The Tony Kinnett Cast | Ep. 459

Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Tony Kinnett
Producer: Allison, Nick
Guest: Brett Galajewski (Turning Point Action)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Tony Kinnett Cast delivers a rapid-fire exploration of the day's top political stories from a conservative, Midwestern perspective. Tony Kinnett covers the Supreme Court’s ruling on Texas redistricting, the arrest of the January 6th pipe bombing suspect, the House’s subpoena of Special Counsel Jack Smith, a deep-dive into Minnesota’s COVID fraud scandal, U.S. military action in Venezuela, and the rollback of federal auto regulations. Special guest Brett Galajewski joins for an in-studio discussion about Indiana redistricting and the national implications.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Supreme Court Sides with Texas Republicans on Redistricting

[(01:17) – (08:16)]

• The Supreme Court rules in favor of Governor Greg Abbott and Texas’ congressional redistricting, allowing Texas to use a GOP-favored map for 2026.
• Tony notes the decision means “Texas is allowed to use the GOP favorable congressional map that...eliminates racial voting districts that were set up based on racial lines in the state of Texas prior.”
• He plays a clip of Rep. Al Green denouncing the map as “invidious discrimination...it is racial, my dear friends.”
• Kinnett mocks the length and tone of the dissent (Kagan, Sotomayor, Jackson):
  • “These three ladies, through Justice Kagan whined for 17 pages. It's straight out of Friends...That's what this is.” (05:20)
• Kagan’s dissent argues, “The district court's finding that race predominated was at least plausible. And then in parentheses, actually rather compelling…Given massive direct evidence. Okay, you don't get to be extremely highly academic in your language and say…‘we thought Texans were racist’.”
• Tony predicts this decision signals the potential overhaul of the Voting Rights Act.
• Notes practical political fallout: Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s district is effectively dissolved; expects her to run for Senate.

Notable Quote:

“We find Texas political map not to be a racist redistricting... the Supreme Court says just appears to be indisputably driven by the pursuit of partisan advantage as opposed to impermissible race based goals.” (03:20)

2. January 6th Pipe Bomber Arrested

[(08:16) – (13:45)]

• Breaking: Brian Cole Jr. arrested and charged with placing pipe bombs at RNC/DNC on Jan. 5, 2021.
  • Kinnett notes, “...there's no reason that we should just now be getting around to getting this guy.”
  • DOJ says there were “no new tips...just good diligent police work and prosecutorial work.”
• Investigation reveals ties: Cole worked for his father’s bail bonds business, which focused on freeing illegal immigrants; the company had sued Trump administration over immigration enforcement.
  • “...when they were smacked down, this dude went planting pipe bombs. Man, I'm, I'm shocked.”
• Criticizes DOJ/FBI for delayed action given rapid progress with other Jan 6. cases.

Notable Quote:

“Let's find all the old grannies that were in the crowd because, you know, they're contributing to a riot. But the guy who's planting bombs, leave him alone.” (13:06)

3. Jack Smith Subpoenaed Over Surveillance of Congress Members

[(15:12) – (19:00)]

• Special Counsel Jack Smith subpoenaed by House Oversight (James Comer) about wiretapping/location tracking of lawmakers during “Arctic Frost” investigation.
• Judge James Boasberg, who approved the wiretaps, claims ignorance of the targets' identities:
  • “I'm not joking. We didn't know when we were signing the order for the wiretapping and the location tracking that they were U.S. senators.”
  • “I thought it was a different Ted Cruz. I mean, after all, there's so many.”
• Kinnett and Producer Nick ridicule this defense as administrative laziness dangerous for civil liberties.

Notable Quote:

“If we're to follow this logic that Boasberg is presenting, how many cases has he just not cared enough to look into the details of?” (18:27)

4. Minnesota’s “Feed the Future” COVID Aid Fraud

[(19:00) – (30:00)]

• Kinnett covers widespread pandemic relief fraud in Minnesota, focusing on the Somali community in St. Paul.
  • Quotes Ilhan Omar’s vague responses to CNN’s Jake Tapper; highlights her previous praise for Safari Restaurant, later revealed to be at the center of a $250 million scam.
• Critiques Omar and other Democrats for dodging accountability and attacking critics as racist.
• Tony asserts “honor-based” cultures (referencing Somali migrants) are more prone to exploiting trust-based Western systems.
• Discusses how the fraud was facilitated by rushed COVID programs lacking internal controls.

Notable Quotes:

“It's as though your child is arguing why they need more cookies but knows nothing about dinner time nutrition...” (06:33)
“...they were trying to give money to people who need it… sometimes when you’re rushing... there’s not enough guardrails. So people might accidentally commit $1 billion in concentrated fraud to one specific part of the planet.” (21:49)

5. U.S. Military Action in Venezuela and the “SignalGate” Pentagon Leak Scandal

[(28:58) – (36:15)]

• SOUTHCOM strikes vessel operated by designated narco-terrorists in the Pacific; four killed.
• Kinnett dismisses “war crimes” accusations; ridicules Senator Chuck Schumer’s criticism and The New York Times lawsuit over Pentagon press policy.
• Interview with Tim Parlatore (press policy drafter): clarifies journalists are not barred but asked to inform the Pentagon before publishing if they receive classified material, to ensure no operational risks.

