Rep. Deluzio Discusses Democrats Going on the Offense

Summary

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The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Rep. Deluzio Discusses Democrats Going on the Offense

Date: December 13, 2025
Host: MeidasTouch Network (featuring Ron Filipkowski)
Guest: Congressman Chris Deluzio

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Episode Overview

This episode features a pointed conversation between co-host Ron Filipkowski and Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA), with a focus on Democrats shifting to offense amidst deepening dysfunction in the Republican-led government. Through humor, indignation, and insider accounts, the episode addresses issues ranging from veteran deportations and GOP gaslighting to hypocrisy in military service—culminating in a message of hope and resolve for progressives ahead of the next election cycle.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Accountability for Veteran Deportations and Border Policy

Segment: [00:29] – [05:41]

• Filipkowski and Deluzio discuss the recent Capitol Hill clash where Secretary Kristi Noem denied veteran deportations, only to be confronted with a specific case (Se Jun Park, a decorated veteran deported to Korea).
• Rep. Seth Magaziner’s cross-examination is praised for exposing disinformation and demanding accountability from Noem.
• Deluzio—himself a Navy veteran—highlights the moral obligation to care for veterans, particularly those facing PTSD and substance abuse.

Notable Quote:

“The willingness to just lie right directly to the American people... another time would have just been so outrageous. And calls for her resignation would have followed immediately... these folks seem to be divorced from any sense of obligation to say the truth.”
— Congressman Chris Deluzio [05:42]

2. Trump Administration's Hypocrisy on Military Service and Lawfulness

Segment: [06:44] – [08:55]

• The conversation pivots to Republican accusations against veteran legislators like Deluzio and Senator Kelly, who are criticized despite their military backgrounds.
• They discuss the resurfacing of a 2016 video where Pete Hegseth calls out Trump as a “draft dodger,” juxtaposed with current support for Trump’s unlawful military directives.
• Deluzio underscores the unchanging oath to the Constitution and calls out the selective application of law and principle in the current regime.

Notable Quote:

“It tells you just how full of crap these guys are. They know it. I'm sure they know it deep down inside. And if not, they ought to just get new work, because these jobs require us all to take an oath to the Constitution.”
— Congressman Chris Deluzio [08:30]

3. Trump’s Pennsylvania “Loserville” Rally and GOP Weakness

Segment: [08:55] – [10:51]

• Donald Trump’s lackluster rally in Pennsylvania is dissected, with attention to his bizarre statements, racist outbursts (“shithole countries”), and the obsequiousness of local GOP congressmembers.
• Deluzio points out that despite campaign promises, Republican policies have only increased costs for regular Americans, and the party is “scared” and “acting like [Trump’s] puppets.”

Notable Quote:

“People expect their members of Congress to be able to stand up to a president, no matter the party, if they’ve done something wrong or if they failed—and this president has failed... costs continue to rise. People are getting pounded.”
— Congressman Chris Deluzio [10:13]

4. GOP’s Radical Additions to Defense and Veterans Affairs Policy

Segment: [10:51] – [12:38]

• Discussion turns to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), where Deluzio highlights the stripping of bipartisan “right to repair” language that would empower troops and save taxpayer money.
• The hosts lampoon the absurdity of the GOP’s cultural and policy focus—pull-up bars in airports, attacking nurses’ credentials, and reviving Confederate imagery—contrasting it with a lack of meaningful solutions.

Notable Quote:

“They stripped that language out to protect the contractors’ profits, and they’re screwing over our troops who could fix things and they’re making the public pay for it. It’s just corruption on top of corruption down here.”
— Congressman Chris Deluzio [12:16]

5. Election Outlook, Hope, and Organizing for the Future

Segment: [12:38] – [13:56]

• Filupkowski asks for a message to listeners, especially amid anxiety heading into the next election.
• Deluzio delivers a rallying message of hope, determination, and resilience—assuring listeners that Democrats and their supporters will not be intimidated and remain committed to “standing up for the American people.”

