The Tony Kennett Cast – Episode 416

Date: September 27, 2025
Host: Tony Kennett
Guests: Elizabeth Mitchell (White House Correspondent), Julio Rosas (The Blaze)
Producer: Nick

Overview

This episode dives into three explosive topics in U.S. news and politics:

1. The Supreme Court’s ruling allowing the Trump administration’s $4 billion foreign aid rescission package
2. Violent clashes in Chicago surrounding ICE operations, with on-the-ground reporting
3. Fallout and controversy over the recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey

Tony Kennett brings his signature sharp, irreverent analysis and humor, joined by Daily Signal correspondents for direct reporting and interviews. The episode balances constitutional law, heated protests, critiques of left-wing and right-wing politics, and the ever-present drama in Washington.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court Upholds $4 Billion Foreign Aid Cut

[00:36 – 05:30]

• Breaking News: The Supreme Court ruled (6–3) in favor of the Trump administration’s decision to temporarily withhold $4 billion in foreign aid (“rescission package”) while Congress debates possible cuts.
  • “The Supreme Court has ruled today that the Trump administration may hold onto the $4 billion in foreign aid funding as a rescission package while Congress considers a proposal to cut it.” – Tony [00:36]
• Arguments:
  • Opponents, including left-leaning NGOs, argued the President was required to spend the money Congress allocated.
  • The Trump administration cited concerns aid might fund terrorist organizations, seeking Congressional reconsideration.
• Significance:
  • Moderates like Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the majority, marking a notable ideological alignment.
  • The ruling clarifies the power Congress shares (and sometimes abdicates) to the executive in spending decisions.
• Political Irony:
  • Libertarians and moderate Republicans are in a bind as Trump cuts foreign spending, a traditionally libertarian goal.
  • Tony lampoons the debate: “Where is Iraqi Sesame Street? Ahmed Bird is not on screen in Baghdad. It’s a travesty.” – Tony [01:49]
• Congressional Path:
  • Congress would now need to actively deny the rescission, not just wait for the clock to run out.

2. White House Week: Executive Orders & Shutdown Standoffs

[05:33 – 11:09]

• Correspondent Report: Elizabeth Mitchell outlines a busy week at the White House.

• Major Executive Orders Signed:

  1. TikTok Deal:

     • White House claims deal ensures TikTok will be “American operated”—no control by Chinese staff or algorithm.
     • President credits conservative influencer Charlie Kirk and VP J.D. Vance for TikTok’s role in election victories.
     • “He said that this app will really be American operated. The Chinese will not be controlling the algorithm... Very encouraging.” – Elizabeth [07:03]

  2. Designation of Left-Wing Domestic Terrorist Organizations:

     • Enables DOJ and Homeland Security to target and prosecute groups engaged in political violence or riots.

  3. Restoration of Death Penalty in D.C.:

     • Reinstates federal death penalty, particularly in high-profile cases.

• Shutdown Politics:

  • Shutdown looms. Democrats refuse to support a continuing resolution, focusing on migrant healthcare funding.
  • “Democrats will be to blame if the government shuts down because of how dedicated they are to illegal immigrants getting health care.” – Elizabeth [08:47]
  • Tony notes the political irony: Democrats refuse policies they previously supported now that Republicans are in favor.
  • Republican narrative: Shutdown lets the administration define “essential” agencies, which could lead to big bureaucratic cuts.

3. Escalating Violence & Tension: ICE, Chicago "Riots," and Political Rhetoric

[11:10 – 32:10]

Chicago ICE Facility Protests

[15:30 – 32:11]

• Violent Incidents:

  • Protests at ICE’s Broadview, IL processing center led to attempted blockades, pepper spray deployment, arrests, and recovery of a firearm.
  • Calls from protesters to “shoot ICE,” with Tony and Julio discussing the criminal nature of this rhetoric.
  • “That is not a First Amendment right. That’s not protesting. When you incite calls for murder, it becomes a riot.” – Tony [22:04]

• Federal Response & Local Resistance:

  • Federal authorities erect a security fence; locals and fire officials criticize it as blocking roads.
  • Tony notes constitutional precedence for federal supremacy in law enforcement safety.

• Des Moines Superintendent Arrested:

  • Tony covers the arrest of Des Moines’ Public Schools Superintendent Ian Andre Roberts, who overstayed his visa for 26 years and was subject to a deportation order, found fleeing with weapons and $3,000 in cash.
  • Board accused of failing proper background checks: “Roberts was not just in the country ‘not legally,’ he was an active fugitive with a deportation order.” – Tony [22:07]

On-the-Ground Interview: Julio Rosas

[24:59 – 32:11]

• Julio reports firsthand on the standoff at Chicago’s ICE facility:
  • Protesters try to impede ICE work; vehicle access maintained due to federal fencing.
  • Officers respond to escalating protest violence; two arrests, firearm recovered.
• “The street leftists are very much still like, no, we are going to maintain our heated rhetoric and... cause chaos in the streets.” – Julio [27:02]
• Opposition to ICE is “not just happening in a vacuum... This has been building up all year and it’s going to continue.”
• Counter-protesters are very outnumbered.

Political Rhetoric & Media Hypocrisies

• Tony skewers Democratic talking points as inconsistent and tone-deaf.
• “No Democrat votes in the House needed to pass this bill. And there are still expected to be House Democrats that are defecting to vote in favor of this continuing resolution.” – Tony [11:56]
• Media coverage flip-flops on government shutdown effects depending on political expediency.

