Podcast Summary
Truth in the Barrel
Episode: "Tulsi, ICE, and What's at Stake... with George Conway | Unfiltered"
Hosts: Amy McGrath, Denver Riggleman
Guest: George Conway
Date: February 6, 2026
Brief Overview
In this robust, candid episode, Amy McGrath and Denver Riggleman are joined by prominent attorney and political commentator George Conway, now a Democratic Congressional candidate in New York. The trio dives deeply into current threats to the Constitution, the impact of Trump’s policies on everyday Americans, ICE’s expanding authority, Tulsi Gabbard’s controversial role as Director of National Intelligence, concerns over democratic backsliding, and urgent calls to action for listeners. The conversation is unfiltered, impassioned, and timely, focusing on concrete issues and the vital importance of standing up for American democracy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. George Conway’s Congressional Run and Party Switch
[01:17 - 03:11]
- Motivation for running:
Conway shares why he recently switched to the Democratic Party and launched a campaign:"I have this compulsion to fight back. ...More people need to be talking about the need to get rid of this guy... Impeachment and removal." (George Conway, 01:29)
- Constitutional Duty:
Trump’s actions are positioned as uniquely dangerous; Conway presses for urgent action to impeach and remove Trump to protect constitutional mechanisms.
2. Affordability and Economic Impact of Trump’s Policies
[03:11 - 12:31]
- Everyday consequences:
The panel cites increasing costs of living and loss of healthcare subsidies, with McGrath highlighting direct stories from Kentuckians:"I’ve talked to a woman who had her premium go up from 450 bucks a month to about $1,500 a month. I mean, you just can’t afford that." (Amy McGrath, 06:02)
- False economic promises:
They dissect claims that tariffs would help manufacturing and reduce costs, with Conway calling Trump’s approach egotistical and self-serving:"It’s all for his ego. Meanwhile, those tariffs raise costs for American consumers...This is the ultimate scam." (George Conway, 08:22)
- Declining spending:
Only the super-rich have seen an uptick in spending, underscoring the failure of “America First” economics to help working families.
3. ICE Overreach & Erosion of Constitutional Rights
[12:31 - 23:02]
- Secret ICE Memo:
McGrath reveals a directive authorizing warrantless ICE arrests, raising constitutional alarm bells. - Constitutional protections for all people:
Both stress the Fourth Amendment’s guarantee extends to all persons—citizen or not."The Constitution applies to anyone who is here in the United States, correct? Not just U.S. citizens." (Amy McGrath, 14:39)
- Historical perspective:
Conway laments the GOP’s abandonment of originalist principles, accusing the administration of using policies as vehicles for division and authoritarian power."It’s classic fascism, okay? Classic authoritarianism. ...They are creating enemies within America to divide it." (George Conway, 16:32–18:32)
- Political weaponization:
The discussion pivots to how ICE raids and policy overreaches are tools to intimidate and manipulate upcoming elections.
4. Congressional Weakness & the Call for Institutional Renewal
[23:02 - 26:07]
- Congress’s self-abdication:
Both Conway and McGrath criticize Congress for failing to check executive overreach:"Congress has capitulated. ...I don’t understand why anyone would want—I mean, I’m 62 years old. I never considered running for Congress before...It’s not something for me…" (George Conway, 23:18)
- Term limits and expertise:
They compare congressional stagnation with the military’s up-and-out system and call for more fresh, well-rounded leaders.
5. The Value of Military Experience in Politics
[26:07 - 29:51]
- Diverse skill sets:
Conway praises veterans in politics, stating:"One of the things that impresses me about people like you is they're more well-rounded than any other profession." (George Conway, 27:23)
- World perspective & soft power:
Both highlight how military service fosters global awareness and a nuanced approach to foreign aid and diplomacy.
6. Tulsi Gabbard’s Role and Intelligence Overreach
[30:08 - 34:35]
- Unfounded involvement:
Gabbard—now Director of National Intelligence—appears at an FBI raid on a Georgia election office, sparking legal and constitutional outrage:"She is the Director of National Intelligence, which is supposed to be intelligence from the foreign intelligence perspective, not domestic....It’s just absolutely crazy. It’s corrupt and it’s dangerous, frankly." (George Conway, 32:06)
- Eroding legal boundaries:
The group warns of the peril in blurring lines between domestic and foreign intelligence, undermining a key civil liberties safeguard.
