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Lynn Patton
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Shep
Ladies and gentlemen, that's Unlocked. Because I've been unlocked.
Lynn Patton
I love it.
Unknown Host
That's amazing. That's hilarious. Welcome back to this week's episode of Unlocked. I am so excited because I have one of my dear friends, Lynn Patton, on welcome.
Lynn Patton
What's up, girl? Thank you for having me.
Unknown Host
First off, y' all, I am so excited for because we have to go to Memphis tomorrow, but I told Lynn and our friend Shep that they had to come. That's his code name, that's his codename that they had to come to Nashville first. And then me, Lynn, Shep, and Todd are all riding together.
Lynn Patton
Road trip. Road trip.
Unknown Host
Road trip. Yes. And we are so excited. But I thought this would be a really good episode to give people, people kind of like a backstory because they see my friends on a day to day life. But ever since I've started coming to dc, it's like I have a whole different set of friends there.
Lynn Patton
And we're so excited to have you there. And like we were saying, you know, it's like a giant episode of Real World meets House of Cards.
Unknown Host
It is. It is like every time I leave, something more outrageous happens. That topped the trip before and I'm like, what world am I in?
Lynn Patton
I know even you said you couldn't keep up if you moved there. There's no way we're out every night. It's all about networking. It's all about getting things done. You know, you came to town and you've done nothing but try to advocate for the release of your parents.
Unknown Host
Yes.
Lynn Patton
And we're thrilled to say that it worked. It worked. It worked.
Unknown Host
And did I have to sleep with anyone or pay anyone?
Lynn Patton
Not at all. Not at all. In fact, for those of you who don't know me, my name is Lynn Patton. I'm a deputy assistant to the President. I've been with him and this family for almost 18 years, long before he. Long before politics, long before, you know, all of the weaponization and warfare and lawfare, long before two assassination attempts when the entire world embraced and loved them. But I've seen both sides of the coin, and what I do know is that there are very few families, maybe other than yours, that are under such a microscope.
Unknown Host
Yes.
Lynn Patton
There would never be any appearance of impropriety or any sort of quid pro quo with this family or this present, because, again, everybody is looking, even me. If I post something, crew, which is like a ethics watchdog group, will, like, send a letter within 24 hours about whatever it is I might be doing or maybe doing or might, you know, be accused of doing or look like I'm doing. They're just anything. They just throw at the wall and see what sticks. And so, yes.
Unknown Host
So, like, in. In the world of politics and you being in this family for so long, can you kind of explain to people how the media and political figures will take a tiny little thing and turn it into something it's just not?
Lynn Patton
Absolutely. I'm actually shocked that nobody said or alluded to the fact that. Because we're friends and sometimes even in each other's Instagram stories that I haven't been paid by you or somebody or, you know, and they'll say, oh, she was on Lara Trump's show, or she was friends with Lynn, or she's friends with Margot, or she's, you know, friends with Alice. All of these things. There's nothing illegal about any of that.
Unknown Host
No.
Lynn Patton
And by the way, again, I just met you like we. Why.
Unknown Host
Guess what?
Unknown Advertiser
When was cpac?
Lynn Patton
Cpac? DC was. It couldn't have been more than six months ago, I would think.
Unknown Host
February. Oh, Shep said February.
Lynn Patton
I love that Shep is sitting off camera.
Unknown Host
Oh, yeah. Sitting off camera.
Lynn Patton
His identity, except for a select few.
Unknown Host
He'S tagged on my Instagram right now. And so when this airs, no one's gonna know what today was.
Lynn Patton
I love it. I love it. Yes.
Unknown Host
So February.
Lynn Patton
So February. And, you know, you spoke at the rnc. Of course. I was there. But we never really connected. And I do have a confession.
Unknown Host
Can I please. That's what I was about to say. Can you please tell everyone how you shit on me? Shit on me, literally.
Lynn Patton
Okay, yes. I have an apology to make to Virginia and Bret. Because when I found out that the speaker for Criminal justice reform at the Republican National Convention, no offense, was gonna be a white woman with blonde hair from Tennessee, look who had never been to jail.
Unknown Host
Yes.
Lynn Patton
I was just like, what? Why? I was like, we have the Duke Tanner. We have, you know, Michael Hario Harris, like, who found co founded Death Row Records. We have all these advocates. We have Alice Johnson. Why doesn't one of them speak?
Unknown Host
Why is this?
Lynn Patton
Why are we talking? Right? But I do eat my words because you came out and you freaking killed it. You slayed. You told everybody about your story. You have become one of the greatest advocates we have for the Bureau of Prisons. And I hang out with you now. We're friends now. And so I know that this is not an act. You live, breathe and eat to make a difference, particularly in this industry. You've met with the new Bureau of Prisons director also, which is so crazy.
Unknown Host
So when I walked out of that meeting, because the meeting lasted three hours, like, I thought, okay, you know how it is. These people in D.C. who are in high up positions, you're lucky if you get a 30 minute meeting. Like, it's just how it goes. I walked out of there like after 6pm Three hours. And there was only one other person in the building, which was one of the security guards. So it could have been the only person that took a picture of me. But as I was walking out, they take a picture of me and they post it on this BoP Facebook page. And then I had dad call me because this one was still in prison. And mom, and they're like, so you met with the director today? I was like, how did you know that? They're like, oh, all the staff members here are talking about. And so even today I spoke to the director and I told him that, and he was like, I'm gonna get to the bottom of this. That was totally inappropriate. That put your safety at risk.
Lynn Patton
He's not wrong, you know. And what I do love, though, is that you taught me a great lesson, which is one that I preached from the rooftops and didn't even heed myself, which is color doesn't matter. It's the experience, it's the story, it's the commitment. The things that you shared with us, the things that you shared with the President, the things that you shared with Alice and the Bureau of Prisons are concerns that should frighten everybody.
Unknown Host
Yeah.
Lynn Patton
And the fact that I know over the next four years, you're gonna make a huge difference and impact on how the treatment of folks in prison who are still there, who, you know, whether they deserve to be there or not, should be treated humanely. The fact that they rig all of the pricing of the phone calls and how it's privatized and all these things that, you know, we're gonna get to the bottom of and we're gonna try.
Unknown Host
What's actually really interesting part of my conversation today was because I did have CoreCivic reach out to me, which I've met with. They're here in Tennessee. So they reached out to me once mom and dad got pardoned, and they were like, congratulations, this is amazing. And I told them. I was like, yes, like, we're rejoicing in this, but next week I'm getting back to work, and we need to figure out how we can work together, because, frankly, you're not ever going to get rid of private prisons. And some of these private prison operators, I do believe, have some better systems in place than what our own federal government, of course. And so I talked to Billy Marshall about that today, and under the last administration, they actually took funding away from private prisons.
Lynn Patton
Incredible.
Unknown Host
That's what hurt a lot of our men and women in the system, because then we weren't cooperating with these private prisons, which means they're now going to our ancient facilities. And that's what he said. Now we're looking in the next budget round to ask them for more money for these private prisons so we can figure out how to work together, how.
Unknown Advertiser
To rehabilitate each other.
Lynn Patton
That's right.
Unknown Host
And when everyone gets together in one room, you know, that's how you figure it out.
Lynn Patton
Absolutely. Which is why you keep hearing it, and I know you do, because I've been in the room when people keep saying it. You need to meet Jack Brewer. You need to meet Jack Brewer.
Unknown Host
Yes.
Lynn Patton
He's one of us. He's amazing. He has been in this prison system trying to change it and effectuate positive change. And he's really big on fatherhood, signed the Fatherhood act in Florida. He's going to hopefully be working with us on something similar and just getting fathers back in the lives of their children, whether they're behind bars or recently released or rehabilitated. And he's big in the world of private prisons. And however we can work together, because that's what it's all about. Working together to implement change is what this president and this administration wants.
Unknown Host
See, and I love that. What would you say to people? Because I guarantee you, it's not gonna be the first time you've been asked this question. But what do you say to people that look at you and say, how can you, as a black woman, support President Trump?
Lynn Patton
Oh, it's the most paramount question I get. You're a black female. How do you work for a racist misogynist? And the first thing I say is that I don't. I don't. And there's absolutely no amount of money in the world you could pay me to stay with a man or his family who I think harbor these types of ideologies, because it just wouldn't happen. My dad grew up in segregated Birmingham, Alabama. It would be such a disservice to him and everything he went through if I tolerated that sort of injustice. And what I always say, and this is a God's honest truth, Donald J. Trump does not see black and white. What he sees, in my opinion, is success and failure. And that's kind of the innate businessman in him. But whether that success or failure manifests itself as a person, a policy, restaurant, a TV show, it makes no difference to him. So when he said so controversially that Haiti was a shithole country, to me, what he's saying is that this country has failed its people.
Unknown Host
Yep.
Lynn Patton
That they are a corrupt government that forces their citizens to live in abject poverty. That, quite frankly, it's the exact opposite. If he were worried about being perceived as racist, the fact that that country is 99% black, he would have said to himself, oh, maybe I shouldn't say this, because people are gonna think that I'm being racist. But the fact that that part doesn't even cross his mind, and he just speaks the truth, I think that's what people love about him, and it makes him even less racist when it comes down to it.
Unknown Host
Can you also maybe tell people what president's favorite events are at the White House? Because we have Women's History Month. We have.
Lynn Patton
Yes. Black History Month. He was Hispanic, Jewish. He loves Black History Month. Like, it's usually one of his favorite events. Meaning. Because the energy in that room is just so off the charts. The excitement, you know, we had, obviously, record numbers in all of those demographics, turnout in November to vote for this man. You know, I have to sometimes remind myself that we are the majority. You know, we've been beaten down so much for the last eight to 10 years that I think we're just inherently trained now to, you know, conceal your support for the president and public, not wear the red MAGA hat, not wear T shirts. But we are the majority because when you abandon the priorities of the American voter, then don't be surprised when the American voter abandons you in return.
Unknown Host
Oh, that is so good.
Lynn Patton
Minorities, no different than anybody, just wanted to put food on their table. They just wanted to put gas in their car. They just want their kids to have a solid education without coming back as a cat or a dog or a boy. Literally. Literally. Literally. And they just want to, you know, live in a safe neighborhood and live a life of traditional values without being called extremists, without being called cultists, without being. Without being called Hitler. I've been called a white supremacist, which is, like, hilarious.
Unknown Host
That is laughable. Laughable.
Lynn Patton
Even Shep is laughing, you know?
Unknown Host
Even Shep is laughing.
Lynn Patton
Yep. So, you know, it's. The argument that Democrats have against us is just. It doesn't stick anymore. No, it doesn't stick. We're your neighbors. We're your friends. We're your family members. We work for you. We're your bosses. We are your employees. And so at the end of the day, we're all Americans, and we're here to make a difference. And people voted for change, and they're going to get it.
Unknown Host
I love that.
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Unknown Host
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Unknown Host
Do you have friends who believe differently than you who are on the other side?
Lynn Patton
My parents believe differently than I do. Wow.
Unknown Host
Okay.
Lynn Patton
I think they tell people I work at Costco. Stop it. You are lying. You are lying. I'm literally like deputies. And what I have to do sometimes is I have to say mom, dad, you know, if I. Well, first of all, my dad's been a doctor at Yale for 50 plus years. My mom's a language teacher. They are, you know, from that sort of academia elitist circle.
Unknown Host
Yes.
Lynn Patton
They were going to Martha's Vineyard long before, you know, President Obama was. I grew up like the Cosby show with one child.
Unknown Host
Yes.
