Truth in the Barrel – “This Week Unfiltered w/ Miles Taylor”

Episode Date: December 12, 2025
Hosts: Amy McGrath & Denver Riggleman
Guest: Miles Taylor

Episode Overview

In this charged and engaging episode, Amy McGrath and Denver Riggleman are joined by Miles Taylor, former Trump administration official and national security expert. The discussion centers around seismic changes in U.S. national security strategy under the current Trump administration, America’s strained alliances, controversial military actions, the motivations behind escalating tensions with Venezuela, the impact of tariffs and bailouts on American farmers, corruption in governance, Congressional stock trading, and the need for term limits. With in-depth analysis and first-hand perspectives, it’s a frank conversation that cuts through party lines and political spin.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. National Security Strategy: A Major Shift (01:42–09:40)

• Release of New National Security Strategy:
  Amy kicks off discussion of the White House’s just-released national security strategy, explaining its traditional role as a blueprint for outlining America’s global threats and priorities. Previous iterations, regardless of administration, had generally upheld longstanding post-WWII values: NATO, free trade, alliances, and keeping adversaries in check.

  • Amy:
    “Now...this Trump administration just released this 33 page document and it is completely different...we’re backing away from global commitments, we’re backing away from the rules based order…the kept great power peace for, you know, 80 some years.”

• Miles’ Involvement and Critique:
  Miles helped draft the first Trump strategy, which he claims mostly ignored Trump’s input (“we operated basically by tweet instead of by strategy” [05:45]) and was written by “the adults in the room.” The newest document, he warns, fully reflects Trump’s worldview—transactional, anti-alliance, and values-free.

  • Miles:
    “This time there are no illusions about it. The trash is the story. And it’s more reflective of Donald Trump’s actual worldview, which is transactional and not values based.” [07:01]

• US Alliances and Reputation in Crisis:
  Allies now view the US with skepticism, some even labelling us a national security threat—for example, Denmark fearing possible US military action against Greenland.

  • Miles:
    “Some of our closest allies…have started to treat the United States as a national security threat.” [08:07]

2. America’s Attitude Toward Russia and Authoritarianism (09:40–13:42)

• Trump’s national security outlook is drastically more Russia-friendly, even seeking closer ties with illiberal regimes at odds with democratic values.
  • Amy:
    “It’s what Vladimir Putin, what his press secretary would write for us. I feel like this is like, well, this is great. What does Putin think? Well, let’s write that down.” [09:40]
• In Trump’s administration, senior officials often had to “light the document on fire” to keep pro-Russia positions out. Now, Miles warns, even literal US defenses (cybersecurity and counterespionage) are being dismantled.

3. International Law, Recent Military Actions, & The ‘Might Makes Right’ Doctrine (13:42–22:41)

• Caribbean & Latin America Strikes:
  The Trump administration now claims expanded powers to launch strikes against suspected drug traffickers, based on legally dubious logic.

  • Amy:
    “You’re seeing them with this second strike on that first day being, you know, potentially a war crime. You know, we don’t know because we haven’t seen it…but the evidence…is pretty bad.” [16:01]
  • Miles:
    “I don’t even think it was a war crime. I think it was just a crime…the underlying basis for the strikes themselves is so absurdly flimsy...” [16:21]

• Proportionality and Military Ethics:
  The hosts stress how U.S. norms and international law—ensuring proportionality, protecting civilian lives—are being ignored. Amy, a former fighter pilot, explains:
  “You can’t drop bombs all over the city if you’re going after one guy…that’s just not…proportional.” [20:32]

• Why Trump’s Approach Fails:
  Miles bluntly characterizes Trump’s military and law enforcement posture as “the total weak guy’s approach.” Instead of building cases and dismantling networks, “we’re basically blowing up our evidence…denying ourselves the opportunity to go get the big fish.” [22:41]

4. Why Venezuela? Money and Motives (28:22–31:39)

• Despite stationing significant military force near Venezuela, Amy notes no Americans—Trump supporters or otherwise—asked for this.
• Miles exposes the root cause:
  “With Donald Trump, it’s very, very simple. The places that he chooses to engage diplomatically are places where he sees economic upside full stop…he used to talk in private about carving up parts of the world…like…the autocrats and the monarchs of world history.” [31:13]
• Venezuela, with its vast oil wealth, is a lucrative target in Trump’s eyes, a recurring motivation in his foreign policy moves.

