Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert – Episode Featuring Rep. Maxwell Frost (Extended)

Release Date: June 21, 2025

Introduction

In this extended episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert engages in a comprehensive discussion with Representative Maxwell Frost, a congressman representing Florida's 10th district. The conversation delves into Rep. Frost's experiences in Congress, the current political landscape, challenges posed by Governor Ron DeSantis, immigration policies, and legislative efforts aimed at addressing government overreach and economic inequality.

1. Rep. Maxwell Frost’s Journey and Experiences in Congress

Timestamp: [04:33]

Stephen Colbert welcomes Rep. Maxwell Frost back to the show, highlighting the time elapsed since his previous appearance.

Stephen Colbert: "Please welcome back to the Late Show, Representative Maxwell Frost. Good to see you again."
[04:33]

Maxwell Frost: "Yeah, good to be here."
[04:50]

Colbert prompts Rep. Frost to reflect on his journey from his first year in Congress to the present:

Colbert: "Compare and contrast your experience from the first year to now in the middle of your third year."
[05:08]

Frost: Discusses the escalating chaos in the country, contrasting his initial optimism working with a different administration and Congress. He emphasizes the shift from localized political battles in Florida to national struggles against far-right extremism.

Notable Quote:

"We're definitely in a different time."
[05:28]

2. Addressing Extremism and Governor Ron DeSantis’s Rhetoric

Timestamp: [06:33]

Colbert references a recent "no Kings" rally, underscoring it as an act of hope despite low turnout numbers. He then shifts focus to Governor Ron DeSantis's alarming statements.

Colbert: "In your district in Central Flor, what do you make of Governor DeSantis saying that if people in their cars felt threatened by protesters, they could run them over in self-defense?"
[06:33]

Frost: Criticizes DeSantis for seeking relevance and a presidential bid by escalating his rhetoric beyond even former President Trump. He suggests that DeSantis is attempting to outdo Trump in extremism but believes the electorate will desire a stark contrast in leadership.

Notable Quote:

"He's trying to find ways to be crazier than Trump. And out Trump, Trump. But that's not gonna work."
[07:13]

3. The Impact of ICE Raids and Government Overreach

Timestamp: [07:47]

The conversation shifts to recent ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids in Los Angeles, which involve the deployment of the National Guard and Marines, raising concerns about legality and civil rights.

Colbert: Highlights the use of the military in ICE operations and describes them as a "taxpayer funded kidnapping operation."

Frost: Agrees vehemently, explaining that current ICE actions bypass due process, effectively amounting to kidnapping. He underscores that deportation should be a legal process, not a forceful extraction without court proceedings.

Notable Quote:

"There is no legal process for people. We have ICE federal agents pulling up, terrorizing our communities... stealing and yes, kidnapping people."
[08:26]

4. Legislative Efforts: The Sue Them Act

Timestamp: [09:30]

Rep. Frost introduces his legislative initiative, the Sue Them Act, aimed at increasing transparency and accountability within ICE operations.

Frost: Explains that the Sue Them Act mandates ICE to publicly disclose details about detainees, including reasons for detention and case information. This measure seeks to prevent families from being left in the dark about the whereabouts of their loved ones.

Notable Quote:

"This is why this country has devolved to right now because of this president and because of this whole operation that is completely BS and lied to people."
[10:04]

5. Opposition to the Omnibus Bill and Its Implications

Timestamp: [11:42]

Colbert brings up the omnibus bill poised for passage by July 4th, criticizing its size and hidden provisions. He references claims by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene about not being aware of specific contents within the bill.

Colbert: "They say it's like a tax bill, but it has so many things... There’s this big bill that they want to pass by July 4th."
[12:19]

Frost: Confirms his opposition, labeling the bill as "evil" due to its detrimental impact on healthcare and food assistance programs. He accuses the bill of prioritizing tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations over the needs of working people.

Notable Quote:

"It's gonna rip away Healthcare from 15 million Americans. It's gonna rip away food assistance from millions of people across this country."
[12:22]

Frost elaborates on the broader economic implications, emphasizing that tax policies under previous administrations have exacerbated wealth inequality, benefiting the top echelons despite overall economic growth.

Notable Quote:

"This is why this is such an important fight right now. It's gonna dictate the next five years, the next 10 years of our economy."
[14:11]

6. Closing Remarks

Timestamp: [14:11]

The interview concludes with Colbert thanking Rep. Frost for his insights and encouraging listeners to engage with his work.

Colbert: "Representative, thank you so much for being here."
Frost: "Thank you. Appreciate it."
[14:14]

Colbert wraps up the episode, promoting additional content and sponsorship messages.

Conclusion

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show offers a deep dive into the political challenges facing Representative Maxwell Frost and the broader implications of current legislative actions. Rep. Frost articulates the urgent need for accountability in immigration enforcement and opposes policies that undermine public welfare in favor of corporate interests. His legislative initiatives, particularly the Sue Them Act, aim to restore transparency and protect the rights of individuals against government overreach. The conversation underscores the critical balance between national security measures and the preservation of civil liberties, highlighting the ongoing struggle to address extremism and economic inequality in the United States.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Rep. Maxwell Frost: "We're definitely in a different time."
  [05:28]

• Frost: "He's trying to find ways to be crazier than Trump. And out Trump, Trump. But that's not gonna work."
  [07:13]

• Frost: "There is no legal process for people. We have ICE federal agents pulling up, terrorizing our communities... stealing and yes, kidnapping people."
  [08:26]

• Frost: "This is why this country has devolved to right now because of this president and because of this whole operation that is completely BS and lied to people."
  [10:04]

• Frost: "It's gonna rip away Healthcare from 15 million Americans. It's gonna rip away food assistance from millions of people across this country."
  [12:22]

• Frost: "This is why this is such an important fight right now. It's gonna dictate the next five years, the next 10 years of our economy."
  [14:11]

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing listeners who missed the show with a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered.