The Rest Is Politics: US – Episode 165
Title: Why Trump Fired Noem and the Forever War Presidency
Hosts: Anthony Scaramucci ("The Mooch") & Katty Kay
Release Date: March 5, 2026
Episode Overview
In this deep-dive episode, Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci break down the seismic firing of Kristi Noem as Trump's Secretary of Homeland Security, analyze the Trump administration's Iran policy and its fallout, and examine the domestic and international political ramifications. The hosts also dissect fractures inside the Republican party, America’s “forever war” posture, and the economic repercussions of military action in Iran.
1. Breaking News: Kristi Noem Fired (00:59–07:08)
Key Points:
- Katty Kay opens with a solo segment reporting President Trump’s firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
- Noem, dubbed “Jailhouse Barbie” by Scaramucci, is officially reassigned to a largely ceremonial “Shield of the Americas” role—a clear demotion.
- Factors behind the firing:
- Noem contradicted Trump in Congressional testimony on a $220 million border ad campaign.
- Controversial, provocative advertising, including horseback photo ops by Mount Rushmore, and photos in front of El Salvador’s infamous prisons.
- Financial scandals: extravagant spending on private jets, including a jet with a bedroom used to deport detainees.
- Personal scandal: ongoing relationship with senior advisor Corey Lewandowski.
- Trump faced pressure from White House insiders (notably Susie Wiles) and Congressional Republicans, canvassing opinions before his Truth Social announcement at 2 PM.
- Despite Noem’s troubles, Trump had avoided major firings, seeking to distinguish this term as “stable” compared to high first-term turnover.
- Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma Senator and staunch Trump loyalist, appointed as successor.
- No substantial change in policy expected at DHS, with ICE already drawing back from urban operations after controversial Minneapolis shootings involving ICE agents and civilian deaths.
Notable Quote:
“She contradicted the president… Never great when your boss is saying publicly that you have said one thing in Congress and he has no idea about it.” — Katty Kay (02:40)
2. The Trump Administration’s Iran Policy (07:08–27:54)
2.1. Hegseth’s Hawkish Performance (07:08–10:33)
- Scaramucci and Kay lambaste Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s over-the-top, combative press conference.
- Hegseth is fixated on attacking the media instead of addressing questions about the American soldiers killed in Iran.
- Stark contrast drawn between Hegseth’s bombast and Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kane’s sober, respectful acknowledgment of the six fallen reservists.
Notable Quote:
“It was literally like a rhetorical orgy of Fox News hosts… for a guy playing the Secretary of Defense.” — Anthony Scaramucci (09:30)
2.2. Military Progress vs. Public Narrative (10:34–13:28)
- Military action is tactically successful: Iranian missile launch capability, air defenses, and naval forces significantly degraded.
- Regional security: fewer missile strikes in allied territories.
- Disconnect persists between battlefield “success” and public support due to muddled communication from Trump.
- Trump’s public rationale for war shifts: claims Iran was two weeks from nuclear capability (unsubstantiated by intelligence sources).
Notable Quote:
“The President has not done a good job of explaining a coherent narrative… and the narrative is still slightly all over the place.” — Katty Kay (10:46)
2.3. Domestic Opinion & Fractured MAGA (13:28–16:57)
- Public polling: 60% disapprove/40% approve of the Iran operation; among independents, nearly 70% disapprove.
- Only 12% of Americans favor sending ground troops.
- Trump’s position as former “end-the-forever-wars” candidate is now paradoxical; hawkish policy is at odds with MAGA “America First” identity.
- The Republican party remains torn between traditional foreign policy hawks and new populist, isolationist voices.
Notable Quotes:
“If this is so good for America, why are so many Americans against it?” — Anthony Scaramucci (14:18)
“There is this rump of traditional Republicanism on foreign policy… helping Donald Trump at the moment.” — Katty Kay (15:48)
3. Inside the White House & the "Forever War Presidency" (16:57–27:54)
3.1. Trump as Neocon-in-Chief (17:11–20:12)
- Scaramucci humorously describes “channeling” Dick Cheney: Trump’s policies mirror neoconservative ambitions.
- Trump’s decision-making now likened to Cheney’s “unitary executive” approach—imposed regime change, attempted installation of secular, U.S.-friendly governments abroad.
Memorable Moment:
“Dick Cheney on steroids. That would be Donald Trump… Remember, just to remind everybody, this is the peace president, Donald Trump… He has taken the Dick Cheney playbook to the max.” — Anthony Scaramucci (17:32)
3.2. Tension with Israel (19:26–20:12)
- Israel’s aggressive strikes in Iran complicated Trump’s plans for post-regime change leadership—many considered “useful” figures are now dead.
- Trump’s irritation at losing potential Iranian leaders he could “do business with” is discussed.
Notable Quotes:
“Trump is saying, basically, Bibi killed so many people. I can't figure out which secularist I’m going to bribe.” — Anthony Scaramucci (19:32)
3.3. Postwar Iran: Who Next? (23:04–27:54)
- Two replacement figures discussed: Hassan Khomeini (grandson of Ayatollah, more secular/pragmatic) and Ali Laranjani (technocratic, powerful, and perhaps running Iran already).
