The Jim Acosta Show

Episode: Steve Schmidt on Occupied DC and Glenn Kirschner on Judges Calling BS on Trump's Epstein Games
Date: August 21, 2025
Host: Jim Acosta
Guests: Steve Schmidt & Glenn Kirschner

Episode Overview

This intense episode focuses on the ongoing “occupation” of Washington, D.C., by National Guard units from Republican-led states under orders from President Donald Trump, labeled “Occupied DC.” Host Jim Acosta is joined by political strategist Steve Schmidt and legal analyst Glenn Kirschner. The conversation explores the chilling spectacle of military presence in the US capital, the politicization of the military, parallels to fascist tactics, the weaponization of government, the prospect of political violence, the erosion of democratic institutions, and the legal maneuvering surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files controversy. Central to the discussion is a sense of alarm, determination, and a call for citizen vigilance and defiance in defense of American democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. D.C. Under Military Occupation

[00:00–05:08]

• Scene Setting: Acosta reports live from D.C., describing the city as being transformed into “occupied territory,” citing a mass deployment (about 2,000 National Guard troops) from Republican states.
• Spectacle and Purpose: Both Acosta and Schmidt see the deployment as theater—a show of force aimed not at safety, but at producing imagery for right-wing media consumption.
• Alienation of the Military: Schmidt warns that using the military this way wrecks public trust.
  Quote: “The era of thank you for your service has, has officially ended in America, even if we haven't caught up to that reality.” — Steve Schmidt [03:34]

2. Racial and Political Undertones

[02:06–05:08]

• Targeting Black Communities: Schmidt notes the optics of troops from Mississippi deployed to "an all black city," highlighting racism embedded in the operation.
• What if Roles Were Reversed?: Acosta challenges how red states would react if the political shoe were on the other foot.
  Quote: “What would these states do if a Democratic president sent Democratic National Guard members into their backyards?” — Jim Acosta [05:04]

3. Militarization as a Distraction and Escalation

[07:08–09:25]

• Epstein Distraction: Acosta suggests the troop presence may also be a distraction from the brewing Epstein files scandal.
• Dangerous Precedent: Both agree Trump “wants a spark” and is potentially provoking unrest, likening the situation to crises such as Fort Sumter and Tiananmen Square.

4. Possibility of Political Violence

[10:26–11:30]

• Trigger Point: Both fear National Guard troops being ordered to fire on citizens. Schmidt references his Iraq experience to emphasize the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of occupation and insurrection. Quote: “Are American soldiers going to be ordered to raise their weapons... and open fire on American citizens like Chinese troops did in Tiananmen Square?” — Steve Schmidt [08:14]

5. Media, Government, and Democracy Under Siege

[11:30–17:47]

• Propaganda: Acosta and Schmidt condemn FOX News and right-wing media for amplifying propaganda—labeling the coverage “fascist pornography.”
• Insurrectionists in Office: Acosta points out that many current officials are veterans of January 6 or are actively hostile to democratic institutions.

6. Resilience, Defiance, and Voting

[19:30–21:30]

• States Fighting Back: Schmidt highlights strong leadership by some governors (e.g., Washington State) and calls for coordinated resistance among Democratic governors.
• Defending the Vote: Advocates for citizen vigilance—poll watching, documentation, mass turnout—so no force can prevent Americans from voting. Quote: “Every polling station in the country is going to have to be covered by multiple angles, by multiple cameras... every American patriot will have to commit themselves to voting and... to being defiant in the face of any force that says you don't get a say.” — Steve Schmidt [19:56]

7. Redistricting, Political Overreach, and the Midterms

[22:01–25:00]

• Manipulation Fails: Schmidt is confident that aggressive Republican gerrymandering and overreach (especially regarding Latino voters in Texas) will ultimately backfire and predicts an electoral backlash.

8. Crisis of Democratic Legitimacy

[25:00–31:37]

• Will Election Results Be Honored?: Acosta voices concern over what happens if election outcomes are not respected, warning that civic resistance may be necessary. Quote: “The public may have to rise up and say that these election results are going to stand whether you like it or not.” — Jim Acosta [25:37]
• Historical Analogies: Schmidt invokes Lexington & Concord, Normandy, and fascism, arguing that U.S. history demands defiance against tyranny.

9. Resisting Authoritarian Power—A Call to Action

[31:37–35:28]

• Breaking Power Pools: Schmidt argues for transferring power from elites to the people, breaking up corporations’ and tech executives’ dominance, and weakening the overgrowth of the presidency.

