Podcast Summary: "Gov't Shutdown Is Blowing Up In Dems' Faces"
VINCE with Vince Coglianese | Episode 157 | October 29, 2025
Overview
In this episode, Vince Coglianese dives into the ongoing government shutdown, arguing that Democratic tactics are backfiring and causing widespread suffering among Americans. He probes new revelations about the Biden DOJ's targeting of the conservative movement, discusses criminal referrals against former senior government officials, and interviews Congressman Jim Jordan, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, for insider insights. The show delivers a blend of sharp criticism, insider updates, and pointed humor—all in Vince’s trademark energetic and cutting tone.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Government Shutdown: Who’s to Blame?
- Shutdown Status: The government shutdown has entered its 29th day (09:23), affecting military, air traffic controllers, law enforcement, and recipients of food stamps.
- “Food stamps are about to disappear. Democrats say that's the point. They want more human suffering.”—Vince (01:24)
- Democratic Strategy: Vince accuses Democrats of intentionally prolonging the shutdown to use Americans’ suffering as leverage.
- Refers to Democrat statements: “Your suffering is our leverage.” (18:18)
- Trump Administration Actions: Over 4,000 federal workers have been fired, but federal judges (“Clinton appointees”) have blocked further mass layoffs. (21:15)
- “We need to do a controlled burn of our federal government.” —Vince (21:40)
- Union & Democrat Disconnect: Federal workers’ unions are now pressuring Democrats to reopen government, but top Democrats are resistant.
- Senator Welch (23:34), Senator Cory Booker (25:10), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (26:36), and Senator Chris Coons (27:30) all express, in Vince’s terms, “callous disregard for human suffering,” using the shutdown as a bargaining chip.
- “It's the only lever we have.”—Sen. Whitehouse, quoted by Vince (26:42)
2. Blame Game & Public Perception
- Democrat Messaging: Dems blame Republicans despite Democratic filibuster. Vince calls this “a lie.”
- “He just lies... Republicans shut the government down. It's a Republican shutdown, you idiot.”—Vince on Cory Booker (25:32)
- Polling Reaction: Contrary to past shutdowns, polling now favors Republicans. CNN data cited (28:20):
- “How is it that President Trump's approval rating has gone up during the shutdown? …The answer to that is we are winning.”—Vince (28:51)
- Shift in Media: Vince credits alternative/independent media for Americans’ increased awareness, breaking through the “stranglehold” of legacy press. (29:38)
3. Biden DOJ & ‘Auto Pen Presidency’ Scandal
- Auto Pen Allegations: House Oversight Committee has referred for criminal investigation the Biden administration’s use of auto pen signatures on pardons and executive actions, stirring questions about legitimacy.
- “How much of Biden's presidency could even be considered legitimate?... Other people were operating a robot at the White House in order to sign documents without his knowledge.”—Vince (04:17)
- Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General: Confirms DOJ investigation into digital auto pen use. Biden’s pardons of family and others are under scrutiny (06:00).
- Accountability Push: Vince celebrates DOJ action against former officials, including Comey, Letitia James, John Bolton, and most recently a referral of John Brennan for lying to Congress.
- “More, more, more, more. That's what we're looking for.”—Vince (08:10)
4. Biden Justice Department’s Targeting of Conservatives
- Project ‘Arctic Frost’: Newly released 200-page FBI doc tranche reveals Biden DOJ and Special Counsel Jack Smith targeted over 150 conservative officials/organizations for surveillance and prosecution (09:54).
- Among targets: Conservative Partnership Institute and founder Ed Corrigan.
- FBI rationale cited: Corrigan “hates the FBI and was anti Biden” (11:40).
- FBI Culture Change: Vince praises the current FBI (under Directors Kash Patel and Dan Bongino) for pursuing “real criminals” versus previous “tyrannical abuses.” (15:30)
- “Corruption like this is being crushed in your federal government day by day. It's a new era.”—Kash Patel statement quoted by Vince (16:00)
5. Deep Dive Interview: Congressman Jim Jordan (Chair, House Judiciary)
On Democrat Tactics in the Shutdown
- “I don't know that the American people have ever seen anything so brazen, so callous, so heartless…”—Jim Jordan (34:44)
- “Chuck Schumer against Chuck Schumer. He voted for it six months ago. He won't now. And...it's the Democrats.”—Jordan (34:58)
- Predicts Democrats may drag shutdown out until after key November elections (35:47).