Lynn Patton
Which brings me to the fact, like, how could I ever, as a minority say that I've been disadvantaged? It just hasn't been accurate. And I always say that DEI is one of the cruelest things about it is it calls into question the accomplishments of the very people it's designed to, quote, unquote, help. It doesn't elevate people. It taints Achievements. Because I know more than anyone what it's like to walk the halls of a New England boarding school and have people look at you and wonder if you literally deserve to be there or if you're just there because of your skin color. And so the Supreme Court got it right when they said, we don't live in a world where this is necessary anymore. Everybody's granted, it's the bedrock principle of this country, opportunity. And everybody's granted equal opportunity. It doesn't mean equal outcome, but everybody's given a chance, and it's how you take that opportunity and what you do with it. But long story longer. I love that.
Unknown Host
That's my favorite thing ever. Long story longer. I think I've used it once or twice. Meeting.
Lynn Patton
Yeah. You know, what this president wants to do is shift away from sort of the identity politics of Black History Month, Women's History Month, Hispanic History Month, and just focus on the golden era economy, Bringing back the strongest economy, bringing back manufacturing, bringing back strong schools, bringing back school choice, making prisons better, bringing back workforce training, criminal justice side of things. Yeah.
Unknown Host
Historically has been a very.
Lynn Patton
Yeah.
Unknown Host
Liberal kind of.
Lynn Patton
Oh, yeah. Social justice cause. Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Unknown Host
Now, but even under his first administration, the First Step Act, 2018, it was implemented.
Lynn Patton
That was one of the biggest bipartisan bills and history.
Unknown Host
Thank you. Thank you.
Lynn Patton
Yeah. And I'll never forget what Van Jones said at the time, which was, you know, I have to credit Donald J. Trump because we've been trying as a party, as a country to pass criminal justice reform, comprehensive criminal justice reform for 30 plus years. But the reason why it never passed, he said, was because everybody went to the table with an all or nothing attitude.
Unknown Host
Yep.
Lynn Patton
And what Donald Trump did for the first time is he said, well, well, what if we put this little bit in there? What if we put this little bit in there from, you know, things that we all want. What can we all agree on? Let's just put that in and then revisit it and see what else we can put in that we all agree on. And what else can we put in that we all agree on? And next thing you know, you have a pretty decent bill. And it might not be all or nothing, but it's something and it's a start. And now, you know, I'm proud to say that, you know, their informal conversations about, you know, moving on to the Second Step Act.
Unknown Host
Yes.
Lynn Patton
And that's about, you know, housing assistance, education assistance, workforce training, making sure, you know, you don't need a five or five. You don't need a four year degree to be successful in this country. And Ivanka Trump was one of the first people to make that clear in the first administration when, you know, she advocated for her dad to sign into law something that measures work experience just as much as a four year degree when it comes to hiring in the federal government.
Unknown Host
That's what I say. Literally in this whole fight. I mean, the director asked me, he was like, so what's your background? And I was like, my parents going to prison? And he like kind of laughed because I laughed, but he laughed, but it's true. And he was like, no, but really, like, where'd you go to college? What was your degree? And I looked at him, I said, I went for two years and then I said, I'm done.
Lynn Patton
But I don't think I know of anyone who's educated themselves more than you have in this space. And again, like, I admitted, you made me eat my words. Because you are going to be one of our strongest advocates in this, in this arena. You, Alice, you know, everybody who's standing behind you and helping to get the messaging out there. So I.
Unknown Host
When your life is on the line, literally when the rest of your life is on the line, you have no choice but to educate yourself. Or I guess you do. I guess you do. You can either choose to sit down.
Lynn Patton
And let your stick your head in the sand. Yes, you could have cried, felt sorry for yourself for the next 14 years plus years, you know, And I chose not to.
Unknown Host
That was the biggest thing, was like, I could sit here and feel sorry for myself, but in the back of my mind, I was like, you know what? If I don't fight like hell, I'm gonna be raising two kids.
Lynn Patton
And you're gonna be a victim too.
