The Glenn Beck Program

Episode: The Shocking Origins of the Deep State Finally Exposed
Date: February 18, 2026
Guests: Amb. Monica Crowley & Rep. Chip Roy

Overview

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program delves deeply into current geopolitical tension in the Middle East—specifically the escalating situation with Iran—alongside an exploration of the hidden history and evolution of the American "Deep State." Glenn is joined by Ambassador Monica Crowley, who draws parallels between Nixon-era machinations and today’s political climate, and Rep. Chip Roy, who discusses immigration, the cultural war, governmental shutdowns, and the future of the conservative movement. The episode is rich with historical insight, warnings about institutional power, and a rallying call for civic engagement.

Key Segments, Themes, and Insights

1. Iran Tensions: Will the U.S. Enter a Major War?

[03:26–17:58]

• Segment Focus: Breaking down U.S. military buildup in the Middle East and Axios reporting on Trump moving toward war with Iran. Glenn and chief researcher Jason Butrill examine what this could mean for Americans.
• Key Discussion:
  • Massive U.S. military mobilization in the region: 150 cargo flights of weapons, 50 fighter jets dispatched ([03:26]).
  • Possible "broader regional war" mainly executed as an air campaign, not a ground invasion ([07:18]).
  • "Every 12 hours or so, we're doubling what we're sending... a scenario that's very real." —Jason Butrill ([07:50])
  • Potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz and threat of Iranian sleeper cells globally ([09:30]).
  • Trump’s aversion to long, drawn-out wars and the complexities of regime change in Iran.
  • Parallels drawn to previous military conflicts, advances in U.S. military technology, and the role of cyber warfare ([13:30]).
  • Speculation on consequences: destabilization, oil market disruption, internal Iranian pressures, and sectarian struggles post-conflict.

2. The Rise and Role of the Deep State

[44:09–58:39]

• Segment Focus: Monica Crowley, former Nixon aide and Trump administration official, contextualizes the "deep state" by tracing its origins and development from Watergate to current times.
• Key Discussion:
  • Nixon learned from Eisenhower's warnings about the "military-industrial complex," now recognized as the deep state ([46:51]).
  • Nixon’s deliberate concentration of foreign policy power within the executive, leading to mistrust and surveillance by military/intelligence officials (“military spy ring in the White House”) ([50:04]).
  • Startling claim: "Of the seven Watergate defendants, six were linked to the CIA, and the other to the FBI... Bob Woodward was a Naval Intelligence officer read into the spy ring" ([51:59] Crowley).
  • Nixon’s self-sacrifice to “preserve the integrity of the military and the presidency,” letting the deep state narrative stand ([53:13-56:20]).
  • Historic roots of the deep state going back to Woodrow Wilson, globalist networks, and how modern presidents like Trump face and attempt to dismantle them.
  • "When Donald Trump comes back this time around, he's so much wiser... dismantling our deep state and the globalist deep state brick by brick." —Monica Crowley ([53:13]).

3. The War at Home: Immigration, Sharia Law, and Political Gamesmanship

[25:01–37:23]

• Segment Focus: Rep. Chip Roy joins to discuss debates about Islamification, the split between Muslims and “Islamists,” and strategies for countering creeping threats to constitutional values.
• Key Discussion:
  • Highlighting the advance of Sharia law and so-called “no-go zones” in Texas ([25:47]).
  • Distinctions between peaceful Muslims and Islamists opposed to the Constitution ([27:14], [28:02]).
  • Desire for legal scrutiny of organizations like CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood, which are described as pursuing the “Islamification of America” ([28:02-29:32]).
  • Roy’s view that the focus should be on defending American culture and constitutional law, supporting “peace through strength” in foreign policy, but resisting unnecessary military conflict ([29:53]).
• Government Shutdown and Political Tactics:
  • ICE shutdown: Impacts mainly DHS, not ICE directly; implications for airports and political maneuvering surrounding the SAVE America Act ([31:18–37:23]).
  • Explanation and defense of a talking filibuster as a return to authentic Senate procedure ([34:08]), with Roy lampooning Democrats: "Most of them are over like 97... half of them like it’s a nursing home." ([36:12–36:16])

4. Cultural, Historical, and Civic Reflections

[68:37–75:36]