Notable Quote:

“We should have some hope. I think we’re going to win next year, and I think the country is with us... Keep up the hope. Don’t give up the ship. Be ready to win.”
— Congressman Chris Deluzio [13:25]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “The response to that is some grace, some support, some help in the VA care that you’ve earned. And it’s just crazy stuff to see the just callousness toward even those who have taken a bullet for this country.”
  — Congressman Chris Deluzio [06:37]

• “Hegseth... in those clips, he called Donald Trump an armchair tough guy. He essentially called him a draft dodger. It’s funny how things change now that you got some access to power.”
  — Congressman Chris Deluzio [08:13]

• “It was like literally. I mean, it’s like Loserville. I’m watching this and I’m like, loserville? What am I watching?”
  — Ron Filipkowski [09:46]

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Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:29–05:41]: DHS testimony and confrontation over deported veterans
• [06:44–08:55]: GOP double standards on military service and legal responsibility
• [08:55–10:51]: Trump’s Pennsylvania rally and local GOP dynamics
• [10:51–12:38]: NDAA, veteran affairs, and right-to-repair issue
• [12:38–13:56]: Final message: organizing, hope, and Democratic resolve

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Tone & Takeaways

The episode is marked by frank, sometimes sardonic banter, righteous indignation at hypocrisy and cruelty, and an unmistakable affinity for direct, unvarnished language. The hosts and Congressman Deluzio provide insider perspective and encouragement for political engagement, with the episode ultimately serving as both critique and call to action for listeners anxious about the future of American democracy.

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Transcript

[Ron Filipkowski]

Hey, Ryan Reynolds here wishing you a.

[Congressman Chris Deluzio]

Very happy half off holiday because right.

[Ron Filipkowski]

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[Congressman Chris Deluzio]

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[Ron Filipkowski]

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[Congressman Chris Deluzio]

Yeah.

[Ron Filipkowski]

Give it a [e-mail] switch.

[Narrator/Reporter]

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[Ron Filipkowski]

Speed slow. 135 gigabytes of network busy.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Taxes and fees extra.

[Ron Filipkowski]

See mintmobile.com There were fireworks on Capitol Hill this week as Kristi Noem, Department of Homeland Security Secretary, testified. Also, the FBI brought in other agents who tried to talk about antifa but couldn't identify who the leader was or what building they were. Let me just remind everybody what went down, that there was this one moment in particular where Kristi Noem was asked if ICE and Border Patrol are locking up and deporting veterans. And? And she said, absolutely not. We're not doing it. And then she was confronted with multiple veterans who the Border Patrol and ICE went after. And she had to confront her lies right there. It was a brilliant cross exam by Congressman Magazine or from Rhode Island. Let's just watch it.

[Narrator/Reporter]

How many United States military veterans have you deported?

[Ron Filipkowski]

Sir, we have not deported U.S. citizens or military veterans.

[Narrator/Reporter]

I don't believe you've served in the military. I haven't either. But I think you and I can agree that as Americans, we owe everything to those who have served our country in uniform, particularly those who have served in combat. Do you agree with that, Sir?

[Ron Filipkowski]

I believe that people that are in this United States, that are citizens, have legal status here.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Madam Secretary, we are joined on Zoom by a gentleman named Se Jun Park. He is a United States army combat veteran who was shot twice while serving our country in Panama in 1989. Like many veterans, he struggled with PTSD and substance abuse after his service. He was arrested in the 1990s for some minor drug offenses. Nothing serious. He never hurt anyone besides himself. And he's been clean and sober for 14 years. He is a combat veteran, a Purple Heart recipient. He has sacrificed more for this country than most people ever have. Earlier this year, you deported him to Korea, a country he hasn't lived in since he was seven years old. Will you join me in thanking Mr. Park for his service to our country?

[Ron Filipkowski]

Sir, I'm grateful for every single person that has served our country and follows our laws.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Can you please tell Mr. Park why you deported him?

[Ron Filipkowski]

Every one of them needs to be enforced.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But you understand that many veterans struggle with ptsd. Many veterans struggle with substance abuse challenges. This man took two bullets for our country. Will you. You have broad authority, by the way, as secretary to issue humanitarian parole, to do deferred action. Will you commit to at least looking at Mr. Park's case to see if you can help him find a pathway back to this country that he sacrificed so much for?

[Ron Filipkowski]

I will absolutely look at his case. There were other moments like that as well. But now I want to show you in a separate hearing where you had Benny Thompson questioning this FBI counterterrorism guy from the Trump regime about Antifa, because they're saying ANTIFA is attacking the homeland. Here, play this clip.

[FBI Counterterrorism Official]

The executive board of domestic terrorist organization antifa. That's our primary concern right now.

[Benny Thompson]

All right? That's what President Trump did. What does the FBI say?

[FBI Counterterrorism Official]

We share the same view. When you look at the data right now, you look at the domestic terrorist threat that we're facing right now, what I see from my position is that's the most immediate violent threat that we are facing on the domestic side.

[Benny Thompson]

So where is ANTIFA headquartered?

