The Josh Hammer Show

Episode: The Return of #MeToo, Iran End Game & Biden’s DOJ Exposed

Date: April 14, 2026
Host: Josh Hammer
Featured Guest: Lee Smith, Tablet Magazine

Episode Overview

In this episode, Josh Hammer returns to the mic to tackle a whirlwind of breaking political, legal, and cultural stories. He covers the escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran, the delicate Israel-Lebanon negotiations, exposes a major DOJ report detailing alleged weaponization under the Biden administration, and analyzes the sudden resurgence of the #MeToo movement in Congress—with high-profile resignations across party lines. Special guest Lee Smith joins to provide expert commentary on Middle Eastern geopolitics and the evolving perception of Israel in American politics.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Iran: Nuclear Negotiations Collapse & U.S. Blockade

[00:25–10:30]

• Josh recaps the collapse of Iran nuclear talks in Islamabad, noting Iran's unwillingness to meaningfully negotiate:
  • “Iranians were ultimately unwilling to negotiate, were unwilling to sufficiently give in to American requirements when it comes to their nuclear enrichment. And this, of course, is the least surprising thing in the world for those of us who pay attention to such matters.” (03:35)
• Criticism of deploying the Vice President to "a ridiculous farcical dog and pony show":
  • The gesture was aimed at impressing U.S. allies rather than realistic negotiation.
• Josh references Iran’s theological doctrine permitting deception in dealings with non-Muslims, arguing this undermines any faith in talks.
• U.S. Navy now enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports, aiming to ensure safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz:
  • “The US Navy is currently engaging in an operation, probably overdue, to try to ensure safe passage while simultaneously trying to impose a blockade on Iran’s various ports.” (06:40)
• Iran’s threats of escalation and the increasingly tenuous ceasefire brokered by Trump.
• Israel’s parallel campaign in southern Lebanon against a weakened but active Hezbollah:
  • Josh details the assassinations of Hezbollah’s leadership and Iran’s stake in the region.

2. Israel-Lebanon Direct Talks

[10:30, 17:42–20:24]

• For the first time in 30 years, Israel and Lebanon sit down for direct talks in Washington, DC—presided over by Marco Rubio’s State Department.
• The talks are unlikely to yield quick results, given entrenched opposition to peace among segments of Lebanese society.
• Discussion of Lebanon’s current leadership’s anti-Hezbollah rhetoric vs. their willingness to act.

3. The Trump-Pope Leo Feud & Just War Theory

[11:51–12:44, 24:53–29:40]

• Trump posts an AI image of himself as Jesus, sparking controversy and condemnation from Pope Leo.
  • Pope Leo: Current U.S. actions in Iran are not “just war” by Catholic doctrine.
  • Josh (as a Jew) expresses respect for Catholic just war thinking but pushes back:
    • “Frankly, again, I’m open to the argument there, but I…don’t find that particularly persuasive…I don’t think Donald Trump, frankly, on this, be a little clumsy…But fundamentally, on the case for the war, Donald Trump is right.” (12:28)
• References to direct threats against Trump from the IRGC, used to justify the U.S. response.

4. Expert Interview: Lee Smith on the Middle East

[13:48–23:32]

US–Iran Escalation

[13:48–15:39]

• Lee expects conventional hostilities to resume soon, as the U.S. is set on acquiring Iran’s remaining highly enriched uranium:
  • “Either they [Iran] can give up that highly enriched uranium or the United States will take it.” (15:11)
• The initial campaign degraded Iran’s navy and airforce but the major strategic objective—removal of uranium—is pending.

Israel’s Role & Southern Lebanon Operations

[16:20–20:24]

• The focus on degrading Iran’s missile capabilities, not just nuclear:
  • Trump and Netanyahu coordinated to address Iran’s conventional missile “curtain.”
• Israel’s ground campaign in southern Lebanon is described as “astonishing,” dismantling long-lasting Hezbollah strongholds.

U.S. Diplomacy and Perceptions

[20:24–23:32]

• Talks between Israel and Lebanon seen more as a U.S. diplomatic show than a path to imminent peace.
• Lee is skeptical of any near-term disarmament of Hezbollah by Lebanon independently of Israel’s actions.

Declining U.S. Public Support for Israel

[20:24–23:32]

• Recent Pew polls underscore a generational and partisan split, with Democratic support for Israel “catastrophically unpopular.”
• Lee traces this to long-term academic and cultural shifts within the Democratic base, as well as changing U.S. immigration patterns.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Iranian negotiating tactics:

  • Josh: “They do not operate in good faith, period. Full stop, end of story.” (05:20)

• On the U.S. blockade as an act of war:

  • “Arguably, frankly, a Cassis Bellian act of war unto itself. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing—we’re currently engaged in a war with Iran—that should be expected.”_ (08:21)

• Lee Smith on U.S. objectives:

  • “Either they can give up that highly enriched uranium or the United States will take it. So that’s a big issue and that has to be done. And I can’t imagine the Iranians handing it over willingly.” (15:11)

• Lee on why conventional war will resume:

  • “So again, the big thing right now is getting at that [uranium].” (17:05)

• On #MeToo’s return to Congress:

  • Josh: “MeToo has returned with fury to Capitol Hill. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzalez are now out…slimy behavior is slimy behavior, period. Full stop, end of story.” (36:53)

• Josh’s view on Trump’s AI Jesus image:

  • “Clumsy, I don’t love it, to put it mildly there. But fundamentally, on the case for the war, Donald Trump is right.” (12:28)

• On Pelosi’s denial of knowledge about Swalwell:

  • Josh: “She’s admitting that she’s either stupid or just lying or that she’s a liar. I mean those are the only two possibilities in town. And I guess Pelosi would rather be stupid than a liar, but frankly, there is really no good option there.” (42:01)

Timestamps: Important Segments

• 00:25–10:30 – Iran Nuclear Talks, US Blockade, and Israeli Actions
• 11:51–12:44 – Trump vs. Pope Leo and Just War Theory
• 13:48–23:32 – Lee Smith Interview: Iran, Israel-Lebanon, and U.S. Perceptions
• 24:53–29:40 – Trump’s AI Jesus Controversy: Cultural and Religious Reactions
• 29:41–36:53 – Trump DOJ Releases Report on Biden DOJ’s Alleged Weaponization (Pro-Lifer Prosecutions)
• 36:54–45:00 – The Return of #MeToo: Eric Swalwell, Tony Gonzalez, and Political Fallout

Additional Highlights

• The Trump DOJ has published a detailed (900 page) report accusing the Biden DOJ of collusion with pro-abortion groups and selective prosecution, calling it a “truly, truly sincerely biased” apparatus. (29:41+)
• Josh asserts game theory logic for DOJ “escalations” to reach future neutrality under the law, comparing it to standing up to a bully.
• Recounts, with detail, past and present sexual misconduct allegations in Congress, criticizing both parties’ lack of ethics and transparency.
• Offers sociological reflection on why #MeToo is resurging and the dangers of obliterating due process.
• California gubernatorial jungle primary scenario is unpacked, with speculation about a rare Republican vs. Republican general election due to Democratic fragmentation after Swalwell’s exit.

Conclusion

This episode is a wide-ranging, rapid-fire analysis of urgent stories at the intersection of foreign policy, law, politics, and culture. Josh Hammer brings a pointed, unapologetically conservative eye to the Iran crisis, Israel’s evolving regional role, and a dramatic resurgence of #MeToo at the highest levels of U.S. government. Lee Smith's seasoned perspective grounds the foreign affairs discussion, while Josh mixes polemic with legal nuance and sharp skepticism about political players on both sides of the aisle.