The Jim Acosta Show

Episode: Previewing No Kings 2 with Tara Setmayer and Rep. Jim Himes on Hegseth's Pentagon Meltdown
Date: October 14, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jim Acosta previews the upcoming No Kings 2 protest rally, responding to Republican attacks labeling it as a “Hate America rally.” Joined by Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT), ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, and Tara Setmayer, co-founder of the Seneca Project, the conversation weaves through escalating authoritarian rhetoric, the abuse of executive power, ongoing domestic and foreign policy crises, and the swelling importance of organized protest in defense of American democracy. The hosts discuss broader implications around law enforcement, press freedom, youth radicalization, and the urgent need for moral courage.

Key Discussion Points

1. Trump's Authoritarian Language and the Insurrection Act

• [00:35–03:17]
  • Trump’s repeated suggestion of invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy troops domestically.
  • Acosta questions if Trump can be preemptively stopped, or if only the courts can restrain him.
  • Rep. Jim Himes:

    “The whole Trump thing is to just push and push and push ... until either the courts or somebody tells you you can't keep going...” (01:41)

    • Himes stresses that while the president has legal authority to invoke the Act, there’s no present insurrection, and Trump’s rhetoric “toxifies our politics” and increases risk of real violence.

2. The No Kings Rally and GOP ‘Hate America’ Claims

• [01:19–02:34], [22:33–27:32]
  • Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson, call No Kings 2 a “Hate America rally.”
  • The phrase “No Kings” itself is reclaimed as a core democratic value:

    “If there’s two words that define why we have America, those two words would be No Kings.”
    – Rep. Himes, (02:22)

  • Tara Setmayer fiercely rebuts:

    “How dare they call this a Hate America rally... They have the audacity to say those of us standing up... that we're the ones that hate America. They hate everything that makes America great. We represent what makes America great.”
    – Tara Setmayer, (23:23–24:47)

  • Setmayer ties protest to the highest American ideals and notes the peaceful, patriotic tenor of prior No Kings rallies versus January 6th.

3. Middle East Developments and Media Overhype

• [03:17–06:19]
  • Initial optimistic reports about peace in the Middle East following hostage releases are tempered by continued violence and political gamesmanship—hostages released, carnage paused, but long-term peace remains distant. Biden’s diplomacy set the stage; Trump finalized the deal (“kudos, credit where due,” Himes).

    “Anybody who's putting a very big bet that there's going to be... reconstruction starting next week, you are out of your mind.”
    – Rep. Himes, (06:05)

4. Extrajudicial Strikes in the Caribbean

• [06:19–08:27]
  • Discussion of U.S. strikes on suspected drug traffickers off Venezuela’s coast; Rep. Himes is alarmed:

    “We are murdering people in the Caribbean... With, and illegally killing people in boats right now... Deliberately targeting civilians.”
    – Rep. Himes, (06:52–07:10)

  • He argues that proper procedure is interdiction and arrest for intelligence and legality.

5. Executive Overreach and Government Shutdown

• [08:27–12:38]
  • Trump’s Office of Management and Budget’s shutdown tactics, selectively paying troops and law enforcement while planning federal layoffs, sidestepping Congressional authority.
  • Rep. Himes:

    “If Joe Biden had done that, my Republican colleagues would be burning this building down right now.” (09:47)

  • He calls for holding Congress accountable during shutdowns by withholding members’ pay.

6. Pentagon Press Crackdown and Pete Hegseth’s ‘Meltdown’

• [12:38–18:03]
  • Pete Hegseth’s press restrictions at the Pentagon receive virtually no support from legitimate news outlets.

    “The rules also say that you will pre-clear your stories with the Pentagon brass, which is… completely inconsistent with what reporters do.”
    – Rep. Himes, (15:12)

  • Himes ties the necessity of a free press to lessons from history (e.g., Pentagon Papers) and cautions against press crackdown as an “operational detail” MAGA wants to impose.

7. US Foreign Aid, the $20 Billion Argentina Bailout

• [18:03–21:21]
  • Trump’s proposed $20 billion bailout for Argentina amid domestic suffering and government shutdown:

    “Donald Trump is bailing out Argentina, and the MAGA folks are just as, as, as quiet as can be…”
    – Rep. Himes, (18:59)

  • Critiques hypocrisy of targeting “Democratic programs” while supporting ideological friends abroad.

8. Grassroots Movement and the Seneca Project’s Role

• [27:32–31:22]
  • Seneca Project’s partnership with Indivisible, use of inspirational videos to galvanize protest.
  • Emphasis on collective action, the enduring power of peaceful protest, and women at the forefront.
  • Acosta and Setmayer celebrate ‘No Kings’ as a “love letter to democracy.”

