Podcast Summary
The Glenn Beck Program
Episode: The Attack on Our National Guardsmen Reveals a DEEPER Threat
Date: December 1, 2025
Guests: John Rich, Alex Newman
Main Theme
This episode centers on the deeper systemic and cultural threats revealed by recent attacks involving Afghan refugees and the broader issues of vetting, immigration, and the erosion of constitutional principles in America. Glenn Beck argues that political failures around refugee resettlement and border control are endangering American society, while also discussing the growing threats posed by international actors (Venezuela, China, Russia) and internal division. The episode features insights from country music artist John Rich on child trafficking and investigative journalist Alex Newman on global climate policy and its hidden ideological implications.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Failures of Vetting and Refugee Policy
- Beck critiques the failed vetting process during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal (03:30–14:00), highlighting reports of criminal activity and terrorism ties among some evacuees.
- Notably, he states:
“We didn’t perform a moral rescue as a government. We performed a political evacuation.” — Glenn Beck (14:00)
- Notably, he states:
- Historical analogy: Beck draws parallels to other falling civilizations, asserting that ignorance about who enters the nation marks a country in decline.
- “A mark of a nation in decline is whether it can confess, it can admit to its own mistakes, talk about the truth and the consequences.” (15:00)
- Critique of media silence and the difficulty of publicly raising concerns without facing accusations of bigotry or Islamophobia.
- Vetting methods at Mercury One: Beck details how his organization conducted strict vetting, focusing on rescuing Christians and U.S. allies, contrasting with the State Department’s more lenient approach. He offers to "write the check to Guantanamo" if anyone he helped later commits a crime in the U.S. (68:18–70:10)
2. Distinguishing Islam from Islamism
- Beck draws a clear line between peaceful Muslims and political Islamists (18:00–23:00).
- “Islamism is not a religion. It is a totalitarian system... Islamism is Communism with a crescent moon. Islamism is fascism in a mosque.” — Glenn Beck (18:00)
- Asserts the U.S. has the moral duty to welcome refugees fleeing persecution, but must be vigilant against political Islamist ideologies infiltrating society.
- Advocates defending constitutional values without adopting authoritarian measures.
3. Response to Attacks & Media Narratives
- Discussion of attacks allegedly involving Afghan refugees and media downplaying or dismissing the connection (25:19–28:00).
- Emphasis on the importance of clarity over cruelty:
"The Constitution demands something from us. You have to distinguish between peaceful Muslims and political Islamists." (28:00)
- Emphasis on the importance of clarity over cruelty:
- Critique of politicians (e.g., Mark Kelly) and media figures for conflating security concerns with racism and for politicizing military compliance (59:23–66:55).
- “The United States soldier does not need your opinion on this, Mr. Kelly. They know exactly what a lawful order is.” — Jason Buttrill (63:09)
4. Constitutional Principles for National Security
- Existing laws already provide tools to address terrorism, illegal advocacy of violence, and foreign political funding—no need for more laws or surveillance (28:00–32:00).
- First Amendment protects religion, not political tyranny masquerading as religion.
- Deportation as legal/moral: Non-citizens advocating for or funding terrorism should be removed (32:00–34:00).
- Cutting terror funding: Follow the money—target foreign financial flows supporting Islamist networks.
5. Venezuela & The Military
- Jason Buttrill discusses the Venezuela situation—Maduro’s regime, narco-terror networks, and U.S. strategy (48:29–59:23).
- U.S. targeting "Cartel of the Suns," a Venezuelan military-led cartel allegedly connected to both drugs and terrorism.
- “This is a terror hub... It goes way beyond just narco groups coming from Venezuela.” — Jason Buttrill (54:20)
- Current political tension over Democrats warning military not to follow “illegal” presidential orders—Beck and Buttrill argue this undermines the Constitution and morale.
6. Economic Insights
- Explores declining value of the U.S. dollar through a playful historic lens (72:00–76:00).
- “Gold hasn’t changed price. Dollars have dropped in value.” — Glenn Beck (74:23)
- Notes concerning spending and inflation trends during the holiday shopping season.
7. John Rich Interview: Child Trafficking & The Righteous Hunter
- John Rich discusses his new song and video aimed at raising awareness about online child predators (92:03–103:32).
- “When I started realizing the extent of child predators and the networks... I was so overwhelmed... They are that tricky, that demonic.” — John Rich (92:23)
- Song inspired by personal fatherhood, shocking statistics from DHS (36M child-targeted online reports in a year), and the biblical call for parents to be proactive protectors.
- Powerful anecdote: Beck shares a personal near-miss with an online predator involving his son (94:00–95:32).
- Rich calls for parental vigilance and for parents to “cancel Meta” due to lax enforcement on trafficking accounts (102:04–102:33).
- On societal decline:
- “Degree by degree, they have come further and further into the house of Americans and conditioned those kids and parents to just consider it normal.” — John Rich (100:07)
- Rich identifies the battle against trafficking as spiritual warfare, citing Christ’s warning about harming children.
