgent need for effective law enforcement strategies to combat these threats.
5. Combating Cartels and Enhancing Border Security
The conversation also delved into the challenges posed by international cartels and the state of border security. Sheriff Waybourn shared progress made in reducing illegal crossings, attributing success to collaborative efforts between federal and state authorities.
Sheriff Bill Waybourn [40:16]: "Last year at this time, we were talking 15,000 a day. So that's absolutely the first thing that I would say is that is happening."
Beck discussed the potential for more aggressive measures against cartels, including targeting their leadership to disrupt operations effectively.
Glenn Beck [43:18]: "If we just take out a few families, the kingpins, and it all happens overnight so fast, everybody wakes up and goes, oh my gosh. They will turn their attention someplace else."
The dialogue underscored the necessity of robust border security measures and decisive action against cartels to protect American interests and maintain national security.
6. Closing Thoughts and Call to Action
In his final remarks, Glenn Beck reiterated his concerns about the direction of current political and social policies, urging listeners to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding American values.
Glenn Beck [44:46]: "It's on a knife's edge."
He emphasized the importance of spreading conservative values and educating the public to counteract the perceived rising influence of the left.
Sheriff Bill Waybourn [44:55]: "We need to always be on our game. We need to always be working in spreading our conservative values and educating the public as best we can."
Beck concluded the episode by thanking his guests and reaffirming his commitment to defending the Constitution, democracy, and the American way of life.
Conclusion
The March 21, 2025 episode of "The Glenn Beck Program" provided a critical examination of several pivotal issues facing America today. From the faltering education system and the complex implications of facial recognition technology to the strategic mobilization of the left and the growing threats against conservatives, Beck and his guests offered a thorough analysis aimed at informing and mobilizing his audience. The episode underscored the importance of vigilance, regulatory balance, and proactive defense of American values in an increasingly polarized and technologically advanced society.