Unknown Host
Exactly. They grow up without their parents and become another statistic. My dad's also gonna miss my wedding. He's gonna miss me having kids. He's gonna miss, like, he's gonna be almost 70 by the time he gets out. And I refuse to accept that being my reality.
Lynn Patton
And the fact that actually the prison that your father was in tried to ban you from seeing him for another year, a year, effective, like, what, three months ago or something?
Unknown Host
At least probably three months ago.
Lynn Patton
Yeah. You would not have been able to see your dad for another, you know, eight months or something. And that is outrageous.
Unknown Host
Oh, absolutely insane. But it's going to be interesting to see what happens to that facility, what happens to the individuals who work there. Because like I said, for the first time, I actually have faith in who The President has elected for this position because the last person, Colette Peters. I remember watching her swearing in and I was like, oh, my God. I was literally sitting in my bathtub with my laptop watching her swearing in and I was like, yes, thank God. Finally, a woman in a position of power. Things are going to get done. And she left an absolute dumpster fire.
Lynn Patton
Of a mess because again, the media brainwashes you into thinking that, you know, because you're a minority or because you're a woman or something like along these lines, you're going to care more. Yes, but that's not accurate.
Unknown Host
No, not at all.
Lynn Patton
You again, prove me wrong by showing that I love you.
Unknown Host
I could hear that a few more times. Come on. No, I'm kidding.
Lynn Patton
I'm only going to say one more time. You know, again, I love the fact that you proved me wrong and I love the fact that we're best friends and I love the fact that I just can't wait to be your biggest champion when it comes to what you're gonna do and what you're gonna change. And having a front row seat to that is just as exciting as it's been, you know, on this journey with the Trump family for the last 17 years.
Unknown Host
I love you. I do. I love you.
Lynn Patton
And your parents are going to be staunch advocates for change.
Unknown Host
Oh, well, you saw in the press conference today, my dad was like, I'm not leaving these men behind.
Lynn Patton
By pardoning them, President Trump created two more advocates, two more warriors, two more non victims who are going to make sure that the people they met and the stories they heard and the conditions they suffered under are going to change and going to be better for the people who are still there.
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Unknown Host
The day that they were pardoned. They weren't the only ones pardoned.
Lynn Patton
Yeah, there was 28 other people were pardoned, including Larry Hoover, who founded the Gangster Disciples, one of the most ruthless black gangs in Chicago. He's since disavowed his association with them. And I think he was in solitary confinement for decades. Yes, like decades. That cannot be more inhumane how he didn't come out like just blazing and wanting to kick everybody's ass. You know, I don't know if I can say ass, okay, but is beyond me. I mean, how you don't just lose your sanity is beyond me. But instead he came out stronger, wrote books, advocated for people, is committed to helping others. Alice Johnson knows this, believes in him, put her name on the line by saying he needs to be unconditionally pardoned. And now actually he's been transferred to a state prison, which may arguably be worse. And now, you know, Governor Pritzer, let's see what you have to say because now it's all on you. You can pardon this man and make him free and create another social justice warrior.
Unknown Host
Thank you.
Lynn Patton
But instead you're going to keep him behind bars. You know, advocating from the inside, which is not as helpful.
Unknown Host
No. Because he was down for 50 years.
Lynn Patton
Yeah. We have Michael Harry O. Harris, who also co founded Death Row Records. Snoop Dogg has advocated for him for years. He was granted an unconditional pardon. Duke Tanner, who had never been arrested before. This blew my mind when he told me this, become one of my very close friends. He'd never been arrested before, ever. Never been in trouble with the law. Got in trouble selling drugs, I think marijuana and which by the way is legal now in most states. Sentenced to like two life terms plus like 50 years. You know, when Laura Trump said to Alice Johnson the other day when I was watching her be interviewed at the White House, you had the same sentence Laura said to Alice as Charles Manson, I almost fell off my chair. Like, in what world does Alice Johnson, a first time offender who has also never been, who'd also never been arrested or in trouble before in her entire life.
