The Tony Kinnett Cast – Ep. 450

Date: November 19, 2025
Main Theme: Upheaval in Congress around the Jeffrey Epstein files and an explosive call by Democrats that some interpret as encouraging military insubordination; plus, corruption, crime, and power in American politics.

Episode Overview

Tony Kinnett hosts a whirlwind episode exploring two urgent news stories:

1. The dramatic, rare bipartisan momentum in Congress to fully release the Jeffrey Epstein files, sparking controversies across both political parties.
2. A contentious new video, made by congressional Democrats, seemingly encouraging military and intelligence officers to disobey orders they individually perceive as illegal—a move Tony slams as bordering on sedition.

Kinnett dissects these events with trademark sarcasm, hands-on reporting, and direct interviews with figures like Daily Signal president Rob Bluey and Congressman Tim Burchett. Also woven into the episode: discussion of congressional ethics, city crime, and familiar guests' memorable one-liners.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. Congressional Push to Release the Epstein Files

[00:34–09:55]

• House and Senate Move Rapidly:

  • The House passes the Epstein Files Transparency Act (HR4405) 427–1, overriding grand jury protections.
    • Clay Higgins (R-LA) was the only ‘nay’—cited privacy concerns if individuals’ names were simply CC’ed in emails ([01:47]).
  • The Senate, as Tony jokes, moves with “unprecedented speed,” passing it by unanimous consent within hours ([03:55]).

• Tony’s Commentary on Congressional Efficiency:

  “The House and the Senate freaking know how to pass bills. They know how to pass bills. That it doesn't take three and eight months... No, they can come through and say, you know what, screw reading it eight times, screw all of the amendments. We're passing the bill. There you go to the president's desk.” ([04:56])

• Bombshell Leaks:

  • Oversight Democrats “leak” a few emails, which the House GOP responds to by releasing tens of thousands.
  • Key Revelations:
    • Epstein appears to have coached Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D–VI, non-voting) during a 2019 oversight hearing by text—suggesting specific lines of questioning and operational details on going after Trump ([07:44–09:55]).
    • Emails also indicate fundraising links between Epstein and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’s 2013 campaign post-Epstein’s 2008 conviction.

II. Partisan Fights: Censure and Counter-Spin

[09:55–16:28]

• Censure Resolution Against Plaskett:

  • House Republicans, via Rep. Ralph Norman, move to condemn and remove Plaskett from the Intelligence Committee for coaching by a convicted felon, Jeffrey Epstein ([09:55]).

• Democratic Response:

  • Katherine Clark and Jamie Raskin argue that Epstein was Plaskett’s constituent, the texts were not illegal, and the GOP is being “partisan” ([12:02], [14:08]).

• Tony’s Satirical Take:

  “Now, it would be very sexist and inappropriate for me to say. It's just like a woman to get up and immediately evade the matter at hand and start talking about something unrelated. Jim Jordan was mean to me and also the late representative Cummings, you know, may he rest in peace.” ([12:20])

III. The Democrats’ “Military Rebellion” Video

[22:26–26:46]

• Seven Congressional Democrats (several veterans) release a video calling for military and intelligence members to ‘refuse illegal orders.’

  • Clips feature demands to “stand up for our laws” and “refuse illegal orders,” stirring up debate about chain of command and the correct way to address questionable directives ([22:26–25:22]).

• Tony’s Fierce Critique:

  “That's an incredibly dangerous thing to put out at any given time. Saying you need to take your understanding of what constitutes a legal order or adheres to the U.S. Constitution into your own hands. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Absolutely do not do that.” ([26:48])

  • Tony suggests this possibly violates 18 U.S. Code § 2387 (activities against military discipline), not technically “treason” but potentially “sedition” ([27:03]).

IV. Crime, Immigration, and Blue City Politics

[32:54–41:54] (with Rob Bluey of The Daily Signal)

• DC Crime Down, National Guard Credited:

  • National Guard presence returns relative calm to DC, though other cities like Chicago face severe crime spikes—highlighted by a horrifying attack on public transit ([33:05], [35:04], [44:42]).
  • Contrast in approaches: DC Mayor Bowser’s silence versus mayors of other large cities critical of Trump’s federal law enforcement measures.

• Dems’ Crime and Immigration Language Shifts:

  • Notable that figures like Cory Booker are now criticizing ‘defund the police’ rhetoric; recognizing political suicide in heavily blue urban areas ([36:13]).

• Congress and Affordability:

  • With Trump’s administration focusing on affordability/anti-inflation, both Tony and Rob see a mid-term battlefield around housing, healthcare, and economic relief ([38:24–41:54]).

