The Victor Davis Hanson Show: "Iran Abandoned, and Blue Cities, Too"
Release Date: June 27, 2025

1. Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show, host Victor Davis Hanson, alongside co-host Jack Fowler and guest Sammy Wink, delves deep into the ongoing conflict in Iran, the political landscape of the United States, and the shifting dynamics within major American cities. The discussion offers a blend of historical context, current events analysis, and insightful commentary on societal trends.

2. Iran's Ceasefire and the Ongoing Conflict

The episode opens with an in-depth analysis of the recent ceasefire in the Iran-Iraq conflict. Victor criticizes President Trump's executive order aimed at lowering prescription drug prices, highlighting broader themes of prioritizing patients over corporations.

Key Points:

• Ceasefire Violations: Victor explains that Iran violated the ceasefire by launching missiles into Israel after the agreed deadline, leading to heightened tensions and retaliatory actions.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [04:08]: "Israel had planes in the air... And Donald Trump got angry at them and said, why are they bombing?"

• Asymmetrical Warfare: He contrasts Israel's targeted military strikes against Iran's indiscriminate missile attacks, likening Iran's actions to historical terror attacks in London during World War II.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [07:22]: "Iran is just sending terror weapons, just like the V2 attacks in London... They're just terror attacks aimed at civilians."

• Trump's Response: Trump's frustration with the ceasefire breakdown is discussed, emphasizing his stance against Iran's actions and his criticism of left-leaning media narratives that downplay Iran's threats.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [11:15]: "Trump is trying to be magnanimous to Iran... But it's an asymmetrical situation."

3. Denuclearization of Iran

The conversation shifts to the critical issue of Iran's nuclear capabilities, examining the extent to which Iran has been denuclearized following military interventions.

Key Points:

• Uranium Enrichment: Victor discusses Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, questioning the impact of recent attacks on their nuclear infrastructure.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [15:09]: "The difference between 60 and 90 is not the difference between 30 and 60. It's a geometric ratio."

• Missile Defense and Nuclear Threats: He highlights Israel's effective missile defense systems in neutralizing potential nuclear threats, stressing that Iran lacks the capability to mount a successful nuclear attack.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [18:45]: "Israel's got over 200 nuclear missiles and so they know that. They were experimenting with satellites that could carry nuclear devices."

• Media Skepticism: Victor critiques the liberal media's skepticism regarding Iran's weaponization steps, comparing it to baseless claims about assassination plots without evidence.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [19:23]: "It's like saying someone writes a plan to kill someone but doesn't pull the trigger. How do you know they were going to shoot?"

4. Constitutionality of US Military Actions Against Iran

A significant portion of the discussion addresses the legal framework surrounding the US's military actions against Iran's nuclear facilities, particularly focusing on the War Powers Act.

Key Points:

• War Powers Act Compliance: Victor argues that the executive branch has the authority to ensure national safety without formally declaring war, citing historical precedents.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [19:42]: "The executive branch can take action to ensure the United States is safe, and that doesn't mean go to war."

• Presidential Parallels: He draws comparisons between Trump's actions and those of previous presidents like Obama, emphasizing that while Obama engaged in extensive bombing campaigns without congressional approval, Trump's targeted strikes were within constitutional bounds.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [22:10]: "Obama bombed Libya, Somalia, Yemen, and more without congressional authority. Trump didn't do that; he acted within his power."

• Democratic Opposition: The debate touches upon Democratic leaders' criticism of Trump's actions as unconstitutional, with Victor countering that such actions have been historically permissible.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [24:40]: "It's not unconstitutional... It's not unconstitutional in the modern age unless you do."

5. US Political Landscape and the Democratic Party

Victor and Sammy delve into the internal dynamics of the Democratic Party, highlighting a growing disconnect between party elites and the working-class voters they aim to represent.

Key Points:

• Shift in Voter Base: They discuss how the Democratic Party has increasingly catered to minority elites, alienating the traditional working-class base, particularly white and conservative minorities.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [41:05]: "These cities are going to be 70 or 80% minority and they're going to be run by left wing minorities."