[FBI Counterterrorism Official]

What we're doing right now with the.

[Benny Thompson]

Organization, where in the United States does ANTIFA exist? If it's a terrorist organization and you've identified it as number one, we are.

[FBI Counterterrorism Official]

Building out the infrastructure right now.

[Benny Thompson]

So what does that mean? You see, I'm just. We trying to get the information. You saying TIFA is a terrorist organization? Tell us as a committee, how did you come to that? What, do they exist? How many members do they have in the United States as of right now?

[FBI Counterterrorism Official]

Well, that's very fluid. It's. It's ongoing. For us to understand that the same, no different than Al Qaeda and isis.

[Benny Thompson]

No, no, I don't want you. I asked one question, sir. I just want you to tell us. If you said Antifa is the number one domestic terrorist organization operating in the United States, I just need to know where they are. How many people. I don't want a name. I don't want anything like that. Just how many people have you identified with the FBI that ANTIFA is made of?

[FBI Counterterrorism Official]

Well, the investigations are active.

[Ron Filipkowski]

Yeah, it's pretty cringy stuff right there. And shows you what's really going on in this regime. I want to bring in Democratic Congressmember Chris d', Aluzio, former Navy officer, veteran. Great to see you. Let's take those in order. First, Kristi Noem. With all of the horrors that are being inflicted right now on the United States by these border patrol and ICE agents who dress up like they're members of the military, but conduct themselves in the most atrocious matters in most cases possible. Then the gaslighting. But she was confronted to her face right there. And what's your take on all of that, especially what they're doing to the veteran community? As a veteran yourself.

[Congressman Chris Deluzio]

Yeah. I gotta tell you, my colleague from Rhode island there, Seth Magaziner, did a heck of a job. And if I heard that correctly, at the beginning, she was saying, they're not deporting any veterans. And then he presented her with a combat veteran who was wounded, who they deported. And so the. The willingness to just lie right directly to the American people. I, at another time would have just been so outrageous. And calls for her resignation would have followed immediately, and that would have happened. And yet these folks seem to be divorced from any sense of obligation to say the truth. And look, what I also liked about what Seth brought up was that folks who we ask to serve, I'm proud of my service, but I know this. Some folks struggle with that service, Some folks struggle with PTSD for the rest of their lives, for instance. And the response to that is some grace, some support, some help in the VA care that you've earned. And it's just crazy stuff to see the just callousness toward even those who have taking a bullet for this country.

[Ron Filipkowski]

Right. And for those like yourself and Senator Kelly who have served our country, when then you have someone like Donald Trump who got five deferments from Vietnam, and he's out there saying that you and Kelly should be on war tribunals because you just repeated the law about people should not follow people in the military should not follow unlawful orders. And I'm sure you've seen recently the tape has surfaced of Hegseth in 2016 going after Donald Trump saying precisely the same thing as it relates to. And this to me is a part that we should talk about as it relates back then to waterboarding, you know, creating the feeling that someone is drowning. We said back then, under the Bush admin. Whoa, whoa, whoa. We're better than even creating that feeling. And that torture as a form of interrogation. Now they're out just killing people and say actually drowning people and killing people and saying, you know, whatever, we're going to keep on doing it. And then what? One of the people from Turning Point USA is like, you know what will own the libs? Do it again. And then in response to it, Hegset's like, I got one for you. Then he posts another video of killing people.

[Congressman Chris Deluzio]

You know, the wild part about some of the clips of Pete Hegseth is, number one, he's saying the law. And it's a responsible thing to say. It's the same thing that we said. But I chuckle. You know, Pete Hegseth, in those clips, he called Donald Trump an armchair tough guy. He essentially called him a draft dodger. It's funny how things change now that you got some access to power. And even Pam Bondi. And this is the latest of this in a legal briefing. The Supreme Court, like last year, was saying the basic thing about what kinds of orders the military must follow, which is they always have to follow lawful ones, and that no one can force the military to follow the legal orders. It tells you just how full of crap these guys are. They know it. I'm sure they know it deep down inside. And if not, they ought to just get new work, because these jobs require us all to take an oath to the Constitution, the same one that I took as a 17 year old for the first time, the Naval Academy, and that every service member takes. They'd be wise to remember those oaths.