8. Alex Newman Interview: The UN Climate Summit and Globalism
- Newman explains that the latest UN COP climate summit (COP30) was notable for no U.S. delegation (for first time in 30 years), due to the Trump administration's boycott (114:35–117:56).
- While some see this as positive, others driven to pass new global agreements in America's absence, banking on future administrations to implement them.
- Critiques the performative nature of climate agreements—China and India are expanding fossil fuels while Western nations are pressured to deindustrialize.
- “When they talk about phasing out fossil fuels, everybody there knows the communist Chinese and India... are not going to phase out fossil fuels.” — Alex Newman (117:56)
- Describes spiritual/religious undertones at the summits (worship of nature, re-paganization), and exhibits (like the “demonic” dragon-jaguar COP30 mascot) provoking Christian backlash (121:11–123:39).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On National Security, Refugees, and Truth
- 14:00 – “We didn’t perform a moral rescue as a government. We performed a political evacuation. And I was there. So I know it.” — Glenn Beck
- 15:00 – “A mark of a nation in decline is whether it can confess, it can admit to its own mistakes, talk about the truth and the consequences.” — Glenn Beck
On Islamism vs. Islam
- 18:00 – “Islamism is not a religion. It is a totalitarian system... Islamism is Communism with a crescent moon. Islamism is fascism in a mosque.” — Glenn Beck
On Political Courage and Constitutional Principles
- 28:00 – “The Constitution demands something from us. You have to distinguish between peaceful Muslims and political Islamists.” — Glenn Beck
On U.S. Soldiers and Lawful Orders
- 63:09 – “The United States soldier does not need your opinion on this, Mr. Kelly. They know exactly what a lawful order is.” — Jason Buttrill
John Rich on Child Trafficking
- 92:23 – “I was so overwhelmed by it. I couldn’t believe the numbers. The Department of Homeland Security told me that in a 12 month period, they received 36 million reports of their kids being targeted online by child sex predators.” — John Rich
- 100:07 – “Degree by degree, they have come further and further into the house of Americans and conditioned those kids and parents to just consider it normal. And that’s the trick. That’s the deception.” — John Rich
On Global Climate Policy
- 117:56 – “When they talk about phasing out fossil fuels, everybody there knows that the communist Chinese and India and the Arab government, they’re not going to phase out fossil fuels... this is a tool for dismantling the economies of the west.” — Alex Newman
On the COP30 “Demonic” Mascot
- 121:11 – “It’s a big giant leopard dragon jaguar thing with big devil horn sticking out the top, holding the whole world in its hands... Brazilian Christians said, ‘Hey, Brazil belongs to Jesus Christ, not to your demon guardian, dragon, devil, spirit, whatever. Get that thing out of our country.’” — Alex Newman
On Spiritual Warfare
- 103:22 – “We are up against an army, battalion, legions of demons in this world. They possess people just like you and I are possessed by the Holy Spirit... it is an actual straight up war.” — John Rich
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Timestamp | Segment Summary | | :-------- | :------------------------ | | 03:30–14:00 | U.S. government failures during Afghanistan evacuation, vetting, and consequences | | 18:00–23:00 | Islam vs. Islamism, speech vs. silence, defense of civilization | | 25:19–34:00 | Media coverage, distinguishing between Muslims/Islamists, constitutional tools | | 48:29–59:23 | Venezuela update with Jason Buttrill; cartel, narco-terrorism, U.S. involvement | | 59:23–66:55 | Military orders, Mark Kelly controversy, lawfulness, military morale discussion | | 68:18–70:10 | Beck clarifies refugee vetting by Mercury One and promises accountability | | 72:00–76:00 | Economics: Declining value of the dollar, gold vs. inflation | | 92:03–103:32 | John Rich interview: child trafficking, new song “Righteous Hunter,” call to action | | 114:35–124:47 | Alex Newman interview: COP30 climate summit, global climate politics, spiritual implications |
Flow & Tone
- Glenn Beck’s tone is deeply concerned, at times urgent and combative, especially when discussing governmental and cultural failures.
- He emphasizes plain speech and constitutional values, frequently invoking American history, morality, and faith as bulwarks.
- Interviews with John Rich and Alex Newman are intensive, personal, and issue-driven. Rich’s segment is especially emotional and direct.
- Throughout, Beck uses anecdotes, historical analogy, and humor (sometimes black or self-deprecating) to keep the discussion engaging even when the themes are weighty or controversial.
Final Thoughts
This episode is a sweeping review of current threats—external and internal—to the American nation, its culture, and its Constitution. Glenn Beck blends policy critique, personal experience, and moral exhortation, challenging listeners to recognize uncomfortable truths, take spiritual and civic responsibility, and act with clarity and courage.
The presence of John Rich and Alex Newman enhances the show’s broader thesis: Western civilization is vulnerable not only to external actors and globalists but also to internal failures of courage, vigilance, and virtue.