Notable Quotes:

“You don't have the right to come back in the building.” (34:18)
“If you get something that's like really salacious and spicy, we ask that you just like, show us first.” (34:20)

6. Trump Administration’s Rollback of Federal Auto Regulations (“CAFE Standards”) & Auto Industry Reaction

[(66:46) – (80:00)]

• President Trump (clip): Administration ends Biden’s CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards, citing consumer cost, auto jobs, and market choice.
  • “We’re officially terminating Joe Biden’s ridiculously burdensome...CAFE standards that imposed expensive restrictions...on automakers.”
• Kinnett celebrates the return of simpler, less expensive vehicles; elimination of “chicken tax” allowing affordable pickups like Toyota Hilux to be sold in the US.
• Ford & Stellantis CEOs endorse the rollback, pledging investment and jobs.
• Kinnett argues these policies resonate especially with rural and working-class Americans affected by regulation-driven price hikes.

Notable Quotes:

“The Trump administration has not only ended so many of the useless rules, standards and regulations...the chains are gone. Huge.” (69:10) “I have yet to see a single sweeping action...by a civilian focused Alphabet agency...that has improved the American economy and culture.” (80:25)

7. In-Depth: Indiana Redistricting and National Republican Strategy (with Brett Galajewski, Turning Point Action)

[(42:05) – (64:27)]

• Guest: Brett Galajewski, Enterprise Director of Turning Point Action
• Indiana is in the national spotlight for potentially delivering a 9-0 Republican House map—critical in retaining GOP control.
• “Indiana is truly the last line of defense right now…to retain the House of Representatives.” (43:32)
• Kinnett denounces Marion County’s (Indianapolis) “special” status, calls out local politicians resisting aggressive redistricting.
  • Argues that Democrats have gerrymandered in states they control (“...California went hard in the paint and removed five Republican seats...We need to be able to retain the House of Representatives next year.” 48:36)
• Discusses pushback from “establishment” Republicans, legacy figures (esp. connected to the Mike Pence era), and petty/self-serving reasons for resisting a 9-0 map (e.g., complaints about text blasts, intra-party politics).
  • “The reasons why senators are coming out...it's not authentic. It's masking a much larger issue, and that's these people subliminally hate Donald Trump.” (50:18)

Precinct Power:

• Both agree the most important yet undervalued role is the Precinct Committeeman, driving long-term grassroots reform and accountability.
  • “Events like this...further reiterate...the most important position in politics is a precinct committeeman.” (59:38)

Notable Quotes:

“If you care about the structure, if you care about getting things done, if you care about growing a generation, that's got to be full.” (59:10)
“Indiana is going to have to redraw its maps anyway because Marion county is literally drawn along racial lines in its electoral map.” (52:09)

8. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s Meltdown Over Public Insults

[(83:11) – (86:00)]

• Tony plays and mocks clips of Tim Walz complaining people are now driving by his house “using the R word” after Trump’s comments (“People driving by my house and using the R word in front of people.” 83:13)
• Host points out hypocrisy: other politicians face far worse—“if the worst thing you’re dealing with is kids yelling at your house, you lead a charmed life.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “They start with taunts, they turn to violence.” – Tim Walz, mocked by Tony (85:13)
• “I'm just...enjoying every little bit of this...It's just fantastic.” – Tony on Walz’s complaints (85:01)
• “Bring the camera into me right now. Look at me. Look at me in the face...Text blasting works like this. There's a big book of numbers...” (53:51)
• “I have yet to see an elected official, a Republican elected official, say, you're right, that's shameful.” (84:27)

Segment Timestamps

| Segment/Topic | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------| | Supreme Court Texas Redistricting Decision | 01:17 – 08:16 | | Jan. 6 Pipe Bomber Arrest | 08:16 – 13:45 | | Jack Smith Subpoena/”Arctic Frost” Surveillance | 15:12 – 19:00 | | Minnesota COVID Fraud & Somali Community Analysis | 19:00 – 30:00 | | US Military Action in Venezuela/SignalGate/Pentagon Press Policy | 28:58 – 36:15 | | Indiana Redistricting special w/ Brett Galajewski (Turning Point Action) | 42:05 – 64:27 | | Trump Ends CAFE Standards/Auto Industry Reaction (Ford, Stellantis CEOs) | 66:46 – 80:00 | | Governor Tim Walz’s “R-Word” Outrage Clip & Commentary | 83:11 – 86:00 |

Tone & Style

• Direct, sarcastic, irreverent, with sharp humor.
• Frequent pop culture references and references to Midwestern, working-class culture.
• Derisive toward political opponents and establishment figures of either party.
• Conversational, often addressing the audience directly (“look at me in the face,” “God bless America,” “I’m sorry, I have to laugh”).

For First-Time Listeners

This episode is quick-paced and deeply opinionated—Tony Kinnett blends breaking news with cultural and political analysis, heavy with takedowns of “woke” or establishment targets. Expect sharp, sometimes brash humor, strong opinions on electoral and legal developments, and a focus on both national significance and local (Midwestern, particularly Indiana) politics.

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