Podcast Summary: The Joy Reid Show – "The Department of War Crimes"

Date: December 6, 2025
Host: Joy-Ann Reid
Notable Guests: Jason Johnson, Latasha Brown (Black Voters Matter Fund), Judge Glenda Hatchett

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a week packed with alarming headlines centered on growing abuses of power by federal agencies and the erosion of democratic norms in America. The show addresses:

• The violent actions of ICE, including the pepper-spraying of Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva and issues of impunity.
• New developments in the January 6th pipe bomber case and the right-wing conspiracies that surrounded it.
• Political and economic boycotts in the context of historical and current civil rights movements.
• The mounting war crimes controversy over U.S. strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats.
• Legal challenges to the regime’s dubious appointments and prosecutions.
• The looming threat to birthright citizenship and broader civil rights.
• A rousing conversation on activism, resilience, and the necessity of organized resistance.

The tone alternates between urgency, critique, wry humor, and moments of levity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. ICE Targeting Lawmakers & Citizens

[02:14 – 05:22]

• Joy-Ann and Jason highlight the pepper-spraying of Rep. Adelita Grijalva by ICE agents during a public incident (03:59).
• This is the third case in recent months where elected officials have been physically assaulted by federal agents.
• Parallel is drawn to earlier incidents in Newark and California.
• Reflections on how these actions symbolize escalating lawlessness and intimidation by federal agencies.

Notable Quote:
Jason Johnson: "That is a member of the United States Congress being pepper sprayed by federal agents. This is bizarre." [03:59]

2. Media and Corporate Power – Netflix Buys Warner Bros.

[05:22 – 08:28]

• Netflix is set to absorb Warner Bros. (excluding CNN), a move reminiscent of historical Hollywood monopolies.
• Joy provides background on past antitrust efforts in Hollywood and the potential chilling effect on dissenting media.

Notable Quote:
Jason Johnson: "Netflix is probably the least bad option for the merger, but this will mean Netflix, which produces content and is also the distributor, would then own a huge content library." [05:57]

3. January 6th Pipe Bomber Controversy and Right-Wing Conspiracies

[08:28 – 27:29]

• New developments and footage in the long-mysterious 2021 pipe bombing at the DNC and RNC.
• Right-wing commentators (notably Dan Bongino) long claimed it was a "Democrat operative" inside job.
• Bongino is now in the FBI leadership, ironically overseeing the case he framed as a left-wing conspiracy.
• The suspect arrested is Brian Cole Jr.—contrary to conspiracy claims, does not fit the narrative.
• Family and reporting describe Cole as nonpolitical, “borderline autistic,” and not capable of sophisticated plotting.
• Skepticism is expressed about how the case was finally solved and whether the evidence truly adds up. Listeners are encouraged to stay vigilant about manipulation of legal processes for political ends.

Notable Quotes:
Jason Johnson: "He is, and I apologize for using this word, a little slow. This is what sources are telling me." [18:03]
Jason Johnson: "It is a curious case. Very curious." [27:29]

4. Historical & Present Boycotts: Lessons from the Montgomery Bus Boycott

[32:29 – 45:55]
Guest: Latasha Brown

• Commemoration of the Montgomery Bus Boycott’s 70th anniversary.
• Latasha Brown contextualizes the original action, emphasizing the collective, sustained organizing (mostly by Black women) that led to systemic change.
• Links to present campaigns, including boycotts of brands like Target and Home Depot in protest of backsliding on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and complicity in ICE abuses.
• The immense financial power of Black and minority consumers—and need to direct that power toward supporting their own communities rather than exploitative corporations.

Notable Quotes:
Latasha Brown: "Convenience is the enemy to change." [44:39]
Latasha Brown: "If you get to the point that you don't think your actions work, then you have bought into this lie." [41:58]
Jason Johnson: "It was not a one-woman movement ... it was the women that were organizing." [39:44]

5. Texas and Civil Rights Rollbacks

[48:41 – 56:10]

• U.S. Supreme Court upholds racially discriminatory Texas voting maps.
• Threat to birthright citizenship is discussed as the Court prepares to hear cases that could let the president strip citizenship at will—a direct assault on the 14th Amendment.

Notable Quotes:
Latasha Brown: "You cannot keep continuing to pull from our intellectual property. You cannot continue to pull from our labor. There has to be consequences." [50:29]
Latasha Brown: "We have to see ourselves as founders of a new nation ... If the Court is captured, we must become founders." [53:33]

6. War Crimes in the Caribbean: U.S. Strikes on 'Narco-Terrorists'

[57:08 – 79:57]

• Senators are divided on the legality and morality of U.S. military strikes on Venezuelan boats.
• Tom Cotton (R-AR) claims the strikes were righteous; Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) question the Pentagon’s narrative, with Paul labeling it illegal.
• Disquieting pattern: Mass killing of suspected but untried “narco-terrorists” far from U.S. shores, with echoes of past regime-change operations.
• Raises the specter of ‘video game’ rules of engagement and disregard for international or U.S. law.

Notable Quotes:
Rep. Adam Smith: "That's patently ridiculous ... Gosh, Admiral Bradley didn't even pretend that that was the case." [61:32]
Sen. Rand Paul: "I'm very, very concerned about an order that would say, kill them all." [64:36]
Jason Johnson: "They're operating as if you just put a bunch of high school students who never go to class in charge of the government." [76:43]

7. Legal Panel: DOJ Shenanigans and the Rule of Law

[81:01 – 98:36]
Guest: Judge Glenda Hatchett

• Discussion on serial illegal and politically-motivated prosecutions by improperly appointed U.S. attorneys—including attempts to prosecute NY AG Letitia James and Lamonica McIver.
• The failure of checks and balances; "if there are no checks, then there can be no accountability." [82:19]
• What constitutes a war crime and who is responsible for illegal orders (the President, SECDEF, commanders).
• The chilling possibility that the birthright citizenship case could lead to presidentially-determined citizenship.
• Comparison to historical breakdowns of democracy and civil rights in the U.S.

Notable Quotes:
Judge Hatchett: "Congress really is the only entity that can approve war. To do things unilaterally is problematic." [86:09]
Joy Reid: "If he is then not covered by that [blanket] pardon, then the question is: Why was he the exception?" [94:18]

8. Broader Legal/Ethical Implications

[95:32 – 105:59]

• The implications for mass ICE detentions, especially as Supreme Court allows detentions based simply on language and appearance—Judge Hatchett expresses deep alarm.
• Post-Roe abortion rollback and the rise of maternal mortality, particularly for Black women.

Judge Hatchett:
"How did we get to a place in this country where you could be detained based on your language and your color?" [96:30]

9. Final Reflections & Moment of Joy

[107:22 – End]

• Amid the heaviness, the show closes on a humorous note: a viral story about a raccoon breaking into a liquor store, raiding the top shelf, and passing out by the toilet.
• Also features community shout-outs and cocktail tips from Joy and Jason as a lighthearted send-off.

Timestamps for Major Segments

• ICE Attacks on Lawmakers: 02:14–05:22
• Netflix Buys Warner Bros.: 05:22–08:28
• January 6th Pipe Bomber Segment: 08:28–27:29
• Montgomery Boycott & Boycotts Today: 32:29–45:55
• War Crimes Exposé: 57:08–79:57
• Legal Segment w/ Judge Hatchett: 81:01–105:59
• Moment of Joy (Drunk Raccoon): 107:22–end

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Lawlessness:

  • "That is a member of the United States Congress being pepper sprayed by federal agents. This is bizarre." – Jason Johnson [03:59]

• On Activism:

  • "Convenience is the enemy to change" – Latasha Brown [44:39]
  • "Don't believe the lie" – Latasha Brown [41:58]
  • "Actions work" – Latasha Brown [41:58]

• On War Crimes & Impunity:

  • "I'm very, very concerned about an order that would say, kill them all ... This is a completely made-up and false sense that we're at war." – Sen. Rand Paul [64:36]
  • "They're operating as if you just put a bunch of high school students ... in charge of the government." – Jason Johnson [76:43]

• On Citizenship & Rights:

  • "I said several months ago that historians will look back on this period in history ... and it will start with the Supreme Court's decision about the presidential immunity." – Judge Hatchett [98:36]

• Comic Relief:

  • “He got lit. Being a raccoon is tough. It's tough out here in raccoon world, okay?” – Jason Johnson, on the drunk raccoon [110:00]

Conclusion

This episode is a powerful and sobering portrait of America at a crossroads—marked equally by government overreach, threats to civil rights, and the enduring power of collective action. The hosts and guests balance investigation, personal insight, and historical perspective, urging listeners not just to observe but to act. Also, sometimes, to pour a strong drink and share a laugh, even in dark times.

"Vote like our lives depend on it. Because clearly they do." – Judge Hatchett [81:39]