On Obamacare Subsidies
- Jordan and Vince argue Dems are “covering up” Obamacare cost failures by pushing for re-extended subsidies, amounting to a “COVID-up” of premium hikes (37:31).
- “What Democrats are trying to fight for right now is how big the ongoing cover up of this [Obamacare expense] is going to be.”—Vince (37:31)
- “...Just how bad the Obamacare is...the subsidy doesn't go to the family, it goes to the insurance company. A further way that they can hide just how bad this whole thing has turned out to be.”—Jordan (38:15)
On Biden DOJ Abuses and Investigations
- Jordan explains how documents reveal Jack Smith's probe was broader than believed, with over 180 subpoenas and deep collaboration with the January 6th Committee (39:29).
- “It was all about going after your political foes, all about trying, trying to prevent President Trump from ever running again, forever being president again.”—Jordan (41:54)
- Vince and Jordan discuss oversight vs. prosecution: Congress investigates and refers cases, DOJ must prosecute.
- Jordan: “We're the legislative branch...all we can do is get the facts...then we can also say, here is someone we think did wrong...refer that to the Justice Department...”—(45:40)
- DOJ and FBI now cooperating more fully with oversight; “It's night and day...We're getting all this information that wasn't given to us when we were doing our investigations in previous Congresses.”—Jordan (48:10)
On Indictments and Perp Walks
- Vince theorizes the Trump administration avoids public, dramatic arrests to prevent left-wing “martyrdom” narratives; Jordan agrees that's simply, “the right way to do things.” (52:31)
6. Democrats and Political Violence—Michael Knowles’ Senate Testimony
- After appearing on Vince’s show, Michael Knowles testifies to the Senate, directly criticizing Senator Cory Booker for his continued endorsement of Jay Jones (Virginia AG nominee), who allegedly called for violence against Republicans.
- “Senator Booker, I think, should practice what he preaches. … their words are meaningless. They are shedding crocodile tears on the topic of political violence.”—Michael Knowles (55:23)
- Vince underscores Democrat complicity or apathy in the face of left-wing political violence, linking it back to perceived hypocrisy and the ongoing troubles in the Democratic Party (56:46).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Food stamps are about to disappear. Democrats say that's the point. They want more human suffering.” —Vince (01:24)
- “The President of the United States, Joe Biden, is non compos mentis. That's Latin for his brain don't work.”—Vince (06:10)
- “Your suffering is our leverage.” —Democratic talking point, referenced by Vince (18:18)
- “Chuck Schumer against Chuck Schumer. He voted for it six months ago. He won't now.”—Rep. Jim Jordan (34:58)
- “If you like your plan, you can keep your plan. If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. Premiums will go down...none of that turned out to be true.”—Jim Jordan on Obamacare (37:49)
- “Corruption like this is being crushed in your federal government day by day. It's a new era.”—Kash Patel (16:00)
- “How is it that President Trump's approval rating has gone up during the shutdown?... The answer to that is we are winning. We are winning. The legacy media are losing.”—Vince (28:51)
- “It was all about going after your political foes... trying to prevent President Trump from ever running again.”—Jim Jordan (41:54)
- “Senator Booker, I think, should practice what he preaches… their words are meaningless. They are shedding crocodile tears on the topic of political violence.” —Michael Knowles (55:23)
- “It's always cover ups with these Democrats. Remarkable stuff.” —Vince (57:53)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Main Topic Introduction & Setup — 00:00–01:45
- Auto Pen Presidency, DOJ Accountability, and Indictments — 01:55–10:00
- Arctic Frost & DOJ’s Targeting of Conservatives — 10:00–18:30
- Government Shutdown Analysis: Political and Real-World Impact — 18:30–29:50
- Jim Jordan Interview (Shutdown, DOJ Abuse, Oversight) — 34:15–53:40
- Michael Knowles Testimony Highlight — 55:23–56:46
- Closing Reflections on Democrat Politics and Political Violence — 56:46–End
Final Thoughts
This episode is a fast-paced, detail-heavy look at what Vince Coglianese and his guests see as the strategic errors and alleged abuses of power by Democrats during the government shutdown and the final years of the Biden administration. Through deep dives into ongoing investigations, first-hand Congressional insight, and a spotlight on left-wing rhetoric and violence, the episode aims to energize and inform a conservative audience seeking both substance and bite.
This summary is designed to let you follow the episode’s major arguments, insights, and argumentative style without listening to all the "Wednesday Morning Vince."