7. Undermining Faith in Democracy & Elections
[33:10 - 38:18]
- Efforts to undermine elections:
The Trump administration’s continued attempts to investigate or discredit past elections are critiqued:"They’re trying to undermine faith in elections generally....It's fundamental...the way we resolve our differences is peacefully at the ballot box." (George Conway, 35:03–36:13)
- Historical context:
The panel references George Washington’s voluntary departure from office as a model of putting country over self.
8. National Security Risks & Corruption
[39:09 - 42:59]
- Foreign influence via business:
A UAE-linked investment in Trump’s crypto company raised profound questions about personal profit vs. national interest:"It is actually kind of the, kind of a national security concern that the framers of our Constitution were concerned with..." (George Conway, 40:20)
- AI chip transfers to adversaries:
The episode highlights the real-world dangers of transactional foreign policy.
9. Collapse of Arms Control & Alliances
[43:04 - 46:44]
- Ending the New START Treaty:
The episode laments the demise of a major nuclear arms treaty and America’s leadership in NATO:"NATO doesn’t exist for all intents and purposes anymore. ...He’s not pursuing American interests, he’s pursuing his own interests, and he’s actually pursuing Russia’s interests." (George Conway, 44:55)
- Bipartisan consensus disregarded:
Decades of cooperative arms control and alliance-building are eroding.
10. Hope & Civic Engagement
[46:44 - 51:26]
- Signs of resistance:
Recent Democratic victories show Trumpism’s political cost, but also raise concerns about desperation and escalation. - Call to Action:
The episode closes with an impassioned plea for civic engagement:"The most patriotic thing that we can be doing right now is not stick your head in the sand. It is speak out. It is stand up whatever way you can." (Amy McGrath, 50:57)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On impeachment:
"If we can't impeach and remove this guy, then we might as well throw out the impeachment clauses, and basically the entire Constitution." (George Conway, 01:51) -
On ICE overreach:
“Their view is we can throw the book out, we can do whatever they want. ...This is classic fascism, okay? Classic authoritarianism.” (George Conway, 16:32) -
On economic policy:
“This is the ultimate scam. He's a scam artist. He scammed red America into thinking he gave a—about them. He does not.” (George Conway, 08:22) -
On the Director of National Intelligence:
"The Director of National Intelligence should not be doing work on Americans or doing any kind of domestic role. ...It’s just absolutely crazy. It’s corrupt and it’s dangerous, frankly.” (George Conway, 32:06) -
On the Constitution:
“The Constitution is a restriction on government itself for any persons in the United States.” (Amy McGrath, 15:54) -
On civic duty:
“The most patriotic thing that we can be doing right now is not stick your head in the sand. It is speak out. It is stand up whatever way you can.” (Amy McGrath, 50:57)
Important Timestamps
- [01:17] George Conway on entering the Democratic Party and congressional candidacy
- [06:02] Real-world impact: ACA subsidies lost, skyrocketing premiums
- [08:22] Conway on tariffs and Trump’s self-serving motives
- [13:01] Discussion of ICE warrantless arrests memo
- [15:54] Amy on the universal application of the Bill of Rights
- [16:32] Conway on ICE and authoritarian division
- [32:06] Debate over Tulsi Gabbard’s DNI overreach
- [35:03] Undermining elections and the importance of faith in results
- [40:20] UAE investment in Trump’s crypto business as national security risk
- [44:55] De facto dissolution of NATO and arms control collapse
- [50:57] Amy’s closing call to action: “speak out...stand up whatever way you can”
Final Thoughts
This episode blends sober warnings, sharp legal analysis, and personal passion, sounding an urgent alarm about constitutional threats, government overreach, and the corrosion of American democracy. Conway, McGrath, and Riggleman call for relentless citizen engagement and institutional courage to preserve foundational American ideals.