The Glenn Beck Program

Episode: Bombs at Midnight: FBI Foils Terrorist Attack
Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Glenn Beck
Guest: Ryan Mauro
Producer/Co-Host: Stu
Podcast Network: Blaze Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode centers on a recently foiled terrorist plot in California, allegedly orchestrated by the far-left, anti-capitalist Turtle Island Liberation Front. Glenn Beck welcomes terrorism researcher Ryan Mauro to discuss the roots of this group, the broader threat posed by similar alliances, and the infiltration of radical ideologies in American culture. Alongside in-depth analysis, the episode also explores the cultural mechanics of radical movements, the relationship between history and radicalism, and reflects on themes of empathy, forgiveness, and the enduring strength of Western values.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Foiled Terrorist Attack and the Turtle Island Liberation Front

Segment: [03:45–09:13]

• Incident Recap:
  Four members of the "Turtle Island Liberation Front" (TILF)—a far-left, pro-Palestinian, anti-American, anti-capitalist group—were arrested for plotting IED bombings at California companies, targeting ICE agents and vehicles. The plan, dubbed Operation Midnight Sun, was meant for New Year's Eve.

• Group Ideology:
  “This is a far left pro Palestinian, anti government and anti capitalist group... They are anti American and anti capitalist. This is part of what's called the Red Green alliance.”
  — Glenn Beck [05:25]

• TILF Language & Branding:
  “They would refuse to say Israel, they say Palestine, they refuse to say the United States, they say Turtle Island."
  — Ryan Mauro [10:20]

  "It’s liberating Turtle Island. It’s a way of calling for violence and the destruction of the US but in a way that goes over the heads of people."
  — Ryan Mauro [10:50]

2. Historical & Cultural Contexts of Radicalization

Segment: [09:13–14:56]

• Alliance Mechanics:
  The Red-Green Alliance is described as a convergence of Marxists, indigenous activists, and Islamists—groups with differing end goals uniting for the short-term aim of destabilizing Western institutions.

  “They’re all going to sort that out later. They just want to kill us first... then they’ll start eating each other.”
  — Glenn Beck [12:24]

• Tactical Evolution:
  The radical movement anticipates that “the Israel issue is going to go away” and plans to refocus on anti-police, anti-capitalist, and anti-Zionist messaging, broadening targets and appeal.

• Forecast:
  “Make no mistake about it, it is a marker in time for this new era, this new offensive that has begun.”
  — Ryan Mauro [14:39]

3. The Rise of Turtle Island Narrative

Segment: [14:56–16:41]

• Movement’s Prognosis:
  Mauro predicts the Turtle Island Liberation movement will soon replace BLM as the main radical banner, leveraging historical narratives around indigenous suffering and American “original sin” to rally young people.

  “There’s this almost biblical narrative... Turtle island was the Garden of Eden. The capitalist white colonists... infected it like the snake. Now we need to restore the original Garden of Eden.”
  — Ryan Mauro [15:20]

• Networked Extremism:
  The propaganda is shown to cycle among varied political and religious outgroups, including “Christian anarchists” and even elements of right-wing extremism.

4. Challenges and Responses from Authorities

Segment: [16:41–19:04]

• Government Readiness:
  Mauro notes that, while some progress is made (“hats off to the FBI and Cash Patel”), most government agencies act only on tips or after-the-fact—meaning public/citizen intelligence gathering is crucial.

  “Remember that groups like the FBI... can’t just collect intelligence on everyone’s free speech-protected activity, but civilians can.”
  — Ryan Mauro [18:01]

• Need for Civil Engagement:
  A call for listeners to contribute intelligence and research, both to his group (ryanmauro.com) and the broader Capital Research Center initiative.

• Historical Narrative Defense:
  “We need... to use historical documents to tell the truth of everything that went on with the Native American tribes—the good, the bad, and the ugly. So that this type of simplistic hijacking... can’t really happen for these anti-American ends.”
  — Ryan Mauro [18:38]

5. Memorable Quotes & Commentary

• “You need to pay attention to what’s going on. Because this is not about the Jews. It’s about Western values... and God, period.”
  — Glenn Beck [22:18]

• “It’s all one seditionist movement."
  — Ryan Mauro [15:58]

6. Critique of Media Coverage

Segment: [34:00–36:48]

• Beck and Stu mock ABC News for describing the attackers as if their bombs weren’t “meant to hurt anyone,” and highlight the absurdity:

  “They’re not targeting anybody with the use of the pipe bombs.”
  — Glenn Beck [34:59]

  “And the only way that makes logical sense is if you don’t think ICE agents are people.”
  — Stu [35:42]

7. International Context—Europe on Edge

Segment: [36:48–39:49]

• French New Year’s Eve fireworks at the Arc de Triomphe are canceled for fear of “unpredictable crowd movements”—widely interpreted as a veiled security concern over immigrant/minority unrest or terrorism.