[Ron Filipkowski]

Also, Hexade's. He sounded like a different person. Like his voice changed, like went through fascist puberty or something. I don't even know what I guess sounded like a different dude from then to now. I want to talk about Pennsylvania. Donald Trump gave. Where you're a congressmember from. Actually a congressmember close to where our youngest brother is from. Donald Trump rolls into town. He speaks at a banquet hall at the Mount Airy Casino where, like, weddings are held. And he says it's a huge crowd. And he proceeds to call countries in Africa shitholes. He says that everything is more affordable right now, and things are incredible. You know, he. I mean, he looks addled. He starts just saying random words and then goes, I weaved it. I weaved it. You like my weave? You know, the whole thing was very bizarre. And then you had the maga, Republican Congress members in those vulnerable congressional districts there as well, saying, oh, it was so brave of you to come to Pennsylvania. We know how cold it is here. You're so courageous from stepping into Pennsylvania. I mean, it was. It was like, literally. I mean, it's like Loserville. I'm watching this and I'm like, loserville? What am I watching?

[Congressman Chris Deluzio]

Look, the energy there is weak, too. And I'll tell you why, right? People expect their members of Congress to be able to stand up to a president, no matter the party, if They've done something wrong or if they failed and this president has failed with full Republican control to bring down costs. And worse than that, costs continue to rise. People are getting pounded. My constituents in Pennsylvania are getting pounded. People all over the country and they know it, right? They know that life is more expensive than it was. This president promised to bring down prices. Prices have gone up since he's been in power with full control in the Congress. And so to see the weakness on display in the face of that failure from the Republicans in Congress, man, it tells me that they are scared, that they are essentially acting like they're his puppets and we're going to beat their butts next year in the midterms.

[Ron Filipkowski]

You know one of the things too that you see is as you look into, I know you looked into this National Defense Authorization act, like you had to find that within the Senate's version of this NDAA they were like shutting down centers to help veterans and, and you called it out. You know there's so many str that like I wonder like how are these people sitting in, around. We're sitting around in a room and just coming up with these ideas that are just like weird and cruel so and like racist and disgusting. So you know, two weeks ago we could talk about them sitting around and go, you know what the Coast Guard needs? What more, I don't know, more funding? I don't know, better mental health. No, no swastikas and nooses and let's bring back the Confederate like what we need to do. Let's attack the nurses and say that they're not professions. You know, you know what we need in airports?

[Congressman Chris Deluzio]

What?

[Ron Filipkowski]

You know, I don't know, cheaper flights, better consumer. Pull up bars. That'll show. They go with pull up bars and then they're sitting around and tell us what you expose. Cuz I'm like thinking like what, what are these people doing?

[Congressman Chris Deluzio]

I'll give you another one from the defense bill that just passed. You know, so we got language in the House and Senate defense bill, Dems and some Republicans about right to repair. This is like telling the troops you can fix your own stuff. Because oftentimes these powerful defense contractors, they block our troops from fixing things. They take forever. They overcharge the public, we all pay for it. And guess what happened? They stripped that language out to protect the contractors profits and they're screwing over our troops who could fix things and they're making the public pay for it. So on top of everything else they're doing that to take away the power of our troops to fix their own stuff and to make the public put more and more money into these defense contractors. It's just corruption on top of corruption down here.

[Ron Filipkowski]

Then they talk about waste, fraud and abuse, and it's like, I don't know, pull up bars, right, to repair. Ripping away professional degrees from nurses. You know, it's. It's golden ballrooms, Great Gatsby parties with half naked women in martini glasses. Random like, what? I'm like, what's going on here? Before we go, any final message? You just want to, you know, we have 6 million subscribers out there. You know, people are heading into this holiday season just, you know, concerned and worried about where this thing is going. They see this deranged maniac in the Oval Office. Although I think people do feel a little bit of hope right now that the people have asserted themselves from where we were a year ago, maybe counterintuitively because the country's doing so much worse, but there still feels like, okay, we're in this together now. So what do you want to say before we go?

[Congressman Chris Deluzio]

Yeah, we should have some hope. I think we're going to win next year, and I think the country is with us. If we've had enough of this guy, and I'll tell you, in the face of the threats that he and others threw my way, you got people like me who aren't going to be intimidated, who are going to stand our ground and stand up for the American people. And we're in this thing. And it fires me up to know there are so many behind me, with me and serving with my colleagues who are ready to do what we got to do to win next year. Keep up the hope. Don't give up the ship. Be ready to win.

[Ron Filipkowski]

Congressman Chris d', Aluzio, thanks for joining us.

[Congressman Chris Deluzio]

Thanks, guys.

[Ron Filipkowski]

Everybody hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million. Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our substack at midasplus. Com. You'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski ad free episodes of our podcast and more exclusive content only available at midasplus.

[Congressman Chris Deluzio]

Com.