Unknown Advertiser
Yes.
Lynn Patton
Get the same sentence as Charles Manson.
Unknown Host
Thank you. And for people that are listening or watching, I did an episode with Alice Johnson probably a year, probably like a year ago.
Unknown Advertiser
And so you can go back and.
Unknown Host
Watch it, but her story was insane. It was all conspiracy. Drugs were never found on her.
Lynn Patton
Never.
Unknown Host
It was. And she got a life plus 25.
Lynn Patton
And the one who was guilty of selling drugs, they ended up making a deal with. And I think he didn't even serve any time, if not more than three years and out, you know, and he was the true mastermind. We all believe in justice.
Unknown Host
Yes.
Lynn Patton
But what we believe in is equal justice. I said that today.
Unknown Host
And so when you speak about Alice Johnson, obviously you both are working within the administration, so you've gotten to know each other.
Lynn Patton
We're like besties.
Unknown Host
I love it.
Lynn Patton
We go get coffee together. We go, yeah.
Unknown Host
So what is. What if you could describe Alice in a few words? How would you describe her?
Lynn Patton
I mean, hero is the first word that comes to mind.
Unknown Host
Yeah, she is.
Lynn Patton
She's just such a hero because again, you're talking about somebody who has every excuse to be angry, to be an unproductive, angry person. But instead she's chosen to advocate for people like herself. You know what your parents are going to start doing? We're going to her 70th birthday party tomorrow.
Unknown Host
Her 70th birthday and seven years free.
Lynn Patton
Yes. And she's 70. 70.
Unknown Host
And that's what I tell people is, you know what, Alice Johnson is 70 years old.
Lynn Patton
Oh, I know. We were talking about that this morning. In the White House, Brett. My colleagues Brett and Alex were like, what is she doing? I'm like, it's called Black don't crack.
Unknown Host
Yes, exactly.
Lynn Patton
I have some I can give you. It's like, comes in a bottle. We should bottle it.
Unknown Host
Bottle it. Come on. No, but really, I'm like, she's 70 years old. It is never too late to make a difference in this world. It's never too late to show up and love people. And love people. Well, she spent 20 plus years in prison.
Lynn Patton
Yeah. And what she told. When she told us, you know, Shep knows, we were at dinner, and she told a captivated audience, like, her story, and she literally said her release date on her paperwork said death. And, you know, I was just like, wow. First of all, that would make a powerful movie title.
Unknown Host
Yeah.
Lynn Patton
Literally. Secondly, it's just. Can you imagine? Like, the only way you're getting out of here is in a pine box? And what impressed me about her the most is that she told us all the things that she was doing in prison. Speaking at schools, putting on having. Helping the prisoners. Her fellow prisoners put on plays, you know, that depicted stories from the Bible when they had visiting days for the other families. You know, most people do those kinds of things in prison so that it looks good on their parole board hearing. They don't do these things when they have no chance in hell of getting out.
Unknown Host
Yes.
Lynn Patton
And so the fact that she was doing all these things with absolutely no goal in mind other than just helping people was what really impressed me about the woman.
Unknown Host
I love her.
Lynn Patton
She's just so genuine, and she keeps it so good.
Unknown Host
And she does not take shit. I mean, I do not want to be someone that pisses off Alice Jones.
Lynn Patton
I do not either. I do not. And she said. She's like, you know, I was friends with the people that, you know, folks were scared of in prison. She was friends with the staff. She was friends with the women who, you know, maybe were meek. Everybody got along with her, and that's very rare. I can imagine in prison is when. When you get along with everyone, it's almost just unheard of, but she's one of those people that just, you know, sticks up for herself, defends herself, and nobody's gonna mess with her.
Unknown Host
I love that. Okay, so before we wrap up.
Lynn Patton
Yeah.
Unknown Host
You have the next four years basically in the White House, and maybe you.
Lynn Patton
Don'T know, but, I mean, I'm trying. You're trying. It's the honor of a lifetime. I always say the only downside.