5. Tariffs, Trade Wars, and Farmer Bailouts (32:04–38:43)

• Farmers Caught in the Crossfire:
  A $12 billion bailout for struggling American farmers is meant to offset losses from Trump’s tariff-driven trade war. Amy and Miles dissect this as an absurd economic cycle:

  • Farmers lose due to tariffs

  • Get “bailed out” with taxpayer money

  • Overseas markets lost, often permanently

  • Larger farms benefit most; small farmers often get little help

  • Miles’ analogy:
    “Donald Trump’s tariffs were attacks on all Americans and harmed farmers. He basically pickpocketed our farmers, and now he’s taking the money…offering up a pittance…saying, ‘hey, I realize I made it hard for you guys. Let me give you a couple of bucks…’” [33:22]

• Calling Out Hypocrisy:
  Miles calls this “definitionally a socialist way of engaging in economics,” lampooning the right for being manipulated into supporting the very government interference they decry elsewhere.

6. Corruption and Self-Dealing (38:43–44:51)

• Trump Demanding $250 Million ‘Apology’ from the Treasury:
  The hosts highlight Trump’s ongoing efforts to collect taxpayer money for personal reasons, in addition to using the presidency for profit.

• Extravagant Gifts from Foreign Governments:
  Miles reveals Trump solicited and arranged for a $400 million private jet from Qatar as a gift—then directed a billion dollars to retrofit it for his future personal use.

  • Amy’s personal story:
    Contrasts her experience of being unable to keep even a commemorative sports plaque received overseas.
  • Miles:
    “Donald Trump is going to get to keep an airplane. And by the way, you didn’t ask for that plaque, Amy. Donald Trump asked for the airplane.” [42:30]

• Foreign Policy for Sale:
  Qatar’s subsequent favorable treatment raises serious quid pro quo concerns.

7. Quick Takes: Hypocrisy and Systemic Reform (45:04–53:33)

• U.S. Institute of Peace Renamed for Trump:
  The irony is not lost on anyone, as Trump becomes the namesake of a peace institute while launching new military strikes.

  • Gavin Newsom (quoted via Miles):
    “Kentucky Fried Chicken might as well found an institute of veganism.” [45:33]

• Congressional Stock Trading & Term Limits:

  • Amy and Miles agree banning Congressional stock trading is overdue and support term limits to break cycles of power, enrichment, and corruption. Miles notes the long history and wisdom of limiting public service terms as a barrier to pride and corruption.

8. Memorable Closing & Traditions (53:33–54:16)

• Amy ends with a salute to the Army-Navy Game, reflecting on the importance of tradition and camaraderie despite political differences.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Miles Taylor on new national security strategy:
  “The trash is the story. And it’s more reflective of Donald Trump’s actual worldview, which is transactional and not values based.” [07:01]

• Amy McGrath on the Russia shift:
  “It’s…what Vladimir Putin, what his press secretary would write for us…What does Putin think? Well, let’s write that down.” [09:40]

• Miles Taylor on military strikes:
  “We’re basically blowing up our evidence in the process…This is a total weak guy’s approach. We look really, really weak to the drug cartels.” [22:41]

• Amy McGrath on proportionality:
  “You can’t drop bombs all over the city if you’re going after one guy. Right?” [20:32]

• Miles Taylor on Venezuela:
  “With Donald Trump, it’s very, very simple…the places that he chooses to engage diplomatically are places where he sees economic upside full stop.” [31:13]

• Miles’ ‘pickpocket’ analogy on tariffs and bailouts:
  “A pickpocket comes…steals that hundred bucks…then…the pickpocket…hands you five bucks and says, don’t worry, I’ll cover you with your money. That is…what happened here.” [33:22]

• On corruption and foreign gifts:
  “Donald Trump is going to get to keep an airplane. And by the way, you didn’t ask for that plaque, Amy. Donald Trump asked for the airplane.” [42:30]

• Gavin Newsom via Miles, on hypocrisy:
  “Kentucky Fried Chicken might as well found an institute of veganism.” [45:33]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• National security strategy discussion: 01:42–09:40
• Russia, NATO, alliances: 09:40–13:42
• Military policy and war crimes: 13:42–22:41
• Venezuela & economic motives: 28:22–32:04
• Tariffs, bailouts, farming: 32:04–38:43
• Corruption, foreign gifts: 38:43–44:51
• Quick takes: Peace institute, stock trading, term limits: 45:04–53:33
• Closing remarks & Army-Navy tradition: 53:33–54:16

Tone, Style & Final Thoughts

The conversation is spirited, candid, and rooted in shared experience and deep policy expertise. Both hosts and guest are direct—sometimes caustic, often humorous, and always focused on underlying principles rather than party orthodoxy.
Despite the gravity of the topics, there’s an undercurrent of hopefulness and a call to civic responsibility—reminding listeners that American values and institutions are worth defending, even in the face of unprecedented challenges.