• Impact on Major Cities: The conversation explores the economic repercussions in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, where policies such as high taxes and defunded police forces are driving out middle-class residents.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [48:23]: "Their attitude was to bring in an entire different demography. Teach them to hate the United States."

• Electoral Consequences: The discussion outlines the potential future of these cities, suggesting they may become non-functional enclaves dominated by leftist policies, while emerging cities in the American Southwest and South remain more balanced politically.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [50:06]: "These cities are going to be enclaves of left lunacy. It’s not going to work."

6. Illegal Immigration and Deportation Policies

The topic of illegal immigration is addressed with a focus on recent statistics and high-profile cases, emphasizing the need for more stringent deportation policies.

Key Points:

• Deportation Statistics: Victor highlights recent data indicating that approximately 957,000 immigrants have left the United States between January and May 2025, suggesting a possible trend towards self-deportation among those with criminal records.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [51:29]: "People are leaving at the rate of almost a million a year. If that continues, it could significantly reduce the number of illegal immigrants."

• Policy Recommendations: He advocates for a robust deportation strategy under President Trump, proposing conditions under which illegal immigrants would be deported, such as having no criminal record and being gainfully employed.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [54:27]: "Donald Trump should make it tough... if you were here illegally and you have no criminal record and you are gainfully employed, you'll get a green card to work."

• Case Study - Mahmoud Khalid: The release of Mahmoud Khalid, a known pro-Palestinian activist, is discussed as an example of the perceived leniency in current immigration policies.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [56:12]: "Khalid is a pro Hamas organizer... he supports Hezbollah too. We don't want him because that's our pleasure."

7. Listener Comments and Feedback

Towards the end of the episode, Victor addresses feedback from listeners, showcasing support and recognizing the impact of his discussions.

Key Points:

• Support from Veterans: A listener named Gunwise shares his military background and supports Victor's stance on Iran, emphasizing the importance of removing theocracy in Iran for global safety.

  Quote:
  Gunwise [57:50]: "The best thing that could happen for the world would be for us or Israel to remove the theocracy in Iran."

• Gratitude from Audience: Another listener, Alan F1, expresses deep appreciation for Victor's historical insights, acknowledging the newfound understanding gained from his analysis.

  Quote:
  Alan F1 [58:52]: "You have given me truth in an hour. You have granted me a pathway to really see what had and is happening."

8. Conclusion and Future Topics

As the episode wraps up, Victor and Sammy hint at upcoming discussions, including major events of the 20th century, signaling continued in-depth historical analysis.

Key Points:

• Upcoming Topics: Future episodes will cover significant historical events such as the Russo-Japanese War, the Panama Canal, and the Berlin Airlift, among others.

  Quote:
  Victor Davis Hanson [61:04]: "We're going to talk on our next podcast as we go through major events of the 20th century."

• Final Remarks: The hosts thank the audience for their engagement and encourage listeners to follow Victor on various social media platforms for more content.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Victor Davis Hanson [04:08]: "Israel had planes in the air... And Donald Trump got angry at them and said, why are they bombing?"
• Victor Davis Hanson [15:09]: "The difference between 60 and 90 is not the difference between 30 and 60. It's a geometric ratio."
• Victor Davis Hanson [19:42]: "The executive branch can take action to ensure the United States is safe, and that doesn't mean go to war."
• Victor Davis Hanson [41:05]: "These cities are going to be 70 or 80% minority and they're going to be run by left wing minorities."
• Victor Davis Hanson [54:27]: "Donald Trump should make it tough... if you were here illegally and you have no criminal record and you are gainfully employed, you'll get a green card to work."

Conclusion

This episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show provides a nuanced examination of Iran's military actions, the US's strategic responses, and the internal fractures within American politics. Through a combination of historical perspective and contemporary analysis, Victor and his co-host offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of the complex geopolitical and societal issues at hand.