Stephen A's Take: Trump Recap. Discusses his cabinet picks. Protestors Pardoned? Too Late for Prayers.

Summary

Title: Deep Dive into Trump's Cabinet Picks and January 6 Pardons on The Stephen A. Smith Show

Introduction

In the November 18, 2024 episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, hosts Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman engage in a dynamic discussion centered around former President Donald Trump’s strategic moves as he prepares for a potential return to the White House. The episode delves into Trump’s cabinet appointments, the controversial issue of pardoning January 6 protestors, and the broader political ramifications of these actions. Through passionate dialogue and incisive analysis, the hosts provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current political landscape surrounding Trump’s administration.

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1. Trump’s Cabinet Appointments: Loyalty Over Experience

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s Appointments

Stephen A. Smith kicks off the conversation by expressing concern over Trump’s latest cabinet choices. “One big appointment that's now raising eyebrows is Trump naming SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to head up a new Department of Government Efficiency” (01:40). Max Kellerman echoes this sentiment, highlighting the novelty of the department: “Exactly. In other words, it's new. It didn't exist until now” (01:52). This move by Trump is seen as unconventional, raising questions about the rationale behind selecting high-profile entrepreneurs for governmental roles.

Additional Appointments and Their Implications

Smith further scrutinizes other cabinet members, emphasizing the pattern of selecting individuals with strong loyalty to Trump rather than extensive governmental experience. “Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas. Okay, that's fine. Ambassador to Israel, CIA Director John Radcliffe… Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security” (03:32). He points out that while some appointees like Marco Rubio are respected and experienced, others seem more aligned with Trump’s personal loyalty: “What Trump is determined to do is have people loyal to him as opposed to prioritizing their level of competency as politicians” (03:45).

Notable Appointees Discussed:

• Pete Hegseth: Former Fox News host and veteran, acknowledged for his military service.
• Marco Rubio: Highly respected Senator appointed as Secretary of State, praised for his experience.
• Lee Zeldin: Congressman appointed as EPA Administrator, transitioning from legislative to executive roles.

Quotes:

• Smith: “I’m not questioning any of these individuals' capabilities…” (03:57)
• Kellerman: “Not forget Lee Zeldin, Congressman from Long Island. He'll be the new EPA administrator” (03:32)

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2. The Controversy Over Pardoning January 6 Protestors

Pence vs. Trump on Pardons

A significant portion of the episode addresses the contentious issue of pardoning individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot. Smith cites a statement from former Vice President Mike Pence: “I don't think the President should pardon anyone who assaulted a police officer at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021” (04:07). This stance contrasts sharply with Trump’s promise to pardon all 1,500 individuals indicted for their actions on that day: “Trump has been on the record guaranteeing that he would pardon all 1500 folks who found themselves indicted and incarcerated” (05:07).

Implications and Public Reaction

Smith discusses the potential fallout of these pardons, highlighting the division within the Republican Party and the broader public response. “It just seems to me… People loyal to him… And then we also got to go to what's been reported… It was also reported that former Vice President Mike Pence was quoted...” (04:07). The debate underscores the tension between upholding the rule of law and fulfilling campaign promises, creating a rift between different factions within the party.

Quotes:

• Smith: “We have to stop this. We have to protest peacefully, blah, blah, blah” (05:14)
• Kellerman: “Welcome to the chaos” (06:33)

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3. Political Resilience and Democratic Challenges

Trump’s Enduring Popularity

Smith and Kellerman explore Trump’s unwavering support base despite numerous legal challenges and controversies. Smith emphasizes, “The American people spoke. 34 felony convictions, two impeachments, civil suits for hundreds of millions. They said, kick rocks. We want him anyway” (08:15). This statement highlights the deep loyalty Trump commands, crossing various demographic lines including independents, women, and minorities.

Democratic Party’s Struggle

The hosts critique the Democratic Party’s inability to present a viable alternative to Trump. Smith remarks, “He beat Hillary Clinton in the Electoral College vote and he lost the election in 2020. But here he is, the Republican nominee, not once, not twice, but three straight elections” (07:49). This persistent presence underscores the Democrats’ challenges in identifying a candidate who can effectively counter Trump’s influence.