4. The Comey Indictment: Lawfare or Justice?

[12:30, 34:40, 43:47 – 49:46]

• Charges:

  • Former FBI Director James Comey indicted on two felony counts: lying to Congress (2020) and obstruction of justice.
  • Tony criticizes takes that call the indictment “dumb” or “pointless”—argues this slow, narrow approach stands up to scrutiny, unlike “throw everything” cases.

• Political Fallout:

  • Democrats say it’s a “five-year-old” vendetta; Tony retorts that the left holds on even longer to January 6 narratives.

• Comey’s Video Response:

  • Tony lampoons Comey’s public statement on not living “on our knees.”
    • “That is the gayest thing I have heard in my entire life. Someone that I love recently said licking doorknobs on other planets is illegal. And you know what? She's right.” – Tony [44:10]
  • Legal advice for public officials: “If you are involved with a lawsuit, if you are sued, you are arrested, you are indicted. Step number one, shut your mouth. Don’t talk, don’t speak.” – Tony [43:47]

• Democratic Critics Respond:

  • Pete Buttigieg claims the administration is using law enforcement for personal revenge; Tony mocks the melodramatic messaging.

• Double Standard:

  • Tony points out the irony of Democrats dismissing statutes of limitations for Trump prosecutions, but crying foul over dated charges for Comey.

5. Rhetoric, Law Enforcement Targeting, and Left-Wing Violence

[32:12 – 42:07]

• Violent Rhetoric:
  • “As long as the apps... that allow individuals to track and dox ICE agents are continued to be kept up... There will be additional terror attacks. There will be. It’s not a matter of if.” – Tony [39:12]
  • Congressional efforts (Rep. Chip Roy) to investigate “anti-American activities” and left-wing violence are gaining momentum.
• Comparisons:
  • Tony slams left-wing attempts to equivocate between non-violent boycotts (Bud Light MP5 shooting memes) and real attacks on ICE.
  • “If you break the law but you don’t get caught, it’s fine. Excuse me.” (On Soros-backed prosecutor declining to charge a child exhibitionist) – Tony [41:06]

6. Election Year Politics: Democratic Stumbles & Republican Opportunities

[53:10 – End]

• Democratic Candidates’ Troubling Messaging:
  • Example: Shelby Campbell, Democratic candidate in Michigan, mocks the assassination of Charlie Kirk and claims “my district will like me because I advocate for them as a white person.” [53:07]
  • Tony criticizes the echo chamber and vulgarity of left-wing candidate/protester rhetoric.
• Flag as Symbolic Battleground:
  • Despite think pieces about “reclaiming the flag,” left-wing activists continue protests by sitting for the anthem at games.
• Polling:
  • Democrats are only up one point over Republicans in the generic Congressional ballot—a “nuclear territory” warning for the party in year one of an administration.
• Strategy Note:
  • Tony argues Democrats lack concrete policy messaging and rely on old talking points; meanwhile, Republican policy (strong economy, border enforcement) is resonating.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Supreme Court decision:

  • “This is important for two reasons. Number one... are Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Chief Justice John Roberts, who were considered moderates... heading into the Supreme Court session back in summer.” – Tony [01:49]

• On political violence becoming normalized:

  • “People believe, especially young people, that it's okay to physically harm or even kill your enemies. This is a huge problem. The Trump administration takes this extremely seriously.” – Elizabeth [10:14]

• On the new American political ecosystem:

  • “We are now in the point where a lot of people are announcing their retirements, their sayonaras, their, their heading out to pasture, some of them that have been in Congress since the Civil War and the Democrats have nothing in place to replace them.” – Tony [55:24]

• On prosecutorial double standards:

  • “If you are Letitia James or Adam Schiff and you are going to say, I demand every single law out there, everywhere, all of the laws apply to everyone, honey. That goes both ways.” – Tony [68:06]

• Biting humor:

  • “He's not meeting with people named Hakeem and Jeffries, he won't respond to my text messages. And I stood outside with Hank Johnson all last night near Trump's house playing guitar and singing, and he didn't throw me one of the Bachelor roses. It's terrible. I love it.” – Tony [12:03]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Supreme Court Foreign Aid Ruling: [00:36 – 05:30]
• White House Executive Orders & Government Shutdown: [05:33 – 11:09]
• Chicago ICE Protests and Des Moines Superintendent Arrest: [15:30 – 24:59, 21:23]
• On-The-Ground Report with Julio Rosas: [24:59 – 32:11]
• Political Rhetoric, Violent Protest, & Media Coverage: [32:12 – 42:07]
• James Comey Indictment Coverage: [12:30, 34:40, 43:47 – 49:46]
• Democratic Messaging, Political Prospects, & Concluding Analysis: [53:10 – 68:10]

Conclusion

Tony Kennett’s cast delivers an unvarnished, deeply skeptical view of both political extremes, focusing on the week’s top stories in law, politics, and protest.
The Supreme Court’s foreign aid decision, Chicago’s chaotic ICE protests, and the indictment of James Comey highlight a country deeply divided not just ideologically, but on what constitutes law, decency, and justice.

Kennett’s irreverent tone and incisive humor make the seriousness of the news more accessible—if sometimes bracing. His skepticism toward “establishment” narratives and relentless critique of political hypocrisy are threaded throughout, with robust exchanges from expert guests and on-the-ground correspondents.

Episode Summary Prepared for The Tony Kennett Cast (The Daily Signal) – [Episode 416, 09/27/2025]