Unknown Host
Stop laughing.
Lynn Patton
The Only down. The downside of winning is having to move back to Washington, D.C. yes. Which I wouldn't wish on anyone. But, you know, when the president asks you to come back and work for his administration for a second time, you don't say no.
Unknown Advertiser
No.
Lynn Patton
You serve at the pleasure of the president. And I will be there as long as he'll have me. But.
Unknown Host
And what's after that?
Lynn Patton
What's after that? I know. Well, coming out and maybe helping people like yourself see, you know, making sure that we're making. Oh, who's this we have.
Unknown Host
Come on.
Lynn Patton
You're gonna. Come on. I can't believe I'm meeting you for the first time. How are you? I feel like I know you.
Shep
Well, you should.
Lynn Patton
I mean, when your father FaceTimed me on the way back from prison with you yesterday and said, you know, I had to Google you because anybody hanging out with my daughter, I have to invest. And when I saw that you were suspended from the government, I said, that's my kind of girl.
Unknown Host
You guys sit here. If you're gonna tell the story, you might as well make me some money while you do it. I'm Sharon. It's like yesterday, Let the Money Roll In.
Shep
It's this group of Democrats. Yesterday, they posted a thing about our party, and they said, Dear Mr. President, can you help? So and so and so and so. And I went back and I said, who'd you vote for? Don't start coming and begging for a pardon now. When you damn ran him in the ground, talked all this mad shit, and then tried to put him in prison. Who's ever heard of such in this country that we locking up our presidents?
Lynn Patton
Can you imagine? I mean. I mean, and shooting at them twice.
Shep
We've had whoremongers in the Oval Office. We've had blow jobs under the Oval Desk. We've had Hillary running the country behind and using her husband as the front.
Lynn Patton
That's right.
Shep
Well, Joe didn't do anything. You can't blame him for anything because he wasn't there. Joe was never there. He never even knew he was in the White House. And I also. I mean, I believe in prison. I'm not sitting here saying to abolish prisons. Yes. But at the end of the day, we incarcerate more individuals in the United States of America than any any other country in the world. We then have the highest recidivism rate of anyone else in the world.
Lynn Patton
That's right.
Shep
So if we are the number one country of incarceration, should we not be the number one country in lowering recidivism, but yet we've got the highest. Yes, the Clinton News Network. You know, that does all their on.
Unknown Host
That note, thank you for showing up to today's episode. And we're going to cut it because I need some of you Dems to watch this too.
Shep
So until next time, ladies and gentlemen, that's the end of Unlocked. Because I've been unlocked.
Lynn Patton
I love it.
Unknown Host
That's amazing.
Adam Rippon
Hi, I'm Adam Rippon, and this is Intrusive Thoughts, the podcast where I finally say the stuff out loud that's been living rent free in my head for years. From dumb decisions to awkward moments I probably should have kept to myself. Nothing's off limits. Yes, I'm talking about the time I lost my phone mid flight and still haven't truly emotionally recovered from that. There might be too many sound effects. I've been told to chill. Will I Unclear, but if you've ever laid awake at night cringing at something you said five years ago, congratulations. You found your people. Intrusive Thoughts with Adam Rippon is available now wherever you get your podcasts.
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**Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley: Episode Summary
Episode: Todd Chrisley Crashes The Podcast! (feat. Lynne Patton)
Release Date: June 10, 2025
In this compelling episode of Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley, host Savannah brings together close friends and influential figures to delve into personal journeys, political advocacy, and the intricacies of navigating public life. The episode prominently features Lynn Patton, Deputy Assistant to the President, and Shep, a codename referred to in the conversation.
[01:02] Unknown Host: "Welcome back to this week's episode of Unlocked. I am so excited because I have one of my dear friends, Lynn Patton, on welcome."
Savannah introduces Lynn Patton, setting the stage for discussions that intertwine personal experiences with broader political themes. The group discusses an upcoming road trip to Memphis and Nashville, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie and collaboration.