Effectiveness of Lawfare

Addressing Trump’s legal battles, Smith touches upon the concept of "lawfare"—the use of legal systems to target political opponents. “How they use lawfare to get at Donald Trump. That's not to say they were wrong… Nobody cares” (08:00). This discussion reflects the polarized nature of Trump’s legal issues and their impact on his political standing.

Quotes:

• Smith: “Nobody cares” (08:07)
• Kellerman: “He won the election fair and square” (08:56)

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4. Embracing the Chaos and Future Outlook

Navigating Political Turbulence

As the episode draws to a close, Smith and Kellerman reflect on the chaotic nature of the current political environment. Kellerman succinctly captures the sentiment: “Welcome to the chaos” (06:33). Despite the turmoil, Smith remains optimistic about Trump’s political resilience and the Republican Party’s strategy moving forward.

Final Thoughts

Smith reinforces his belief in Trump’s ability to maintain his position despite ongoing challenges: “The man won the election fair and square. So this chaos that is threatening to come about, even though we don't know” (09:17). This concluding remark encapsulates the enduring uncertainty and volatility in the political landscape as the nation edges closer to the January 2025 inauguration.

Quotes:

• Smith: “The man won the election fair and square” (09:17)
• Kellerman: “You couldn't beat them. You didn't get enough people out to the polls to beat them” (08:56)

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Conclusion

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers a thorough examination of Donald Trump’s strategic moves as he prepares for a potential presidential comeback. Through detailed discussions on cabinet appointments, the controversial pardon issue, and the broader political implications, Smith and Kellerman provide listeners with a nuanced perspective on the current state of American politics. The hosts adeptly blend analysis with passionate commentary, making the episode both informative and engaging for those seeking to understand the complexities of Trump’s political maneuvers.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen A. Smith (01:09): “We’re in Washington. We’re bringing our brooms because it’s a mess.”
• Max Kellerman (01:52): “Exactly. In other words, it's new. It didn't exist until now.”
• Stephen A. Smith (04:00): “What Trump is determined to do is have people loyal to him as opposed to prioritizing their level of competency as politicians.”
• Stephen A. Smith (08:15): “The American people spoke. 34 felony convictions, two impeachments, civil suits for hundreds of millions. They said, kick rocks. We want him anyway.”

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the episode, providing a clear and engaging overview for those who have not listened to the podcast.

Transcript

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[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I had to get into this, ladies.

[Max Kellerman]

And gentlemen, because as Zach Galifianakis in the movie the Campaign with Will Ferrell.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Said, ladies and gentlemen, we're in Washington. We're bringing our brooms because it's a mess. And sure enough, this man, Donald Trump, ain't even back in office yet.

[Max Kellerman]

And Lord have mercy, it seems like, it seems like a mess.

[Stephen A. Smith]

We got to get started with the.

[Max Kellerman]

Political headlines this president elect has brought to the table as he continues to fill out his cabinet while we're heading towards his inauguration in January of 2025.

[Stephen A. Smith]

One big appointment that's now raising eyebrows.

[Max Kellerman]

Is Trump naming Space X and Tesla.

[Stephen A. Smith]

CEO Elon Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to head up a new department of government efficiency.

[Max Kellerman]

Exactly. In other words, it's new. It didn't exist until now.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I mean, if that isn't bad enough.

[Max Kellerman]

Ladies and gentlemen, I mean, another appointment.

[Stephen A. Smith]

This, this Pete Hegseth, former now former Fox News host. I know they're going to listen. These are veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan war. You know, I get all of that. I understand that. I'm not, I'm not throwing any shade on his service in our military. God bless him, appreciate and honor his service.

[Max Kellerman]

And by the way, Trump just tapped Marco Rubio as a secretary of State. I don't mind that. Marco Rubio is a highly respected senator out of Florida and he's been around for a while. Ran against Trump in 2016, couldn't do anything with them. But Marco Rubio's respected, highly knowledgeable, very articulate. I have no problem with him being Secretary of State whatsoever. Just wanted to get that out there.