    “It's restoring my faith in humanity... We are stronger together.”
    – Video participant, (29:00–29:14)

9. ICE Tactics and Domestic Authoritarianism

• [31:52–38:14]
  • Videos and reports emerge of ICE targeting civilians, including a teenager in Illinois.
  • Setmayer, from a law enforcement family:

    “I am so infuriated and disgusted with the behavior of those federal officers... My grandfather... is spinning in his grave at the dishonor that this behavior is bringing to law enforcement. More... need to stand up and speak out against what the hell is happening here.”
    – Tara Setmayer, (36:13–37:01)

  • Argues the “cruelty is the point” for MAGA, but citizen activism, video documentation, and protest are turning the tide.

10. MAGA Youth Radicalization & Republican Party Decline

• [38:45–44:21]
  • Alarming stories of racist, violent chatrooms among MAGA youth and normalization of hate symbols.
  • Setmayer recalls how campus Republicanism once focused on debate over policy, not hate.

    “We weren't talking about this kind of...”
    – Setmayer, (41:58)

  • Party structure is now overtaken by the fringe, leading to a “death cult.”

11. Moral Courage—A Call to Action

• [44:21–46:22]
  • Setmayer previews her TED Talk, Stand Up or Stand By: Is Moral Courage the Revolution We Need?
  • “We are faced right now with a moral decision. Will you stand up or will you stand by in this moment when history is calling?”
    – Setmayer, (46:08)

12. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Surprising Critiques and a Note of Political Irony

• [47:39–51:42]
  • Acosta reflects humorously on agreeing (occasionally) with Marjorie Taylor Greene as she criticizes “weak Republican men” and comments on Obamacare spikes.
  • Setmayer notes MTG’s political shrewdness but warns not to absolve past extremism:

    “If she is legitimately had a come to Jesus moment ... that would be something. But she hasn’t done that yet. So, I'm like, okay... it's baby steps.”
    – Setmayer, (48:46–49:56)

  • They joke about inviting MTG to No Kings Day, hinting at the shifting sands within the GOP.

Notable Quotes

• Jim Himes (on No Kings):
  “If there’s two words that define why we have America, those two words would be No Kings.” (02:22)

• Tara Setmayer (on protest):
  “We represent what makes America great. And that starts with exercising our First Amendment right to protest what Donald Trump and his fascist, authoritarian henchmen are trying to foist on this country.” (23:23–24:47)

• Jim Acosta (on January 6th vs. protest):
  “The last Hate America rally I think I saw was on January 6th. They hated democracy. They hated that we had an election that Donald Trump didn’t win.” (24:47–25:06)

• Jim Himes (on ICE operations):
  “We are murdering people in the Caribbean... The President does not have the authority... There is a difference between a cartel and ISIS, and if you lose the meaning of that difference, you got a real problem.” (07:03–07:30)

• Tara Setmayer (on law enforcement):
  “You take an oath. Right? Protect and serve. You don’t take an oath to terrorize people.” (37:01–37:10)

• Acosta (on youth radicalization):
  “A permission structure has been created, an ecosystem has been created for this kind of vile crap. And... it’s toxic. And I'm worried that it’s spreading among young people in this country.” (42:22–42:44)

• Setmayer (on Republican party evolution):
  “The Republican Party is now MAGA. It is a fascist nationalist populist movement that is run by an authoritarian dictator... It’s now a death cult because we don't believe in science anymore, apparently.” (44:21–45:46)

• Setmayer (summoning urgency):
  “We are now at another inflection point where history is calling. Will we answer? That's what we are faced with.” (26:41)

Key Moments & Timestamps

• Trump & Insurrection Act: 00:35–01:41
• Speaker Johnson “Hate America” comments & protest history: 02:00–03:00
• Middle East updates (hostages, peace, overhype): 03:17–06:19
• Caribbean strikes & extrajudicial killings: 06:19–08:27
• Shutdown shenanigans & OMB overreach: 08:27–12:38
• Hegseth, Pentagon, and press restrictions: 12:38–18:03
• Argentina Bailout Hypocrisy: 18:03–21:21
• Seneca Project video & protest organization: 27:32–29:56
• ICE’s abusive tactics: 32:19–37:10
• MAGA youth radicalization: 38:45–44:21
• Setmayer’s TED Talk/Moral courage: 44:21–46:22
• Marjorie Taylor Greene ironies and calls for protest unity: 47:39–51:04

Concluding Thoughts

The episode illustrates a moment of national peril and possibility: established democratic guardrails are under stress, activists are mobilizing, and the American tradition of protest is reaffirmed as essential. Both guests underline the urgency of public engagement and moral courage in response to authoritarian drift. The conversation balances alarm over abuses of power with hope that mass mobilization—like No Kings 2—can help preserve democracy.

Guest List:

• Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), Ranking Member, House Intelligence Committee
• Tara Setmayer, Co-founder, The Seneca Project

Podcast Host:

• Jim Acosta

Next Event:

• No Kings 2 Rally, Saturday

This summary captures the episode's key topics, memorable moments, and the authentic tone of the discussion for listeners seeking a comprehensive briefing without promotional or filler content.