V. Insider View: Rep. Tim Burchett Interview

[53:59–67:17]

• Cynicism About Congressional Ethics:

  • Burchett details bureaucracy/graft: he can’t sell homemade skateboards without hiring a lawyer, but “if I want to do insider stock trading, I can just become a member of Congress.” ([55:24], [57:02])

  • On staff/lobbyist influence:

    “The lobbyists have the same contacts, they have the same control... what they do is get an attorney. Oh, that's not me. That's my daughter's LLC.” ([57:47])

  • On Congress’s real function:

    “The only thing Congress is actually doing usefully is providing a platform for insider trading.” ([62:08])

• Outsider Identity & Disgust with DC:

  • Burchett works late in his barn, not out “on the cocktail circuit.” He criticizes the cycle of power addiction among congressional leadership ([62:08–64:09]).

| Notable Quotes (Burchett) | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | “I sleep in my office… I don’t run around on my wife. I don’t drink… But it’s very frustrating. If you got a congressman that likes Washington D.C., you better get you another dad gum Congressman.” | [62:08] | | “Leadership is about staying in power, brother. It doesn’t matter who’s in charge. ...Once they get a taste of that, it’s about the entourage, it’s about the Suburban...” | [65:24] |

VI. Trump and the Media—Daily Humor & Outrage

[69:36–76:10]

• Trump Calls Reporter “Quiet, Piggy”:

  • After repeated pressing on Epstein questions, Trump snaps, “quiet, quiet, piggy.” Tony shrugs off controversy, noting the media’s daily barrage of more severe labels at Trump ([70:03–71:16]).

• Lighthearted Trump Moments:

  • At the McDonald’s investor conference:

    “I'm honored to stand before you as the very first former McDonald's fry cook ever to become President of the United States.” ([72:02])

  • Jokes with the Saudi Crown Prince about being the best president for Saudi Arabia; his signature bombast and bravado on display ([74:27]).

VII. City Violence & Blue Mayors' Rhetoric

[44:42–48:18]

• Crime in Chicago:

  • Tony highlights headline-grabbing violent incidents left untended by Mayor Brandon Johnson, who instead accuses Republicans of “relitigating the Civil War” ([46:34]).

• Tony’s Critique of Woke Governance:

  “Did he really just admit that he thinks that black people cannot get access to these goods unless the government hands it to them in a handout? Because. Yikes, yikes. And then some.” ([48:18])

VIII. Key Legal & Policy Updates

• Texas Redistricting Blocked (SCOTUS Review Pending):

  • Federal court blocks 2025 maps over alleged racial gerrymandering; Tony forecasts Supreme Court nullification ([29:30–32:52]).

• TX & FL Move to Designate CAIR & Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Orgs:

  • Covering the shift in statehouse priorities, Texas Governor Abbott’s actions against groups accused of supporting terrorism ([49:00]).

IX. Mailbag & Q&A: Sedition vs. Treason, IN Redistricting, and More

[77:01–84:41]

• Clarifying Treason vs. Sedition:

  • Treason = betrayal for a foreign power.
  • Sedition = inciting rebellion against your own government ([78:31]).

• Indiana Republicans’ Inertia:

  • Tony laments state-level inaction as “laziness and a weird desire to be stepped on.” ([84:04])

Memorable Quotes & Moments

| Time | Speaker | Quote | |---------|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:56 | Tony Kennett | "They know how to pass bills. That it doesn't take three and eight months... They know how to pass bills." | | 13:21 | Producer Nick | "Why does [Epstein] have your phone number?" | | 26:46 | Tony Kennett | "Absolutely do not do that. ...If you are in the military and the order seems wrong, consult a JAG...Don't just refuse." | | 55:24 | Rep. Tim Burchett | "If I want to do insider stock trading, I can just become a member of Congress, but if I want to sell a few skateboards..."| | 70:03 | Donald Trump | (to reporter) "Quiet, quiet, piggy." | | 72:02 | Donald Trump | "I'm honored to stand before you as the very first former McDonald's fry cook ever to become President..." |

Timestamps of Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:34 | Epstein Files: House vote breakdown; Schumer advances Senate passage | | 07:44 | Epstein communications with Rep. Plaskett dissected | | 09:55 | Introduction of censure motion against Plaskett | | 12:02 | Dem response: Clark & Raskin defensively countercharge | | 22:26 | Airs clip of Democrats' “refuse illegal orders” video | | 32:54 | Rob Bluey interview: DC crime, politics, urban safety | | 53:59 | Tim Burchett Interview: ethics, life in Congress, corruption | | 69:36 | Trump’s “quiet, piggy” moment; McDonald's investor conference humor | | 72:02 | Trump as the “McDonald's fry cook” president | | 77:01 | Tony's Q&A: treason vs. sedition, Indiana’s redistricting inertia |

Tone and Language

• Tony Kinnett’s Tone: Sarcastic, blunt, “middle America” common sense, skeptical of bureaucracy/elite, mixes humor with pointed criticism.
• Guests: Rob Bluey is analytic but affable; Rep. Burchett is earthy, frank, and self-deprecating.

Conclusion

Ep. 450 distills a night of high political drama into a fast-paced, deeply skeptical commentary:

• Congress can work fast—when it’s motivated.
• Accountability cuts both ways: The Epstein file release ensnares both Trump and prominent Democrats.
• Redrawing the lines of loyalty: With Democrats accused of dancing on the edge of sedition, and city mayors pivoting on police and immigration, old political lines seem radically unstable.
• “Drain the Swamp?” – The episode’s through-line: good governance remains elusive, whether in Congress or city hall.
• Notable advice: Don’t take legal instructions from politicians’ viral videos; consult a JAG!

For those who missed it, this episode is a crash course in the week’s political theater—with a healthy dose of skepticism about everyone in the spotlight.