[Stephen A. Smith]

But if you look at some of these appointments. Could y'all just look on the screen, please? Could you just look on the screen for yourself? Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas. Okay, that's fine. Ambassador to Israel, CIA Director John Radcliffe. He's got some experience now with the CIA, but, you know, he was obviously a Trump supporter. You know, just threw away all the Russian disinformation they proclaim was existing. I got that. I got that. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security. Okay. Stephen Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East. William McGinley, White House counsel. You just get the impression, Let me.

[Max Kellerman]

Not forget Lee Zeldin, Congressman from Long Island. He'll be the new EPA administrator. Administrator. So he goes from a congressman to an administrator, even if it is for the epa.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Okay, okay.

[Max Kellerman]

Environmental Protection Agency. For those of you who don't know.

[Stephen A. Smith]

It just seems to me that what Trump is determined to do is have.

[Max Kellerman]

People loyal to him as opposed to prioritizing their level of competency as politicians.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm not questioning any of these individuals capabilities. I'm not saying they can't do the job. I have no clue.

[Max Kellerman]

I know none of them.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm not trying to cast any aspersions on them. I'm simply using this as evidence to highlight why you had so many people out there so damn nervous about Trump. Because you see some of these folks and, you know, the first thing you hear is how loyal all of these people were. And then we also got to go to what's been reported, because it was also been. It was also reported that former Vice President Mike Pence was quoted as saying this, quote, I don't think the President should pardon anyone who assaulted a police officer at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. And that he's literally, quote, praying that President Elect Trump and President Elect Vance will stand on the commitments that they will make when they raise their right hands on that day. I read that quote from former Vice.

[Max Kellerman]

President Mike Pence, because, ladies and gentlemen, he was the guy in 2021 assigned to certify the election and the election results that showed Joe Biden would be the new President in the United States of America.

[Stephen A. Smith]

It was he who Trump was speaking.

[Max Kellerman]

About when he spoke to that crowd.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Outside near the U.S. capitol at the Ellipsey, where Vice President Kamala Harris spoke right before the election, imploring them to save our country. We have to stop this. We have to protest peacefully, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And then they ultimately stormed in there and they were screaming, hang Mike Pence. They defecated any offices of elected officials. They barricaded through the barricades. They killed a police officer, died a woman was shot by Secret Service. And yet we're looking at a situation where Mike Pence doesn't want those folks pardoned. And meanwhile, Trump has been on the record guaranteeing that he would pardon all 1500 folks who found themselves indicted and incarcerated because of their actions on that.

[Max Kellerman]

Fateful day, January 6, 2021.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So, ladies and gentlemen, all I got.

[Max Kellerman]

To say about this is welcome to the chaos. Welcome to the chaos. All I ask is that you consider this.

[Stephen A. Smith]

When the Democrats come and say, see, see, see what you tell, see what we told y'all.

[Max Kellerman]

Tell them to kick rocks.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Donald Trump strolled down the golden escalators in 2015. That's what he did. Y'all swore up and down he was going to lose. You made jokes about him, you laughed at him, commentators, elected officials, even former President Obama. And then he beat Hillary Clinton in the Electoral College vote and he lost the election in 2020. But here he is, the Republican nominee, not once, not twice, but three straight elections, and the Democrats still don't have a definitive candidate they believe can beat them. So I don't want to hear what they have to say, because in the end, you can't beat them. You were willing to rely on an.

[Max Kellerman]

81 year old man that was going to be 82 by the time of the election to go up against him, because you had no one definitively you could point to that could take him out fair and square.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Now you can sit up there and debate all you want until the cows come home about law, fair and all of this stuff. If you're someone on the right and how they use lawfare to get at Donald Trump. That's not to say they were wrong. That's not to say he didn't break any laws. Nobody cares.

[Max Kellerman]

The American people spoke. 34 felony convictions, two impeachments, civil suits for hundreds of millions. They said, kick rocks. We want him anyway. And they weren't the only ones. The independence voted for him, too. Women voted for him. Minorities in the Latino and the black community elevated in numbers. There's nothing anybody could say. The man won the election fair and square. So this chaos that is threatening to.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Come about, even though we don't know.

[Max Kellerman]

For sure whether that not, that's going.

[Stephen A. Smith]

To be the case, you brought it.

[Max Kellerman]

On yourself because you couldn't beat them. You didn't get enough people out to the polls to beat them. And he won fair and square.

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you, with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up everyone? Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julie is pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and JSB on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.