- The Iranian people’s appetite for real change is underestimated by Trump; “regime-adjacent” successors (even if foreign-friendly) may not satisfy a population desiring fundamental transformation.
- US and Israel’s diverging interests: Israel may prefer a weakened, partitioned Iran; Trump wants a stable (bribeable) regime.
- Parallel drawn to mishandling of Kurdish aspirations and the potential for civil war.
Notable Quotes:
“What Trump seems to be looking for is Iran’s Deng Xiaoping…” — Katty Kay (25:19)
“This is fundamentally different from Venezuela… [Iranians] want a full renewed Iranian revolution. And I think Trump is misreading that.” — Anthony Scaramucci (29:57)
4. Republican Fractures & The Future of MAGA (32:35–39:32)
4.1. The Sideling of J.D. Vance (32:35–38:52)
- J.D. Vance, Vice President and emblem of anti-interventionist MAGA, is marginalized: absent from key war councils, lampooned by Trump as disloyal.
- Vance tries to thread the needle—publicly supporting Trump while emphasizing past non-interventionist positions, risking credibility with his own base.
- Trump’s zero-sum mentality means there is “no successor,” only Trump’s legacy.
Notable Quote:
“You can't win here. You can't be half pregnant. You can't be half MAGA. You have to be kind of full MAGA.” — Katty Kay (36:49)
Memorable Moment:
“Trump did a number… on J.D. Vance. Said differently: he hit him with a karate chop into the Adam’s apple.” — Anthony Scaramucci (37:45)
4.2. Gamification of Republican Succession
- Scaramucci predicts Marco Rubio (currently Secretary of State) will soon be turned on by Trump, who values loyalty but fears a successor's rise.
- Trump described as the “steamroller” and ultimate solo act in Republican politics.
5. Impact of War on the Economy (41:39–47:41)
Key Points:
- Democrats may pivot messaging to link rising war costs and gas prices to voter “affordability” concerns in the midterms.
- Gas prices have spiked from low $2 to $3.20, LNG prices are up, and forecasts expect a U.S. GDP hit of 0.5–1 percentage point due to conflict.
- Trump’s desire for lower interest rates is stymied by inflationary pressures—stagflation risk looms, and the Fed (“trapped”) is unlikely to cut rates.
- White House frantically calls oil executives, mulls steps like releasing strategic reserves and suspending gas taxes—suggesting lack of preparedness for “war tax.”
- Comparisons made to COVID lockdowns: any interference in the Strait of Hormuz is dubbed a “mini Covid recession,” with potential for factory shutdowns worldwide.
Notable Quotes:
“This is the war tax that nobody voted for… Gas prices went from the low $2 to $3.20 in five days.” — Anthony Scaramucci (42:41)
“The White House is acting in a panic over gas prices right now.” — Katty Kay (44:38)
6. Trump’s Leadership Style: From Wollman Rink to Iran (47:41–52:08)
Key Points:
- The hosts tie Trump’s political behavior to his formative experiences—especially his “Mr. Fix-It” persona, born during his “Wollman Rink” breakthrough in 1980s New York.
- Trump’s self-reliance and disregard for expert counsel cited as both a campaign strength and a governing vulnerability.
- The cost: surrounding himself with “yes people” rather than independent advisors, especially dangerous in foreign policy.
Notable Quotes:
“He believed this Mr. Fix-It persona. It was born out of his years… on the ice rink… We’ve gone from an ice rink to a war in the Persian Gulf.” — Katty Kay (51:23)
“He’s the smartest person in the room. There’s nobody smarter.” — Anthony Scaramucci (52:08)
Key Timestamps
- 00:59–07:08: Katty’s breaking update on Kristi Noem’s firing
- 07:08–10:33: Hegseth’s press briefing and comparison with Gen. Kane
- 10:34–16:57: U.S. progress in Iran, public opinion, Republican divisions
- 17:11–20:12: Scaramucci’s “Dick Cheney séance” and neocon parallels
- 23:04–27:54: Who could replace Iran’s regime? U.S. & Israeli interests
- 32:35–39:32: MAGA fractures, J.D. Vance sidelined, Rubio’s fate
- 41:39–47:41: Economic fallout & political implications of the Iran conflict
- 47:41–52:08: Trump's roots, the "Mr. Fix-It" mentality, and consequences
Standout Moments
- Scaramucci’s comedic “séance” with Dick Cheney for foreign policy analysis. (17:11)
- Katty’s sharp contrast of serious military leadership vs. Hegseth’s showmanship. (09:03)
- The metaphor of Trump’s campaign: from fixing an ice rink to upending the Middle East. (51:23)
Tone and Style
The episode mixes sharp political analysis and reporting (Kay), Wall Street-style bluntness and inside-the-room color (Scaramucci), and biting humor. The language is candid, unsparing about players’ motives, and draws lively analogies to drive points home.
Summary
This episode is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand Trump’s evolving governing style, the dramatic power plays within his White House, the U.S.'s new posture in the Middle East, and the economic ripples of perpetual American war. The episode blends breaking news, historical perspective, and in-the-trenches political gossip with an unfiltered, conversational delivery.
For more deep dives and bonus content, visit therestispoliticsus.com.