  “That’s like canceling Times Square... we’ve lost France.”
  — Glenn Beck [39:49]

8. Reflections: Humanity, Empathy & Holiday Stories

Segments across episode — [26:29–33:33] / [43:52–48:00] / [113:12–end]

• Personal stories: Glenn shares a story of Christmas charity involving his wife, local poverty, and the impulse to help children in need.

• Christmas Truce of 1914:
  Beck passionately reads original letters from soldiers who participated in the spontaneous WWI “Christmas Truce,” underscoring the resilience of shared humanity, even among enemies.

  “One could see that the man, the human being, lives on, even if he knows nothing more in these days than killing.”
  — German soldier’s letter, read by Glenn Beck [53:40]

• Memorable Song:
  The show debuts a new original song narrating the Christmas Truce, set to accompany a new history project Beck is launching in 2025 as “The Torch.”
  [63:37–68:53]

9. Forgiveness, Social Media, and Political Civility

Segment: [70:02–82:48]

• Glenn and Stu comment on President Trump’s insensitive social media remark about Rob Reiner after his death. Both host and co-host condemn the lack of empathy, explaining that, even under duress, leaders must hold the moral high ground.

  “We should be able to say to those that we love and respect: bad move. ...We take on our own all the time.”
  — Glenn Beck [77:43]

  “You can promise you I will not be tweeting anything like what Donald Trump tweeted... I really hope he has an awakening on at some point.”
  — Stu [82:48]

Segment Timestamps

• Episode Opening & Context: [00:00–03:45]
• Foiled Plot & TILF Details: [03:45–09:13]
• Interview: Ryan Mauro—Origins & Threats: [09:13–14:56]
• Expansion of Radical Narratives: [14:56–16:41]
• Authorities, Surveillance, & Citizen Action: [16:41–19:04]
• Call for Support to Mauro’s Research: [19:04–20:33]
• Current Threat Level (Europe/America): [36:48–39:49]
• Media Critique (ABC News Clip): [34:00–36:48]
• Christmas Truce History & Song Debut: [43:52–68:53]
• Reflections on Empathy & Tribalism: [70:02–82:48]
• End Cap: Holiday Charity, Simplicity, & Story of “It’s a Wonderful Life”: [112:53–end]

Notable Quotes (w/ Timestamps)

• Ryan Mauro [10:20]:
  “They would refuse to say Israel, they say Palestine, they refuse to say the United States, they say Turtle Island.”

• Glenn Beck [12:24]:
  “They’re all going to sort that out later. They just want to kill us first... then they’ll start eating each other.”

• Glenn Beck [22:18]:
  “Because this is not about the Jews. It’s about Western values... and God, period.”

• Glenn Beck [34:59]:
  “They’re not targeting anybody with the use of the pipe bombs.”

• Stu [35:42]:
  “And the only way that makes logical sense is if you don’t think ICE agents are people.”

• German soldier’s letter, read by Glenn Beck [53:40]:
  “One could see that the man, the human being, lives on, even if he knows nothing more in these days than killing.”

• Glenn Beck [77:43]:
  “We should be able to say to those that we love and respect: bad move... We take on our own all the time.”

Closing Themes

• Vigilance: The need for ordinary Americans to be alert to the spread of radical ideas and to support research and intelligence efforts.
• Empathy & Forgiveness: Holding onto core Western values—empathy, forgiveness—even in dark times.
• Importance of History: Understanding the past, both its tragedies and its redemptive moments, is vital; Beck’s new project aims to teach history in deeply human ways.
• Community Action: An ongoing call to listeners for charity (especially via Mercury One), engagement, and upholding civil society.

Additional Resources

• Ryan Mauro’s Research: ryanmauro.com
• Mercury One Charity: mercuryone.org
• The Torch/History Project: Announced for January—more at glennbeck.com

This episode serves as a warning and a rallying cry: pay attention to subversive ideological alliances threatening America, safeguard historical truth, assist your neighbors, and remember that hope shines brightest when the night is darkest.