10. The Challenge for Democrats

[35:28–38:06]

• Toughness Required: Both argue Democrats need to act with the same ruthlessness as Republicans to stop the slide toward authoritarianism. Quote: “Until the Democrats start acting like Republicans, you better get ready for living in some sort of form of Putin's Russia right here in America, because that's what Donald Trump is delivering right now.” — Jim Acosta [37:16]

Glenn Kirschner Segment: Courts Expose Trump’s Diversion on Epstein Files

11. Legal Battle Over Epstein Files

[38:06–46:50]

• Judges See Through Diversion: Kirschner details how three federal judges (two in NY, one in FL) called out DOJ motions to unseal Epstein grand jury transcripts as “a diversion” and using “demonstrably false reasoning” for the illusion of transparency. Quote: “When a federal court judge says that about a DOJ attorney, you know what happens? You instantly get referred... for an ethics investigation. ...That is an ethical violation for which they should be held accountable.” — Glenn Kirschner [51:24]
• Weaponization of DOJ: Trump loyalists in DOJ are bypassing career prosecutors; Kirschner shares how abnormal it is for political appointees to file these motions.

12. Military Obedience and Lawfulness

[41:52–45:17]

• Unlawful Orders: Kirschner, drawing on Army JAG experience, explains military personnel are not just bound to obey, but must disobey patently illegal orders (e.g., to fire on unarmed civilians), but notes the risk and complexity due to “gray areas.” Quote: “You must disobey patently unlawful orders.” — Glenn Kirschner [42:34]

13. Safeguarding Democracy

[54:23–56:19]

• Transparency at Risk: There’s little expectation DOJ will release anything substantive about Trump in the Epstein files. Judicial scrutiny and FOIA efforts may eventually bring the truth forward.

14. Hope and Endurance

[56:49–57:49]

• Long Haul Mindset: Kirschner compares the legal fight for justice to a “quest,” not a sprint or marathon, and expresses faith that constitutional forces will win—at a heavy cost. Quote: “I have to believe the forces that, that care about the rule of law and the Constitution will ultimately win in the long run.” — Glenn Kirschner [57:43]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “FOX has gone from fascist propaganda to fascist pornography.”
  — Jim Acosta [04:16]

• “If I had said in May of 2024...that this would happen, you would have been labeled a nut. And yet, here we go.”
  — Steve Schmidt [01:21]

• “The U.S. military... will be profoundly alienated regarding the affections of the American people.”
  — Steve Schmidt [03:18]

• “When you cancel the election or suggest that it should, or say that he should be president for life, what do you think will happen?”
  — Steve Schmidt [09:12]

• “Occupation is as un American a thing as a person in power could ever conceivably do.”
  — Steve Schmidt [03:27]

• “We're not going to cower in fear... We're going to go toe to toe with them. And I believe that the forces of Good...are going to win.”
  — Glenn Kirschner [39:46]

• “D.C. deserves statehood, not a police state.”
  — Jim Acosta [end wrap-up]

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–05:08 — Scene setting: D.C. “occupied,” racial/political implications, “theater” for right-wing media.
• 08:14–09:25 — Warning about escalation: Could troops be ordered to fire on Americans?
• 14:33–15:31 — Schmidt recounts Gen. Honore post-Katrina: “Lower your weapons, you’re in the United States.”
• 19:56–21:30 — States resisting; the call for poll watching and voting as defiant action.
• 25:00–26:10 — Will election results be honored? Could require public uprising.
• 31:37–32:43 — Invocation of American patriot spirit, “the right stuff.”
• 37:16 — Acosta: Unless Dems get as tough as GOP, "get ready for Putin's Russia."
• 41:52–45:17 — Kirschner explains military lawfulness and unlawful orders.
• 49:57, 51:24 — Federal judges rebuke Trump DOJ’s “diversion” and “demonstrably false reasoning” on Epstein files.
• 56:19–57:49 — Kirschner: The legal fight will be long but justice will win.

Tone and Language

Throughout, the conversation is urgent, forthright, sometimes darkly humorous, and unapologetically partisan, with language reflecting alarm at authoritarianism and contempt for those subverting democracy. Both guests and the host emphasize hope, endurance, and a demand for courage—directly challenging listeners to reject fear and lies, and defend American democracy.

Takeaway

The episode offers a sobering, unflinching examination of a pivotal political and legal crisis in America, with strong warnings about the slide toward authoritarianism. It blends reporting, analysis, personal anecdotes, and a deep sense of patriotic commitment, urging listeners to be vigilant, engaged, and unafraid in the face of dangerous times.