• **Glenn Beck shares a moving story about Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and the little-known role of Elizabeth Keckley, a former slave and confidant to Mary Todd Lincoln, to highlight the importance of history, humility, and continuity in American life.
• Inclusion of an original song dramatizing Keckley’s devotion and the grieving aftermath of Lincoln’s death.
  • “A woman stitched the nation’s wounds with every thread she’d sew…” ([75:36])

5. AI, Consciousness, and Social Change

[107:55–119:38]

• Discussion of claims by AI firm Anthropic that they’re no longer sure if their chatbot "Claude" is conscious.
• Glenn warns this is mostly marketing, but cautions listeners about a future where people may demand “rights” for their AI agents.
• Detailed argument about how AI will become so personal and anthropomorphic that people may lose agency or even advocate politically for their “own” machines ([107:55–119:38]).
  • “At what point...do you start saying it’s alive and we have to let it out?...We are slave owners…” — Glenn Beck ([107:55])
• Raises further questions about Meta’s patent for a posthumous AI poster—framing it as the first step toward "living forever" digitally.

6. The True Meaning of Ash Wednesday

[85:35–95:50]

• Glenn explains the roots of Ash Wednesday as a universal, humbling ritual with lessons for all—reminding listeners, “You are temporary. From dust you came and to dust you’ll return.”
• Parallels drawn between spiritual humility and the humility needed in public and political life.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Iran situation:
  • “Every 12 hours or so, we’re doubling what we’re sending ... it’s pretty remarkable.” —Jason Butrill ([07:50])
  • “All you have to do is just buy time ... Trump knows that.” —Glenn Beck ([19:58])
• On the Deep State and Nixon:
  • “He was excluding the military, ... the CIA, they're all going crazy, Glenn, because he's keeping all of the secrets to himself.” —Monica Crowley ([50:04])
  • “The five Watergate burglars ... six were linked to the CIA, and the other one to the FBI. ... Bob Woodward was a Naval Intelligence officer ... planted as a ‘journalist.’” —Monica Crowley ([51:59])
• On Trump vs. Deep State:
  • “Donald Trump ... is dismantling our deep state and the globalist deep state brick by brick. ... He’s cutting off their sources of funding, which are all illicit and very dark.” —Monica Crowley ([53:13])
• On talking filibuster:
  • “No, you’re not changing the filibuster. You’re actually restoring it ... We need Mr. Smith to go back to Washington.” —Glenn Beck ([34:08])
• On AI:
  • “At what point...do you start saying it’s alive and we have to let it out? ... We are slave owners. ... That is not far-fetched and it is not far away.” —Glenn Beck ([107:55])
• On mortality and humility:
  • “Ash Wednesday doesn’t care. ... Your life is short, dude. What are you going to do with the very limited time ... before you return to dust and ashes?” —Glenn Beck ([95:50])

Major Timestamps

• 03:26 – U.S. military buildup and rising Iran tensions
• 13:30 – Cyber warfare and possibilities in future conflicts
• 25:47 – Chip Roy on Islamification and constitutional values in Texas
• 31:18 – ICE shutdown analysis and political impacts
• 44:09 – Monica Crowley on Nixon, Watergate, and the Deep State
• 51:59 – Bombshell details: Watergate, CIA/FBI, Bob Woodward's alleged background
• 53:13 – How Trump is confronting the Deep State today
• 68:37 – Lincoln/Keckley historical vignette and song
• 85:35 – The meaning and legacy of Ash Wednesday
• 107:55 – AI consciousness, social dilemmas, and digital immortality
• 121:21 – AI adoption questions and Glenn’s response on humanizing technology

Tonal Notes

• Engaged, urgent, occasionally humorous (e.g., ribbing about the Democrats' ages, Glenn’s medical “credentials”).
• Deeply skeptical of mainstream narratives, government motives, and technological utopianism.
• Emotionally compelling when telling American historical stories.
• Patriotic, civic-minded, always advocating for engagement and vigilance.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program is a sweeping conversation connecting today’s political struggles—border security, government shutdown maneuvering, deepening geopolitical crisis with Iran—with the hidden history behind the term “deep state,” as exposed through never-before-discussed insights from the Nixon era. Monica Crowley offers explosive revelations comparing Watergate to Russiagate, and reveals the playbook being used against Trump. Chip Roy provides on-the-ground perspective on culture wars and Senate tactics. Interwoven throughout are warnings and philosophical questions about technology, the meaning of history, and the enduring humility required by Ash Wednesday.

If you seek unfiltered perspectives on history, politics, and American renewal, this is a can’t-miss episode.