[02:34] Lynn Patton: "My name is Lynn Patton. I'm a deputy assistant to the President. I've been with him and this family for almost 18 years, long before he."
Lynn provides an overview of her extensive experience within the administration, highlighting her long-term commitment and deep understanding of the political landscape. She underscores the scrutiny faced by high-profile families and the importance of maintaining integrity amidst public scrutiny.
[03:51] Unknown Host: "Can you kind of explain to people how the media and political figures will take a tiny little thing and turn it into something it's just not?"
The conversation shifts to how media often magnifies minor issues, distorting public perception. Lynn emphasizes the importance of transparency and ethical conduct, mentioning the role of watchdog groups like Crew in monitoring potential improprieties.
[05:19] Unknown Host: "Can you please tell everyone how you shit on me?"
The host humorously requests Lynn to recount past criticisms, leading to a deeper discussion about Lynn's initial skepticism and eventual support for the host's advocacy efforts. Lynn praises the host's dedication to criminal justice reform and her impactful work with the Bureau of Prisons.
[08:48] Unknown Host: "What's actually really interesting part of my conversation today was because I did have CoreCivic reach out to me..."
They explore the complexities of private prisons, funding, and the administration's approach to improving the incarceration system. The duo discusses budget allocations and the potential for collaboration with private entities to enhance rehabilitation programs.
[10:50] Unknown Host: "What would you say to people that look at you and say, how can you, as a black woman, support President Trump?"
Lynn addresses the challenging question of supporting President Trump from a Black female perspective. She clarifies her stance, emphasizing that her support is based on policy alignment rather than ideological affinity, and explains how Trump's focus on success and failure transcends racial considerations.
[20:00] Unknown Host: "That's my favorite thing ever. Long story longer."
Lynn discusses the administration's intent to move away from identity politics, advocating for a focus on economic revival, manufacturing, education, and criminal justice reforms. She highlights bipartisan efforts like the First Step Act and the collaborative approach to legislative progress.
[23:14] Unknown Host: "When your life is on the line, literally when the rest of your life is on the line, you have no choice but to educate yourself."
The conversation delves into personal struggles and resilience. The host shares her determination to advocate for her parents' release from prison, emphasizing the personal stakes involved and the broader implications for familial relationships and future generations.
[28:30] Unknown Host: "The day that they were pardoned. They weren't the only ones pardoned."
Lynn and the host discuss various individuals who were pardoned, including high-profile figures like Larry Hoover and Duke Tanner. They critique the inconsistencies in sentencing and advocate for equal justice, highlighting the transformative journeys of these individuals post-pardon.
[35:02] Unknown Host: "You have the next four years basically in the White House..."
As the episode wraps up, Lynn reflects on her ongoing commitment to the administration and the broader goals of societal reform. She expresses optimism about continued progress and the collective efforts to effect meaningful change within the criminal justice system.
Lynn Patton [02:34]: "I'm a deputy assistant to the President. I've been with him and this family for almost 18 years, long before he."
Unknown Host [05:19]: "Can you please tell everyone how you shit on me?"
Lynn Patton [12:20]: "Donald J. Trump does not see black and white. What he sees, in my opinion, is success and failure."
Unknown Host [23:35]: "That was the biggest thing, was like, I could sit here and feel sorry for myself, but in the back of my mind, I was like, you know what? If I don't fight like hell, I'm gonna be raising two kids."
Lynn Patton [25:12]: "The argument that Democrats have against us is just. It doesn't stick anymore. No, it doesn't stick."
This episode offers a nuanced exploration of personal advocacy intertwined with political strategy. Lynn Patton's perspectives provide valuable insights into the complexities of criminal justice reform, the role of private prisons, and the challenges of supporting political figures amidst public scrutiny. The deepened friendship and mutual respect between Lynn and the host underscore the power of collaboration in driving societal change. Listeners gain an understanding of the delicate balance between personal convictions and public responsibilities, highlighting the ongoing efforts to create a more equitable justice system.